PRESENCE

Where I Was

As a student, I avoided taking online classes as best as I could. My thought was, "It's not a real class. I won't be able to see the instructor, I won't be able to get help from the instructor, I won't have the support of other students because they’ve never seen me and therefore do not know who I am. I'll just end up teaching myself." When I did take online courses, the experience each time was the same - I felt alone.

As an instructor, I have taught classes only in a traditional classroom setting. I enjoy the presence of my students and the interaction I have with them. I value the opportunity to facilitate and foster unfettered discourse in my classroom - it's like standing in a dark room and seeing light bulbs turn on one by one until the room is entirely lit up.

Prior to taking @One's Humanizing Online Teaching course, the thought of teaching an online course terrified me. My initial and utmost concern was losing the face to face interaction. I thought it will be just like all the other courses I've taken online where I never saw the instructor, never saw any of my classmates, and never had any interaction with either my instructor or my classmates. Ultimately, I thought that teaching a class behind a computer screen will create an enormous barrier between me and my students.

Where I Am

@ONE's Humanizing Online Teaching and Learning course helped me realize, among other things that: (1) instructor and social presence is invaluable in online learning and 2) empathy increases students' likelihood of success.

I have learned many different approaches in designing and facilitating an online class that eliminates the barrier created by taking a class behind a computer screen. I've learned how to create videos to incorporate in class using Adobe Sparks and upload videos on Youtube. I've also learned how to caption the videos to make it more accessible to students. I've grown to be a little less intimidated of video recording myself. I've also embraced the fact that I will make mistakes while recording videos for class - I'm human, after all!

Where I'm Headed

I will incorporate Programs like Adobe Sparks, Animoto, Clips, and other similar programs to create my presence in the online classroom. I will also use these programs to provide opportunities for my students to contribute their own experiences and evolve from names on a screen into real people. When students see their instructor's presence online as well as other students' presence online, they won't feel alone. This will develop the trust and connection needed in a learning environment.

Lastly, I resolve to be more open-minded. This will enhance my ability to take the perspective of another person or recognize their perspectives as their truth without judgment. By means of empathy, I can connect with my students in a way that would allow them to flourish.