Most of us are at the very beginning of our teaching careers. Most, if none, of us have ever taught an online course. When you begin teaching and find yor niche, that is wonderful. However, what do you do after you have been teaching for a while and things seem to become monotonous? How do you maintain students' interests when you yourself are not interested? The solutions offered are for both traditional classroom teachers and online course facilitators. I just read an article which offers some solutions to teachers.
One solution is to collaborate with other teachers. Collaboration allows for new, fresh ideas to enter one's mind. People who collaborate often take an idea given to them and mold it to fit their personal needs and the needs of their students. Another solution is to attend free webinars or seminars on the content that you teach.Professional development greatly enhances the teaching tools that one learns to use within the classroom. When using online resources, use a microphone to ask students individual questions or even post videos for them to watch. Have students experiment with and use the web 2.0 tools discussed in the previous blog entry. Ask students to state how they found these tools to be useful and anything that they would change. Then, the teacher can make modifications for next time. Do not become overwhelmed by trying to complete everything at once. This is difficult for me, because as soon as I am given an assignment, I am eager to start it that day. Too much at once will become overwhelming and as a teacher you will tire your brain. Reserve time for yourself. If you teach an onine course, do not access the course information on the weekend because you will need this time to take a break and clear your mind this way it is fresh when you resume on Monday. Lastly, establish when your students and colleagues are able to reach you and where the best place for them to reach you will be. Do you prefer meeting online via webex, gtalk, or email? Do you prefer to meet in person? Do you prefer a phone call? This is very important and is up to you.
Until next time...
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