As we come to the middle part of
this course in Introduction to Online
Teaching we are asked to reflect on what we have learned to date and if
this is a career that we are interested in continuing with.
During the first unit we became
familiar with Blackboard and its components.
Although at first there was a learning curve that had to be mastered, I
am now familiar with Blackboard and its tools and features. As a student, through the use of Blackboard, I
can communicate with my peers and the instructor. We found many of the Blackboard and Blackboard
IM features extremely helpful when we were doing our group projects. Blackboard IM is very nice too since we know
who else is online at any given time and we can use this to ask questions and
collaborate.
Although I currently train
“netiquette”, I was able to improve my personal “netiquette” and have forwarded
the URL to our curriculum design team as a link we may want to use. I found the site very detailed and helpful.
I have learned that if I want to
successfully complete this course that I have to restructure my time so that I
can give this course the time that it requires.
To devote less time impairs my learning and success. I am determined to complete this course and
earn my certification as it will expand my employment opportunities and assist
me in being the best teacher that I can be.
Excellence is a goal that I set for me and those I teach.
I learned a new empathy for online
learners and that has had an influence on the type of online instructor I will be
in the future. I am much more in tune to
how to meet leaning needs based on learning styles and understand the types of
adjustments that I need to make to my teaching style to be a more effective online
instructor.
We use a hybrid or blended style as
we have web based teaching, self directed online classes, classroom for
lecture, computer program instruction and hands on practice activities. Students will also finish up their training
with a couple of weeks of on the job training where they shadow experienced
workers in the field. This entire
process is very thorough yet often confusing for the students.
One of the changes that I will make
is being more “high touch” in my approach. As I begin a new class next week, I
have developed a welcome letter that sets a positive tone to the work we will
be doing together and provides all of my contact information in case there are
questions or difficulties. Course
expectations are clearly outlined and the class participants are invited to
tell me of any special learning needs that they may have.
As I was preparing for this class I
noted that some needed schedule changes left the students with only minimal
support during their first few days. Due
to my new understanding of the needs of online students and my new
understanding of learning styles, I have added twice daily contact between
myself and the students. I have also
added a twice weekly group discussion for the group. I believe that these needs would have gone
unrecognized previously, leaving many learners with their needs unmet.
In this particular class we will
spend the first two weeks together online doing facilitator led training as
well as self directed training. In
keeping with the article Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and
Learning I am developing questions for them
to work on in work groups to try to assist with engagement and provide
opportunities for them to learn from each other instead of listening to me
lecture. This class is a combination of
new employees and those who are transferring from another specialty to investigations. This multiple levels of experience will be
considered when groups are developed. This
should assist with the transfer of learning.
These groups will also meet the learning needs of those Visual/Verbal and
Auditory/Verbal learners as they enjoy working in groups. Combining the various experience levels
allows for “campfire” and “water cooler” discussions within the groups.
In spite of the fact that our
curriculum design may be confusing to students at first, it meets the various
learning styles of our students. The
online and web instruction meet the needs of visual and auditory learners while
the classroom has a lot of practice which meets the needs of kinesthetic learners. I need to improve my facilitation and delegation
skills and move away from the expert style in order to meet a wider variety of
learning needs. Being a subject matter
expert and relying on that expertise in the face to face model may have become
a crutch that I have utilized. I think
that as a visual learner I tend to believe that others learn in the same
way. I look forward to challenging myself in this
area and stretching my teaching muscles as I prepare for class in a way that forces me to use facilitation and
delegation skills. I am certain that
these will become more natural to me as I practice them.
I am excited about the digital
portfolio. It has a professional look
and is not something that everyone is using.
The use of the digital portfolio demonstrates a skill simply by setting
it up and referring others to it. It
also provides much more information than you can efficiently communicate
through a resume alone. I can display a
curriculum that I have designed or one that I am trying to promote as a
consultant. As I seek consultation
positions or online teaching jobs, this one simple and easy to design digital portfolio
really sets me apart from my competition.
I am thankful that I have been introduced to this technology.
My portfolio strategy is to define
what I am currently doing, what I am capable of doing, and what my experience
in my field has been. I want to sell my
expertise in my profession and also sell that I can be an effective online
instructor. I want my portfolio to be
friendly and professional.
Do I want to complete this certification
course? The answer is yes, yes, yes! Is this something that I can do? Can I be effective? Again I believe that this is a good fit for
me. I am passionate about maximizing
myself and others in my field. I have
heard that this curriculum gets more difficult each semester and I am already
being challenged at a high level. I love
what I do. I love child welfare and I
love teaching. Online teaching is the
way of the future. I believe that my
passion for my field and my desire to remain relevant is what will motivate me
forward towards certificate completion and my future success as an online
instructor.
