scenarios2

"There's something to be learned from sharing and discussing our experiences as online students and instructors.

Let's share scenarios! By that I mean sharing stories from our own experience that can teach us something about online teaching and learning. You can discuss something that is happening in your internship, or events from other classes you've experienced".

The Scenario activities during the practicum internship benefits interns in that we can take a specific situation that was interesting or challenging to us and then present this issue to our fellow interns for feedback, ideas, or how others would handle the situation. In general, it is a brainstorming experience where we are all sharing the best practices of facilitating an eLearning course. For each of my scenarios below, I had chosen these specific circumstances as they were challenging to me and I wanted to know if others had any experiences like these. I also wanted to know what they would have done in that situation. We can reflect on how others would respond or if they can provide additional things to think about. Maybe other ways to approach this in the future. Most importantly, we are always provided additional tips from our program director who assured us that he would give the "best advice on the art and business of eLearning".

Scenario #1

During my current internship, a student checked in to the course when it opened (before it officially started). He posted the icebreaker activity, completed the first personality profile survey and had sent a few emails to the instructors with questions about the course.

The first week of the class officially started. Classmates started interacting, assignments were being completed, and as we near the middle to end of the week - this student has not been "seen" since the June 2 postings (Class officially started June 9). The student had not dropped the course.

What would you do? How would you handle this situation? What would you say to this student?

To view the entire Scenario 1 discussion that took place during the practicum between myself and my other intern classmates - please view the PDF file here. Scenario 1 Discussion

Scenario #2

Scenario: a student in an Online teaching certificate program (such as this one) has failed to complete the 1st course in the program series 4 times. They would begin the course and then fail to make a presence in the class and then never finish the course.

They are now enrolled in the 4th course in the series. This person initially completed the introduction activities, and one activity for week 1.... and by start of week 3 - still not present or logging into the course.

Assuming there are no personal concerns or circumstances, do you feel it's appropriate for this student to be permitted to continue enrollment in the program?

To view the entire Scenario 2 discussion that took place during the practicum between myself and my other intern classmates - please view the PDF file here. Scenario 2 Discussion

Scenario #3

As teaching assistants in the practicum courses, we have many responsibilities as required of an instructor. We know that we are the "facilitators" in the discussion forum which requires us to not control the discussion.

During practicum courses, we take on an instructor role but not necessarily something that we are the experts in. This makes participating in the discussions somewhat challenging if we only know as much as the students do.

Does anyone have any thoughts or can provide some insight to the teaching assistant students (such as ourselves) participation in discussion forums and how they can be successful?

To view the entire Scenario 3 discussion that took place during the practicum between myself and my other intern classmates - please view the PDF file here. Scenario 3 Discussion