Time is the theme for this week!

It has taken time to learn some new software. Yes, I've learned some new things which may be a surprise to some of you. I've recorded myself on my own PC and uploaded to YouTube for the first time. This task took more time than I thought it would. I'm sure that from now on it will take less time. It was fun! And it makes me understand why it is so popular to do. I'm trying to think of ways to incorporate videos in my course. 

Question: I'm wondering whether I should offer the option of video recording one's reflection rather than writing a reflection. Do others have thoughts on this idea?

I've learned that being clear with where to find 'how-to's' and reading everything first is important. Not reading and trying things without following directions has taken more time than I wanted. I need to convey what I expect my students to know and do clearly. I also want them to know how to convey their directions clearly. I feel that I learned a great lesson in this area. 

Question: I'm wondering if I should build some struggle into my course so that my students learn the importance of being clear with directions and how to encourage others to persist. Thoughts?

I've also thought about managing time. It was important for me to manage my time well this week. That task became frustrating when I lost my internet for over 18 hours. I felt like I was letting my group down a bit when I couldn't do what I wanted to do. OK, I must confess it wasn't so important that I would go to the nearest Starbucks or McDonalds to get a WiFi connection. However, I did go to the post office and store and learned the whole area had no internet so that made me feel a bit better. :) 

I also learned the important of being organized; being organized saves time. Sometime I must have created a VoiceThread log in and did not put my password on my list of passwords. It's been an hour since I've requested a link to reset my password and I have still not heard from them. No comments on VoiceThread yet. I guess I could create a new account using my gmail which I will do later today. 

I learned how important time is to others this week. I've learned that a VoiceThread is a powerful tool for collaborating and learning from others. One cannot hide in this environment which is what I think students sometimes like to do in a F2F classroom. I like the built in reflection that Rick asked us to do by having us come back to this activity several times. Such built in time, gave me a chance to chew on my ideas and reflect on my own teaching experiences. Time for thinking is a good idea, particularly when our students like to do one stop thinking. By one-stop thinking I mean, they want to share their ideas one time without reflection, listening to others, or debating/agreeing with others. They want to quickly do their work or come to class and have you 'drop' on their laps what they need to learn or do. I like the idea of 'chewing'. It takes time and in that time we have to discover what we like and don't like and why. 

Those are my thoughts for now. I look forward to insights others may have....

Actually I spent some time looking through the Module 1 resources. I thought they were fantastic and had ideas that could even translate into my face-to-face courses.

My biggest challenge in develop an online course will be fostering collaboration. I don't want to make it feel forced, but it will be. I want others to get into a routine for collaboration. I see a benefit to online programs in that students are in the habit of being connected via an online environment. They've developed a routine (or will need to) that works for them for doing the work and responding to the others in their group.

I think that has been the biggest challenge for me. It is hard to make online learning a priority when there isn't accountability. I did feel a big sense of lost opportunity when I did not participate in this course over the Memorial Day weekend. I made other things and people my priority. And now it feels like I'm chasing down the work that has done by my peers. I feel I may have jeopardized their good work as well.

I'm wondering if this sense of ownership will change as I'm the course instructor for an online course. I'm sure that I will be much more invested. I liked the idea of having students take the lead for some parts of the course or an assignment.

I'm thinking this lesson has been valuable for me. I'm hoping it will be one that my students don't have to experience. However, if they do, I now know how to encourage them. Here's some of my suggestions:
1. Make time - find a time that works for you to do online learning and stick with it. For me, that will mean setting reminders on my calendar.
2. Be a regular - I like coffee and have the routine of having some every morning. I think being part of the online environment is like this. I don't suggest doing a lot a work in one sitting. Rather, I think that ongoing regular work will be a more effective way to learn, to communicate, and to collaborate with others.
3. Own the learning - I want to learn how to be a better instructor through this course. I want to be a better online instructor and face-to-face instructor. I'm looking for ways to improve myself, my attitude, and my ideas of how to learn.

OK. That's my start. I'm sticking to it. I also think I'm going to add to this in the days ahead.

Welcome fellow OL 101 bloggers!