I have spent 12 weeks in this class and I have learned a great deal of information. I think learn online is a series of steps. Once you reach a certain level you have to move into another subject. You begin to learn about that subject and each subject will build upon the last. When you feel that you lost or don’t quite understand, threaded discussions are formed to help you to understand what is going on. The instructor also follows their students so they can understand the material that is before them. As an asynchronous student it is essential that students will be able to follow the material and be able to converse with their peers. Students also must be free to develop learning skills that will help them in their class.
It is great to experience different ideas in an online classroom. I think I have learned many things in this particular class. It was a bit more difficult than most but I felt like that mountain climber who just needs to reach the top. I fell a couple of times but in the end I saw the point through the clouds. Finally, I am out of the clouds and I am moving forward.
Distance education is going to continue to evolve and new ideas will be implemented to make classes better. I am happy that I have had these experiences and look forward to applying what I learned in this class to my future endeavors.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Log In: April 16, 2009
Right now, I am very reflective of the work in this class. I have been able to learn so much right now. I am still the mountain climber and I am starting to see the mountain through the clouds. I may not get to tippy top, but I will finish and I will be successful, because I decided to finish the course. Thank you for the experience.
DIARY: April 9, 2009
In the paper I am working on talks about discourse devices and how they can be useful in an online environment. Author Judith Lapadat explains in her article how such devices can create community, increase coherence and negotiate agreement. All of these methods are important in creating a successful online classroom. I think that the more those students address these issues the more students will be able to function with each in an online environment.
I feel that it is important that students have a place where they can talk freely among themselves about the subject materials. Students should be able to agree and disagree without feeling like uncomfortable doing it. The needs to be inclusion among the class especially in a online setting. Since knowledge of a subject is important, students must engage so that they can learn the material that the instructor has given. In the end, they are able to forge new friendship and develop knowledge of a subject that they can use in the future.
I enjoyed Lapadat article and found some interesting information while doing the paper. I have learned a lot in this class and look forward to applying the information in my future work.
I feel that it is important that students have a place where they can talk freely among themselves about the subject materials. Students should be able to agree and disagree without feeling like uncomfortable doing it. The needs to be inclusion among the class especially in a online setting. Since knowledge of a subject is important, students must engage so that they can learn the material that the instructor has given. In the end, they are able to forge new friendship and develop knowledge of a subject that they can use in the future.
I enjoyed Lapadat article and found some interesting information while doing the paper. I have learned a lot in this class and look forward to applying the information in my future work.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Log In: April 7, 2009
This week we are talking about teacher and learner dynamic. Teachers and students go hand in hand.
Also working on my paper, looking for good results.
Also working on my paper, looking for good results.
DIARY: April 2, 2009
What I have found is that there are so many departments that come together to help a student succeed in an online environment. As a student, I didn’t realize how many types of department you needed to help finish school.
In my experience I have depended on the digital library at UMUC. This has been a regular department for me throughout my college experience. I have been able to found many articles to help to develop papers or ideas about a topic or subject. I also have found it to be quite easy to find the information for my projects. This is so important because you want to find a library that will be able to provide as much information for its students.
There are also administrative support like career counselors and financial aid. These departments make life much easier for the student.
Teachers as I have mentioned in class, have a very important job but students must go outside this realm to find sources from other departments to help them in their education journey. Students must understand that teaching and learning go hand in hand and they need to have a school that will support them in their efforts.
In my experience I have depended on the digital library at UMUC. This has been a regular department for me throughout my college experience. I have been able to found many articles to help to develop papers or ideas about a topic or subject. I also have found it to be quite easy to find the information for my projects. This is so important because you want to find a library that will be able to provide as much information for its students.
There are also administrative support like career counselors and financial aid. These departments make life much easier for the student.
Teachers as I have mentioned in class, have a very important job but students must go outside this realm to find sources from other departments to help them in their education journey. Students must understand that teaching and learning go hand in hand and they need to have a school that will support them in their efforts.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Log In: April 1, 2009
Focusing on the last weeks of school. I am studying my article so I can prepare a paper that will display what I have learned as a student, a writer and as a future teacher.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
DIARY: March 25, 2009
As we move into the final weeks of school, I am reflective of what I have been learning in regards to distance education. I have found that it is more than just taking a class online. It is not just having an instructor tell you want needs to done. It is a huge interwoven concept of ideas, knowledge and a supportive environment. This is all shared with other students and instructors from around the world via the internet. It is the instructor’s job to present the information and guide the students. The students in turn must try to understand and be reflective of the information as it relates to their own experiences. Students are responsible to grasp the knowledge take it in and learn to the best of their ability by way of threaded discussion, quizzes and essays. In saying all of this, I have truly learned a lot, and I plan to learn more.
I had a difficult time of learning the material or at least putting my thoughts correctly on paper. But I owe a lot of to the empathy and patience of my professor Dianne who guided through this experience. Instructors have a huge task of not only guiding students and showing them the way but helping them to understand what needs to be done. In some cases, that may not happen overnight so it takes some patience to see if the student will get it right or at least know what they have to do.
