Introduction: First Post

Online Learning: What it means to me; Overcoming past experience

               I have only taken one online course before and it was on something about child psychology, honestly I barely remember the content. I took it with one of my high school friends when we were home on break from college because I thought it would be easier taking it together. For me it was a required course, but I am not sure if it was required for her. I remember it being pure torture and thinking I would never do it again, and yet my friend seemed to love the course. I think the main difference was our learning styles. My primary mode of learning is auditory and kinesthetic. I love to read for enjoyment, but struggle when it comes to "text book" reading because it does not hold my interest. My friend enjoys reading text books and self-teaching. I found myself leaning on her to "get me through" the course. Most of the class consisted of reading a chapter and posting a response. 
               Luckily there was an online forum space where there were discussions weekly. That was probably the most interesting part of the course for me. Hearing other's perspectives. I know I learned more in the forum then I did from the book. It has taken me a long time to reconsider this view of online learning. I am sure that a lot has changed in what an online course has to offer, especially considering I took the course over ten years ago. When the opportunity for this online course came up it made sense to try again. What better way to learn about technology, and what it has to offer, than through technology?
               At this point online learning means an opportunity to try something again and in some way, also for the first time. It means the flexibility of taking a course while still working and being a mom. If it is successful it feels as though I will be regaining my ability to be a learner without minimizing the time I spend in the other important areas of my life. It isn't practical to think that I am going to go out twice a week to take a face to face class, but maybe I can learn a way to continue to learn in a different venue.

Goals: A reflection of current practice and an examination of future endeavors 

              My goals for this class are to gain knowledge of the tools available online. First off, I would like to learn what is out there for communicating with parents and students. It has been my professional learning goal this year to set up and maintain a classroom website. I had pictured one simple way to do this, but it turns out I need more guidance than I anticipated on choosing the most appropriate way to do this. I set out on Blogger ready to create my site, but lacked follow through because I was unsure what was the most beneficial use of my blog. I am hopeful that this course will help point me in that direction. In addition, I am hoping that once my blog is established it will become a place where I can integrate more learning and technology through links and online learning for my students. 

Online Tools: Move over paper and pencil make room for tablets

               One area I would like to explore the use of technology is in my literacy program. I recently have been exploring a site Reading Rewards which offers students the ability to log their reading online, as well as "blog" or reflect on their reading in a classroom format. The site is managed by the teacher, creating a safe environment for learning, as well as a way for the teacher to collect easy data on the amount of reading the students are doing independently. I would like to explore this site as well as others as an eventual way to do away with the paper reading log and hold students more accountable on thoughtful response when they have finished a book. I hope to find online tools that motivate students to want to learn, as well as engage them in taking responsibility for their learning.

A Digital Classroom: Welcome to the age of The Jetsons 

                  My vision of a classroom of digital learners is one that moves beyond the "read and respond" and creates something interactive between a community of learners. I do not want my students to have the initial experience that I had. I know that my students crave online interactions and technology integration. It is what they have grown up with. My three year old thinks it is funny to talk on the phone when you can't see the person you are talking to. She will never know that when I was little, I watched The Jetsons and laughed about being able to talk and see the person at the same time as though that would be impossible to accomplish. The virtual classroom is no longer a cartoon dream. Students now expect to use technology daily and unless I learn how to fully incorporate it I know I will lose some learner's attention. My vision of a digital classroom will hopefully combine the great things already happening daily in a "real" classroom and add a layer of technology that enhances their learning.