Wow, I feel like a moth right now. I keep trying to go to the light and end up bashing myself against it!!!
I am excited and overwhelmed right now. I am excited to be learning about how to set up a course on D2L, but am overwhelmed by the amount of time it is taking me to "get it". Is it just me, or are there others feeling the same way? When I do "get it", and I am getting closer to "getting it", I would like time to practise more with setting things up, The problem I am faced with, is time!!!! Finding time to read, (which has been a challenge) figure out how to do what I need to "teach" my cohorts, figure out what I want in my course that I am putting together, blogging, wondering what to do for the wiki, and sleeping is almost impossible. I will find a way, though, as I always do.
I can already see the benefits for developing a moodle, D2L, or other LMS. I am already thinking of one of my students who wants to be a part of the class, however, because of his emotional difficulties won't and can't do any of the work we are doing in class. He is glued to his computer even when he comes to school, usually playing games. If I can develop a course for him using a LMS, he may be able to come to school for the social stuff, but also work on our coursework on the computer at school and at home.
Wait for my update after the "teaching" element and after I have my "course" set up.
Here goes my second round of commenting... I have no idea where the first one ended up! Note to self - save all comment in Word!
You are definitely not alone in the overwhelmed and not enough time category! Learning something foreign is always time consuming, however the final product will make it all worth it! I think we all really enjoy and get the most out the "doing" and creating portion of learning even though it can often be the most stressful. Do you feel better knowing you have peers in the same boat and we can all get through it together? I find this to be a huge de-stresser! I'm looking forward to reading your update and checking out your online course!
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Margot
3/16/2013 07:38:02 am
Jane
LOVE your moth analogy! Indeed, there's a lot to process for the course, let alone the rest of the stuff to manage in every day life! On the other hand, you seem pretty technically adept to manage joining classes from scattered points across BC! ;-)
Your thoughts on working with the computer-glued student are (to quote Mr. Spock) fascinating. Wonder even if a course needs to be built up in an LMS, or whether an email (or similar message) could be sent daily with some tasks.... Hearken back to my first contract (district behavioural teacher for elementary schools) and consider that although socialization was an important aspect of that, that a computer-based element would have offered more timely individualization and choice in academics.
Good luck! :)
Your moth/light metaphor is apt…I feel the same way :) My solution to the feeling of being overwhelmed is to do as Randy LaBonte suggested – choose one thing that “grabs” you and go with it. I have found that this way I focus my learning and tend to gravitate toward literature, videos, visual media, etc. which connect to what I’m pursuing.
An idea for your "computer-glued" student...what about asking him which communication method would work best for him? Or, suggest some kind of a diary - maybe a visual diary - to connect him to the world outside his games? Or, how could games be used to engage him with what you are teaching? Maybe he could develop a game to teach his peers...
You've got me thinking!
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