Reflections on EDU 654

The online classroom is most effective when frequent, in-depth discussion is encouraged, modeled, and promoted. 

Discussion in the online environment is vital to creating a sense of community among students and instructors. Without discussion, learners feel isolated and disconnected from content, one another, and the instructor. The course feels like working in a bubble in which there is a sea of information with no life boat for rescue when in trouble.

More than one method of online discussion exists. Instructors can utilize synchronous methods (video or phone conferencing, chats, etc.) or asynchronous methods (discussion forums, social media, etc.). Additionally, instructors and students alike can communicate via feedback on assignments and activities. All of these promote a stronger sense of connection and community.

Synchronous discussions do not have to be with the entire class, it can be just the student and the instructor, offering a great way to brainstorm or simply ask questions. Asynchronous discussions provide an opportunity for more reflective, in-depth responses. Without the face-to-face interaction, feedback either in written form o via video/audio is essential for growth and development on assignments.

For myself, as a student, the sense of connection makes a class more fun and engaging. Active participation makes the class not feel so sterile. It's not about regurgitating information, but about processing and developing ideas.

This semester was a rough one for me. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I disconnected from my courses. Even though I had learned the importance of regular communication with instructors early on in my course work for Online Teaching and Instructional Design, I managed to self-sabotage myself because... well, life. It happens. It stinks. I learned again, and now I move forward.

Distancing myself from my fellow classmates and instructors was perhaps the most detrimental of my mistakes this semester. Had I maintained regular contact, I may have been able to get back on track much sooner. Instead, I lost contact, and even stopped

interacting with the content. Without realizing it, I was procrastinating and sabotaging all the hard work I had accomplished... all because I failed to continue to communicate and be part of the online educational community. 

Moving forward, I will plan better and remain an active part of the learning community. I also have many personal issues to deal with before moving forward, but that will be discussed in a different blog.

In conclusion, had a focused on the research we were doing, and stayed active in class, I could have avoided the struggles I had at the end of the semester. This was almost like a young adult novel or movie where the characters just happen to be reading a work of literature that is similar to the situations that occur in their story. My life is a bad teen movie. Ok, maybe not that bad.

Education should never just be retaining facts and figures. We have to apply knowledge so that it becomes wisdom. I feel that my struggles will make me a better educator though. Experience is the harshest task master, but quite effective. Communication is vital to learning, and I will certainly strive to improve my communication skills in the online learning environment.