Reflective Technique

Integrated Essential Competencies

• Teaching Strategies

• Professional Commitment

What have I done?

I have learned a tremendous amount about web-page development, WebCT, online assessment, and added to my knowledge of  Power Point development.  After working with students and web-based courses, I have learned that some techniques work better than others.  One of the major pieces that I have picked up is that students need consistency and if a web-page or Power Point presentation can provide consistent information that is tremendously helpful to students.  This is especially helpful if the students are pressed for time.  What I learned is to keep them informed on the website and keep all the information in one place.

The ILP project itself has forced me to learn more about web-page development.  While not the initial goal of the choice to make this an electronic document, I have learned that navigation is critical to the reader.  I have spent many hours developing and redeveloping this project.  I know this will be very helpful as the Grant project unfolds.

What will I do to improve?

Continue to attend courses through Leadership Valencia.  I will also enlist the help of the instructional design professionals at Valencia.   In addition, I will continue to listen to the comments of students and others with regard to online and PC-based learning materials.  These comments are perhaps the most important of all because an attractive, yet poorly organized site is frustrating to read and as a result will not be used.

Professional Commitment

What have I done?

I have assisted several faculty with learning about WebCT courses.   I have developed a workbook for students to use with WebCT and provided it to other faculty.  I programmed  the voices of the patient simulator.  Again I have found that faculty and students have varying levels of skill and tolerance for technology.  If we are to be successful in implementing "high tech" modalities, we must be patient and have plans to educate and support.  Faculty and students alike have reservations related to their own skill levels and access to the necessary equipment (ie, PC).  Some students do not have their own computers and must use computers on campus.  If the campus Learning Resource Center is closed (as it was this summer on the weekends), this presents some unexpected  problems.  Faculty are likely to have problems with their skill levels and support needs to be in place.  Recently, I attended a WebCT conference and one of the major components to a successful online program is that faculty feel supported.

What will I do to improve?

I will always be available to other faculty for any assistance that they may require.  I will attend more WebCT workshops online and perhaps attempt WebCT certification.  In addition, if any more manuals are needed, I could help to develop them.  The grant team and I will be developing programs for faculty support with WebCT and since we will have ready access to several high tech experts, perhaps other programs could be developed for faculty support.