I love teaching online classes! It is particularly fun to do this when you get to create your own content. Although it takes me lots more time to find and create the content than it would if I used a text or someone else's content, I really think it is awesome to put it together. As those of you in my current class may have noticed, I try to "go with the flow" sometimes and go in a direction that seems right for the group at the time.
Why do I like online? Naturally, the idea of doing your work (or mine) whenever suits you is great. Had I not flittered away my day today, I would not be doing this tonight...yet that is ok. I can only imagine how much easier it would have been when I had young children at home if I could have taken some classes online! I also like the fact that with an online group, everyone has to participate...some are hesitant to get involved in class conversations when they are face-to-face. I love the collaboration that happens naturally in an online group...teachers at all levels have so much to tell us...we learn so much from each other. My students (teachers!) make me laugh so often, even though I cannot see them.
Do you know where anyone is right now? Do you know if they are in their jammies and bunny slippers? Do they have a Diet Coke, cocoa, or maybe a glass of wine? It is just great to work like this!
OK, now to the subject of the week...please read the other posts I have below...then please reply below with a post to this one...share your thoughts about blogs...and online learning!
Hi Jan...I totally understand why you enjoy teaching online...the flexibility with time, location, apparel, beverages (lol), etc. Guess what...these are the same reasons that I like taking your online courses...and, of course, that you are an awesome teacher! Diane
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane. I think it fits so well with lifestyle...when you are young and have little ones at home, it is way easier that getting a sitter, etc. as well as being gone. And...I hate to drive in lousy weather if I can help it. When you get to our age, Diane, we just want to hang at home in the evenings!
DeleteHi Jan,
ReplyDeleteI love the online option for classes. I would not be able to take classes if online classes were not a choice. I also have found I work harder to complete the assignments and sometimes find myself looking deeper into topics I really have found interesting. I would not do this in a typical class because I would be in the class and done when I walked out of the classroom. I also really enjoy being able to communicate with teachers of various grade levels and experience. So thank you!
This is really an interesting comment...is anyone else finding the same thing? I do think that once you start looking at some of these resources, it is addicting. I find that I spend hour upon hour each week searching for new things to share.
DeleteLisa Saadey
ReplyDeleteOk, I think I figured this out tonight. I can't say I love online classes, but I definetly see the benefits to being enrolled in one. I still need to call Jan for help and I have to say she is always there to help me. I am having problems with our wikispace assignment. For some reason it will not let me edit and respond to the group. I have spent a good hour trying to figure it out. Hopefully when I try tomorrow at school it will work. This is when I wish I was in a class to get help. Jan is trying to help me over the phone. Besides tonight, I have enjoyed being able to complete my assignments when it has been convenient for me, but as for tonight I am somewhat frustrated.
Fortunately I know that you were eventually successful getting into the wiki and posting. The "registration" process can be a real pain, but once that is done, it is a breeze. I praise you for sticking it out when it is a pain, and I am glad that you call so we can get you set. I hope everyone else is reading to remember to contact me when you need help!
DeleteThis is my first exposure to an online class- and even though I have slacked and fallen a bit behind it is ideal for my buys schedule. After you get the house work done, kids fed and in bed and work from the day done, you are able to sit down with yur coke, turn on Ghost adventures- back ground noise only- and do a lesson. I also feel that this is the wave of educations future and traditional classroom learning is going to be a thing of the past, so we as educators need to see what the hoopla is about and begin to understanding how our jobs will change.
ReplyDeleteAnother good thing about the online class is that you can get caught up when you have time. We all know that some weeks just get beyond us and we cannot control everything in life...good that you are finding your "perfect for Pauline" time to work on the class!
DeleteI am really happy about this class as it makes me learn things so well,never been a blogger now I am trying so hard to be one and will be pretty soon ,lol!(I tried 2 times could not post it).
ReplyDeleteJan, thank you for teaching me all this technology as I took so many of your interesting and happy classes(you are a happy soul, and you know it!!)This has been my best class so far as with the flexible time and doing my assignments in given time and the whole organized time frame works good for me.Those evening classes at the board sometimes would be too tiring.I have learnt a lot more than previous years .Thank you for teaching us all that is buzzing around,and can you believe that there are teachers who dont know even about Khan Academy or Teaching Channel and they dont want to come out of the box.I feel confident and literate in tech as I am learning new things in this class.
Jasbir Kaur
Jasbir, it is always fun to have you in the group! You see things and remark about things many of us take for granted! Yes, I agree, there are amazing things available that will help our students learn, and it is to our advantage to use them to engage them.
DeleteIs Kaur your maiden name?
Jasbir, I miss you! Looks like you have a handle on the online course. Knowing your background of coming to the United States and succeeding is an inspiration.
DeleteAs you know Jan this is my first online course. I want you to know how appreciative I am for your patience. What may take somebody an hour takes me twice as long. I appreciate the step by step instructions for those of us who are computer illiterate. Your class has been an enjoyable learning experience. I have truly gained a wealth of knowledge, and feel more confident the more I learn. Thank you!!! Amy Henry
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! Many in the class are doing their 1st online, and you are all doing great. You know, we as teachers all know that it takes everyone a different amount of time to do things...in an online environment, you can move at the pace that is comfortable to you. Bet you are right on track with everyone else too!
DeletePatient? Remember, I was a classroom teacher for 28 years before becoming an "administrator", so I am betting that everyone out there is equally as patient as I am! PS Adult learners are really fun to work with!
Hello Jan,
DeleteI hope this will come to you. I love this online class. Am I good at it no but I also know that I am not as frightened as I use to be. Flexability is the key to online classes! That and you walking me through each moment I get stuck. I could not do this class without you "holding my hand" all the way. If everyone took their first online class with you there would be alot more people enrolled!
You are sweet to say that. You are not the only one who needs help now and then...I expect you all to need me...that is part of the job! It is so cool to watch you all gaining confidence!
DeleteI wanted to comment on the post from your other page. I love the last 2 words of your statement. Kids have to understand that it is every job/career an important part of making society run. You need the 4Cs even when working at a place like McDonald's. It takes teamwork.... collaboration to make anything work!
ReplyDeleteYou said: "I am also a huge fan of 21st Century Skills and P21. I believe that what they have found is true...that these skills-communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity-the 4 Cs-merged with the 3 Rs-reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic-are what we need to teach our students today. I believe that these 4 Cs are what employers want, whether the job is engineer, doctor, scientist, or McDonald's worker. "
Hi Jan, I truly appreciate this opportunity to learn online at a pace that I can fit into my busy life. This course has been a very engaging way to learn how to incorporate technology into my classroom. I enjoy technology as much as our students so reading about and learning how to implement it in my classroom has been a lot of fun. Thank you for your patience, Jan, keeping up with IEPs, Resident Educator paperwork, Lesson plans, grading, and my own two children’s activities, has been challenging and I truly appreciate your patience!
ReplyDeleteYou see the benefits of online, eh? I too think it is great. You are doing a breast job, and your students are the Ines who benefit!
DeleteThis feels a little funny only because I've never replied on a blog before. Could Facebook be considered a blog? If so, then I have, but come to think of it, Facebook could be seen as a drive thru blog spot (lol.) I have to add to the previous comments by students of this course in that your online class is awesome! I truly have learned so much useful technology information in math and beyond.
DeleteSure, you could consider Facebook a blog of sorts! Maybe it feels funny now, but it can grow on you!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you like the class!
Jan