Module+7+Reflection

// Reflection Prompt: ** Reflect on how you perceive yourself as an online learner? Are you well-prepare to be an online leaner? Tell us about what you need to improve in order to be a successful online learner. **//

__Description: __ Read about the strategies of learning and teaching online. Focus on how to be a successful learner in online learning environment, such as Springboard. Evaluate how better prepare to learn online in order to get a better sense of how to teach online.

__Impact: __ I have pasted my discussion comment here because I think much of my discussion was more of a reflection: I don't think I had appreciated how much a good online instructor had to do, in many ways it seems like it would be so much more work and management. Which is what makes it all overwhelming to me - since I think management is my weakest point. One of my goals this summer is to revise my management procedures. As others had said in the other discussion; I like the blended courses and I actually find I say less online then in person (which appears to be the opposite of what was said in the reading material) I think I am just more of a verbal person. I think this would translate even more into my teaching - I would find it difficult to not be able to "perform" for my students. I think I would have to be able to effectively manage the details in a regular classroom before moving onto undertaking online teaching. It appears that there has to be as much, if not more, motivation and dedication of the online instructor as the online student. All this is of course to be a good instructor. I have a tendency to dedicate extra time to my lessons and students - I could see trying to form a personal connection relationship with each online student, tailoring their learning - and in the end driving myself crazy with work - so I would have to set limits for myself on what I would do. It sounded like communication would be key - I think setting times which you check messages & letting students know when this would be would be a good accommodation to meet this. For example let students know that you check your e-mail every morning and will respond to them within 48 hours - if they do not hear back then they should resend. Giving a phone number for emergencies or questions that just can't be handled through the written word. The second key - which is key even in the regular classroom - is clear instructions as to your expectations in student work, participate and overall learning. I believe I am a fair online learner. I need to work on my time commitment, having a young (needy) family does make this somewhat difficult. Organization is probably my largest downfall - but it haunts me in all aspects of my life. While I enjoy the flexibility of online learning I feel I participate much more in the traditional setting. I am a very verbal person and I find I rely a lot on the instant reaction of my "audience" in order to form my next thoughts. I often rely on humor and find that it doesn't translate well into discussion boards.

__Intent: __ While I feel I am not ready to extend my online learning skills to online teaching. I will use the information and tips given to improve my online learning, which I will put into practice this summer with the course which is a full online course. I plan to set aside two hours each morning, before my family gets up, to check discussions and work on assignments. I will also print out the syllabus and create a calendar of due dates - since I have found that often information is found in more than one place and in different forms; therefore it often seems like there is more work than really exists. I actually think this class will be the perfect time to fine tune my skills; since I will not have other constraints such as work or a second class.