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!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
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.
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