Mid Term Self-Reflection

ED638 Teaching with the Internet

Mid Term Self-Reflection

by Vanessa Leon Guerrero

  

When I enrolled in ED638 Teaching with the Internet, along with ED637 Integrating Technology in the Curriculum – which was unfortunately canceled – my initial intention was to simultaneously take courses for re-certification, unsurprisingly; and earn credits to fulfil a second BA degree for early childhood education.   Moreover, it would be my first time to re-enter the University of Guam as a graduate student.  With that being said, I rushed my enrollment and didn't have much time to contemplate nor seek advice from a professor.

First, I’d like to state my disposition and enthusiasm for enrolling and participating in your class.  I genuinely believed this course was unquestionably what I needed to enhance my professional development both in the classroom and workplace.  I’d be able to gain new information and insights to help not only myself, but my colleagues as well, with whom may have minimal experience or knowledge about how to utilize the internet as a communication tool to assist them in all aspects of teaching.  In my workplace, I also realized that teachers and support staff lack some form of professional development to update or modernize new teachings of the advancement of technology in our classroom.  To clarify, for example, I’m almost certain that majority of our professional teachers who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree are unaware of the usefulness of Learning/Course Management Systems nor know how to create a blogging website.  I truly had no preconception of what it meant to have such resources available until I enrolled in this course.  Thankfully, I do now. This class is truly beneficial and meaningful to every professional. 

On the other hand, as an internet user I feel I only take information and ideas the World Wide Web provides and, yet, I take for granted the immense capabilities it offers as a learning and communication tool.  Sadly, I feel I rarely give back my ideas or feedback to internet users around the world.  Albeit, it’s seemingly an uncommon feeling but I’m so concerned about security and privacy issues, which is another topic that’s debatable.

Personally, I knew the greatest challenge in taking an online course would be commitment and time management.  In comparison to active participation in an online class, being physically present and having contact with the instructor and peers in a real classroom setting would actually force me to submit my work in a timely manner.  Evidently, it’s been very difficult balancing and prioritizing family obligations, work, graduate school and other events that are sometimes beyond my control.  Even though we may experience similarities and differences in our daily lives, it’s nothing new for many of us.  All too often when I’m engaged in my readings and research activities online, my time is put on hold because of various distractions at home.  I’ve found myself spending more hours and money on double-shot lattes in quaint coffee shops catching up on work. 

As you have mentioned at the beginning of the class, the amount of hours needed for class discussions, forums, reading and researching is essential for meeting the goals and requirements of developing knowledge of the course and demonstrating quality work.  I feel that I’ve devoted at least 85% of online class time up until this point.  Now that mid quarter passed, I feel I’ve dropped at about 60% of participation.  Consequently, family and work matters needed much care and attention before my class.  My submission of work in a timely manner is below 60% of the time.  I’ve been rolling around assignments and still need to submit late work.  I may not be the overachieving student, but I make the effort to demonstrate the best of my abilities and make it count in more ways than one. 

When I am focused without interruptions, excitement looms within when I’m learning new ideas, which then generates my own thinking of what I can incorporate into planning and instruction in my classroom and workplace.  I admit this is the momentum I crave to keep me on track.  I enjoy being consumed in the readings; researching and navigating the depth of information on the internet.  It penetrates a rush of learning energy; one that makes me feel I’m on a “runners high”, only it’s my “learners high”.  And like Lee mentioned, blogging and spending countless hours on the internet can be addicting.  Speaking of Lee, I think his ideas are sound and helpful; and he’s very articulate.  I only wish there was more contact with the participants that were listed on our class roster as I’m sure there would be a great flow of ideas and challenges to offer. 

Nonetheless, I feel I’ve somewhat more confidence utilizing the activities to help me develop best practices and improve my methods of teaching with the internet in the classroom than I did at the beginning of our class.  In the meantime, I’m going to continue as best as I can to submit all remaining work to earn a decent passing grade. 

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.