“I read all your papers,” I said to the class. “Please take a few minutes to read the feedback I have given you individually,” I continued.
“What we will do today,” I said. “Is that I will split the class in two. Some of you have some challenges with grammar that we need to go over.” “While some of us do that, I ask the other group to be detectives for all of us.”
“I want you to examine these model papers for the rest of us. The model papers will look like the papers you will be asked to write at your final exams.”
“When you go out in the smaller groups, I want you all to think like detectives. Pull out your magnifying glasses and investigate the language, the content, and the structure.” I sent the group out with these questions to explain to the rest of the class later:
- How are these papers composed?
- How are they answering the task?
- How do they establish credibility?
- How are their arguments?
- What works well?
- What could be adjusted?
- What grades would you give the paper and why?
- What key points did you learn from your research on these papers to implement in your next piece?
The students were all motivated because the final exams were approaching. I had taken over the class just before Christmas. This was the last effort to dramatically improve what I saw as general challenges for the students.
I worked with the smaller group around basic grammar rules. We worked on correcting a specific sample together. I explained the basic rules, and they applied the rules in action.
When we were done with the exercise, one of the girls said: “Thank you, Sophie, for explaining this. I was embarrassed that I didn’t know these rules. I felt I should.”
I said: “You know, this is why we’re here. We are here to learn. And sometimes it just takes a little while until we are ready to learn.”
We’re here to learn
The rest of the class came back into the classroom. The students shared the results of their detective work with the rest of us. They had found some good things about how to create a lead, how to build a logically concise argument, how to use research to strengthen their arguments, how to create cohesion and precision. And how to connect the lead and the close.
“Good job! I’m proud of all of you! Great effort to learn something new from everybody today.”
Fast forward to the present, I am now working as an e-learning program developer, helping professionals create courses that are engaging, effective, and produce results. Just like in the classroom, I still love to be a detective with my clients, uncovering their goals and identifying areas for improvement.
By applying my experience as a teacher, I aim to create online courses that are tailored to the learners’ needs, just like I did with my students in the classroom. Through my work, I strive to make learning more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
One thing that I learned from my teaching experience is the importance of creating a supportive learning environment. Students need to feel comfortable and safe to ask questions and make mistakes. As an e-learning program developer, I try to replicate this environment in the courses that I create.
Another lesson that I learned is the value of individualized feedback. By providing specific feedback to each student, I was able to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and improve their writing skills. In my work as an e-learning program developer, I apply this approach by providing personalized feedback to learners, whether through automated systems or through one-on-one coaching.
Finally, my experience as a teacher taught me the importance of continuous learning. As educators, we must always be open to new ideas and strategies to improve our teaching methods. In my work as an e-learning program developer, I make it a point to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the field.
In conclusion, my experience as a teacher has had a profound impact on my approach to e-learning program development. By applying the lessons that I learned in the classroom, I aim to create online courses that are engaging, effective, and learner-centered.
If you have questions about how I can help you create an effective e-learning program, you can reach out to me here?