Debra Miller

Scaffolding is the key to learning. I have always felt as an instructor you need to build on each Module when creating classes instead of intorducing some totally different each week.

Reply to Pamela Gabbay' I agree you need to keep the discussion active. I find it is best to ask each student to explain part of their comment.  I also9 think feedback is very important to the students. I have learned over the years it the student missed part of their assignment, I make the comment like " I wish you had done this or that, however you did a nice job on this or that".

I always have a Live meeting before the course starts to cover the structure of the course and what is contained in each module. I response to every post on the Discussion board. I address each and everones technical problems and if I can't then I refer them to the experts.

I have learned what the differences are between Title IX and Clery Act. I was not aware of the VAWA and it was very insightful. I like the many rules all three provide to keep all students safe while getting an education.

I never knew about these different laws and it makes sense to why they created them. I will definatley pay attention to them and follow as directed. As for teaching online, I do know how it can be very challenging, however if you use common sense you should be able to follow the laws.

I have a dedicated cell phone for my students and it is protected with VPN and a password just in case I leave it somewhere. I also have the option to erase and reset the phone back to the factory settings. The same is on my laptop that I use for online teaching. I take security very seriously. I remember when I was a student and worried about people discovery my information.

FERPA is a confusing policy, however common sense has kept me in inline with the FERPA laws. I found by asking myself what I want to be disclosed and what I do not want disclosed for myself will keep me within the FERPA laws. It helps when the school you work for keeps you informed of the changing laws.

My feeling as an online instructor, I do not share any information about a student unless it is an offical of the college. I will not even share a letter from the student to anyone unless it requires to go to their Dean. I will leave this up to the officals at the college. I do want to violate FERPA laws.