Reflection Blog

This class has been a learning experience for me. At the beginning I was nervous about learning so many new things. But now I feel empowered with so much knowledge and the capability of improving my blackboard class. This class has increased my awareness that all students don't learn the same way and in order to meet their needs the instructor should incorporate various teaching modalities to reach various learners. Introducing more group projects to explore topics learned in class gives the student a chance to work through solutions and learn from their peers as well. Small group interaction has allowed students to share how they devise various tools to learn material and this method has been ideal for the students that are loners and don't search out a chance to meet other students within their class.

The experiencing of participating in a live chat was really nice. This was really something I could implement in my blackboard class with discussion board. Right now I use a blog to have students reflect on their learning experience and respond on certain topics that were introduced on the blog. But to have small group sessions in live chat would really be nice. The students could get immediate feedback and a chance to interact with the instructor as well as the other students.

The LPN students who are in the transition RN program had to write resumes and had simulated interviews for perspective jobs. This was nice for the students because it gave them a chance to learn how to set up a resume and how to dress for a perspective interview. The students learned a lot. They received tips on how to dress for an interview and questions to ask during an interview. The students also are beginning to learn how to construct a portfolio. A lot of the students intend to go on to receive their BSN and many programs have implemented this within their programs.

The digital e-portfolio would be a very good project for students to prepare to have when they go on interviews to show their perspective employers and also when they go to other schools for a higher degree. This would be a good project towards graduation that would allow the student to compile all of their individual assignments and group projects. This could also improve the students computer knowledge and skills.

The students that I have really present a variety of challenges as I develop various technological projects as well as various teaching strategies to address various learning styles. I have implemented quizzes on blackboard as well as various assignments that the students have to bring to class and work through the answers in class. Some students work through the problems at home which is what I encourage. The students break off into small groups and work through case scenarios and this seems to work out well. I also have students prepare for exams by working through case studies on their virtual reality clinical disc. Which seems to assist them in answering questions related to case scenarios.

The most recent interaction activity I have introduced to the students is working hands on with a simulation manikin in skills lab. This is acting a live scenario that they have been given on their blog and researched what are the assessments that need to be done in a manner of prioritizing order. The instructor gives the student a chance to view scenarios via virtual clinical scenario on CD then review the skills in their book and come to lab and work through the same scenario with the instructor in a small group.

This technique cuts down on lab time but it gives the student time to research material and prepare better for small group learning. This works out well for the most part but some problems still need to be worked out. I have made sure all my students have various ways to communicate with me when we are out of class. But I have found that I really need to adhere to my office hours for student conferences because the students will come directly to my office after class and don't allow me to take a break after class. Viewing e-mail more frequently has allowed me to cut down on students need to make numerous office visits because the students know that I will return a response to their questions within 24 hours for students this helps a lot.