What have you learned from this online class? Describe your learning experience briefly.
I had a very hard time in this class: not because of the requirements, but because of circumstance. With that said I will also say that I had a blast. I enjoyed all the members of my group and loved watching as each member grew with each new project/exercise. What did I learn. I learned many of the things, including things I thought I had a handle on, but I actually had no control over. I learned that even with the best of intentions there are often circumstance beyond our control. I learned that there is hope for humanity after all and that I have been blessed with group members and an instructor who understand when things go terribly wrong. I learned that there are only so many hours in the day and as we grow older we should know how much we can push ourselves and when we should listen to our bodies. I have learned that wisdom is not necessarily a learned quality. LOL. Okay, what have I learned in regard to this course explicitly. I have gotten more experience on using website creation tools. I have also realized fixes for platforms like Blackboard and some of the open source software being used. I have learned, and now understand more fully, the implications of instructional design: not just in education, but also in the real world and the various career paths each of us may take.
What were your weak and strong points? Support your arguments with details.
My strong points in this class are my experience in respect to the tools used, the differing career paths I have taken over the years, and my age. Hmmm... I never thought I would say that. Examples include the number of websites created through the years and the changes in respect to each new site created. Also I have had, and still have, many different careers: all taking place at the same time. I am able to use each experience and relate it to the class being taken, this is a plus for me. My age is another plus. I have seen the changes in technology through the years and taken part in many instances, with the innovations now being used in the education system of today.
How did you like the interaction between you and your peers, you and instructor? Explain in details. Provide examples if necessary.
I have had a very tense and often overworked semester. I have had problems with my server, my computer, the school and blackboard, my employer, my wife and her disability, and my own reoccurring illness: which I thought I had beaten a few years earlier. Even with my many problems this semester, Dr. Wang, who is a wonderful talented individual, has been supportive: even during my times of stress or technical glitch: For that I am grateful. My group was also great. We laughed and talked and worked well together. The group was therapeutic in many ways this semester; brightening my life more than I can say. I have been blessed and thank everyone for their help and friendship.
Reflect on the communication tools used in this class: email, discussion board, chat room, Voice Board, Blackboard Collaborate, and Blog. Which tool did you use most, why? From your experience, explain the advantages and disadvantages of each communication tool. Provide examples if necessary.
Thinking back I was able to use all of the tools this semester, although not in a timely manner. I had many technical issues with blackboard collaborate, chat room, and voice board, so I cannot really comment on those tools: other than to say I have used them in other classes and loved their ease of use and functionality. I love Email and discussion board also, both are great tools: very functional. The only issue with email is if someone tried to contact me through my USM email account, they could not: I have had, and still have, problems with that account and never access it. The two tools I used most was email, through Black Board, and Discussion Board.
The advantages and disadvantages of each tool includes:
Email: The great thing about email is it provides communication regardless of location: only needing an account. The problem is if the account is delinquent or if the server sees your email as spam then you may never receive the email. I have had issues all semester with my email through my Southern account. I have yet to access my account this semester. I have learned that the account had been hacked, so I don't even try to access.
Chat room, voice board, blackboard collaborate: Each tool is excellent if one can access them, however, when technical problems arise one cannot access any of them: then issues multiply and work suffers.
Blog: I love the blog tool. I am able to express my thoughts clearly and in a timely manner. The problems revolve around software issues, server issues, and account changes including forgotten passwords or hacking by others.
Discussion Board: Discussion board is a tool allowing asynchronous communication and thought. The problems revolve around access or scheduling. At time discussion reflections run late so responses aren't possible before the deadline. This semester I am as guilty as anyone, due to the many problems I have experienced. I fell terrible since others could not respond in a timely manner and at no fault of their own.
How helpful did you think the group work in this class was? Explain why?
The group projects were fun. I miss the classroom environment. I never thought I would, but I do like face to face interaction. That is something blackboard does very well, when one is able to access it. The interaction this semester was especially appreciative, and it made me realize something. I love watching others learn. I love hearing their enthusiasm, and excitement when they learn something new. The group I was part of was supportive and enthusiastic: Willing to take on anything, and I believe given time could heal a very dark world.
Suggestions for the instructor to consider in the future.
It's hard to give suggestions to an instructor who has such a vast vocabulary in regard to instructional design. I guess maybe I would have the student create a fake class with other students as class members. I would allow the student to teach the class in his her own field and create an online platform for the class. The class would include curriculum, learning objective(s), assessments, etc... The class would use Blackboard or a website for instruction. A blog could still be used for reflection purposes.
