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!
Sandy, thanks for your post. I too, can relate much more with my students or at least have a broader window on how they might experience my course materials that I post online by having taken this course. It seems that a lot of time upfront should be designated for the fits and starts that accompany the beginnings of a class as students get acclimated to what is expected of them. I think it also makes you think about how best to share information with them in a way that I might never have thought about before. So, I definitely resonate with your comments!
ReplyDeleteSandy, thanks for your post. I too, can relate much more with my students or at least have a broader window on how they might experience my course materials that I post online by having taken this course. It seems that a lot of time upfront should be designated for the fits and starts that accompany the beginnings of a class as students get acclimated to what is expected of them. I think it also makes you think about how best to share information with them in a way that I might never have thought about before. So, I definitely resonate with your comments!
ReplyDeleteSandy, I'm really glad that you were able to learn a few things and that you now have a better perspective of what your students will go through. It does take a lot of time and preparation up front to teach an online course effectively, but then that upfront preparation frees you somewhat to assess and give feedback to students while you are teaching.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post Sandy--your experience with Communication has supplemented this course well as we all learn to adjust to a new learning environment. I agree with Rebecca that having a week or two at the beginning of an online class just to grow accustomed to the requirements and features of the course, explore the learning system, and establish a welcoming community may help students feel more comfortable contributing in this setting.
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