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How It Started
How It Started
I am at the end of the program and what a long and exciting time it has been! I had been thinking of this program for many years but kept putting it off. In fact, when I was working as an instructional designer/trainer at Metra in 2006, my boss mentioned I should consider the program, which then had four classes. Since I completed my first master's degree only two years earlier, in 2004, I assumed I was done with school. In December 2007, I lost my job and considered going back to school but wasn't sure what I wanted to do. However, in 2016 I decided to completely switch fields and go for a Master of Health Science in Addictions Counseling. I realized after completing that I wasn't sure if I really wanted to do this, so I decided to do the program I really wanted and considered many years ago, which was the Online Teaching and Learning Certificate. By this time the program switched to six classes and I figured why not? I enrolled and started January 2018.
I am at the end of the program and what a long and exciting time it has been! I had been thinking of this program for many years but kept putting it off. In fact, when I was working as an instructional designer/trainer at Metra in 2006, my boss mentioned I should consider the program, which then had four classes. Since I completed my first master's degree only two years earlier, in 2004, I assumed I was done with school. In December 2007, I lost my job and considered going back to school but wasn't sure what I wanted to do. However, in 2016 I decided to completely switch fields and go for a Master of Health Science in Addictions Counseling. I realized after completing that I wasn't sure if I really wanted to do this, so I decided to do the program I really wanted and considered many years ago, which was the Online Teaching and Learning Certificate. By this time the program switched to six classes and I figured why not? I enrolled and started January 2018.
The First Two Classes
The First Two Classes
I will never forget my first class in the program, Introduction to Online Teaching. The instructor spoke about using technology to create classes and I was hooked! I loved studying about learning and teaching styles and teaching online. We created a group project on the Civil Rights Movement using the learning styles of visual, audio, reading/writing and kinesthetic styles (VARK) and saw how learning styles vary from everyone. For this class it was heavily emphasized that people learn differently, and a successful instructor creates classes based on it. This was the largest class and sadly after the semester I didn't see most of my classmates again. This class is here: Introduction to Online Teaching The next class, Role of the Instructor, concentrated more on being an instructor and how we manage. We did a group project called Brief Reference Guide to help online instructors and several individual assignments, including an online diary to help us manage. A big highlight to me was doing a synchronous presentation using Blackboard Collaborate! This class and all the assignments are here: Role of the Online Instructor .
I will never forget my first class in the program, Introduction to Online Teaching. The instructor spoke about using technology to create classes and I was hooked! I loved studying about learning and teaching styles and teaching online. We created a group project on the Civil Rights Movement using the learning styles of visual, audio, reading/writing and kinesthetic styles (VARK) and saw how learning styles vary from everyone. For this class it was heavily emphasized that people learn differently, and a successful instructor creates classes based on it. This was the largest class and sadly after the semester I didn't see most of my classmates again. This class is here: Introduction to Online Teaching The next class, Role of the Instructor, concentrated more on being an instructor and how we manage. We did a group project called Brief Reference Guide to help online instructors and several individual assignments, including an online diary to help us manage. A big highlight to me was doing a synchronous presentation using Blackboard Collaborate! This class and all the assignments are here: Role of the Online Instructor .
The Design Process Begins
The Design Process Begins
While the first two classes concentrated on learning to teach online, the next classes started the process of creating classes! I was so excited about this because I started to develop my class. I started by creating a lesson plan and thinking about things like formative and summative assignments. I considered learning styles and using them to create classes. I created videos and learning objectives and considered everything needed for a successful class. Besides writing a paper about my class, I developed a lesson for my class, adding activities like discussion boards, tests and assignments. It was so much work, but I saw so many improvements between the first class and this one. One of my major achievements during this semester was not just the class but being invited to join Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for education. The link for this class is here: Introduction to Course Design
While the first two classes concentrated on learning to teach online, the next classes started the process of creating classes! I was so excited about this because I started to develop my class. I started by creating a lesson plan and thinking about things like formative and summative assignments. I considered learning styles and using them to create classes. I created videos and learning objectives and considered everything needed for a successful class. Besides writing a paper about my class, I developed a lesson for my class, adding activities like discussion boards, tests and assignments. It was so much work, but I saw so many improvements between the first class and this one. One of my major achievements during this semester was not just the class but being invited to join Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for education. The link for this class is here: Introduction to Course Design
My Progression Into The Program
My Progression Into The Program
My next class, Technology Tools for Online Educators was very hands on where we created assignments using technology tools. I created a visual presentation requiring tools like PowerPoint, an audio presentation with VoiceThread, an assignment playing a Bible quiz with a mobile app, and a group project about the Bible. For this class, we used Google Plus, which gave us a chance to learn other platforms. The link for this class is here: Technology Tools for Online Educators. Course Design and Assessment followed and was a continuation of Introduction to Course Design. My classmates helped by giving constructive criticism to improve my class and this was important in developing my class. We used design sheets to plan our classes and learned topics such as design considerations. With design sheets we aligned our learning objectives to assignments and found resources that corresponded to at least one lesson objective. The final part of the class was writing a paper on everything we considered when designing classes, including assessments, non-learner considerations, learner considerations, and interactions between students and the instructor. By this class we were ready to create our classes! I have linked the paper here since this was the majority of the work: Paper for Course Design.
