Well, where do I begin? With this being my first online course I didn't have too many preconceived ideas about how this course would work. I did wonder about my timing on enrolling in this course. After paying my first tuition bill, my husband and I decided to make a move this summer and work in another district. My daughter had to undergo knee surgery which took a lot of time away from my so called "free time". I had a full time job teaching, had a husband and two daughters at home... what was I thinking? The answer was simple. I enjoy learning and I love technology. This course was the obvious answer.
I thought I knew a lot about technology already. In the first few weeks , however, I had set up my first wiki, my first blog and attended my first web conference. Wow! I immediately began envisioning how to use these tools in my classroom. I had already learned valuable information and was only in the first course!
Navigation through the course software was another first for me. Anyone who has not gone through an online environment should do so. I did find during the first week that I felt a little overwhelmed with it all. I thought to myself "what have I gotten into" but didn't want to accept defeat. I buckled down and realized after the first week that this was doable. I learned how to navigate more easily, found the cohort page more easily and even enjoyed most of the work.
It was very interesting to meet through the web conferences the other educators in the course. What a tool that will allow you to put names with faces in an online environment. This added a personal touch that could be lost without this option.
I felt a personal satisfaction of knowing that I had achieved something that will help me grown intellectually, professionally and personally. I realized that I have alot of determination to persevere when time or situations tell you to give up. Technology and understanding how it works is truly a gift that has been given to me. I want to continue to learn more and more in this ever changing, fast moving world that we live in. Change is important to me. I would rather step off and take a risk than sit in the same rut day after day. I found that my attitude towards others is usually positive but there is always room for improvement. I also found that I don't know if I am ever truly satisfied with my own work. I always want to do more. Maybe that is why I have high expectations of my own students as well.
This course made me envision what tomorrow's education could look like. It is up to educators to foster the love of change and technology into our school systems and bring a brighter future to our students.
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