Module+Seven+Reflection

Description:
For module seven the main topic was about online learning environments. Throughout the learning module various articles and websites were used to demonstrate how online learning environments should be operated and what students need to get out of them. The discussion board was also used to help share ideas about our experiences with online environments as students and as instructors.

Impact:
I have learned, through my own experience, what the needs of a student are in online learning environments. I have had the pleasure of being in some well constructed and wonderful learning environments in online classes. I have also been on the opposite end of the spectrum with very disorganized and almost "empty" online classes. I feel that a student in an online class has to be motivated enough to seek out learning on their own to an extent. I also feel that students should not be left to feel like they are alone and doing all of the work without any guidenance, help, or feedback from the instructor. Students need to be focused and determined to get the work done on their own and be able to manage time well. Students should also be able to openly discuss their concerns with their classmates and engage in discussions to help facilitate learning.

As far as teachers are concerned in online classes, I think that it is extremely important that teachers be very organized in the layout of the online environment. It can be very confusing to students to have to navigate through an online environment looking for assignments, readings, quizzes, etc. The teacher also has to be able to be "available" to the students. I can't say that I would expect them to be looking through disussion boards every five minutes, but they should set time aside to look through and engage with the students in the discussions as well as answer emails. I think it's also important that if a teacher expects homework to be due at a certain time, then grading of the homework should be done in a timely manner as well. Students tend to get frustrated if a teacher assigns another homework assignment or a new module is started and the last homework has not even been graded yet.

Intent:
I have not yet been able to have the priviledge to be a teacher in an online class but feel that from my own experiences and learning, that I will definitly keep in mind what I have mentioned above. I feel that students who are motivated enough to take online classes are wanting to engage in class even though they can't see anyone and therefore should be given the same respect and expectations as students who are in face-to-face classes. I am eager to teach an online class because I feel that it would be a challenge to my teaching and also a fun experience.