Online Community

How do you feel that you have benefited from the online community in this course?


      I love online learning because it gives you the opportunity to have as much, or as little, interaction as required.  That may sound funny, but I am sure you can all think of a time when you just didn't feel like you wanted to be with others or have to contribute in a classroom setting.  Maybe your dog just died, or you have a fight with a friend or you had a particularly bad day at work.  Whatever the reason, you just didn't want to have to go into a classroom and be with other people.  Being online affords you a certain degree of control over that part of learning.
    
     I remember having teachers, both at the high school and college level who would call on students  even if they didn't have a hand raised wanting to contribute.  It was always uncomfortable to be put on the spot that way.  Not because you weren't prepared, but because you just didn't want to talk, and preferred to listen.  


     Being in an online setting doesn't prevent you from contributing, it actually allows you more freedom.  You can look at the information posted by other students and respond the way you want to respond, with as much or as little information as you choose, and there is no way you can be interrupted.  There is nothing more frustrating then trying to relay your thoughts or feelings regarding a certain topic, and having someone, and there is always this someone in any class, interrupt with their thoughts or to rephrase what you just said, or even agree with you, before you were able to say everything you wanted.  Responding online allows you respond, even stop for a minute to think before completing the response.


     So I guess, being online, rather than being limiting, gives you more freedom to be yourself and say what you want.

First post

     This is my first post in this blog.  For anyone not in the class at Sierra College, a brief explanation.  Most of the post, at least initially, will be required topics.  The first is on time management.  "How realistic do you think it will be for you to adhere to a schedule in order to devote the time necessary to complete the required work in your online courses? What measures will you take to ensure that this happens?" (Our first prompt.)

     This is a little tricky for me, because I work two part-time jobs and have a family, house, dog, cat and bird.  This means that in addition to homework assignments I will also be working, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning and all of the other stuff moms do.  Keeping a schedule can be difficult, especially when taking classes that have their own special requirements and schedules.
     I guess the tool I used the most last semester was the calendar in my Outlook.  At the beginning of the semester I plugged in all of the due dates for assignments, papers etc into the calendar and handy little reminders popped up to let me know when something was due.  It also would sync with my iPod and I would get the reminders on that when I turned it on.  Sometimes it was annoying, but that was usually when I had finished the assignment/project and could easily click "dismiss" with a clear conscience.    Many people would be surprised to know that I am not an organized person.  I conceal it well.  I have just learned over time to use tools to help me.  I am really good at keeping to a schedule, mostly because I try to get things done early.  I really hate to wait until the last minute.  I love having my weekends free and therefore try to get everything done so my Saturday and Sunday are open.  It is a great feeling to know on Friday that everything is done.  Realistically it doesn't happen all the time, but that is my goal.
     Another favorite tool is sticky notes: sometimes they are everywhere reminding me of projects and due dates, as well as personal appointments.  I not only keep my schedule but with kids I need to know their schedule as well.  I also help my parents whenever they need it, so as you can tell, my life is pretty hectic.  Going back to school, though, has been alot of fun.  I am not only learning from the classes, I am learning to be more efficient and to manage my time effectively.  
     Well, I guess that is it for now.  Other classes have started and other things require my attention.  Off to wherever life takes me next...or maybe I will just answer the phone.