Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Introduction to ONTL 651

I am very excited about our opportunity to facilitate some online teaching this semester.  I expect that I will have a better understanding of the process from the instructor’s point of view and that I will learn to use the tools that are provided for us. 

I look forward to using the “sandbox” as I like to be prepared and don’t like the unexpected.  This provides me with opportunity to use the blackboard collaborate tool, to fully understand and use it’s functionality to present a teaching unit.   Where I work we also employ a “sandbox” for learning our computer program.  Since adult learner learns best from hands on experience we feel that the “sandbox” is an excellent tool.  I am sure that I will learn best by doing as well.

My concerns are that I will not adequately prepare the students for the opportunity to meet their learning objectives.  I am use to teaching a prepared curriculum and this stretches me as I need to also come up with some activities to facilitate learning.  I am thankful for my co-facilitator to work with.  I am sure that together we will not fail our students.

I am concerned that I may not fully understand the functionality of blackboard collaborate and may not use it to its full potential.  However, that is something that I have some control over since I am afforded the opportunity to practice in the sandbox.

Any time we are using technology there is a fear that the technology may not work properly.  This is something that I have no control over but I do intend to have a backup plan in case of technology failure.  

I have found that anytime I am working with a group that there is the potential for the need to “manage” the classroom.  I am very familiar with doing this in a face to face group and if there are any issues it will give me an opportunity to practice those classroom management skills in an online classroom.

I am also more familiar with teaching than facilitating.  I am concerned that if I get nervous that I will fall back to what is most familiar, teaching rather than facilitating.  Again, I have some control over this by preparing properly to reduce my anxiety.  I am also familiar with several people in the class and that familiarity and trust will assist me. 

When all else fails, I have my humor to fall back on.  That seldom fails me.
 
photo courtesy of mon_munchkin_x on photobucket.
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Friday, May 4, 2012

Tired and Thrilled


I always like to get the good news first.  Well, the good news is that this is my last assignment for my Introduction to Online Teaching.   I am tired but satisfied with a job well done and an enormous of new knowledge and skills under my belt.  I have also been able to make the decision that I am really going to like online teaching.   I am truly excited about the educational journey that is ahead of me.

I had heard that the Certificate Program for Online Teaching was a difficult one but I was unconcerned as I have always done well in school.  What I found out was that my easy confidence had never been seriously challenged previously.  This was surprising to me since I have a Masters in Social Work.

I have entered a foreign land with a new language and have had to develop a new skill set to assure my success and survival.  During the last portion of this class I have learned the 7 principle of online teaching many of which I am already incorporating into my hybrid class during our online sessions.  I have learned different ways to engage online and how to encourage relationship between class mates.  I have made myself more available and in a wider manner of contact.  I am focusing on giving frequent positive feedback to encourage group process and to offer encouragement.  I have reworked some of our group activities to be completed online and to encourage group cooperation and collaboration. I am also using the diversity of our group to my advantage and to the educational advantage of our classes.

I have been able to test this on two complete classes and am now starting my third class.  So far I have had much success and the students are enjoying the class more.  By the time they get to the face to face portion of the class they have a relationship and are happy to put a face to the name and voice.

I have learned quite a bit about student centered learning which is great as this is the philosophy where I work.  I have learned how to support and encourage learners as they need to be highly motivated.  I spend more time on the WIFM (what’s in it for me?) during our early interactions.  Once each individual is focused on what they will gain from their time spent in the class they become more motivated and energized.    They must clearly understand what their responsibility for learning is and that their success is dependent on what they put in, that I am there to guide and facilitate not lecture and dump information into their heads as we have before.

Not only do I have to keep current on what is new in our field, but I give them links that they can use in the future to keep current with their field specialty as well.  

We learned about different learning styles and how to meet the needs of students with various learning needs.  A week before class, I am now sending out an email that introduces myself and tells the class something about me.  I also ask them to answer a few questions about themselves.  Some of the questions are icebreaker questions, some are about their educational backgrounds and experience, and others are about their learning styles, what I can do to support their learning and if they have an barriers to learning.  The students enjoy telling me about themselves.

The information I gather assists me in breaking up the groups so I have experienced and inexperienced people in the same group.  It assists me in knowing what learning style I am working with so I can provide material and activities in ways that best meet their various learning styles.  I am using more flip chart paper than previously and am using colors in my markers in various ways.  This also allows the student to disclose a learning problem or disability if they are comfortable.  To date I have not had a disclosure but I will make the necessary accommodations when someone does share a barrier with me.

We discussed various instructional strategies in class.  The one that I focused on mostly was the individual learning contract.  We have people entering our classes who are new from college and those who have worked for the agency in a different capacity for 20 years.  At this time they all receive the same instruction.  I am excited to learn that we will be giving an assessment to identify gaps in knowledge and then working with the students on learning contracts to fill those gaps.  I had identified this strategy prior to knowing that was the direction our agency is going so I was pretty impressed that this course gave me the critical thinking skills to identify this as an effective instructional strategy for our student population.

I have learned so much about technology, tools and search engines: diigo, Merlot, Web 2.0, wiki, blogs, ning, delicious and voice threads to name just a few.  I am reorganizing the way I keep my bookmarks and organize myself to I can more effectively and efficiently use these new things.  I know that as I progress through my next 3 classes that I will have more to add to this list.  I am very excited about the level of learning that has occurred and the challenges that I have received.

I started out by mentioning that I was tired.  I think we all are.  This has been some fast paced learning and we have accomplished a lot.  If you are at all interest in teaching online, I suggest this course or one like it.  You owe it to yourself and your students.  I also started out with the good news.  Here is the even better news, my next class starts in two weeks so I am going to go rest now and get ready for my next educational sprint in this foreign land.   I like this foreign land and will keep at least one foot in this land.

See you soon!