I've had a lot of fun this week experimenting with various tools in Moodle and being able to see the instructor side of a learning management system. It's also been helpful for me to become more proficient in Moodle because Blackboard works fairly similarly and I am currently learning how to use Blackboard for the class I'm teaching this semester.
Overall, OL 101 has given me a lot of ideas for both my online and F2F courses. I definitely will plan to use Audacity to make podcasts available, and I also would like to either use Jing or simply upload a video to YouTube of important concepts. In F2F courses, these resources will also be valuable for students that may have not picked up on those concepts during class or just want to see them again.
I have to admit I've been a little frustrated that I simply haven't had the time I would have liked to get all out of this course that I could have. During module 1, I was also finishing up a summer grad course; during module 2 and part of module 3, I was out of town; and during module 3, I've been getting ready for school to start and prepping for the class I just found out I'm teaching.
Also, as a grad student, there simply isn't time nor the flexibility right now to develop the ideas I've gained from this course further. I'm anxious, though, to graduate and being able to devote more time and energy to teaching. When that time comes, I will be very grateful for all of the ideas that were sparked by OL 101!
Elizabeth, I also asked myself a few times why I was doing OL101 right now. At one point, I seriously thought I'd have to drop out. But I hung in, as did you, and the work has been worth the learning. Best wishes as you finish up grad work AND start teaching.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your perspectives as a new teacher and current student! You have a great variety of resources to help you get started! I'm glad you stuck with us! I hope you love teaching as much as you love math!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I appreciate what you have done given your busy schedule. My hope is that you'll just keep some tools and ideas in the back of your mind, and then when you get to the point of planning courses and learning activities, you'll have something to fall back on and to spur further learning in this area.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone. I definitely have no reason to complain since everyone else was just as busy! It was worth the time, though, since I will definitely be keeping these tools and resources in mind once I start planning my own courses.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Elizabeth. I am transitioning from one job to another and have been so busy that squeezing this in has been a real challenge, but definitely a beneficial one.
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