This past year has created many challenges; however, it has also created many opportunities. Building relationships is so meaningful (even without Covid), I use my experience as a student of online learning (all my degrees) to grow relationships with students. Not every student wants or needs a relationship with their faculty. However, I try to make it clear that I am there for them if they need help. I have had text messages, phone calls, or Zoom calls with students at their request on many occasions. Oddly, these conversations are not solely focused on the curriculum and assignments. They are about the student’s stress and anxiety. I believe this is because many students need to be heard and validated, which can sometimes be lost in a completely online course. This is the first step that I take in creating relationships with students. What do you do, or have you done to enhance your relationships with students this past year?

Regards,

Dr. Elizabeth Bradley

When I review this past year as an online adjunct, the one item that stands out the most was students' need for reassurance. Answering questions, clarifying directions, and simply responding to students in a positive way are tried-and-true ways I work with students in my classes. 

Yet, how frequently students needed and desired simple positivity and light-heartedness is the one thing I can almost just put my finger on as students saying they needed. Corny graphics, posting a message using text-speak (and then, correcting it), and even I'm finished grading messages (with celebratory and common issues) all seemed to resonate a little more with students this past year. Of course, the biggest used item was still my Granny's old advice to remember to say please and thank you. And this year, those little words mattered.

Elizabeth Reusch, 

Thank you for responding to my post. Yes, so true; the simplicity of a please or thank you is essential. What a good reminder to include corny graphics and celebratory messages. Positivity will keep our lives moving forward.

Elizabeth Bradley

Great question! This is particularly important to reflect upon, given the unprecedented times that the pandemic has brought to all of us.  As an adjunct professor, I try to always remember that most students are dealing with family and professional commitments in addition to their class assignments.   Having empathy and compassion when a student encounters difficulty goes a long way in building positive relationships.  Now more than ever, we need to keep this in mind. 

Mike Sollitto 

Thank you for responding to my post. Yes, empathy and compassion are key. This pandemic's unpredictability has definitely shaken some of my students who have been in the middle of a course and had a family member severely infected. My heart breaks for them, so I try to be patient and positive to help them through.

Elizabeth Bradley

Throughout this year, a multitude of information has become available for educators, teachers, and students regarding classroom culture. Last year I attended a Summer Learning Academy (Online) with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). I gained an immense amount of information to grow my knowledge and to pass on to my students. Here are two links that resonated and improved my classroom culture. Let me know what you think and how you have improved your classroom culture.

Myths of Average: Myths of Average

Project Implicit: Project Implicit  

Sorry for the late start. This week received my second shot, and it knocked me off my feet.

 Elizabeth Bradley

It has been a very unusual year. I had students who overloaded themselves with online classes because they had lost a job and felt they had the time or were still working but had never taken online classes. In some cases, the burdens they had placed on themselves resulted in poor participation in the classes. Instead of just sending messages regarding the submittal of an early alert I called each individual and discusses what I could do to help. In some cases, the discussions helped and the students engaged in others they were so overwhelmed with the load they had placed on themselves that sadly they either dropped the course or just did nothing and wound up with an F in the course. Some students who normally were ground students also had a difficult time not being familiar with the online process. 

Frank Rotondo 

Thank you for responding to my post. Yes, I found the same situation with some of my classes. Online is very different than campus, and it does take some time to adjust. But Online classes can be done; I remind my students that it is different, and you must remain organized and on a schedule, or it can become overwhelming. I usually make suggestions that help me when I was getting my degrees (which were all online) and the shortcuts that helped me stay organized.

Elizabeth Bradley

Happy Monday,

This week’s topic: ‘What has changed in your content delivery that kept you and your students positive.’ 

Primarily, what has kept me positive is Faith. Staying positive is a choice in my life. It is hard to find the good in all situations, but I do try. My content delivery (positive influence) during this past year has been a challenge. With the ongoing issues in the world and personal losses, this year and last finding purpose has become part of my purpose. I added a thread in my classroom call ‘Spiritual thought of the week’, where I place an inspirational quote that may help my students get through the day or supply a moment to breathe and push through the setbacks that place obstacles for positive thought. 

One of my favorites is this one by Abraham Lincoln: “IF YOU LOOK FOR THE BAD IN MANKIND EXPECTING TO FIND IT, YOU SURELY WILL.”

As an added note, here is a TedTalk that reinforces the need to choose words encouragingly. Carol Dweck- The power of believing that you can improve.

https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve

Elizabeth Bradley

Week Four – Self-regulation- Out with the old ways and in with new techniques.

Good morning. For our last week, our topic is Self-regulation. This is an important topic to focus on during these trying times. Starting with a list of strategies is how I start my day. Especially when the day has started on the wrong foot. This is my list: 

1) Have a schedule. 

2) Make sure emotions are in check and confirmed. 

3) Make sure to schedule a break or two. 

4) Focus on growth. 

5) Be kind to yourself. 

6) Remember, at the end of the day, tomorrow is another day to improve.

Kind regards,

Elizabeth Bradley

Hello Dr. Bradley, 

I am just tuning in and catching up with your discussion after our FAB meeting. Thank you for hosting the discussion. This past year has been a challenge for everyone. I teach ELM 590 which is the online component of student teaching. As we began this COVID journey, my students were about halfway through their student teaching placement when the schools shutdown. As you can imagine panic set in and my student teachers were filled with uncertainty.  I cannot tell you how extraordinary the leaders in the College of Education were during this time. Understanding that this development would impact student teachers across the US, they went to work developing a plan and within a matter of a couple of weeks, we were able to help these student teachers finish out their program. This changed my approach in that I started calling my students to reach out to them individually so that they had a calm voice letting them know that they would not be abandoned. Another change that I implemented was to hold a Zoom meeting at the beginning of the semester. My students expressed that this has helped them feel a greater sense of connection to me and to the process. I am so thankful for my personal experiences working for GCU and I hope that my students feel that sense of community and connection that I feel.  

Gwen Dickey Thank you for your response to my post. What a great way to help your students along, by simply being a calming voice. 

Elizabeth Bradley