As we are approaching the end of ATS training, I feel more and more strongly that we can work as a bridge between faculties and resources available to them. Seek Exemplars is something I think is very simple but very few instructors are doing.

To grow ourselves as an online instructor, we often rely on ourselves to solve any problems we come across. However, it also worth trying to seek exemplars. I am a person who likes to do things on my own. But ln the process of learning about Canvas and Academic Technology in general, I noticed that many resources and help from other AT scholars are available there. I gained so much from the well-designed course. I received excellent feedback and suggestions from our weekly thread and group discussions. It really helped me accelerate and improve myself as an academic technology scholar.

I think this would apply to many faculties. We have many professional development workshops and webinars. We have experienced online teaching colleagues who we can learn from. We have the fantastic Center for Advancing Teaching and Learning Through Research. And we have Ph.D. students as academic technology scholars. All of these are excellent resources and we should take full advantage of them.

I will definitely convey this message to faculties in our first meeting with them. Only they are open to us for their issues can we utilize what we have learned in this course to help them solve their questions. I will always be sincere and honest about their course design. And I will always think in the faculty’s shoes before making any suggestions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Although we have been well trained in the last four weeks, we still have a lot to learn. It’s a great asset to use all the resources available to us and to faculties.