My last post for EDUI6702 - Introduction to Online Teaching and Learning. I have a feeling the journal will continue with my upcoming classes and hopefully as I move from student to online teacher.

One thing I love about taking classes is the wonderful feeling of finishing a class. You know the whole endings and new beginnings kind of thing. Probably why I love teaching in a traditional setting as well. I love when we make it to the end of June or to any break for that matter. It is nice when things have natural endings as well as new beginnings. On that note, I enjoy when school starts again in September, and I am looking forward to the start of our next class.

Reflections on the class...

First of all, I think the class was GREAT! I learned a lot and did exactly what we were supposed to do - constructed much of my own learning. I enjoyed the process. I very much enjoyed the colleagiality with my class mates. I don't know if this was an exceptional group or if I entered with the right attitutde. It would be a safe bet to say a combination of both. And of course, the wonderful facilitating by our instructor :) I mean that. From the beginning of class, the tone was set and we moved through somewhat seemlessly. The introductions at the beginning provided us all with an opportunity to be human and get to know a little about each other. This set the stage moving forward. Our discussions were great. The participants were supportive and we managed to bond as a group that is moving forward together through the remainder of the curriculum. It really feels great to be entering the next class with some familiar 'faces'.

One interesting thing, however...
I probably could name about 10 of th 25 students in the class. Who are the other 15? Did others connect with them and I just didn't? Were they isolators / lurkers? I truly feel like there was a core group of students that really were 'present' and others that were not. I am sure there are many factors. Interestingly, I might have been one of the other 15 five years ago when I first took this course. My attitude then was very much about doing what I 'had' to do to get the grade and complete the course. My attidutde this time was very much about getting a lot out of it and being part of the group. Let me tell you - it feels GREAT to be part of the group and to have made the connections that I made!

Thanks to everyone for a great experience. What a wonderful way to start what could otherwise seem like a LONG journey :)

Peace for now!
Steve