Learning and Teaching: A Recursive Process

All teaching and learning is, or should be recursive. In the course of my own 5+ years of teaching online I have gathered a few certifications, attended a few conferences, and presented material related to my own experiences, observations, and research. More importantly, I have learned a number of tremendous lessons from my students. While I took formal courses to acquire certifications as an online instructor, a Certified Faculty Developer, Quality Matters Reviewer, etc., it was my students who taught me the heightened importance of continuous communication and extended availability in the online learning environment. I also learned from my students that in the absence of face-to-face meetings, anxiety and frustration can easily result when electronic communication is not detailed, prompt, and sustained.