Learning more, but still skepticle about online education.
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)
June 27th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
(2)
Hi Bill!
I am thrilled that you skeptical! That means that you will question everything. I am also thrilled that you are willing to experiment, and are open to the possibility and seem eager to really try to understand the options and limitations of the online teaching and learning environment. That is very telling to me. It is clear you care about the kind of educator you are and about having meaningful relationship with your students and not loosing that… that quality makes you a great teacher no matter what environment you teach in.
Would love you to dig a little deeper on the due dates thing. Google andragogy and explore the elements and then reflect on why i may have chosen to approach due dates the way that i have. Would be interested in your thoughts on this.
i am glad that you are no longer feeling like you are drowning too : )
some suggestions:
- use the blog assignment questions to guide your posts. Shoot for one at the end of each week ( you need 2 per module). pay attention to the due dates. I do say one post per week not 2 at the end of the module…
- update your “about” page. It still has the default text. You also need to categorize all your current and future posts.
- add links to your posts to stuff you research to support, defend, refute your assertions.
- go into more detail on what you are learning and experiencing and thinking. Dig a little deeper.
- Make your thinking visible to us.
- read and comment on some of your classmates’ posts…
love that you asked the question about moodle at the end !! i too find moodle cumbersome. I have a couple of blog posts myself about this:
http://etap687.edublogs.org/2008/07/14/i-hate-the-filefolder-metaphor/
http://etap687.edublogs.org/2008/06/26/the-cms-is-a-dinosaur-and-you-know-what-happend-to-them/
: ) You are doing great!
me
June 29th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Bill, (3)At first I thought Moodle was sort of cluncky, like an old car, but I realize that it is actually really functional. It just takes some getting used to. And I don’t know how much of the design is the result of its being Open Source. That would make a good research topic…when we have some free time. Anne (3)
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Hi Anne,
Thanks for your thoughts. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who had trouble with Moodle at first. And I completely agree that it almost certainly has to do with the open source nature of the program. As they say, took many cooks can spoil the soup – or something like that. Hopefully as I get more familiar with the program I’ll find it less distressing. Thanks for the post. (
Bill (2)