2.2 Reflection: Methodologies of the Online Instructor

1. Reflecting on the information covered in this module so far, how might your instructional methodologies need to change in an online or blended learning environment?

2. What skills and strategies might you improve or expand upon in order to best support student learning in a blended or online environment?

This assignment forced me to take a critical look at teaching methodologies I have used in a face-to-face environment and consider whether or not those practices would be successful in an online or blended model. I decided I needed to get a clearer picture of what my teaching style is. I took an online quiz that helped me evaluate my preferences: Teaching Styles Self Evaluation. While I always thought I used more of a “Delegator” style, I found my actual choices were a combination of “Formal/Authoritarian and “Demonstrator/Personal.” I think the online environment, particularly, lends itself to the “Facilitator” and “Delegator” style, and I would like to explore methodologies that reflect those styles.

In light of this new information and looking at the National Standards for Quality Online Teaching, Standard A – “The online teacher knows the primary concepts and structures of effective online instruction and is able to create learning experiences to enable student success,” I feel I need to focus on developing assignments that encourage students’ independence and problem solving skills and enable them to use modalities that best demonstrate their learning.

Using the Discussion feature in an online/blended environment is one place to let students take more responsibility for their learning. Having students select their own articles related to the topic and post them for other students to respond to is a way to begin the process. Also the use of voting and polling tools provides students with a voice that may or may not reflect the teacher point of view and encourages more critical thinking. Giving students more credit for reviewing other sources like video, webinars, podcasts, etc. allows for diverse learning styles and independent exploration. Formative assessment becomes an integral part of the assignment; providing multiple measures for success is a way I plan to expand my understanding of student performance. Assessment may vary according to learner needs and what is the best match for the topic.

This You Tube video from Indiana University is interesting in that it provides an overview of how to plan an online course, discussing the pedagogical differences in online and onsite classes: Planning an Online Course