This has been quite the experience - learning about all the technology that is available for online learning. Just three short years ago I completed an online master's program, but even that short time ago there weren't the items that exist now! Trying to keep up with technology is a very tiring job! The minute you take your eyes off the computer, something changes!
Fortunately, there are always people out there that you can go to for help - whether it is a family member, teacher, etc., you are never quite alone!
Keep learning, my friends!
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Thursday, June 4, 2015
In the final week of OL 101 I am learning exactly what it takes to teach an online course. I now have much more respect for what instructors go through as I have realized the time it takes to construct a viable course, along with having materials for students that they can easily access and use to the best of their ability.
The best part of this assignment was being able to go back into a subject that I am passionate about - Communication. It sounds so easy - but I have come to realize that not everyone has an 'easy' time with doing it. Many people don't even realize how many different types of communication we use on an everyday basis! It was a pleasure to go through some of my notes from my master's program and refresh my memory on different aspects of communication; many of which we all take for granted.
Taking this course was an eye-opening experience for me. I would really enjoy the opportunity to teach a course online, and now I have even more sympathy for students who may not readily get the hang of working with all this new technology that is available. Some of it isn't as easy as it looks, OR, it's so easy that it's hard!
I appreciate the help of our instructor, Rick Snoeyink. Your patience is wonderful and I thank you for it! I still want to practice with Moodle even more just to see what else can be done with it. This has truly been a learning experience!
The best part of this assignment was being able to go back into a subject that I am passionate about - Communication. It sounds so easy - but I have come to realize that not everyone has an 'easy' time with doing it. Many people don't even realize how many different types of communication we use on an everyday basis! It was a pleasure to go through some of my notes from my master's program and refresh my memory on different aspects of communication; many of which we all take for granted.
Taking this course was an eye-opening experience for me. I would really enjoy the opportunity to teach a course online, and now I have even more sympathy for students who may not readily get the hang of working with all this new technology that is available. Some of it isn't as easy as it looks, OR, it's so easy that it's hard!
I appreciate the help of our instructor, Rick Snoeyink. Your patience is wonderful and I thank you for it! I still want to practice with Moodle even more just to see what else can be done with it. This has truly been a learning experience!
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Well It's About Time!
We have been discussing the time element quite a bit with our online course. Just to interject what has been happening with me - I have been trying to type into my blog for the past two days but must have suffered a brain cramp because for the life of me, I couldn't remember how to do it even though I have made several posts now. Talk about frustrating!
I think that is another side effect of the online learning and teaching situation. Technology is a wonderful tool - when it works (or when we are used to working with it). But I would like to discuss the communication issues that it raises. Even though online learning and teaching could be a time saver, it does take away from face to face conversation. With the younger generation, this is becoming almost epidemic. Younger people have their faces buried in their phones or other electronic devices, but are losing the ability to speak with each other. What does this mean? The younger generation may have difficulty managing relationships; including conflict. A friend of mine recently went through the end of a relationship - the other person broke up with him/her - via text message! While being able to speak virtually does have a lot of benefits, the downside is that we may lose touch with each other. On the other hand, having the voice threads really does help! It was good seeing several of my 'classmates,' even though I have not met most of you face to face (other than Aron and Rick, whom I see often!).
I can understand the frustration some may feel when trying to deal with the time factor (I thought this post would be a quick in and out, but it took two days!!!!), and even though we may have a good grasp on what we are trying to do, the equipment may not always cooperate!
It is good to appreciate both the in-classroom and virtual teaching methods. The latter may be much more far reaching and therefore have a greater effect. Considering that, maybe the time spent working on a virtual course is worth the time considering the number of lives it could touch.
I think that is another side effect of the online learning and teaching situation. Technology is a wonderful tool - when it works (or when we are used to working with it). But I would like to discuss the communication issues that it raises. Even though online learning and teaching could be a time saver, it does take away from face to face conversation. With the younger generation, this is becoming almost epidemic. Younger people have their faces buried in their phones or other electronic devices, but are losing the ability to speak with each other. What does this mean? The younger generation may have difficulty managing relationships; including conflict. A friend of mine recently went through the end of a relationship - the other person broke up with him/her - via text message! While being able to speak virtually does have a lot of benefits, the downside is that we may lose touch with each other. On the other hand, having the voice threads really does help! It was good seeing several of my 'classmates,' even though I have not met most of you face to face (other than Aron and Rick, whom I see often!).
I can understand the frustration some may feel when trying to deal with the time factor (I thought this post would be a quick in and out, but it took two days!!!!), and even though we may have a good grasp on what we are trying to do, the equipment may not always cooperate!
It is good to appreciate both the in-classroom and virtual teaching methods. The latter may be much more far reaching and therefore have a greater effect. Considering that, maybe the time spent working on a virtual course is worth the time considering the number of lives it could touch.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Dr. Lawrence C. Ragan discusses that the online classroom holds some interesting challenges. Bad habits can overflow into the virtual classroom. In the article Principles of Effective Online Teaching, Ragan admonishes instructors to "Show up and teach."
