In my first real contact with the information provided in this course, I felt frustrated and lost. But how can such a "techie" feel so out of place in the environment that she normally feels most comfortable? I think the answer exists in a space much bigger than my virtual world. I have signed on to something that is foreign to anything I have done. I have never completed an online course with no face to face contact. Even when I am learning something on the computer, I have colleagues, family, friends, students, or teachers nearby to help talk me through it - to help show me what to do.
I do not like feeling helpless or lost. I guess it makes me feel like a failure. Like I'm not able to use my power to work through it. This may just mean that I will have to rely on the conversation with my online classmates and expertise of my instructor. This takes me back to a place I haven't visited in a long time.
My results from the online learning assessment were not surprising. I have good computer skills - I am eager to learn new things and enjoy working with computers. I am not much of an independent learner. I like touching base with others, including my teachers, face-to-face. I enjoy talking about what I'm learning and appreciate feedback on what I did well and specific feedback on what I can fix or improve. With regards to dependent learning, I respond to deadlines and reminders. I do not like mundane or meneal tasks, as I tend to get overwhelmed by the details. I do not necessarily have a need for online learning...I like to drive, am not confined by geography or overwhelmimg domestic responsibilities. Lastly, with regard to academic achievement, I am a slow reader...and often need to read directions and outlines multiple times, as I do not comprehend well through written words. On the other hand, I have strong interpersonal skills and so prefer to talk through learning tasks. I am careful with my work, as I often re-read and revise my work multiple times. I feel comfortable conveying myself through writing and will ask for help when I don't understand something. The survey suggested that I am not a natural online learner and I would agree.
My main reason for taking the Tech Connect 2.0 course is to become online certified. I believe that this will help add to my credentials and credibility in my job as my school's Webmaster and district's Tech Liason. I am also looking for ways to better myself and contribute more to my educational community.
I have two priority learning goals: To learn how to effectively engage with others online in a forum-
style learning environmrent and to build the amount of online tools I have to work with in my job and with colleagues.
Photo credit: from Artfire, Copyright Valmade 2010
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