Hi everyone,
time for a new post!
For section 8 we had to do a personality test. The purpose of the test was to identify which of our personality traits we could use to be an effective online instructor and also which of these traits could have a negative influence on our teaching style. Taking a personality test is also useful in making (online) instructors aware of the many different personalities they have to deal with while teaching online. Actually this is much the same for face to face teachers.
So what makes teaching online so different from being a face to face teacher. In other words what personality traits would be useful to online instructors?
In "Distance Education Leadership for the New century" by Michael F. Beaudoin I found the following:

".... faculty have been admonished to be more receptive and adaptive to opportunities for playing exciting new roles in the distance education arena."


"Schools and colleges in the new millennium need leaders who have reflected on their experiences and internalized understandings about their own capacity to lead."

"... leadership in distance education, as distinct from managerial functions in a variety of settings, is defined as a set of attitudes and behaviors that create conditions for innovative change, that enable individuals and organizations to share a vision and move in its direction, and that contribute to the management and operationalization of ideas."

"It is also important to note here that effective leadership practice is not confined to those in adminstrative roles;..."

"Leaders must create conditions conducive to energy, initiative and innovation in their particular milieu, and bring others along, both above and below them in the organizational hierarchy."

"... a macro view is critical. Distance education leaders must not be overly preoccupied with nurturing their own existing programs, and providing the horsepower for only their initiatives; they must also insinuate themselves into the academic mainstream and the inner circle of decision makers responsible for bringing the entire organization to a new place. Distance educators should no longer see themselves as protectors and survivors of isolated programs for which they have labored mightily, but rather as valued strategic partners who can enable the larger institution, often long seen as the enemy, to catch up with them and emulate their practices and successes. In short, distance education managers must see themselves, and be seen, as educational leaders who, through less directing and more motivating, facilitate the articulation, development, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by a wider academic community."

"The tasks to be overseen by managers of both small and large, new and established distance education projects, represent a formidable repertoire of skills which need constant attention and refinement. To identify but a few areas: needs assessment, market analysis, strategic planning, fitting technology to needs, operationalizing ideas, resource mobilization, introducing online infrastructure, policy formulation, training and support for faculty, collaborating with partners, program evaluation and accreditation, and mentoring the next generation of leaders- all are tasks requiring vigilance and guidance."

"Regardless of the medium in use, it would seem that the roles of conceptualizer, implementor, and evaluator are still viable ones to play. Perhaps less critical in the repertoire of today’s leaders are the roles of advocate, reformer and technician that occupied so much time in the past. Too often, those presiding in decision making forums engage in deliberations long on complex technological options, but bereft of fundamental pedagogical issues. The distance education leader, whatever other roles he or she may assume, must always maintain the essential role of educator."

Online educators share a lot of traits with Face to Face educators. In addition to to the more pedagogically oriented traits online instructors also have to keep up with advances in online teaching technologies. But as mentioned above a teacher is a teacher whether online or Face to Face!

Till the next post!

Debbie