I had a very hard time in this class: not because of the requirements, but because of circumstance. With that said I will also say that I had a blast. I enjoyed all the members of my group and loved watching as each member grew with each new project/exercise. What did I learn. I learned many of the things, including things I thought I had a handle on, but I actually had no control over. I learned that even with the best of intentions there are often circumstance beyond our control. I learned that there is hope for humanity after all and that I have been blessed with group members and an instructor who understand when things go terribly wrong. I learned that there are only so many hours in the day and as we grow older we should know how much we can push ourselves and when we should listen to our bodies. I have learned that wisdom is not necessarily a learned quality. LOL. Okay, what have I learned in regard to this course explicitly. I have gotten more experience on using website creation tools. I have also realized fixes for platforms like Blackboard and some of the open source software being used. I have learned, and now understand more fully, the implications of instructional design: not just in education, but also in the real world and the various career paths each of us may take.
What were your weak and strong points? Support your arguments with details.
My strong points in this class are my experience in respect to the tools used, the differing career paths I have taken over the years, and my age. Hmmm... I never thought I would say that. Examples include the number of websites created through the years and the changes in respect to each new site created. Also I have had, and still have, many different careers: all taking place at the same time. I am able to use each experience and relate it to the class being taken, this is a plus for me. My age is another plus. I have seen the changes in technology through the years and taken part in many instances, with the innovations now being used in the education system of today.
How did you like the interaction between you and your peers, you and instructor? Explain in details. Provide examples if necessary.
I have had a very tense and often overworked semester. I have had problems with my server, my computer, the school and blackboard, my employer, my wife and her disability, and my own reoccurring illness: which I thought I had beaten a few years earlier. Even with my many problems this semester, Dr. Wang, who is a wonderful talented individual, has been supportive: even during my times of stress or technical glitch: For that I am grateful. My group was also great. We laughed and talked and worked well together. The group was therapeutic in many ways this semester; brightening my life more than I can say. I have been blessed and thank everyone for their help and friendship.
Reflect on the communication tools used in this class: email, discussion board, chat room, Voice Board, Blackboard Collaborate, and Blog. Which tool did you use most, why? From your experience, explain the advantages and disadvantages of each communication tool. Provide examples if necessary.
Thinking back I was able to use all of the tools this semester, although not in a timely manner. I had many technical issues with blackboard collaborate, chat room, and voice board, so I cannot really comment on those tools: other than to say I have used them in other classes and loved their ease of use and functionality. I love Email and discussion board also, both are great tools: very functional. The only issue with email is if someone tried to contact me through my USM email account, they could not: I have had, and still have, problems with that account and never access it. The two tools I used most was email, through Black Board, and Discussion Board.
The advantages and disadvantages of each tool includes:
Email: The great thing about email is it provides communication regardless of location: only needing an account. The problem is if the account is delinquent or if the server sees your email as spam then you may never receive the email. I have had issues all semester with my email through my Southern account. I have yet to access my account this semester. I have learned that the account had been hacked, so I don't even try to access.
Chat room, voice board, blackboard collaborate: Each tool is excellent if one can access them, however, when technical problems arise one cannot access any of them: then issues multiply and work suffers.
Blog: I love the blog tool. I am able to express my thoughts clearly and in a timely manner. The problems revolve around software issues, server issues, and account changes including forgotten passwords or hacking by others.
Discussion Board: Discussion board is a tool allowing asynchronous communication and thought. The problems revolve around access or scheduling. At time discussion reflections run late so responses aren't possible before the deadline. This semester I am as guilty as anyone, due to the many problems I have experienced. I fell terrible since others could not respond in a timely manner and at no fault of their own.
How helpful did you think the group work in this class was? Explain why?
The group projects were fun. I miss the classroom environment. I never thought I would, but I do like face to face interaction. That is something blackboard does very well, when one is able to access it. The interaction this semester was especially appreciative, and it made me realize something. I love watching others learn. I love hearing their enthusiasm, and excitement when they learn something new. The group I was part of was supportive and enthusiastic: Willing to take on anything, and I believe given time could heal a very dark world.
Suggestions for the instructor to consider in the future.
It's hard to give suggestions to an instructor who has such a vast vocabulary in regard to instructional design. I guess maybe I would have the student create a fake class with other students as class members. I would allow the student to teach the class in his her own field and create an online platform for the class. The class would include curriculum, learning objective(s), assessments, etc... The class would use Blackboard or a website for instruction. A blog could still be used for reflection purposes.