My next class, Technology Tools for Online Educators was very hands on where we created assignments using technology tools. I created a visual presentation requiring tools like PowerPoint, an audio presentation with VoiceThread, an assignment playing a Bible quiz with a mobile app, and a group project about the Bible. For this class, we used Google Plus, which gave us a chance to learn other platforms. The link for this class is here: Technology Tools for Online Educators. Course Design and Assessment followed and was a continuation of Introduction to Course Design. My classmates helped by giving constructive criticism to improve my class and this was important in developing my class. We used design sheets to plan our classes and learned topics such as design considerations. With design sheets we aligned our learning objectives to assignments and found resources that corresponded to at least one lesson objective. The final part of the class was writing a paper on everything we considered when designing classes, including assessments, non-learner considerations, learner considerations, and interactions between students and the instructor. By this class we were ready to create our classes! I have linked the paper here since this was the majority of the work: Paper for Course Design.
One More Class To Go
One More Class To Go
All five classes were completed and then came the final class, Course Production Practicum. We used our design sheets to create classes in Blackboard. We created our classes by first adding learning modules to our class, and they had a table of contents so we could see where everything was placed. Every lesson had sections for students to access learning materials and activities and they could click through the module to find what they were seeking. The learning materials were a variety of sources such as videos and articles used to complete lesson assignments, and they aligned with the lesson learning objectives. In the learning activities folder, we added tests, discussion boards, assignments, and everything that would be expected in a normal online class. My third lesson was the largest because I added an assignment about the Seven Sacraments students would create on a presentation program such as PowerPoint. I developed each lesson using three options: Blackboard mini-lecture, PowerPoint and an audio version. I was so excited to see my first three lessons look like a real class. Besides the three classes, we added a syllabus, orientation, announcements, rubrics, and Blackboard Collaborative. We added our information for students to contact us, and then we wrote journals discussing each section we created. This class has its own reflections here: 7201 Course Practicum Reflections
All five classes were completed and then came the final class, Course Production Practicum. We used our design sheets to create classes in Blackboard. We created our classes by first adding learning modules to our class, and they had a table of contents so we could see where everything was placed. Every lesson had sections for students to access learning materials and activities and they could click through the module to find what they were seeking. The learning materials were a variety of sources such as videos and articles used to complete lesson assignments, and they aligned with the lesson learning objectives. In the learning activities folder, we added tests, discussion boards, assignments, and everything that would be expected in a normal online class. My third lesson was the largest because I added an assignment about the Seven Sacraments students would create on a presentation program such as PowerPoint. I developed each lesson using three options: Blackboard mini-lecture, PowerPoint and an audio version. I was so excited to see my first three lessons look like a real class. Besides the three classes, we added a syllabus, orientation, announcements, rubrics, and Blackboard Collaborative. We added our information for students to contact us, and then we wrote journals discussing each section we created. This class has its own reflections here: 7201 Course Practicum Reflections
Reflections
Reflections
Now that I am heading towards the end, I can reflect on it all. First, I loved seeing my class go from just an idea to seeing it in Blackboard. It took a lot of work but seeing it look identical to classes I attended (both online and offline) really filled me with pride. Second, having employers contact me after seeing my class and this portfolio, and being impressed, made me so happy. Third, I was stressed during the end of each class as I am with any class but seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is so amazing. One of the things I looked back with sadness in this program is how many classmates I met along the way who chose not to continue. So many dropped out after the first class because they thought the whole program would be the same down the road and they were wrong. Many others dropped out halfway because at times there was confusion on what was due and how. My major suggestion for the program is to make the assignments clearer so more finish. I look at my first class and can see the progression and the classes became more difficult, but I was prepared by the steps needed to make it farther.
Now that I am heading towards the end, I can reflect on it all. First, I loved seeing my class go from just an idea to seeing it in Blackboard. It took a lot of work but seeing it look identical to classes I attended (both online and offline) really filled me with pride. Second, having employers contact me after seeing my class and this portfolio, and being impressed, made me so happy. Third, I was stressed during the end of each class as I am with any class but seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is so amazing. One of the things I looked back with sadness in this program is how many classmates I met along the way who chose not to continue. So many dropped out after the first class because they thought the whole program would be the same down the road and they were wrong. Many others dropped out halfway because at times there was confusion on what was due and how. My major suggestion for the program is to make the assignments clearer so more finish. I look at my first class and can see the progression and the classes became more difficult, but I was prepared by the steps needed to make it farther.
It's Over
It's Over
I admit at times the early material was not exciting but now that I am finished, I see the purpose. After all, to understand more advanced material, you need to start at the beginning. Assignments that weren't graded strictly early on were tougher later, and we were expected to know more after each semester. I see my skills really improving in many ways I never imagined. I have a background in website design and instructional design and yet learned new ways to create classes. I must admit that when I no longer have a class to attend, I will have mixed feelings. I will feel sad because it has been a long journey of almost two years, connecting with people and learning more and more. However, I also have excitement knowing it is the end of the program but the beginning of a new lease on a career. I can't wait to show employers the skills I learned from this program!
I admit at times the early material was not exciting but now that I am finished, I see the purpose. After all, to understand more advanced material, you need to start at the beginning. Assignments that weren't graded strictly early on were tougher later, and we were expected to know more after each semester. I see my skills really improving in many ways I never imagined. I have a background in website design and instructional design and yet learned new ways to create classes. I must admit that when I no longer have a class to attend, I will have mixed feelings. I will feel sad because it has been a long journey of almost two years, connecting with people and learning more and more. However, I also have excitement knowing it is the end of the program but the beginning of a new lease on a career. I can't wait to show employers the skills I learned from this program!
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