R/D9: Reflection on experience so far. How challenging? Support? Excited, frustrated, both? How to incorporate things learned? Opinion as to first course?
-- So far, this class has been extremely challenging to me. I thought it would be difficult for a non-tech person, but I’ve invested more time than I thought I would.
-- Support has been good. It took me a while to figure out all the options/accessories that come with the blackboard system. The discussion postings are a great idea.
-- Yes, I have been both excited and frustrated. Excited because of the potential to use all of this stuff and because I can help other teachers and my own kids. Frustrated because I use so much time trying to figure things out that I know other people do in a fraction of the time.
-- I’m not sure how I’ll incorporate the things from class. Where I’m currently teaching I don’t have many kids with Internet access, no phones in my room, no computers in my room, no Internet access for my kids at school, no up-and-running library. With some luck I’ll be in a different district come fall.
-- As a first course, I think this class is good for opening up the possibilities/potential out there. I also think it helps weed out people who may not be quite right for the field. If I could make a suggestion it would be to make sure all incoming distance learning students had to take a blackboard tutorial before starting classes. If the student knows blackboard already they could take a quick “quiz” and exempt out of the tutorial.
5 comments:
Even though this class is challenging for you, it is good to see you are getting the support you need for success. I also think your blackboard quiz a good idea. It would give an overview of the tools for students who have already had a blackboard class. And you tutorial would be perfect for new students.
"Frustrated because I use so much time trying to figure things out that I know other people do in a fraction of the time. "
I feel the same about reading. I am an extremely slow reader and I get very frustrated when I see people read books in days that would take me weeks. Technology is just like reading, the more you read the faster you'll read. Same with tech stuff, more you play around with technology the faster you'll understand/comprehend/manipulate it.
I think excited and frustrating just about fits for learning any new technology. It once took me three hours to find a missing : in my asp code I was playing with. I didn't have any formal training I was just trying to figure things out on my own which I EVENTUALLY did.
I know I am spoiled when it comes to having access to technology in my school. Obviously, I am not going to complain about it, but I know how lucky I am. Sadly, as a technology teacher, money does matter. Gadgets, software, and computers all cost money.
Good luck job hunting. I hope you find a school that fits you better.
I think that having the class a challenge is a good thing, and hopefully you will find yourself in a district next year that you will be able to take advantage of what you are learning. I agree in your frustration knowing that it can be done faster, and that there are other people doing it faster. Hang in there, I'm sure that things will level out for you quickly!
I feel bad that your school did not get the technology it needs. I think Bill Gates should make sure every school gets computers. All the schools I have been in the last couple of years have had computers, even the alternative high school. I hope your school catches up soon and I hope you get the job you want.
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