Current Perception of Online Learning/Teaching
Over the past seven years I have had the opportunity to enter into the online learning environment as a student and have had a variety of exposure and experience with online learning and teaching that shape the way I think and feel about the concept of online teaching and learning. Online learning is more complex than face to face learning because the student must have the motivation, focus, organizational skills, and must have prioritization skills to meet the challenges in the online environment. In order to meet deadlines for individual and group projects, and completing assignments and participate in discussions on a regular basis the student must have good planning skills and a passion for online learning. To achieve and meet the goals and objectives of the course and to be successful as an online student active engagement and ongoing communication in and outside of the classroom is important.
From the teaching angle of the online environment, I find that the instructor must have online experience to be able to understand and meet the needs of students. The instructor on the other hand, must provide an environment where every student feels comfortable and the environment is non-threatening to permit open communication and interaction. The instructor is responsible to support an environment where students feel welcome and use whatever means there is that is ethical in the teaching arena to enhance learning and promote success in the online environment in order to teach effectively and promote learning with a high standards and highest possible quality with the best learner outcome.
What I hope to learn in OTNL 650: Introduction to Online Teaching
As a student in the online environment, I am hoping to walk away with an ease of mind knowing what it takes to teach and learn online first hand from the expert, the instructor. I will use the knowledge to build and continue building skills and knowledge from successive courses to gain full insight into teaching online and what it takes to be effective in teaching and promoting learning in a diverse community of learners. I am hoping that at the end of the course I will be able to meet the course objectives and able to:
• Identify the importance and types of technology for promoting online learning and teaching
• Identify what is good and not so good about online teaching and, reflect back on the learning experience and determine if online teaching is my niche
• Will be able to identify the types of technology that would enhance learning and teaching
• Identify and use the best technology to enhance teaching and learning
• Select a teaching style that embraces online teaching with the best possible outcome of success in learners
• Identify and select teaching strategies that are compatible with online learning to increase the benefits to learners
• Use the knowledge and skills learned in the course to design and structure online courses that support quality and acceptable standards of education
• Evaluate my accomplishment and satisfaction in the course to determine my full commitment and interest to teaching online
