My New Adventure in Online Teaching

We’ll I think I’ve finally gotten to the point that I am able to back up a little and appreciate where exactly I am headed with this course.  For the first time, I feel like I may be at the point where I am able to take a breath and begin reflecting on where I should be, what I need to do, and where on earth I am going.

This week has been really interesting and I’ve come to a couple of conclusions.  First, Alexandra noted in her article that it was important to be flexible with dates and allow latitude for the student.  I’m not sure how that is working out for me.  I’m finding that since the modules are about 2 weeks long, I’m putting things off and realizing too late in the week that there are so many activities to accomplish.  I just feel like my brain is being pulled in seven different directions at once.  In truth, I’m sitting here only an hour before this week’s module is to end and completing this entry because with all the other things: discussion boards, practicums, readings, responses to others – I forgot about my blog.  I’m just having a hard time keep track of it and I’m feeling like firmer due dates might have helped me.  But as I noted earlier in one of our discussions, I’m sure not everyone would agree.

I think my greatest philosophical struggle right now is the issue of building relationships online.  A number people in the class – especially Jane – have been trying to convince me that meaningful relationships are very possible in an online course.  I guess I’m just not seeing it and even after reading Scorza’s article I don’t feel like I’ve jumped over that hurdle.  This isn’t to say that I’m discouraged about online teaching – I’m not sure where I stand.

I did learn a number of things from Alexandra’s article as well as the exemplar lessons which I am trying to build into my course design.  Particularly, I liked how virtually all of the exemplar courses had a newsflash area, broke their content down by topic instead of a weekly format, and all stressed the importance of being “present” in the course.  I also liked that each had a course information section separate from their modules.  I think that would greatly assist a new online learner.

I also like some of the research that Alex presented, particularly the point that the number of modules matters to student success and perceived learning.  My original design for my course had almost twenty, short modules.  Based on her suggestions, I’ve reconfigured my course and have the entire thing down to 10 modules.  I would not have known that intuitively.

In general, I’m not completely sold on online teaching but, I am learning a great many tools in this course should I feel the urge to teach an online course in the future.  I’m sure there is a great deal more to come and now that I don’t feel like I’m drowning, I think I’ll make it.  Oh, one more thing – I’m curious if anyone else out there is finding Moodle to be sort of cumbersome to work with.  It structure doesn’t seem intuitive to me and I feel like I would like a little more flexibility.(4)

(3) Well, I have officially taken on too much.  My original plan for this summer was to take 3 online courses through SUNY Albany.  Unfortunately, as previously noted, I started off behind everyone else.  I also did not factor in that though three courses will be no trouble once school lets out, I did not factor in the first three weeks of June.  Final exams, putting in place final preparations for a summer job, dealing with the all the year-end administrative tasks, and going to graduation, retirement, and confirmation celebrations has just about done me in.  Now throw in the three graduate classes that I started late on top and I’m about ready to pull my hair out.  Now that I’ve become familiar with the feel of an online course (and now that school is finally ending) I really hope to get back on track.  I just wanted to make a post so that those of you who have been kind enough to repond to my blog know that I’m still alive and well.  Thanks everyone and I hope to post over the weekend with a bit more academic material and a little less whining.

This has been an incredible week for me.  I joined the class a bit late and the catch up process has been a little overwhelming.  In fact, it looks like folks who started the class on time are also overwhelmed so you can imagine where I’m at.  Nevertheless, I am committed to charging through and getting myself back on par with everyone else.

I have already learned about some really interesting techniques and can immediately see how the technology utilized in this course would be an asset in teaching my own course.  I am currently fascinated with Voicethread and all its possibilities for teaching Global History.  I’m sure once I get caught up I’ll be able to enjoy learning about all these technologies even more!