Monthly Archives: December 2012

Week 12

Okay, we’re wrapping up the first half of the POT Program, so here we go.

For Week 1, I was filled with trepidation when I saw all the fancy posts/greetings with photos, audios, and videos of fellow POTTERS. I thought for sure that I was the most technologically-challenged person in the class. So, I posted a Hello to let everyone know that I am part of the class. And I thought, hey -not too appear too behind or bottom-of-the-class-ish– I think I can include a picture!? So, that I know how to do.  I hope you all enjoyed the picture I took in El Yungue in Puerto Rico.

Week 2 was a good week. It was self-realization week for me, especially, with regard to technology and/or media use in my own classroom. I realized that I do like to use technology; however, like all things in my life, I like technology with balance. I tend to move cautiously. I do not necessarily dive in until I am confident that I can handle the situation.  And, here, I need to thank Renee and Todd for their thoughts and posts to my blog. It was really encouraging to see that others were interested in what I had to say.

Starting with Week 3, things got interesting. I learned how to link my post to a web site. And I also had to think about SLO’s. I think no matter if its an on-the-ground course or an online one – it just doesn’t matter – the SLO’s are going to be the same; however, the way we get there is a little different. In the end, without an objective, there’s no purpose in the endeavor.

In Week 4, my out of characterverbose self came out. Well, I was just annoyed for having to sit through a video clip that was way too time-consuming and not concise. The clip was from a World Literature class from Yavapai Community College. What I mean is, if you saw Week’s 11 TED Talk footage of Lawrence Lessig’s talk, now, that’s purposeful and  to-the-point. I appreciated it, learned from it, and enjoyed it tremendously. Here, I learned that as an instructor, I need to stop chattering on and on and get to the point, especially, if I am going to be doing a low-production “boring” video of my self speaking. Thank you Constance, Norm, and Ralene for your comments.

Week 5 was on the syllabus. Thanks Lisa for the tutorial on how to upload our syllabus to BlackBoard. I am going to be doing that from now on as well as have a copy of one where they can print out as well. How exciting that I will be able to have an online syllabus where I can add links to materials where it will be easily accessible to students. Of course, the reading also reminded me to think in terms of having to be very detailed with an online class’ syllabus. Thus this made me take a different perspective and to think from my students’ standpoint and to write up the syllabus with them in mind. With on the ground courses, it is easy to clarify things in the syllabus, but the online course is another ballgame. Thanks Norm, Jim, and Rachele for your input.

I am beginning to see a pattern in Week 6. So this week, Ralene and Felton commented on my blog. Ralene, I must say that you are making me feel guilty that I didn’t do much commenting on others’ blog. But I promise that I will improve on it for the second session, for sure. Thank you for your kind words. They are encouraging. It’s great to be able to follow a few blogs than all blogs; I think we are creating groups on our own somehow? I enjoyed this Week’s activities a lot. I learned that HTML can be easy. And learning how to embed videos was exciting, too! Oh, getting the Google Reader account was fun to try, and I did RSS feed. Man! So many new exciting stuff this week.

Week’s 7 was building community week. My fellow MiraCostan, Daniel and Laura, came through. They commented on my posts, and I replied. Thanks, Ladies! Who knew? We went so far in the world wide web, yet when it was time to build community, it was the people I see around campus that reached out to me. I wonder if being able to connect in physical space prompted us to connect in the virtual space. Hmm…that’s a thought. Maybe, this is why it is important that we have our students connect through audio, video, or picture in order to promote a more active community.

Week 8 was a continuation of Week 7 on community building. I explored Second Life a little. I think I was thinking more than anything to add the cool factor and, of course, the fun factor to class while building community. But I came to realize that it takes time to familiarize myself with something like Second Life. And to tread lightly with adding tools to classroom use if I as instructor haven’t gained confidence with their use. Thanks, Laura for your comment.

Week 9, I discovered that Diigo will be great for my Composition class. And Ralene reached out to me again. We even said we would try to meet in Second Life so as to try it out together. Ralene, I must apologize. I will try to practice with you next session. And I will have to be more proactive this time around. We are trying to get the know-how before we introduce it to our students. It’s so nice to meet such a dedicated instructor like you Ralene!

I was overwhelmed by the amount of online platforms we can use for our classes. Then I got apprehensive about the Open Platforms suggested for use like blogs, Facebook, or Google Sites where I thought these could prove to be something too casual and non-academic, or that students might not want to participate because of the personal nature of it. However, Rachele quelled my fears. She commented that she is testing Facebook with her class, and her students liked it so far. Thanks, Rachele. Thanks also to Jo and Scott for your comments for Week 10.

Weeks 11 & 12 are deep. I mean, how much did I know about copy right, fair use, and OER’s? Not much. As mentioned before, this is why I enjoyed Lawrence Lessig’s TED Talk footage. It was very informational. Of course, Chapter 8 in Ko and Rossen’s book was very good, too. Then seeing the possibilities for the endless supply of free eBooks out there was quite mind-bending. Wow! I am in love. My students will love me, or hate me? Not sure.

That’s it for now. Happy reading. And have a fun-filled break!