Jennifer Mahoney

Active learning includes collaborative learning, cooperative learning, and problem solving. Each of these help with people skills, positive interactions, and help facilitate critical thinking.  Taking notes during lecture does little to engage the brain.  Use of technology can be beneficial. I like the idea of flipping the classroom where students are provided the answers in advance and should come up with the questions.

The online instructor is the director of the course. Positively motivating the students helps increase learning. Students often lack time management. Students can use reading, reflective writing, doing, and displaying to help them actively learn.

You need to test the technology you use for an online course so as not to hinder online learning. You also need to make sure your students have the necessary equipment to be able to participate and complete assignments.

Anything other than lecture is passive learning and it can be things such as group work, problem solving, debates, and playing jeopardy. It makes the students responsible for their learning and the instructor is the coach. It allows students to read, reflect, display, and do to learn.  It increases student retention, which may increase funding for the school as they have more students.

Lecture for 10-15 minutes and in lab only give 5-7 steps/directions at a time. Break students into small groups and circulate during lab time. Use a variety of teaching methods to target different learning styles.

Students should come away from the first class with a sense of comfort about their ability to succeed in the class and should see how the class will help their career.

Make resource packets for students. Provide comfort, security, and acceptance. Follow a checklist and use a note pad to jot down things you need to do for students. 

I will manage, motivate, and model as an instructor. Part of personal competency has to do with my personality and how I can use it to maximize learning while giving instruction. Also, this is part of my instructional style. The most important thing in the classroom is learning, not teaching. It's OK to admit mistakes. I need to create a professional development plan.