E-Learning For Educators-FA12-901C-2195

Mod.1: Engaged Learning in the Online Environment - Activity 2: Readings & Reaction GROUP 2 (Last Names: O - Z) Thinking about your reading this week, respond to one or more of these questions: Which Myths and Constraints surprised you? Suggest additional myths or constraints. Are you skeptical about any of the ideas in the Myths and Constraints of Online Teaching and Learning article? Keep In Mind: Discussion Board Etiquette Quality, Timing and Value Added Response Tips Click here for video on how to create a hyperlink in a D2L message. Here's What You Do: Post your primary response in the appropriate Module 1 Discussion Forum. Scan your classmates' posts. Read those that interest you. Respond to at least 3 different postings. (See Discussion Evaluation Rubric.) When possible, reply to posts that have few or no responses. In each of your responses try to use one of our value added response tips! Respond to any substantial replies made to your primary post. No later than Saturday of the first week, complete the Discussion Self-Evaluation Survey about your first reading response post. (Completing your survey earlier in the week is always appreciated!) Myths and Constraint: Social Anxiety? - Sep 26, 2012 8:15 PM The myth that Online classrooms arent as social as face-to-face surprised me. Prior to the introduction discussion of this class, I would have thought that online work and coursework interactions wouldnt be as personal. I am currently in an online position, in which I have been working for a month now, and I have not had time to get to know my fellow teachers and administrator at all, via online means. With this experience in mind, I questioned the comment that Many online learners say they end up knowing their online co-learners more deeply than they would in a class where they would all be physically present with each other (Hanna, Conceicao-Runlee and Glowacki-Dudka, 147). After experiencing the introduction discussion for this course, I would now agree that online interactions can be quite personal. It surprised me how much I have already begun to learn about my classmates. I can think of many undergraduate courses in which I did not get to know my classmates nearly as well! It

would appear that social interaction would depend on the activities presented in the coursework and the ease with which the participants can communicate within the online classroom. Facebook and forums, in my opinion, are very user-friendly because of the immediate response located next to the original comment. No messages need to be opened and no previous comments need to be found. It is all visually right there in front of me, allowing for a smooth conversation and more social interaction. Unfortunately, the ease of conversation can easily lead to writing that may form an additional constraint: the constraint that occurs when one fears their ability to write with clarity, without using visual clues, such as hand motions, facial expressions or tone of voice to convey meaning or tone. Assumptions or misunderstood written conversations can then occur, which can lead to confusion. Within the course of our introduction discussion, I have found classmates have automatically formed assumptions about me, based on how I worded my descriptive window scene. It was a pointed reminder of how easily assumptions can be formed without very clear and concise directions, explanations and observations. This then leads back to the constraint of time, as the writer attempts to write, and rewrite to excess, a message with visual written clarity. At what point does one just say, enough? It is then that the writer looks to articles such as, 4Time Management Tips for Online Students by Kelsey Sheehy, to provide a useful outline of making a regular study plan, checking in to courses daily, looking ahead to future assignments and asking for help when you feel you may be falling behind. Coming from the perspective of a student who hasnt taken a college course in eight or so years, I found the most reassuring part of the article was the mom, Natalie Fangman, who stated that sticking to her plan helped her juggle work, family, and multiple online courses without falling behind (Sheehy). That is the reassurance that I need right now. Hanna, Donald, Simone Conceicao-Runlee, and Michelle Glowacki-Dudka. 147 Practical Tips for Teaching Online Groups: Essentials of Web-Based Education. Madison, WI: Atwood Publishing, 2000: n. pag. Web. 26 Sept. 2012. Sheehy, Kelsey. 4 Time Management Tips for Online Students. U.S. News & World Report 13 Jan. 2012: n. pag. Web. 26 Sept. 2012. http://www.usnews.com/education/onlineeducation/articles/2012/01/13/4-time-management-tips-for-online-students
~Name withheld for confidentiality

Re: Myths and Constraint: Social Anxiety? - Sep 26, 2012 11:18 PM I understand that stress and anxiousness you are feeling. When I started my master's program in

January, 2011, I was terrified. It had been so long since I took any college courses and doubted if I could do it. Your idea of organization and knowing your assignments is key. I put all my course work on my outlook tasks with start/end dates to keep me organized. I broke down large tasks and put them on my calendar too. I got more accustomed to online learning as each semester went by. I worried that if I did the program online that I may not get my money's worth for my education, yet I could not travel to the university daily. Our discussions were quite engaging and my coursemates were not afraid to raise alternate viewpoints. It was through these discussions that our current views were challenged. I loved it. I found that some of my deepest friendships came from my online colleagues in my master's program than those from my earlier education days.
~Name withheld for confidentiality

