Being an online instructor means you have the potential to be a powerful agent of positive social change. This is a wonderful opportunity and also a big responsibility. In your role as an online instructor, take your role as an agent of social change seriously, give it ample consideration, and create circumstances in which you can best serve your diverse student audience.
To Prepare:
Review Walden University’s Social Change Impact Report (2014) and the other Learning Resources addressing social change. Consider the final video message from the program director related to social change and your opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of your students. Reflect on how, if at all, you might have served as an agent of social change for the students in the simulated classroom. Also, consider how you might promote positive social change in your role as an online instructor in the future.
By Day 3 of Week 11
Post the following:
As an online instructor, how do you intend to fulfill your mission as an agent of social change? Provide two concrete examples based on what you have experienced in this course and from your professional experience.
Required Readings
Becker, R. (2014, February). Social change starts long before the message. Retrieved from http://www.richardrbecker.com/2014/02/social-change-starts-long-before-message.html
La Prade, K., Gilpatrick, M., & Perkins, D. (2014). Impact of reflective practice on online teaching performance in higher education. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 10(4), 625–638.
Kranzow, J. (2013). Faculty leadership in online education: Structuring courses to impact student satisfaction and persistence. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 9(1). Retrieved from http://jolt.merlot.org/vol9no1/kranzow_0313.htm
Laureate International Universities. (2016a). HBO toolkit: Basics of online learning theory. Retrieved from http://hbotoolkit.laureate.net/2015/09/03/basics-of-online-learning-theory-what-the-research-tells-us/
Walden University. (2016). Social change. Retrieved from https://www.waldenu.edu/about/social-change
Walden University. (2014a). 2014 social change impact report. Retrieved from https://www.waldenu.edu/about/social-change/impact-report-2014
Walden University. (2014b). Social change infographics. Retrieved from https://www.waldenu.edu/about/social-change/impact-report-2014/media-resources
Young, N. D., Celli, L. M., Denault, L., & Roque, R. (2015). The professoriate: The first year, leadership, creating connections, community, and virtual educational teaching practices. International Journal of Arts & Sciences, 8(2), 107–117.
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2017j). Program director: Social change [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Below is the transcript for this Video File
Social Change
Program Transcript
TEACHER: Congratulations, you have nearly made it through your first semester. In this short time, I’ve witnessed you cultivating your skills and growing in the role of online instructor, kudos. As my parting words to you before the term comes to an end, remember that you play a unique and important role as an agent of social change. It is your honor and responsibility to play a positive role and help your students better their lives. Make sure to reflect on your experiences and seek future opportunities for professional growth. Remember that you’re a part of a global cultural shift toward raising the quality of life for all people. You can and do make a difference. My best wishes to you, and I thank you for your service. Enjoy the break.
