Open SUNY Online Teaching Ambassador 2017 – Niagara: Cheryl Chunco

Cheryl Chunco is an adjunct instructor in the Business, Technology & Arts Department at Niagara County Community College. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, as well as a Bachelor’s in Accounting, from Niagara University. She is also a Certified Internal Auditor.

Currently, I teach Managerial Accounting online at NCCC. Prior to that, I taught classes in Financial and Managerial Accounting, both online and face-to-face, while spending years working as an internal auditor in the banking industry. After an illness forced me into early retirement, the online teaching community became my respite as it allowed me to continue a career that I loved while recuperating at home.

This situation gives me a unique perspective into the benefits of online learning that I often share with my students. Individuals no longer need to feel restricted by their learning environment as it is not confined to a building between a set number of hours. If you have an appropriate device and an Internet connection, you have the ability to take an online course anywhere in the world. Learning is now limitless!

However, online learning also has some disadvantages that may challenge us as online instructors. Learning is more than memorizing formulas from a textbook and nowhere is that more apparent that in the online learning community. Staying abreast of changing technology, our changing student body and their needs is an investment—it means continually researching and testing new methodology and new technology that makes communication easier and more engaging for our students. After all, engaged students are successful students.