Re: Myths and Constraint: Social Anxiety? - Sep 27, 2012 7:34 AM Thank you for your words of encouragement! I am just now beginning my Master's program and the doubts sunk in last night, when my 7 yo daughter (today is her birthday) expressed how much she disliked my new job and my classes. It is my goal to model to her that I want to be a life-long learner -that I have my own personal educational goals and am striving to achieve them. What she has been seeing and experiencing lately is a lot less mom-time. I was also wondering how gray my hair would be by December. :-) We have been going non-stop, even weekends, with work, commitments, and two funerals, for a month now and I need time to just organize and clean, so life can go more smoothly. I do plan to take your advice and just break tasks up. I will be happy that we can start next week's assignments on the weekend. Mondays are tremendously busy for me and I can't do much coursework on those days, so this week starting on a Monday has thrown me into a panic. I also appreciate the course checklist to help keep me on task. Thanks again for your shared encouragement. It makes me believe this may be possible still. I'm going to go take in some vitamin D and breathe. :-) Thanks!
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Re: Myths and Constraint: Social Anxiety? - Sep 27, 2012 8:00 AM Just hang in there. Remember kids always want ALL our attention and as "moms" we

seem to put the guilt trip on ourselves. Mine were teens when I started and they still wanted more time with me despite understanding more what I was trying to accomplish. "I was also wondering how gray my hair would be by December." Well, for me, I HAD to dye/highlight my hair for graduation....lol. Perhaps you will fare better. :) I am in a similar situation right now too. One of my master's professors has been wonderful in encouraging me to begin my doctorate, but I am hesitant if it will be too much for me and/or my family. My husband is quite supportive in pushing me to do things more for me right now since my youngest has graduated high school. So I don't know that those stresses of trying to do it all ever go away. It changes shape.
~Name withheld for confidentiality

Dealing w/stress and anxiety (Our Kitchen) Magdalene Rouman - Sep 27, 2012 6:21 PM Here's a simple little article about stress:10 Stress Busters. One of the stress busters listed is to "give away your cape." I think sometimes we all feel like we're Superman or Superwoman and can handle everything. I'm learning to give away my cape. I guess I am not invincible. Another source is a link that Dennis provides. One way to help online students relieve stress is to have another discussion section where they can chat about anything... their pets.. their jobs.. their stress levels. This what the"Kitchen" is for in our discussion section. It's not a requirement to post there, but it is a great place to share non-class experiences, shoot the breeze, cheer each other on, and relieve stress. I'll post something just for fun. How would you all help your students balance their time, get adjusted, and relieve stress in your online classes? Any tips or suggestions? Maggie (trying to relax in after spending an annoying day on phone with the Chicago Public School System)

Re: Dealing w/stress and anxiety (Our Kitchen) - Sep 27, 2012 6:29 PM Instead of the "kitchen," my son had a synchronous coffee hour with a teacher. They played games, hung out and talked, and did basic teen stuff. It was always at noon on Fridays and a great way to take a break and celebrate the end of the week. It was open to everyone not just courses

with that teacher. It really helped students get to know each other better too. I wonder what others think about students and relieving stress. It was so natural for my boys when attending school online. If things got stressful (whether an assignment or a course), they would just check out play video games, take the dog for the walk, or even take a nap. It came so much easier for them. Me, on the other hand, would just power through it and stayed stressed. My first semester it was my son who helped me learn to "take breaks." It would be late night and I would be working and he would say mom, let's take a McDonalds run. He knew that fresh air and a diet coke would fix things for me so I was refocused.
~Name withheld for confidentiality

Re: Dealing w/stress and anxiety (Our Kitchen) - Sep 27, 2012 8:43 PM I guess one of the ways I would relieve stress for my students would be to plan occasional "light" assignments that would be educational, yet fun, or include an online social chat. I'm not really sure on this one yet, and hope to gain more insight from the rest of you! I would be more than happy to hang up my cape! I don't want it. I like nice quiet moments like the half hour I took today when we sat at the park along the river and watched the sunset on the red and golden trees. Today, I just met the newly hired teacher who will take half of my very large caseload, so now I can work the half time I was hired for, instead of the full time I got. Birthdays are done. Funerals are, hopefully, done. As soon as my kids get healthy, life should even out again. Thank you for your site recommendations. I'm going to check them out now! Sorry about the stress, it just totally took over for a bit there.
~Name withheld for confidentiality

Re: Dealing w/stress and anxiety (Our Kitchen) - Sep 27, 2012 8:54 PM "Me, on the other hand, would just power through it and stayed stressed." That is exactly what I did last night! I hadn't had time for supper and was continuing to work late so that I wouldn't have to start over with all of my thought processes. I wanted to persevere even though I knew I needed food and a break! Next time, I'll just take the break
~Name withheld for confidentiality

