Reflections+Module+7


 * // Reflection Prompt: //** Reflect on how you perceive yourself as an online learner? Are you well-prepare to be an online leaner? Tell us about what you need to improve in order to be a successful online learner.

My perceptions of online learning have changed quite a bit in the past few years. I must admit to having been initially skeptical of online learning, somehow believing it to be an inferior source of instruction. Watching my husband pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees completely online has changed my perception, to the point that I have chosen that path to a graduate degree myself!

Because of my husband's experience, I was somewhat prepared for online learning. He warned me about the need to be self-directed and keep up with the coursework and discussions. One of the things I found most difficult at first was the need to check so many different places for content. While I find Springboard to be fairly intuitive (once I had some experience!) it was initially confusing to remember to check so many places for information and possible assignments. One goofy situation I had at the beginning was confusing DB for "discussion board" rather than "Drop Box." One of my courses asked that we submit projects for discussion (on the discussion board) and I would then get a message to submit my project to DB. It took a couple of weeks to register that I needed to download or link my project to the course's Drop Box as well;)

One thing I would like to improve is my ability to give more substantial feedback to my classmates. I find myself feeling rather "old," and I am sometimes hesitant to provide feedback, fearing that I might not be as experienced with various technologies as my peers are. I believe as I progress through the course of study, my confidence will increase, and I will become more comfortable making substantial suggestions to my peers. I certainly appreciate the feedback of my classmates that are ahead of me in the learning curve.