As I am a new OLFM member, I have had the privilege to connect with a Senior OLFM member who has a plethora of experience and strategies pre and post pandemic.
During our conversation, this member stressed the importance of being encouraging, kind and provide generous amount of feedback for assignments. The reminder that students are completing this course at different times in their lives, some have just finished high school and some have been in the human services field for years. Additionally, this member reminded that different geographic locations where time zones and provincial legislations differ where remaining authentically curious as to their situations is important.
Regarding critical inquiry, this member highlighted the digital tools utilized could be journals, videos and statistics. This member suggested to encourage the students to gather and evaluate information from different sources within their practicum placements such as agency protocols and code of ethics and from there pave their understanding and motivate their analysis.
Within the realm of instructions and expectations, a key lesson I learned is “front load” the students with reviewing the course outline and material and to pay attention to the rubrics created. This member mentioned that along with an educational aspect, the lifeskill for students to problem solve and do their best to figure things out on their own before rushing to an “authority figure.” From there, the students are encouraged to share their learnings in post as other students may learn from that experience. Lastly, in an effort to create continuous community this member suggested that student create respond posts.
I truly appreciated the time and information shared that this member spent with me.