Self Induced Pressure

In my Online Teaching Online Course, I had an interesting thing happen last week. It was something totally unexpected. We were in the middle of our second module, which was extended to 2 weeks long due to Spring Break. I completed all the readings, postings, assignments and module assessment so I knew I was done for the week. I watched the weekly announcement reviewing the content for the week so I knew I was done. I even check in with the facilitator to make sure I wasn't missing anything. It was great to know I was done, could take a few days to enjoy Spring Break with the family, yet as each day went by I kept getting this nagging feeling in the back of my mind I needed to 'check in' with the course, read more in the text (which I am enjoying), just do something.

It was hard for me not to feel like I was missing out or missing something, I think I couldn't completely accept being 'done' for the week. I tend to get that feeling when I'm facilitating the online course since even when we are off I check in daily to make sure there are no student concerns. Maybe it's a carry over from that, but I thought as a student I could completely walk away for a few days when all the work was completed. Not sure what that means for my design and facilitation in the future? Just an interesting side note for me.

Interactive Visuals

In the online teaching module, I've enjoyed the various interactive visuals. I like how I can explore the content on my own, take time to think and reflect, and go back and review. I live having control over how I review the content and it's a benefit to being online. I'd like to create more of these types of modules for my courses.

Online Student

So, this is my first reflective blog posting for the FDOLC course. This space ostensible is for our thoughts and musings about the course and it’s impact on the online class we are creating. As I’ve been thinking about what to write I find the course, so far, has been a great foundational review of online teaching practices. I’ve been teaching online for some time, I really enjoy the process, but it being in this class has put me back in the role of online student. As the online facilitator you have insight into what is happening with the course, connections to be made, and in control of interactions and communications. A student is trying to make those connections and construct knowledge, the cue’s are different. I have found this course to be very well organized so it’s not that I’m lost, it’s more of seeing online learning through the lens of the student again. In my class I’m designing, I will definitely incorporate more organization, clear steps, and images/video to demonstrate what the student is to be doing. I have liked that so far.

Welcome to my Online Teaching Reflection Blog

I'm a fan of blogging as a reflective took, I use it a lot with my students. It's also a great method to teach tech skills, new tools, embedding, and communication techniques.

Randy