EDUC-764: E-Learning Practicum
Course Reflections
Below are my reflections from each module (week) of the course.
Week 1
There was so much prep work to getting the class going that once it started it seemed like a breath of fresh air. Prior to the course officially starting, I muddled my way through the instructor side of D2L. I was thankful for sometime to play around with the features to make myself familiar with different tools. Dr. Kay uploaded a previous version of the course and together we worked to modify the discussions, content, and review all links. Also prior to the start we sent out a class email for each student to reply to. This flooded us with email communication with students. At times it was challenging to keep up with all conversations. I couldn't imagine how instructors with several courses feel at the start of a semester. It is information overload. Luckily we have a great spreadsheet shared in DropBox to track student progress and information.
Once the course opened, the discussion forum was also overwhelming. There are so many threads, so many replies, and so many times I logged in to try to keep up. I decided that I needed to make an evening ritual of reading posts. That way I am consistent and have a dedicated time to work. I was very reluctant in making my first post as an intern. I read and reread Dr. Kay's responses to students several times before working to craft a response of my own.
Overall, I feel good about the experience so far and look forward to the additional learning opportunities I will have.
Week 2
Week two offered a myriad of different experiences. We had a student drop the course that had limited contact with us. Being a go-getter and having high goals for myself, I find it challenging to accept that students, like this one, have a history of enrolling and dropping regularly. Communication is essential to build positive relationships to foster student success. All interactions require careful thought to steer students on the path we want.
I had the opportunity to provide feedback to students on their reflections this week. I started early, too early. I looked Friday morning and there were limited completed, then Sunday I went through and finished a few more with over half the class still not having posted. I learned not to be too eager. The deadline was midnight Sunday. It wasn't as time consuming as initially thought and two hours on a Monday morning will be more than sufficient to review portfolios.
One thing I am struggling with is not knowing the content like the back of my hand. Give me any math course and I would feel more in my element. Having taken this course provides a great foundation, but my proficiency in knowing opportune responses to discussion posts is not where I would like it to be. I think this is making me not as visible to students in the course.
Week 3
This week was hectic. I had many issues to attend to, from student concerns to providing feedback on reflections. The parallel between this week's topic, handling scenarios that arise, and what I needed to do, handle student concerns, was rather interesting. Everything that we were having the students practice I needed to put into practice. Making sure that emails were well crafted; highlighting positives, confirming expectations, and providing support were essential.
Providing feedback to students was frustrating for me. I am really struggling with not knowing the content as well as the content I teach. I think this makes me insecure in what I respond. It took me much longer than anticipated to go through and provide feedback to students on one of their discussion topics and their reflections. Then I spent significant time on how it went and found a few things I could be doing along the way as I am reading and commenting to expedite my feedback process. There is definitely a learning curve.
We had our weekly check in chat early this week, so I have my detailed list of things to do and when to do them next to the computer. I am finding that handwritten notes are serving me better than a different approach right now. Rather ironic with all the tools out there that we are encouraging students to explore.
However, in the larger scheme, I finally feel like I am settling into the groove. I don't know if it is this course and my other portfolio course for the masters program are winding down or if I am more acclimated.
Week 4
This week was a turning point for me. I felt more comfortable in my role. I worked hard to make sure emails were promptly addressed and tried to facilitate more dialogue in the discussion boards. I feel that with the wrap up of my portfolio class for my master's degree and the completion of the e-portfolio for the certificate has allowed me more time to dedicate to the internship. One thing I am realizing is just how much time an online course requires from a facilitator. I often feel like I need to be available all of the time, but that isn't feasible. There really isn't a removal from work to home like the traditional classroom, so I need to make that break for myself.
This week I graded three of four module components. I evaluated large group discussion, small group discussion, and student reflections. In talking with Dr. Kay I realized I was forgetting some key tools in making the process easier. "Assess topic" is my new friend! Although it doesn't give me the whole picture, it was extremely helpful in making the process easier. I was able to have one screen open with that and another with the actual discussion. It worked much more smoothly. Despite having more to assess this week, I was able to do it in less time and with greater confidence. Definitely a win for the week.
This week students only have a small discussion to participate in that has practice student facilitators. This means unless there is a large issue, I can't jump in. I need to determine another way to be visible to students this week. Last week, I shared some portfolio tips I learned from this course that I wish I would have known sooner. Many were grateful for the advance notice. That would have been a good thing to do this week, so now I am trying to brainstorm other things I can offer. I am thinking about hosting a synchronous chat for students. I am going to touch base with Dr. Kay on this.
