Hello everyone! I am a new instructor for this program and very excited to be here!
I graduated from TRUs AHT program in 2008. I have been in this industry since 2003 where I started in regular practice as a receptionist then vet assistant to pseudo-vet tech until graduating. Since then I have worked in ERs and Specialty practices, including the Animal Emergency Clinic of the Fraser Valley, Boundary Bay Vet Specialists, Canada West Vet Specialists and I now work at the Vancouver Animal Emergency and Referral Center.
When I am not working I can be found on top of a mountain hiking with my 2 black labs Ivy and Olive, kayaking, fishing or renovating or creating something for my home on a lake.
I also have 4 cats: Frankie a 1 year old DMH tuxedo, Oliver a 4 year old DSH tuxedo, Joey an 11 year old DSH grey tabby with 3 legs and Calvin a 16.5 year old DLH tuxedo. They were all rescued and the tuxedo thing is just a coincidence (although I love tuxedos)
The most important characteristic of a high quality online learning environment to me is effective communication between the instructor and the student. If the instructor does not provide answers to questions students may have and guidance in a timely manner the student may not be able to move forward in their studies.
One thing I have learned recently when it comes to teaching is that there are many different ways students learn and there is no “one right way”. This is valuable as a teacher to know, try to understand and learn how to teach in different ways to be effective.
The questions I have about online teaching and learning is how do the students usually find learning online? What are some of the struggles students typically have and how have they been resolved in the past?