Karina Trejo Melendez

Keeping the reasons why students may leave a program top of mind can really reduce the chance of them dropping out of the class and program. Being proactive and taking the right measures can reduce feelings of alienation, heavy workload, competing responsibilities, and technical difficulties.

It's important to fill in the communication gaps that can be hindered by online discussions. Compensate for lack of non-verbals by using color, bolding, and underlining in your messages. I found that the use of emojis was suggested to be interesting because some educators may think that's informal for an academic setting but I find that it is a good tool to incorporate since students are comfortable and used to emojis in their digital communication. 

Adapting learning strategies to establish and nurture mutual trust, harmony, respect, and understanding among students is a method that can not only be used in person but can also be used in the online classroom to inspire new ideas and creativity. The same level of care and dedication that is needed in the in-person classroom is also needed in the online classroom.

Knowing how to navigate and maximize the CMS platform will set instructors up for success. This includes investing time into understanding all of the features on our end as educators but also considering and studying how students are receiving and navigating the content on their end. Features like Student View can be so helpful in this regard!

Be very tactical with how long lectures are and intermix it with activities to keep students engaged

As much as people don't like icebreakers, finding get-to-know-you activities that are unique and engaging can make a big difference in student comfort and success.

Proper preparation will set the tone for your class. It's important to invest time in getting to know your students before class begins and throughout the course.

Investing in your professional development as a teacher should be an intentional act that can be used to keep yourself accountable. I would like to continue to grow in my teaching pedagogy and nurture the student centered classroom. Showing genuine care for your students is what will really make a difference in their learning and their lives.