Reflections

Where I was.

Before joining the Humanizing Online STEM Academy, I felt that I had a pretty good working knowledge of Canvas and best practices on teaching online classes because of the training and professional developments offered by Sierra College. However, there are still new ideas such as High/Low Cultural Context, Warm Demander and Wise Feedback as well as tools such as Flip, and Adobe Express, and Google sites. For me to try them for the past the 6-week I did not have a liquid syllabus, and a "bumper video" was also unknown to me before the Academy. 

Where I am.

Within six weeks I have gained an insight as to how I could enhance my own connections to each student. I had been so caught up in making them relate to each other, I forgot that they should also relate to me. Not in a polished, edited, and captioned way. But in a way that was genuine and raw. I have built upon my video skills by bringing in different software and tools. I have also found fun ways to convert my Canvas discussions, which I felt were already impactful, into Flip that give voice to text - literally! With "Warm Demander" now being a part of my teaching philosophy, I know that I am capable of creating a relationship that allows students from all cultures to feel respected, valued, and capable of achievement. 

Where I am going.

This academy has empowered me with a sense of unapologetic authenticity and there is no going back. I intend on using these skills to always strive to turn all dependent learners into independent learners by the time they leave my course. I aim to use these skills for all my courses being taught this Fall. I also love how easy making the microlecture was so I hope to make one for each course outcome before the Fall semester begins.