When all is said and done I will be one of those students who will know what they have to do. And in the end, I will be able to take this experience and apply this to my own teaching style when helping future student in this same predicament. This journey has made me wiser and stronger. I am the mountain climber and I will climb up high!
I had a difficult time of learning the material or at least putting my thoughts correctly on paper. But I owe a lot of to the empathy and patience of my professor Dianne who guided through this experience. Instructors have a huge task of not only guiding students and showing them the way but helping them to understand what needs to be done. In some cases, that may not happen overnight so it takes some patience to see if the student will get it right or at least know what they have to do.
When all is said and done I will be one of those students who will know what they have to do. And in the end, I will be able to take this experience and apply this to my own teaching style when helping future student in this same predicament. This journey has made me wiser and stronger. I am the mountain climber and I will climb up high!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Log In: March 24, 2009
Class is starting to wind down although I have A LOT of work left to do. I can do it because I am a mountain climber and I can finally see the sun in between the clouds. It is great to be here although it isn’t going to be easy.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Diary: March 19, 2009
Community and participation are what helps students to become successful in an online environment. When building a community among students it is important to understand support comes from within. So, students and instructors alike must work together in order for a community to work. In an online setting where you don’t have the face to face interaction it may be a bit harder to build bonds. However, class discussions and group project helps to encourages student participation thus in end possibly creating long lasting friendship in the process.
I have had a few bonding experiences in my time in distance education. I found when I had a group assignment, a much stronger bond exists then when we are individuals in the class. Since, there is so much joint work; there is a lot of communication that goes on. We use the study group conference, email and talking on the phones. With so many ways of communicating and feeling a level of comfort there were friendships that were born. To me, school is just like working at your job, there are people at your work place where you form lasting bonds. Since the internet is allowing a unique way of communicating, it is still a way to make new friends and succeed as a distance education student.
I have had a few bonding experiences in my time in distance education. I found when I had a group assignment, a much stronger bond exists then when we are individuals in the class. Since, there is so much joint work; there is a lot of communication that goes on. We use the study group conference, email and talking on the phones. With so many ways of communicating and feeling a level of comfort there were friendships that were born. To me, school is just like working at your job, there are people at your work place where you form lasting bonds. Since the internet is allowing a unique way of communicating, it is still a way to make new friends and succeed as a distance education student.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Log In: March 15, 2009
We are now approaching the final weeks of this course. I am handing in another assignment while at the same time learning what it takes to make an successful online environment in the 21st century.
Diary: March 12, 2009
We have been talking about the need to achieve the successful work by working hard. Online education just like any of form of education is hard work. It demands time, patience, focus and determination. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand the course work and try to learn it with all of your might and you fail. But you never give up.
Professor Conrad wanted to us to give a metaphor in regards to our experience in this online course. Many of classmates and I stated that we were mountain climbers. I know for me it is the best description for my work so far. It has been tough, the terrain has been steep but I see the tip in the future. It is important that I put all my might into the last weeks of this course to ensure an successful run. It is not an easy task but I am always ready for the undertaking. In the end, I know that I will have learned a lot about the methods that helps distance education become a decisive tool in our education process.
Professor Conrad wanted to us to give a metaphor in regards to our experience in this online course. Many of classmates and I stated that we were mountain climbers. I know for me it is the best description for my work so far. It has been tough, the terrain has been steep but I see the tip in the future. It is important that I put all my might into the last weeks of this course to ensure an successful run. It is not an easy task but I am always ready for the undertaking. In the end, I know that I will have learned a lot about the methods that helps distance education become a decisive tool in our education process.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Log In: March 11, 2009
I am starting to understand the theories and principles of Distance education. The more I read and write the more information I start to retain. The annotation bibliography is also another way I am learning about distance education. The mountain climber is still climbing.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
DIARY: March 4, 2009
This week we talked about asynchronous learning versus synchronous learning. I have only experience asynchronous learning but I feel that synchronous learning environment has its advantages too. Distance education provides the flexibility to learning any place and time. It also provides students to also meet in real time without having to drive to class. These types of learning environment over the years have allowed array of people to start to continue their education. I think no matter which type of leaning environment a person chooses if they are willing they will be successful either way.
My experiences have been good as an asynchronous learner. It has worked out well for me for the last couple years. I like that idea that I can come online at any time that are convenient for me through the allowed time for course week. I am able to review the work of my classmate’s comments. I can also see what my instructor may want to see as answers. These types of observations can usually help me with other assignments throughout the course. I think students in asynchronous need additional support of their instructor because of the individual process but at the same time the support will allow a student remain confident in learning their materials so they can knowledgeable in their subject.
My experiences have been good as an asynchronous learner. It has worked out well for me for the last couple years. I like that idea that I can come online at any time that are convenient for me through the allowed time for course week. I am able to review the work of my classmate’s comments. I can also see what my instructor may want to see as answers. These types of observations can usually help me with other assignments throughout the course. I think students in asynchronous need additional support of their instructor because of the individual process but at the same time the support will allow a student remain confident in learning their materials so they can knowledgeable in their subject.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Log In: March 3, 2009
It is midway of the course, I am a late bloomer but I am starting to develop thoughts, ideas and reflection about the on the subject like theory and pedagogy. How can I become a better learner? What methods will be able to help me as a future educator? Hopefully my next assignment will help me to reflect more these questions.
