Writing an Instructor Biography
When one starts teaching a F2F class, one of the very
first things that is done is introducing oneself, so students get to know a bit
about who their instructor is. But what happens in an online course where no
real F2F introduction is possible? Can one actually create the bond between
students and instructor? How can the teacher start with his/her social presence
in an online teaching scenario?
Several ways have been suggested to start making one’s
teaching presence be felt by students. On the one hand, the instructor can
prepare a welcome letter to students that can easily be sent to them to their
email accounts. Additionally, this welcome letter can also serve as an
introduction to one’s course on the learning platform that is going to be used.
If prepared by the instructor, a written or video version of his/her biography
can be posted or embedded on the opening page of the course.
What are the key elements to include in one’s Instructor
Biography? Roughly speaking five key elements have been suggested (Laureate
Education 2013):
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Provide a brief
recounting of your educational history, and do pay attention to areas that
are closely and intrinsically related to the class that is going to be
taught.
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Include an illustration
of your professional experience, which will place you in context within your
professional and teaching field and which let your students comprehend the
depth of knowledge you are able to share with all of them.
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Explain your philosophy
of instruction.
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Explain what your
priorities are in regards to learning and student learning goals.
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Share with your students
a bit of your personal hobbies, interests, and family life to fully create your
social presence among your learners.
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Sample Instructor Biography
Jonathan
Acuña Solano, M.L.:
Senior English Language Instructor at
Universidad Latina, Curricular Developer and Teacher Trainer at Centro Cultural
Costarricense-Norteamericano, and Oxford University Press ELT Freelance
Consultant. Completed my Master’s Degree in Linguistics and a BA in English at
the University of Costa Rica, specialized in EAP (English for Academic
Purposes) at the University of Cambridge, Homerton College, UK., and studied
Web 2.0 Tools for ELT through the distant educations program at the University
of Oregon. Most of my work focuses partly on educational research for
curricular development and betterment and partly on ELT (English phonetics and
phonology, public speaking, language teaching, and teaching practicum). I
curate three different daily online ELT newspapers (ELT Daily, Phonemics Daily,
TEFL Daily),
write a teaching blog, and have published an article on The Language Point, an electronic
publication in the UK. My teaching now focuses on supporting undergraduate
students who need to learn English for their majors or who are studying ELT and
want to become English Language Instructors. I have taught a great range of
subjects in the last 15 years: English Pronunciation, Reading Skills, Oral
Communication, Curriculum, Literature, Teaching Practicum, Computering
Applications for Education, and regular English language courses. On a lighter
note, I am an avid reader, a soccer and baseball fan, and love gardening,
history, and art.
To sum up, if you are transitioning to VLEs and want to
start in a hearty way, do not forget to include the key elements necessary to
write your instructor biography. This
bio is vital information for your pupils and a way to start creating and
enhancing your social presence in your course. And remember that if you do not
want to stand in front a camera, write a welcome letter to your students or
post a written version of your bio at the home page of your course.
E To fully develop and comprehend this teaching issue,
it’s advisable to research and expand these areas:
1
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Social presence
in VLEs
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2
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Welcome letters
for online courses
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3
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My philosophy of
instruction
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4
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Priorities in
learning in online teaching
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5
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Transforming
the F2F syllabi into online learning
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Creating an Instructor (“Creating an
Instructor Biogrophy” 2013)
Laureate Education, Inc.
Professor
Jonathan
Acuña-Solano
ELT
Instructor & Trainer based in Costa Rica
Freelance ELT Consultant four OUP in Central America
For
further comments or suggestions, reach me at:
@jonacuso –
Twitter
Other blogs and sites I often write for my students at
the university are:
Get a copy of "Writing an Instrocutor Bio by Jonathan Acuña" over here.
"
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Hi my name is Michelle Jenkerson. I am a registered nurse by training. I started my career at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis as a transport nurse, going to different hospitals by ambulance or helicopter to pick up sick children and bring them to Glennon for treatment. I learned a lot about life from this job!
Nursing is a great career as I was able to work part-time while raising my children. A physician, pulmonologist I knew asked me if I wanted to come and work an Washington University School of Medicine and coordinate his research studies. I had a lot to learn about clinical research, but found this field very interesting.
When I began coordinating studies, there was not much information or guidance on the "how to" and regulations surrounding research. So I created classes for coordinators at Washington University to help them learn and understand research.
From there I was asked to sit on a steering committee to create a certificate and degree program for clinical research for University College. This was in 2008. The Clinical Research Management Program was approved by U College. In 2009 the program began with the first classes. I have been and currently continue to teach 2 courses, Clinical Research Management I & II.
A few fun facts about me - I have never lived outside of the city of St.Louis. I have three adult children, all married and on their own. I love to take long walks, bike and work out. Last fact - my husband is the Fire Chief for the City of St. Louis.
I look forward to meeting and working with you all virtually, I know a few of you already.
Thanks, Michelle