DL NEWSLETTER

Interview Questions for Monthly Faculty Spotlight

Interview with Cindy Satriano

1. Name: Cindy Satriano

2. Division: ECA

3. What Courses do you teach online? Math 100A and Math 100B

4. In addition to your online courses, have you used distance learning to enhance your face-to-face courses?

Yes. I enhance my face -to-face courses with some of the material found in my online courses: Powerpoint presentations, videos, and other supplementary materials.

5. What do you like to do when you’re not teaching? (Hobbies)

I enjoy spending time with friends. I also enjoy animals: horses, dogs, and cats. Before I began designing online courses, I actually had time to sew and read.

6. As an online instructor, what role do you see distance learning playing in the future education of students?

I believe that more and more online courses will be offered to meet increased student demand.

7. If you could change one thing about your online courses, what would it be and why?

I would like to make my courses more interactive so that students are actively participating in the learning process. It would be great if CNM students who are studying computer design and animation could design interactive math activities that would allow students to manipulate graphs and equations.

8. Knowing what you now know about online instruction, what advice would you give to brand new instructors?

The major form of communication that an online instructor has with his or her students is written. It is very important that online instructors respond to student emails and discussion posts in a timely fashion. Additionally, it is important to recognize that teaching is not limited to 4 scheduled hours each week. It is not unusual to be in contact with students at 8:30 on a Friday night. And last, technical support cannot be provided by the instructor; however, technical support numbers should be posted within the course.

9. Knowing what you now know about online instruction, what advice would you give other “seasoned” online instructors?

I would encourage instructors to use Camtasia. This software can be used to make instructional videos that mimic the use of a chalkboard in a traditional classroom.