This blog reflection–my first!–is a response to an assignment I have in a very dynamic course I am enrolled in that is part of a great collaboration between PLS3 Learning, Wilkes University and AAIE and our new Elsa Lamb Leadership Institute. The assignment asks me to focus on my online learning , more as a professor than a student, and how I hope to use it well in my online teaching adventures ahead. I love that my professor, Beth, both actively models for us what we are learning and has used the phrase «blended learning» in this assignment. This calls to me much more than «online».
I am a novice learner/professor in this blending learning online world, my experience so far only in serving as a prof/mentor in the Continuous Professional Development course in this program. I have much to learn and love this invitation to realize that I do! Reflecting on my experience to date, the three most challenging things I have encountered are: (1) finding the fine balance between encouraging my students to become fully involved in the course, submitting assignments on time so that others can too and recognizing how busy they all are and how sincerely–or not–they want to have a successful and hopefully inspiring course outcome; (2) keeping my messages encouraging, expectation clear, value added and short!; and, (3) honoring their work in ways that make them feel appreciated, respected and not overwhelmed. I think the key to moving beyond these challenges is all about communication and relationship building. What I need to concentrate on is my part in both more via clear messaging, responding in a very timely way to my students’ messages/posts, and continue to learn how to build a purposeful, courageous and transformative community/class culture in this online world. Listening to the experiences and wisdom of others, especially in this course, is the best resource for my own learning I’ve found. Thank you, Beth, and class!
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