Online Learning – Reflections

For the last few weeks we have been focusing on online learning and how to develop and design courses for online learners. I am extremely lucky to work with www.GlobalEd.ca because we are trying to meet some of the “learning” needs that I have read about by Anderson, Gibbs and others.

Really – what makes our online program different from anything I have ever experienced before – is that we we think outside the box. We are not contained as teachers or administrators…we are encouraged to push boundaries and create new opportunities.

The reality of the situation is….it means a lot of work for the teachers and administrators. I often wonder why there has not been a huge shift in education towards adopting technological options. I think the answer lies in the fear of change (why change something that works?) and the work involved. If something is easy…it is often not truly “worth it”.

Trying to “do things differently” is one of the hardest professional challenges I have ever faced. When youa re used to being contained, have limited expectations, are restricted by budgets, culture, administration or whatever…it is easy to dream about the grass that is always greener…

When you are the one who is asked to “do” , “create”, “build” while being accountable to your learners- and curriculum guidelines, it is harder than I ever thought. “No limits” is one of the biggest challenges an educator could ever face.

I am lucky to work in a job that makes me think and challenges me so much….but the cost is family time, work/life balance and money. I still have to pay the bills – and stop dreaming about all the ways I can engage and create meaningful learning environments.

I am not scared of change – I love to change everything around me…I never like teaching the same way…so that has helped push me into the “work” I do now….But the journey of fostering a new way of  “thinking” in Education…is not easy. I often compare it to being an explorer – I hear myself telling people that,  “there is something out there! New and exciting! We just have to figure out how to get there!!!”

So as a result…other than creating my Moodle course which is a specific outcome based assesment…my learning in my course over the last 3 weeks has been quite reflective of my “online” journey…and what I am “doing” to try and promote educational epiphanies for all….

Verena:)