So I lost my blog for a while there so didn't post. I also didn't really try to find it. I am not really thrilled about writing in here. After Helen talked to me about the importance of it, I will try to write a lot more and keep up on my technology blog.
OK so, I am teaching this class called "teaching Indigenous Students" at UMD. Well It is all online. I really don't like it. Helen has been trying really hard to get me to find ways in which I can use the onlineness of this to fit into my class. I can't. If others want to help. I am open to suggestions, but I also feel that some of these things are just not really good online, that we need that personal face to face relationship. That we build things as a class and need to do so...maybe it would be better if it was synchronized.
ReplyDeleteMatt, Have you thought about using synchronous tools in addition to the asynchronous tools in the course shell? Chat, Skype, Adobe Connect? They may add another dimension to your online course?
ReplyDeleteJamison
Yes, I have. Its not possible. The students will not meet synchronously. Apparently these are the busiest students in the world.
ReplyDeleteo more on the same thing. I do this circle teaching method, and a big part of it is to form relationships. Sure I guess that is possible over the computer if we had a big screen and all. But another component to this is that we are supposed to demonstrate equity. Every one is in the circle together, everyone can see each other, everyone is equal. Its difficult to do that even when we can see each other. So there are those kind of problems. I also am very flexible and leave a lot up to the "mood" of the class. If I can't see my students or read them, it is difficult to know where to go. I think that thinks like distance education have a great place in education. I also think there are just some things that have to be done in person. I have been thinking about this a lot and I really feel that. There are exercises for example that I simply can't do online. So...oh well....I am disappointed with the putting what I think is an important class like this, only online.
ReplyDeleteAlso, moodle is difficult to use.
ReplyDeleteI keep posting things and the students can't open them. I am assuming its because it is things I have saved on my computer or something, but dang, I wish this was much easier. I feel like I still spend all my time learning how to use the moodle, and not having any time to respond to the students.
Matt, you raise such an important issue here about what things are best done in person rather than online, and also the equity issue. Part of this, too (about what is best done online) I think also has to do with the strengths, interests and passions of the instructor and students.
ReplyDeleteI know I am a much better teacher in person than online, and I really get energized by f2f teaching. Although I also can teach online (and have a somewhat competent grasp of the tools and the pedagogy), it doesn't "do it" for me in the same way as f2f. However, what I have come to realize is that using online tools provides an invaluable complement to my f2f teaching, as well as giving a voice to those students who actually do better expressing themselves online.
Like you, when I learned that I was going to teach one section of my Teaching in a Diverse Society class fully online, I struggled because I felt that there were things that I did f2f that couldn't be as good or the same fully online. But I decided to take a leap of faith and see what could be done. But what I do is have a synchronous component (as you know -- you and Xong did an amazing job speaking to my class as part of this!). However, to have a synchronous component, this has to be in the course description so that students know to plan that time into their schedules. Because you didn't know this before you started your course this semester, you couldn't require it.
So in the meantime you are in the unenviable position of trying to learn to use Moodle at the same time teaching in a way that isn't your passion or (yet) your strength. My advice is to keep it very simple, and not try to do too many different things in Moodle. Let's talk on Skype or by phone this week about this - I can give you some pointers here. Can you connect with me by calling me or having me call you during my office hours this week? (go to my office hours wiki at: http://helens.wikispaces.com/office_hours and sign up for some time?
p.s. I'm so glad you are blogging! You can see how already Jamison and I have jumped in to help -- and others will too:)
Thanks Helen. I am doing just what you're recommending. Though mostly out of necessity! But I will keep trying to do a couple new things as well.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Matt! I'm impressed at how well you are doing with learning on the fly like this!!:)
ReplyDelete