Jim’s viewable streams of thought

Interestingly, I am coming full circle in just a short period of time.  Designing my learning activities, I am using simlar principles as I would in a f2f class; agreed, the method of delivery is different and I need to contemplate different issues in terms of instructional design, but the assignments are not that different at all.  As, I watched the presetation and read the weeks reading, I said to myself, I know this stuff already.  Now I feel it’s just about application and doing the work.  That, I’m not sure is as easy, it will be a challenge to design the learning activities in detail for a 14 week course in a week – perhaps impossible.  But I’m resigned to do what I can without killing myself.  I could have made this task easier on myself if I chose a short course rather than something that’s normally done over an entire year (I almost always bite off more than I can chew!).  On a positive note, I’m doing all the preplanning I need to do for the coming school year for AP psychology. 

Bill’s concern with losing the dynamics of teaching presence has set me thinking; how can I get the emotional boost from the online experience that I do for f2f teaching?  I mean I love the classroom, I don’t always love the planning and grading for sure, but I love being in the class with the kids.  Over  the past month and a half it’s all been about the students and the structure of the class and now it’s time to start thinking about what I get from the teaching experience and whether I’ll be able to get that online.  I have my doubts – maybe one class but I think I need the energy of f2f.  I’m already looking forward to the new year.  It’s not about being the “sage” but about being in a room full of people and interacting on issues I love.  That’s what makes teaching worth it – will I be able to get that energy from an online environment?  Can the discourse bring that type of excitement? 

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