DIARY: March 3, 2009
Social Software has risen in use over the last couple of years and now certain methods are being implemented in several universities in the United States and around the world. The use of these social communities has created sites outside of the classroom like MySpace and Facebook but it is how these additional f social networks are being use in the classroom. Wikis and bloggers have been developed to give the student a second voice in furthering their remarks about the course material.
I have recently found many of my professors using these types of tools to incorporate into to their course schedule. Blogs are a way to reflect the way a student feels about a particular subject or how it may or may not relate to any previous experiences. In my own journey of blogging I have found that I am beginning to learn a bit more about topics that may have found a difficult. Sometimes rereading may still have me stump but talking about a topic, for example like right now I begin to understand as a learner it is important to have a method of communication like this. Knowledge comes about through repetition and discussion. I know that I haven’t mastered some of the theories that we have learned but I am a on the road to do so.
I have recently found many of my professors using these types of tools to incorporate into to their course schedule. Blogs are a way to reflect the way a student feels about a particular subject or how it may or may not relate to any previous experiences. In my own journey of blogging I have found that I am beginning to learn a bit more about topics that may have found a difficult. Sometimes rereading may still have me stump but talking about a topic, for example like right now I begin to understand as a learner it is important to have a method of communication like this. Knowledge comes about through repetition and discussion. I know that I haven’t mastered some of the theories that we have learned but I am a on the road to do so.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Log In: February 25, 2009
This week getting close to midterm. Still learning about theory and social software. The articles this week are more interesting in that I understanding as a learner how theory can help me to improve in my work.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
DIARY: February 19, 2009
This past week we talk about theories and how it relates to distance education. One of the theories discuss is the relationship between teacher and learner. Collins and Berge who wrote their article in 1996 have a discussion about how instructors and students should monitor their time online. Some of these principles are true for today, especially in regards of responsibility of the students and the instructor doing more facilitating in the class. These methods are being discussed more and more as online education is evolving.
I do notice a different with teachers and how they are handling their classes. They are allowing the students to have more conversations while the instructor usually just put input to garner more conversation. It think that this process is working because I see very detail and intense conversations. So, Collins and Berge were definitely on the right track when they wrote their article.
I do notice a different with teachers and how they are handling their classes. They are allowing the students to have more conversations while the instructor usually just put input to garner more conversation. It think that this process is working because I see very detail and intense conversations. So, Collins and Berge were definitely on the right track when they wrote their article.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Log In: February 17, 2009
Right now spending time on theories and how they affect me as a student and the concept of distance education.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
DIARY: February 10, 2009
This past week, the class focus on theories and authors take on them. I feel that therories are important in distance education because it is always changing. Sometimes schools and educators probably needs to explore methods for students to do well in their classes. I as I look on the weeks work, I see that authors like Kanuka and Conrad show the need for definition and theory so students and future can understand the dynamics of what it is like to learning in an distance education environment. In order to master it, students like me need to review a variety of theories.
In the end I think all the authors in some way agree the distance education is a critical and interactive medium that allows students to frame their own way of learning. It is shape by technology and is structured by course content. As a learner in this medium, the theories presented can help me to constantly develop strategies to become a successful student.
In the end I think all the authors in some way agree the distance education is a critical and interactive medium that allows students to frame their own way of learning. It is shape by technology and is structured by course content. As a learner in this medium, the theories presented can help me to constantly develop strategies to become a successful student.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Log In: February 9, 2009
This week finishing last touches of paper about my views as a learner in Distance Education. I will discuss my beliefs on pedagogy and theory in education.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
DIARY: February 4, 2009
I found it interesting that I am half way through another masters program on the subject of distance education. I have learned a great deal so far and I hope to be able to master this unique and complex educational method. I sometimes feel that I am a better learner than when I first started. However, each semester I tend to learn something new that will help me further in my quest to become a better learner and hopefully a better teacher.
Log In: February 2, 2009
This week I am focus on making sure the journal is up to standards. I am also focusing on my paper for the following week.
DIARY: January 29, 2009
Every since I was little girl I always knew that education was very important to me. I found joy and hope when I went to school. For me, school was therapeutic to say the least; I was able to forget the world around me for about 8 hours.
As an adult I feel the same, school brings a lot hopes and anxieties to the table. Each time I take a class I hope to do my best and to understand the materials are brought forth in this particular. My goal through this is to become the best teacher possible, whether it is online or face-to-face.
As an adult I feel the same, school brings a lot hopes and anxieties to the table. Each time I take a class I hope to do my best and to understand the materials are brought forth in this particular. My goal through this is to become the best teacher possible, whether it is online or face-to-face.
Log In: January 28, 2009
I have logged into my next to my last semester in the MDE program. I have learned so much so far I hope to continue with the knowledge of finding more about online education. This has turn out to be a interesting class, we have a scavenger hunt!!!
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