The Final Stretch

I started this class feeling pretty good!  I knew that when the semester is over my job doesn't slow down (ever), but I thought I'd be able to handle this.  Sure, I started strong, but I underestimated what I was going to do and learn in this class!


I am so glad I did it though, as I am convinced more than ever (and have had experiences just this week with transfer registration that have further convinced me) that there is a need for an OL or hybrid Transfer Orientation course sooner rather than later.  Now, how to convince the powers that be, right?

I have to say that I've learned a ton of valuable information, but will need to process it yet and will probably have to relearn some if/when I get to put it into practice.  After all, it was a little of this:
So much coming at me that I wanted to explore it all, try it all, and use it all, but just didn't have the ability to do any of that fully while dealing with what life as the Director of FYE looks like in the summer.  Hint: it's my "busy" season!  

On reflection, I appreciate thinking through discussions especially this week, for both F2F and OL use.  And maybe most importantly how to do it well in a hybrid course, as that is where I am leaning.  As an English teacher, I have used a lot of discussion techniques over the years (including a process of tracking how the discussion goes as a way to work on accountability and making sure one or two students don't dominate the conversation), but I'm now processing some new discussion methods for good OL discussions.  Taking this class and what I experienced recently in my Masters OL program, it's giving me a lot to think about for good OL pedagogy. But the reality is that knowing me, I'll have to create it, run it, and then tweak the heck out of it afterward before I'm even close to satisfied with the results!

Finally, if for NO OTHER reason, I'm so glad this class happened right when New Moodle came along.  I gained a LOT of tips, tricks, and confidence in using this platform and the updates.  I know that one way this will pay off immediately will be the Moodle pages for my fall courses.  They are going to be awesome!  


Comments

  1. TrollgeekJune 3, 2019 at 10:18 AM

    It's funny how that timing worked with the new Moodle and the start of OL 101, isn't it? I had to scramble and get ready really fast. I know I still have some work to do for the next time.

    I appreciate how you dug in and tried everything. I know how that goes when you try a lot of new things in a short time, and then you try to figure out what you really like and think might work. At least you now know what these things are, and you can keep tweaking things as you go.

    I look forward to seeing how you new Transfer Orientation course goes.

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  2. sjurgens33June 3, 2019 at 11:03 AM

    I agree that I was SO glad that this class came along at the same time as the Moodle improvements. I has helped me out immensely in making me interact with Moodle and seeing what it really can do. I love your pictures above and how they make reading a blog more fun, nice work! Your Moodle page has been very impressive and shows your hard work and, knowing you, you WILL convince someone that transfer FDN 111 needs to be hybrid at least. Nice work these past 4 weeks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. LaurenJune 3, 2019 at 7:13 PM

    I echo what you, Rick, and Shari all noted about the timing with new moodle. I was really appreciative that we were taking this class as we were working with the new moodle, especially since I'm teaching a summer class and jumped into the new moodle even before OL101 started.

    I also loved your CDO meme. :) Like you, I think it's great to learn from others, and I like to start from a framework. But I also modify and/or create aspects, and then try, tweak, re-try, repeat. I think that's the fun of teaching in any format: the learning we get to do alongside our students!

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  4. Beth DJune 6, 2019 at 6:53 PM

    I really appreciated the pictures and memes. In math we have our very standard bad math jokes, but adding humor and other visual interest isn't quite as normal. I have really enjoyed seeing how other disciplines approach the different tools.

    And I also just appreciated seeing different content. I might reread that reading on Christian education as I do my self-study prep. And I would still love to read the choose-your-own-adventure book.

    Hopefully, all the hard work this summer will strengthen your argument and give the powers a visual of the vision in your head.

    ReplyDelete

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