Listen as Dr. J offers encouragement for educators at the start of the new year, and discusses the importance of a positive mindset when working with learners.
Do you ever feel so completely overwhelmed by the external circumstances around you it seems almost impossible to remain calm and steady when you need to be present in the classroom? Has 2021 started with a sense of renewal but quickly given you feelings of apprehension and cause for concern?
A new year is under way and you have already felt the emotional pull of the year we all hoped to leave behind, along with the continued drama that fills the news almost every day. As an educator, you have to somehow separate yourself from the emotional reactions you may be experiencing, if you want to have a clear mind and remain focused on your students. But this isn't always easy to do, especially if you continue to pay attention to the news and social media. It can leave you feeling...
Continue reading »
It's the start of a new year and time when many people begin to reflect upon the previous year. This when there are numerous reflective articles and television shows dedicated to looking back at the prior year, asking us to consider what we've learned, gained, and lost from 2020. Here's a thought: Let's forget 2020 and just move on.
I believe we all can agree, 2020 was one of the worst years in our collective histories, and one we would rather forget. To think of going back in time and remembering what we endured, is asking to self-inflict even more pain than is necessary. Now more than ever, let's just move forward. However, it may be easier said than done. This is when a purposeful strategy can help pull you out of 2020 mentally and into 2021, ready to feel a sense of...
Continue reading »
Are you thinking about the future and feeling hopeful? How has the pandemic changed your view of life, and your dreams of the future life you hoped to achieve? Do you view the year 2020 as having caused a temporary setback, or resulting in something that will cause you to reset your entire life's plan, because of the uncertainty which remains?
There is no question many people found themselves having to rethink how they planned their lives, and the idea of being successful during an international health crisis became more of a matter of survival. What was this year like for you? Could you still think of being successful in some manner? Did you have goals you sought to accomplish?
The topic of success is discussed quite frequently within the self-help industry and I do not...
Continue reading »Listen as Dr. J talks about the importance of beliefs, for educators and learners.
Our country has been in turmoil. People have been taught, and continue to be taught, to see differences and evaluate each other based upon what side they are on or support. The weight of the many issues faced by society as a whole is being felt by everyone. This is in addition to the pandemic which is not just going away, it is intensifying. There's no one left untouched by the impact of what has occurred this year.
As an educator, I'm witnessing first-hand the effect of these many issues and challenges on the students I teach within online classes. Before this year occurred, the typical academic-related challenges may have been related to preparedness to learn in a virtual environment, motivation to complete required tasks while holding other responsibilities, and successfully...
Continue reading »
Do you feel adequately prepared to teach as an online instructor? Are you easily accessible and available for your learners? Do learners perceive you as being visible and uniquely identifiable as their instructor?
One of the challenges higher education has faced recently is providing quality education via a virtual classroom environment, especially for classes not normally assigned to be taught remotely. Even for experienced online instructors, there are inherent challenges that are based upon the nature of working in this manner and will always be present, requiring dedication and time to address. One of the most pressing challenges is becoming a real person to learners, someone who is visible and available to address their needs, and more importantly, accessible when needed to...
Continue reading »
What is your belief about the end of course evaluation? Do you believe it accurately reflects your performance in the classroom? Do you live in fear of the outcome you'll receive, as to your standing with the school you teach for now? Do you focus on the potential outcome of the evaluation, and do everything you can to ensure your learners are satisfied with the course, even if it means becoming more lenient than you might naturally be?
Those of us teaching for online schools know the weight these evaluations hold for determination of the future of our positions. The online school I work for takes these evaluations very seriously, and yet, there is a holistic view taken and that means all factors of performance are weighed in. The reason why is there are typically only a few...
Continue reading »