Week 13: Hanging in There

Image Credit: @englishOSAca 

It is week 13 of this practicum and week 11 of my 14 week online course. It is that time of the semester when both students and instructors are just hanging on. I have always found this time of the semester the hardest to push through, both as a student and as an instructor. Everyone is tired and many have worked really hard. A lot of times, instructors fear to let their students know that they are tired and just pushing through. I feel like some instructors want to keep those feelings from students. I have never understood that sentiment.

I think it is important to let students know that everyone gets tired and everyone gets burned out. I like to let students know it is okay to reach that point because, in reality, it happens in work and in school. Too often, I think students feel teaching is an easy job and that only they get tired.  I want students to see that being tired and struggling is a part of life. I also want to set the example of what you do when you are tired and just hanging in. When I tell my students, "Yes, I am exhausted and just hanging in there" and I show them that I push through and get everything done ahead of time, it sets a standard and an example for students to push through as well. I think it helps them realize that pushing through is also a learning process.

What Do I Do?

I know this sounds like a basic thing, but it takes a lot of work and energy to push through when we are tired and need a break. The first thing I do is let students know that it happens to everyone, including me. I have students message me to tell me thanks for sharing how I feel about something because it makes them realize that their feelings are normal. I never realized how important this was until I encouraged students to open up to me. I then realized that students want to know that a lot of people feel the same way. So, once I tell students how I feel, I like to send them encouraging messages. I like to point out to each student what they are doing well and how I can see their hard work paying off. When a particular students stands out, I send them a message letting them know I can see their hard work and that I appreciate it. 

Image Credit: M. Yost

I also will message students that seem to be struggling or slowing down (compared to the beginning of the term). I like to let these students know that we are almost finished and to hang in there. This seems to give some students that extra burst on energy to push forward. It also provides an open door for students to tell me their struggles. I find that when I contact students, I get a flood of emotions from students in return. They open up to me about personal issues and other struggles they are experiencing. I find this an opportunity to help guide them and offer any advice or support I can. I did not really know how helpful it would be until I just starting doing it. 

On top of that, I post general announcements with encouragement and support. I always make sure to thank my students for their hard work and dedication to the course. I find that students tend to respond well to that type of encouragement. Now... one problem I have is getting all the students to read each announcement, but that is another issue entirely. I also like, as you have seen in previous blogs, to post comics, images, well wishes, and other positive messages in the course. For example, The Easter holiday is this weekend and students will be greeted with an announcement to wish them fun times with family and friends during the short break. During this time, I encourage students to take a break from the course for at least a day and spend time with family/friends or just get some much needed rest. I also let them know that I will be doing the same thing. I let each student know it is okay to take a day or two to not even think about this course at all. It is a time of no worries. I think students appreciate this. I actually had one student message me in a previous term to thank me for encouraging them to take a break. The student said that they felt better know that I did not have an expectation for them to be thinking about the course all the time. I think it is important to let students know that this is okay and that this is something even I, the instructor, do in the very same course. 

Wrap Up

While I think some of the things I mentioned in the above blog seems very simple, I believe it is something that took me a long time to learn to incorporate in my courses. The longer I have taught, the more comfortable I get in doing these small things in my courses. Also, I have seen one of our instructors in the OTID program do something a little similar (at least with regards to being open about needing time and breaks). In some of our virtual class meetings, one instructor is very open to let us know when they are tired and just "pushing through". This encouraged me to continue to do this and continue to find ways to connect with students. When I see other instructors do certain things, it then encourages me to either try it or improve it. I think that is the beauty of this program in OTID... not only are we learning things to use... we are seeing it modeled in some of our courses. I think it is wonderful. 

While I know my blog post seems very simple, all of these things take a lot of time, practice, and even a push to get it all done. It is an aspect of online teaching that I did not realize is needed until I dived into the world on teaching online.

Also, a large portion of my week was spent doing the general daily tasks that always needs to be completed. This week is the beginning of a new module and that always means a lot of grading. I succesfully made it through all the grading for Module 5 work and posted all the information in annoucenemtns needed for Module 6. I also completed Module 7's update of learning outcomes. That was a huge task this term and I am so happy it is completed. Like I have said before... online teaching is a never ending job. You really have to work hard to stay ahead of the game.

Now... on to week 14...