“Persevering at online learning is also affected by computer and information literacy, time management…online communication skills…self-esteem, feelings of belongingness in the online program and the ability to develop interpersonal skills with peers” (p 199)
Objective: What caught my attention?
This quote immediately made me think about the difference between today’s online course, and yesterday’s correspondence course. Firstly, do they still have the traditional correspondence course? The names have evolved over the past 10-15 years, correspondence course, distance learning; now it’s online learning. Despite the name changes, the problems remain the same. I took economics by correspondence in 1998. I was completely isolated and left on my own to cover the course material. I really enjoyed it. I was able to work at my own pace and mailed in assignments as I completed them. The only thing different today is the added computer literacy component, other than that I don’t see how anything has changed from the days of mailing in assignment to today’s attaching emails. The time management, self-esteem, ability to complete the work, all those issues existed before computers were around. The feeling of belongingness and ability to communicate with other students is about the only difference that exists today.
Reflective: What did I realize about teaching as a result of this quote?
From reflecting on this quote I realize that there are many things that can affect a person’s ability to learn. Computer literacy, self-esteem, interpersonal skills, feeling of belongingness, these do not only relate to online learning, but class room learning as well.
Interpretive: The Aha moment and key insight
The Aha moment and Key insight came after realizing that this quote, does not just apply to online learning, but all learning. Self-esteem, interpersonal skills with peers, belongingness, time management, these are all fundamental requirements for any student, on line or not. Computer literacy while fundamental for the online course will also be required for the class room course. I don’t see how anyone not competent in computers will be able to do the PIDP program.
Decisional: How has this quote influenced my notion of teaching?
The biggest thing I can take from this quote does not apply to online teaching but rather the nature of my students. I will be teaching “adults” but in reality I will be teaching young impressionable kids just out of high school. At this point in their lives, it’s a stretch to say they are adults. Some will lack the self-confidence to excel, some will definitely have interpersonal peer problems, and some will feel they don’t belong, all things that affect learning, but also life. It will be my role as an instructor to not just follow a DACUM chart, recite each lesson plan with motivation and engagement. But rather to do all that, and observe the social interactions of the students and help the young adults who are struggling with these problems make the transition into adult hood. This is something I am really looking forward to as a teacher, to help the struggling students find their way.
Objective: What caught my attention?
This quote immediately made me think about the difference between today’s online course, and yesterday’s correspondence course. Firstly, do they still have the traditional correspondence course? The names have evolved over the past 10-15 years, correspondence course, distance learning; now it’s online learning. Despite the name changes, the problems remain the same. I took economics by correspondence in 1998. I was completely isolated and left on my own to cover the course material. I really enjoyed it. I was able to work at my own pace and mailed in assignments as I completed them. The only thing different today is the added computer literacy component, other than that I don’t see how anything has changed from the days of mailing in assignment to today’s attaching emails. The time management, self-esteem, ability to complete the work, all those issues existed before computers were around. The feeling of belongingness and ability to communicate with other students is about the only difference that exists today.
Reflective: What did I realize about teaching as a result of this quote?
From reflecting on this quote I realize that there are many things that can affect a person’s ability to learn. Computer literacy, self-esteem, interpersonal skills, feeling of belongingness, these do not only relate to online learning, but class room learning as well.
Interpretive: The Aha moment and key insight
The Aha moment and Key insight came after realizing that this quote, does not just apply to online learning, but all learning. Self-esteem, interpersonal skills with peers, belongingness, time management, these are all fundamental requirements for any student, on line or not. Computer literacy while fundamental for the online course will also be required for the class room course. I don’t see how anyone not competent in computers will be able to do the PIDP program.
Decisional: How has this quote influenced my notion of teaching?
The biggest thing I can take from this quote does not apply to online teaching but rather the nature of my students. I will be teaching “adults” but in reality I will be teaching young impressionable kids just out of high school. At this point in their lives, it’s a stretch to say they are adults. Some will lack the self-confidence to excel, some will definitely have interpersonal peer problems, and some will feel they don’t belong, all things that affect learning, but also life. It will be my role as an instructor to not just follow a DACUM chart, recite each lesson plan with motivation and engagement. But rather to do all that, and observe the social interactions of the students and help the young adults who are struggling with these problems make the transition into adult hood. This is something I am really looking forward to as a teacher, to help the struggling students find their way.