Re: Dealing w/stress and anxiety (Our Kitchen) - Sep 28, 2012 11:52 AM When I think in stress, I think in understanding how to manage it on a regular basis. Do I manage my stress or do I let the stress manage me? If I dont manage my own stress, can I really be instrumental in supporting my students in managing their stress? We are not even sure where or what the stress is that others may be experiencing. Stress is part of our daily lives and not going away. It is very individual. For example, a person can be sitting on a sofa doing absolutely nothing but be stressed for just simply being. No matter what age the students are, they all have some level of stress regularly. Being aware that stress is part of our lives, accepting it and taken action on how to manage it has worked well for me the three As, awareness, acceptance and action. Naomi, you mention light assignments that would be educational, yet fun, or include an online social chat. I am not so convinced light assignments relieve stress as it would be too difficult for any teacher to identify where the students stress is coming from. Maybe I am a student who gets even more stressed out on an online social chat, could that be too personal when dealing with stress? Maybe simply providing tools and outlets for individuals to explore on stress management as part of the whole course would work. I know I am in the middle of creating an online series of courses for managers in leadership with the first few modules completely dedicated to oneself to include stress management.
~Name withheld for confidentiality

Great strategies! & stress and the brain Magdalene Rouman - Sep 28, 2012 12:24 PM Instead of the "kitchen," my son had a synchronous coffee hour with a teacher. ~Name withheld for confidentiality One of the ways I would relieve stress for my students would be to plan occasional "light" assignments that would be educational, yet fun, or include an online social chat. ~Name withheld for confidentiality Being aware that stress is part of our lives, accepting it and taking action on how to manage it has worked well for me the three As, awareness, acceptance and action. ~Name withheld for confidentiality Awesome strategies! It's important to remember that the brain's first instinct is survival. If our

students' brains are under stress, they will not be available to learn. They will just be in fight or flight mode. This is a link to a collection of articles on stress and the brain from my Scoop.it magazine. There are even a couple of videos about Navy Seals' training involving stress and fear. Maggie/Chicago

Re: Dealing w/stress and anxiety (Our Kitchen) - Sep 28, 2012 6:55 PM I was thinking about how to translate what I do with my 7th and 8th graders to online. I usually try to get them to do something physically active when we need a break. The next two weeks will include hours of standardized testing so when its over we will have a 'Fitness Friday' where we play team building games outside for a period. Though this might not directly translate to online, I guess I would try to have students post a small portfolio of photographs, or other images and reflections on an outdoor experience of their choice. Nothing overwhelming, just a fun, 'Look where I went and look what I did' experience. There is lots of research supporting the ability of physical exercise to reduce stress. We just often feel like we don't have the time to exercise. Here's a little info from the Mayo Clinic on stress reduction and exercise. Just do it! Exercise & photos Magdalene Rouman - Sep 29, 2012 2:33 PM "I guess I would try to have students post a small portfolio of photographs, or other images and reflections on an outdoor experience of their choice."~Name withheld for confidentiality Great idea! Maybe we can experiment and do that in our Kitchen. Would you like to begin and post a photo? I also like your comments about stress and exercise. It's important that we find time to move

and work off energy... releases feel good endorphins. Maggie/Chicago Re: Myths and Constraint: Social Anxiety? - Sep 29, 2012 7:45 PM I just jumped ship (from the A-N group) and thought I'd read some of the posts from the Rest-ofthe-Alphabet group. You sound as overwhelmed as I feel, and I don't have a 7 year old. This past week for the most part I put off diving in to the assignments because I was afraid that I'd confront unsolvable technological roadblocks at every turn. Well, it wasn't that bad, though some of that did happen and still is happening, but not being willing to confront these problems until last night (Friday night) certainly didn't make it easier and certainly upped the drama. Now I realize that it's absolutely imperative that I do as much as I can as early as I can early in the week and throughout the week--which means turning it into manageable chunks and chewing on them on some sort of consistent schedule of "feedings"--and even more important that that extent of and quality of my learning will depend on that. I'll check back to see how you are doing and cheer you on.

Re: Exercise & photos - Sep 29, 2012 9:07 PM Sure! I'm on it!
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Re: Myths and Constraint: Social Anxiety? - Sep 29, 2012 9:12 PM Thanks for jumping ship! It's nice to meet you! Yes, that is exactly one of the lessons I learned as well. I plan to utilize "manageable chunks," a timer, and the power of Off for our next module. I found I stressed too much about each assignment. I have to remember that I can only do the best

I can do and take off my cape, like Maggie suggested. I would be happy to cheer you on as well! Let me know if you need support this week! Cheers!
~Name withheld for confidentiality

Re: Great strategies! & stress and the brain - Oct 7, 2012 12:11 PM Thanks for the link, Maggie! I'm going through them!
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Re: Exercise & photos - Oct 7, 2012 12:13 PM

I'm checking out your photos next and plan to re-incorporate exercise, now that my head is above water again! Thanks for the reminder and great idea!
~Name withheld for confidentiality