Marla Graves Cortes

Technology has become very important in education.  Therefore in order for us to continually improve our students educational experience we must continue to improve the benefits of technology in our students lives.

Alot of the material discussed was very informative.  I feel like it has helped me to understand different ways of both challenging and motivating my online students.  Students have to be willing to do their part in the online course but as an instructor I have to make myself availlable to help with the understanding and education of the course.

I agree with the idea that student retention is based greatly on the interaction and relationships that the student has with the faculty. I feel like I have had more success in the retention of my students by taking the time to build individual relationships with my students.  I make it a point to know their strengths and weaknesses, the struggles they are facing that could affect their performance as students. Alot of times that student just wants to know that there is someone who believes in them and wants to see them reach their goals.