Week 5
Course Reflections
Below are my reflections from each module (week) of the course.
Week 1
There was so much prep work to getting the class going that once it started it seemed like a breath of fresh air. Prior to the course officially starting, I muddled my way through the instructor side of D2L. I was thankful for sometime to play around with the features to make myself familiar with different tools. Dr. Kay uploaded a previous version of the course and together we worked to modify the discussions, content, and review all links. Also prior to the start we sent out a class email for each student to reply to. This flooded us with email communication with students. At times it was challenging to keep up with all conversations. I couldn't imagine how instructors with several courses feel at the start of a semester. It is information overload. Luckily we have a great spreadsheet shared in DropBox to track student progress and information.
Once the course opened, the discussion forum was also overwhelming. There are so many threads, so many replies, and so many times I logged in to try to keep up. I decided that I needed to make an evening ritual of reading posts. That way I am consistent and have a dedicated time to work. I was very reluctant in making my first post as an intern. I read and reread Dr. Kay's responses to students several times before working to craft a response of my own.
Overall, I feel good about the experience so far and look forward to the additional learning opportunities I will have.
Week 2
Week two offered a myriad of different experiences. We had a student drop the course that had limited contact with us. Being a go-getter and having high goals for myself, I find it challenging to accept that students, like this one, have a history of enrolling and dropping regularly. Communication is essential to build positive relationships to foster student success. All interactions require careful thought to steer students on the path we want.
I had the opportunity to provide feedback to students on their reflections this week. I started early, too early. I looked Friday morning and there were limited completed, then Sunday I went through and finished a few more with over half the class still not having posted. I learned not to be too eager. The deadline was midnight Sunday. It wasn't as time consuming as initially thought and two hours on a Monday morning will be more than sufficient to review portfolios.
One thing I am struggling with is not knowing the content like the back of my hand. Give me any math course and I would feel more in my element. Having taken this course provides a great foundation, but my proficiency in knowing opportune responses to discussion posts is not where I would like it to be. I think this is making me not as visible to students in the course.
Week 3
This week was hectic. I had many issues to attend to, from student concerns to providing feedback on reflections. The parallel between this week's topic, handling scenarios that arise, and what I needed to do, handle student concerns, was rather interesting. Everything that we were having the students practice I needed to put into practice. Making sure that emails were well crafted; highlighting positives, confirming expectations, and providing support were essential.
Providing feedback to students was frustrating for me. I am really struggling with not knowing the content as well as the content I teach. I think this makes me insecure in what I respond. It took me much longer than anticipated to go through and provide feedback to students on one of their discussion topics and their reflections. Then I spent significant time on how it went and found a few things I could be doing along the way as I am reading and commenting to expedite my feedback process. There is definitely a learning curve.
We had our weekly check in chat early this week, so I have my detailed list of things to do and when to do them next to the computer. I am finding that handwritten notes are serving me better than a different approach right now. Rather ironic with all the tools out there that we are encouraging students to explore.
However, in the larger scheme, I finally feel like I am settling into the groove. I don't know if it is this course and my other portfolio course for the masters program are winding down or if I am more acclimated.
Week 4
This week was a turning point for me. I felt more comfortable in my role. I worked hard to make sure emails were promptly addressed and tried to facilitate more dialogue in the discussion boards. I feel that with the wrap up of my portfolio class for my master's degree and the completion of the e-portfolio for the certificate has allowed me more time to dedicate to the internship. One thing I am realizing is just how much time an online course requires from a facilitator. I often feel like I need to be available all of the time, but that isn't feasible. There really isn't a removal from work to home like the traditional classroom, so I need to make that break for myself.
This week I graded three of four module components. I evaluated large group discussion, small group discussion, and student reflections. In talking with Dr. Kay I realized I was forgetting some key tools in making the process easier. "Assess topic" is my new friend! Although it doesn't give me the whole picture, it was extremely helpful in making the process easier. I was able to have one screen open with that and another with the actual discussion. It worked much more smoothly. Despite having more to assess this week, I was able to do it in less time and with greater confidence. Definitely a win for the week.
This week students only have a small discussion to participate in that has practice student facilitators. This means unless there is a large issue, I can't jump in. I need to determine another way to be visible to students this week. Last week, I shared some portfolio tips I learned from this course that I wish I would have known sooner. Many were grateful for the advance notice. That would have been a good thing to do this week, so now I am trying to brainstorm other things I can offer. I am thinking about hosting a synchronous chat for students. I am going to touch base with Dr. Kay on this.
Week 5