I think the phrase what a different a few weeks makes is appropriate. There is still so much to learn in online teaching but I feel exponentially better prepared then I did a few weeks ago. I have a face to face class next week and I am already thinking about how I can use some of the technologies I have learned to enhance the class. I think many things we learned in this course can make the face time more valuable.
Many times you may have a class that is hesitant to truly share their thoughts. I think having students do online discussion would serve as a great starting point to continue those conversations at a deeper level in person. I also teach high school and have already used screen casts on the website I use. Students have already commented that it is nice to hear an explanation of an assignment because many times they become confused when they attempt to do it at home.
I am sure there is still a big learning curve when teaching an online course for the first time. However, the idea seemed so foreign to me and I really couldn't envision how to do that. Now, I feel as though I have a much stronger idea on how to successfully teach an online course. The word that keeps coming to mind is enhancement. I think the technologies we have learned do a tremendous job enhancing the content we all teach and I look forward to implementing them in the future.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Module Two Blog
I have enjoyed "getting my hands dirty" with the activities in module two. I learn from hands on experience and doing the activities has greatly increased my understandings of how an online class should be set up. I feel as though I had that "Aha" moment many times after completing the tasks. I am starting to see how using these types of technology can really improve collaboration among students in an online course.
The reflection I have so far is that technology can still attempt to create a more intimate feeling. The voice thread program I was really impressed with. Having so many options to contribute to a discussion was very impressive. I think the more face time students have the better. I am looking forward to seeing what the other members post. Once you get over the initial stage fright of talking into a web camera I found the experience very valuable.
When I teach an online course I am going to challenge myself to use these technologies as much as possible. It is easy to write out directions but to show students through a screencast would really enhance the experience. Recording my voice as mp3 links also adds an extra connection with students. Overall, I learned that technology used effectively can help make online classes feel as though they are not as impersonal.
The reflection I have so far is that technology can still attempt to create a more intimate feeling. The voice thread program I was really impressed with. Having so many options to contribute to a discussion was very impressive. I think the more face time students have the better. I am looking forward to seeing what the other members post. Once you get over the initial stage fright of talking into a web camera I found the experience very valuable.
When I teach an online course I am going to challenge myself to use these technologies as much as possible. It is easy to write out directions but to show students through a screencast would really enhance the experience. Recording my voice as mp3 links also adds an extra connection with students. Overall, I learned that technology used effectively can help make online classes feel as though they are not as impersonal.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Module One Blog
I believed I had a strong understanding on what it takes to teach an online class prior to this experience. I am a high school teacher and most of my class is web based. I am almost completely paperless. However, starting this first module has made me realize that there is way more to online teaching then merely making your class available online.
The readings this week were very informative and practical. I assumed that online teaching was more passive on the instructors part. I now realize to do online teaching effectively that cannot be the case. In the article, "Applying the Seven Principles", I realized that the online instructor really needs to encourage active learning and promote collaboration. My "aha" moment in the readings this week is that the online teacher really not only has to instruct but really lead by example to create social butterflies.
Creating this environment of sharing does not come easy. I know that providing constant feedback and truly embracing the role as a facilitator is paramount. Even after the first module I can start to see my pedagogy changing somewhat on how I will approach my high school classroom this fall. I don't believe I have been getting the best"bang for my buck" in my approach to my web based classroom. I realized by doing the activities this week that creating a dialogue between students can easily be fostered online. In some cases I feel even more then in traditional classrooms. I look forward to learning more about evolving from just a teacher to more of a tour guide in the exchanging of ideas.
The readings this week were very informative and practical. I assumed that online teaching was more passive on the instructors part. I now realize to do online teaching effectively that cannot be the case. In the article, "Applying the Seven Principles", I realized that the online instructor really needs to encourage active learning and promote collaboration. My "aha" moment in the readings this week is that the online teacher really not only has to instruct but really lead by example to create social butterflies.
Creating this environment of sharing does not come easy. I know that providing constant feedback and truly embracing the role as a facilitator is paramount. Even after the first module I can start to see my pedagogy changing somewhat on how I will approach my high school classroom this fall. I don't believe I have been getting the best"bang for my buck" in my approach to my web based classroom. I realized by doing the activities this week that creating a dialogue between students can easily be fostered online. In some cases I feel even more then in traditional classrooms. I look forward to learning more about evolving from just a teacher to more of a tour guide in the exchanging of ideas.
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