Effective Ways to Empower Students Online | Dear Professor with Brittany White

About the Guest:

Ms. Brittany White is an academic professional specializing in literacy and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the field. With dedication and passion, Brittany runs a reading clinic on her campus, providing tutoring services for elementary school students. Furthermore, she extends her expertise to the Boys and Girls Club, where she hosts reading camps. Brittany maintains a love for outdoor activities, especially in her sunny home state of Texas.

Episode Summary:

In a dynamic exchange of insights, Dr. Kellie Alston hosts the "Dear Professor Series," fostering a bridge between online students and eLearning strategies. This episode ushers in the voice of Ms. Brittany White, a Ph.D. candidate with profound experiences as an online student. Dr. Alston steers the conversation to reveal the nuanced realities of distance education.

Brittany White vocalizes the challenges and triumphs within the digital classroom, influencing our understanding of student needs and professorial adjustments. Her narrative underscores essential components for a fulfilling online educational journey, highlighting the symbiosis between structured syllabi and the vitality of comprehensive feedback. Moreover, the dialogue opens a reflective passage to the personal side of both students and educators, advocating for a harmonious respect for time and a journey through learning.

Key Takeaways:

• Online courses greatly benefit from straightforward syllabi, detailed expectations, and a personalized feedback system that acknowledges student learning processes.
• Students require an assets-based approach from educators, where their strengths are highlighted and cultivated to overcome weaknesses.
• The inflexibility of assignment deadlines and the artificial nature of discussion board tasks are significant pet peeves among online learners.
• Constructive feedback on major assignments is crucial, as it reflects genuine engagement with the student's effort and fosters learning and confidence.
• Professors are reminded of the dual lives students lead, balancing academic responsibilities and personal life, emphasizing the need for accommodation and empathy.

Notable Quotes:

• "Understand that I am a learner. I'm not perfect. I'm a learner."
• "It's not only about your time. It's also about the student's time as well."
• "Learning means learning from your mistakes."
• "Online courses, they really do open the door to being able to have a broader selection of courses and universities you could attend."

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Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [e-mail]

Visual of this episode:

Music Credit: Maskros by Bowmull https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZdbTFzb4Ne/

Resource: https://bit.ly/drkelliealston

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