The focus of any online course should be on the learner and not the technology. As providers of the online learning experience, the emphasis should (ii) involve effective communication, (ii) encourage a learner-centered environment, (iii) organize a problem-based learning, and (iv) provide a meaningful and informative feedback.
Facilitating engagement is important and using feedback from students to address course areas of confusion and make adjustments is important.
Comment on Gulsebnem Bishop's post: Yes, I realized I usually support students' participation but do not provide constructive feedback. I think this is something I need to work on as well.
The online instructor has many roles to play, facilitator, technological monitor, social manager cultivating a positive community, and ensuring proper communication is fluid among all faculty and students.
When providing instructions and feedback communication should be clear and precise to avoid miscommunication and complete understanding of feedback.
engage the student vary your teaching style
We must identify our facilitation approach, understand our roles as a facilitator, develop a plan and assess that plan through out the time teaching this course.
I'm struggling with the concept of problem-based learning. I teach an online plant science class, and while there are plenty of problems researchers are solving through plant science, this introductory level includes basic anatomy and physiology lessons. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around how to get them solving real-world problems using their course content (they do read about real-world problems being solved by other plant scientists).
Sinceramente complacida y encantada con este curso, me ha dado herramientas para poder reflexionar sobre mi accionar pedagógico en el entorno virtual.
Para hacer un PEA desde los entornos virtuales es necesario ver las necesidades del estudiantes, pensar en tu accionar docente desde la visión de un facilitador, y darle una mirada a tu liderazgo en el aula.
El contenido es importante pero tambien lo es, que sea comprendido por el estudiante para lograr su autonomia y una participación activa dentro de su propio proceso de aprendizaje.
I never thought about doing less of the discussion leading as the term goes on and allowing students to lead the discussions instead, but I can see how that allows me to mentor and facilitate and empower them to lead.
I learned that I can encourage my students to take ownership of their learning and develop a growth mindset. In creating student-learning opportunities, each student can take on an active role by choosing topics of interest and projects to participate in that most interest them. The live lab experience will allow the students to share ideas and knowledge and develop their culinary skills with classmates.
Syllabus should be the first place to establish expectations for student engagement.
Miscommunications happen regularly, so it's important to be clear.
It's up to me as instructor to set the tone of the course in terms of student/teacher roles. Choices can vary depending on both material and type of students.
Feedback plays a key role in online teaching.
In this module I learned that having feedback is critical for students
Making sure student feedback is read and understood. In this way, the course may always be effective for the students who are taking the course.
Feedback and timely responses are essential for learning.
Student feedback helps tailor the teaching pattern to an individual classes needs. Encouraging participation facilitates the need for student to actively learn.
