Learning Pains

Tonight was our first online class for ETEC 622. It was so different from my OTEC 602 class. I feel that because we didn't have a face to face meeting, I didn't have a feel for who everyone was and what their agendas were. It was very overwhelming to me having so many people chatting about all kinds of things. I decided to not look there to help me concentrate on what was being said and what was shown on the whiteboard.

Because of this experience, I have my answer to our first discussion question, "What are the two most important tips for succeeding in an online class?" The tips I would give myself after tonight is to have  patience and to be flexible with yourself and others. I have a Type A personality so I can get very agitated when things or people are not organized or when I don't know something I need to know. I know this about myself and tonight I was aware that I was getting very frustrated. I take away from this experience that I need to be patient with myself and others and I need to be flexible to let things work itself out.

Our second discussion question was, "How would a course designer or instructor address these tips?" A course designer or instructor would have to make sure that they communicate well with their students. They have to make sure that their students know how to navigate the course and know what is expected of them. The course has to be set up in a way that everyone taking the course could navigate it easily. I feel my instructor and his two teacher assistants did a wonderful job tonight in making things more clear for me.

I recognize that these are learning pains that I'm experiencing. I realize I have not been a student for so long. There is much to learn...about myself as a student too.

Bucket List

I am starting my new journey and I am loving it. I got accepted in the Master's in Educational Technology at the University of Hawaii in the Fall of 2012.  This goal has been on my Bucket List for a long time. Family and work responsibilities are right where I can manage going back to school. So far, I think I'm managing well. I love learning...I realize that I know a lot but I have so much more to learn.