Week 6 - What is my teaching style?

"The combination of online learning with traditional classroom instruction could diversify teaching and learning alike, and as a bonus enhance technological literacy of both faculty and students."

I love this statement from the Schmidt and Brown article, "A Model to Integrate Online Teaching and Learning Tools Into the Classroom." It resonates deeply with my teaching style. According to the "Teaching Styles Inventory" which lists 5 major categories, I score high as an Expert and a Facilitator. So what does this mean? How do I integrate my style and the styles of my students?

The word, "Combination," is the key. It seems to describe everything I do. From combination plate to combination teaching, I can't seem to choose only one thing from the menu. Though I enjoy the online environment, (I'm such a tech junkie), why does the thought of not teaching F2F still unnerve me. Maybe it's because I crave student interaction. I want to see the faces behind the chats. The "aha moments" in their eyes. I know Wimba is a viable option. But there's just something about being in the room.

I believe teaching is about combining. About mixing it up. I need the word "hybrid." I want the best of both worlds. Some days I want to chat, other times I want to write my thoughts. Sometimes I need a team, others times I require some quite contemplation. And often I just want hands on...a camera, a paint brush, another human being.

So, how do I accomplish all of this in an online setting? How do I give this to my online students?

This class is truly opening my eyes to the many possibilities and some of the limitations of online learning. There are amazing resources, but the distance can be lonely. I enjoy the 24-7 access, but at times I wish we could just meet for Starbucks. I love the levelling of the playing field since online can remove visual preconceptions. But I miss being in the presence of other human energy. Online is fine, but a hybrid, that's me.