In taking online courses myself, I've noticed that many professors are 'virtually' non-existent. I felt that for the most part, I was teaching myself and hoping that I was getting it right. While there is a big difference in the face to face environment and the virtual world, there seems to be two completely different schools of thought as to how these courses should run. There are those instructors who take great care in building their courses with plenty of activities for students to respond to each other, and then there are those instructors who basically say 'hello' and 'good-bye,' and leave one with a sense of what just happened here?
The online community makes the classroom VERY large, but it doesn't have to be impersonal. While it is great to have the students collaborate with each other, it is very nice when the professor gets in there as well and guides the discussion. Besides, we all want to know what the instructor thinks - he/she is the one with the knowledge!
Online community teaches us quite a bit about a vanishing art - communication. And just as there are outgoing speakers and introverted folks, the same kind of personality can come through online. This forum can be great for those who are a bit more hesitant, because they shouldn't have to worry about what others will think of them (since they can't be seen anyway), so it puts most people on equal footing.
In taking online courses myself, I've noticed that many professors are 'virtually' non-existent. I felt that for the most part, I was teaching myself and hoping that I was getting it right. While there is a big difference in the face to face environment and the virtual world, there seems to be two completely different schools of thought as to how these courses should run. There are those instructors who take great care in building their courses with plenty of activities for students to respond to each other, and then there are those instructors who basically say 'hello' and 'good-bye,' and leave one with a sense of what just happened here?
The online community makes the classroom VERY large, but it doesn't have to be impersonal. While it is great to have the students collaborate with each other, it is very nice when the professor gets in there as well and guides the discussion. Besides, we all want to know what the instructor thinks - he/she is the one with the knowledge!
Online community teaches us quite a bit about a vanishing art - communication. And just as there are outgoing speakers and introverted folks, the same kind of personality can come through online. This forum can be great for those who are a bit more hesitant, because they shouldn't have to worry about what others will think of them (since they can't be seen anyway), so it puts most people on equal footing.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Eight Roles of an Effective Online Teachers
Tonight I read a very interesting article by Dr. Bernard Bull regarding eight characteristics of how to bring online courses to life. He summed it up in these points:
A "learning coach" is also a very positive way to think about an instructor. A coach is someone who teaches and encourages you to be your best - or to learn all you can. Again, this would be more of a positive approach rather than the scary teacher standing over you!
I have to admit, the "Big Brother" reference gave me pause! It was kind of scary to think that an instructor is actually able to follow all the clicks of his students to see which materials they are utilizing. I guess I just wasn't ready for that 'up close and personal touch' just then!
My favorite point is the "Co-Learner." Bull describes how the instructor must also be willing to be a learner. There is no one who knows absolutely everything. If an instructor has an attitude that he/she is the end all and be all, that can make it very difficult for free expression in the class. It would feel as if your thoughts are already 'wrong,' according to he/she who knows everything.
I appreciate the positive influence that an instructor can have, and since the virtual world seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, it is good to remember that having that positive attitude, and being ready to be the leader - but leading gently and positively - is the best way to go.
I can appreciate being prepared. I have an ongoing nightmare that I'm on stage expected to perform and I have no idea what to do because I never had the rehearsal. This is what it would be like to be a course facilitator who hasn't bothered to be completely prepared for his course. It is much easier to enjoy the students and discussing things with them when one isn't worried about not having the course fully prepared. Perhaps this recurring nightmare will actually help me to be a well-prepared instructor. One that can make online learning a comfortable and pleasing environment for those in my course. It sure is a great goal to strive for!
- Tour Guide
- Cheerleader
- Learning coach
- Individual and Group mirror
- Social Butterfly
- Big Brother
- Valve Control
- Co-Learner
A "learning coach" is also a very positive way to think about an instructor. A coach is someone who teaches and encourages you to be your best - or to learn all you can. Again, this would be more of a positive approach rather than the scary teacher standing over you!
I have to admit, the "Big Brother" reference gave me pause! It was kind of scary to think that an instructor is actually able to follow all the clicks of his students to see which materials they are utilizing. I guess I just wasn't ready for that 'up close and personal touch' just then!
My favorite point is the "Co-Learner." Bull describes how the instructor must also be willing to be a learner. There is no one who knows absolutely everything. If an instructor has an attitude that he/she is the end all and be all, that can make it very difficult for free expression in the class. It would feel as if your thoughts are already 'wrong,' according to he/she who knows everything.
I appreciate the positive influence that an instructor can have, and since the virtual world seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, it is good to remember that having that positive attitude, and being ready to be the leader - but leading gently and positively - is the best way to go.
I can appreciate being prepared. I have an ongoing nightmare that I'm on stage expected to perform and I have no idea what to do because I never had the rehearsal. This is what it would be like to be a course facilitator who hasn't bothered to be completely prepared for his course. It is much easier to enjoy the students and discussing things with them when one isn't worried about not having the course fully prepared. Perhaps this recurring nightmare will actually help me to be a well-prepared instructor. One that can make online learning a comfortable and pleasing environment for those in my course. It sure is a great goal to strive for!
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