Reflection Prompt: Reflect on how you perceive yourself as an online learner? Are you well-prepare to be an online learner? Tell us about what you need to improve in order to be a successful online learner.
1. Description. Briefly describe your experiences (class activities, reading assignment, your school or job experiences). Do this in a descriptive rather than a judgmental way (merely record events without editorializing or agreeing or disagreeing). Make connections.
My first experience with online courses occurred during the summer of 2013 when I first enrolled with Akron. I enrolled in two courses over the summer which included Cultural Foundations of Education during the first five weeks and Educational Psychology which started the second five weeks. The format for those two classes were very similar to the current class of Introduction to Instructional Technology. For each of the classes over the summer I had online and textbook materials to read as well as watch videos. I also had to post my answers to a discussions and respond to other classmates’ posts. There were also projects to be completed and papers to write. The biggest difference was completing all of this work in 5 weeks instead of the usual 16 weeks.
2.Impact. Tell what you have learned (or confirm what you had already believed, or how what you have learned differs from what you believed). How do you feel about what you learned?
Before taking any classes I was extremely nervous about getting my Master’s Degree. My wife and I just had our third child in April, I was working full time, and now if I wasn’t busy enough, I needed to get my Master’s Degree. My biggest concern was time. I didn’t know when I would find the time to complete the coursework. I was worried that the amount of work will be to overwhelming to complete in the time allowed. I was apprehensive, to say the least, about taking online courses. I think taking the intensive summer courses at the beginning of my online experience only contributed to feeling overwhelmed and apprehensive. Although these feelings have somewhat subsided, I still feel somewhat intimidated to take online courses. I am hoping with more experience I will become more confident taking online courses.
During my first two online classes I was confused how to navigate through the content. I wasn’t sure what assignments I had and when they were due. Instead of completing the assignments, I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out what those assignments were. With this being my third online class I am beginning to understand how to navigate through the content more efficiently and complete my assignments.
Finally I have learned to look ahead to the different weeks and modules. The first course I took I could only go week by week because I was not prepared for the amount of work I had to complete. As a result, I was not able to look ahead to the other weeks when bigger projects and assignments were due. I was not able to plan effectively. Now, whenever possible I look ahead to the upcoming weeks to help me determine how much time I need to devote to the assignments. When I have an idea of how much time I am going to need, I talk to my wife and let her know what is coming up. We usually devise a plan that will allow me to work without the distractions that come from having three boys.
3.Intent. Make a statement about what you intend to do as a result of your learnings and feelings. BE SPECIFIC! Phrase this in a personal and positive way ("what I will do is . . ." rather than "what I won't do is . . .").
In the future I will access the course as soon as it becomes available so I can begin planning for the amount of work ahead of me. I want to complete assignments ahead of time when the amount of work seems lighter so I can get a jump start on the larger projects.
I also want to print off the course syllabus prior to starting the class to make sure I have all that I need and to help estimate how much time I will need to devote to the course. Having a hard copy of the syllabus will also allow me to check off assignments when they are completed.
Next, I need to be less self-conscious about asking questions when I am confused. When I am confused, I spend a great deal of time trying to figure out the problem on my own. I need to spend less time trying to solve the problem and contact my instructor sooner.
Finally, I want to be better about contributing to the discussions earlier so I can get more feedback from other classmates. To often in the past I posted my initial discussion near the end of the week. As a result, I did not get many, if any, responses back from classmates. This would also allow me to read more posts from other classmates. There have been many times where I have learned something from a classmate's post and went on to use it in the classroom.
Reflection Prompt: Reflect on how you perceive yourself as an online learner? Are you well-prepare to be an online learner? Tell us about what you need to improve in order to be a
successful online learner.
1. Description. Briefly describe your experiences (class activities, reading assignment, your school or job experiences). Do this in a descriptive rather than a judgmental way (merely record events without editorializing or agreeing or disagreeing). Make connections.
My first experience with online courses occurred during the summer of 2013 when I first enrolled with Akron. I enrolled in two courses over the summer which included Cultural Foundations of Education during the first five weeks and Educational Psychology which started the second five weeks. The format for those two classes were very similar to the current class of Introduction to Instructional Technology. For each of the classes over the summer I had online and textbook materials to read as well as watch videos. I also had to post my answers to a discussions and respond to other classmates’ posts. There were also projects to be completed and papers to write. The biggest difference was completing all of this work in 5 weeks instead of the usual 16 weeks.
2.Impact. Tell what you have learned (or confirm what you had already believed, or how what you have learned differs from what you believed). How do you feel about what you learned?
Before taking any classes I was extremely nervous about getting my Master’s Degree. My wife and I just had our third child in April, I was working full time, and now if I wasn’t busy enough, I needed to get my Master’s Degree. My biggest concern was time. I didn’t know when I would find the time to complete the coursework. I was worried that the amount of work will be to overwhelming to complete in the time allowed. I was apprehensive, to say the least, about taking online courses. I think taking the intensive summer courses at the beginning of my online experience only contributed to feeling overwhelmed and apprehensive. Although these feelings have somewhat subsided, I still feel somewhat intimidated to take online courses. I am hoping with more experience I will become more confident taking online courses.
During my first two online classes I was confused how to navigate through the content. I wasn’t sure what assignments I had and when they were due. Instead of completing the assignments, I spent a great deal of time trying to figure out what those assignments were. With this being my third online class I am beginning to understand how to navigate through the content more efficiently and complete my assignments.
Finally I have learned to look ahead to the different weeks and modules. The first course I took I could only go week by week because I was not prepared for the amount of work I had to complete. As a result, I was not able to look ahead to the other weeks when bigger projects and assignments were due. I was not able to plan effectively. Now, whenever possible I look ahead to the upcoming weeks to help me determine how much time I need to devote to the assignments. When I have an idea of how much time I am going to need, I talk to my wife and let her know what is coming up. We usually devise a plan that will allow me to work without the distractions that come from having three boys.
3.Intent. Make a statement about what you intend to do as a result of your learnings and feelings. BE SPECIFIC! Phrase this in a personal and positive way ("what I will do is . . ." rather than "what I won't do is . . .").
In the future I will access the course as soon as it becomes available so I can begin planning for the amount of work ahead of me. I want to complete assignments ahead of time when the amount of work seems lighter so I can get a jump start on the larger projects.
I also want to print off the course syllabus prior to starting the class to make sure I have all that I need and to help estimate how much time I will need to devote to the course. Having a hard copy of the syllabus will also allow me to check off assignments when they are completed.
Next, I need to be less self-conscious about asking questions when I am confused. When I am confused, I spend a great deal of time trying to figure out the problem on my own. I need to spend less time trying to solve the problem and contact my instructor sooner.
Finally, I want to be better about contributing to the discussions earlier so I can get more feedback from other classmates. To often in the past I posted my initial discussion near the end of the week. As a result, I did not get many, if any, responses back from classmates. This would also allow me to read more posts from other classmates. There have been many times where I have learned something from a classmate's post and went on to use it in the classroom.