Module+7+Reflection

** Reflection Prompt 7 : **

**Reflect on how you perceive yourself as an online learner? Are you well-prepare to be an online leaner? Tell us about what you need to improve in order to be a successful online learner.**

//Description: //

In class we recently discussed what it means to be an online learner and what type of student is a good candidate for online classes. I had to think back to when I decided to take my first online classes and figure out if I was prepared for this new style of learning. An online learner is someone that is organized, a self-directed learner and somewhat good with technology. One common misconception about online learning is that it is easier. Not the case! It may be more convenient but definitely not easier. There is usually a lot of reading and you have to keep up with discussion postings. If you are in a class with a lot of students, postings can pile up quickly if you don't stay on top of it.

After considering what it would take to be a successful online learning, I decided to register for my courses. I took five the first semester. I wasn't working at the time so my classes became my full-time job! My son was at school and my husband at work, so I spent literally all day on the computer completing coursework. I eventually developed a routine and was able to stay on top of things. After all this time as an online learner, I still find that sometimes school work gets pushed to the back burner if other things are going on in the house. I'm very involved in volunteering with my son's lacrosse team and the Club team. I am also teaching myself now so I have to stay really organized.

The one thing that I still need to work on is starting papers or projects earlier. I can usually stay up to date with reading and discussion postings but when it comes to actual assignments, I feel that I still am rushed at the end. I need to get better at breaking assignments down into parts and working at them rather than trying to complete them all in one day.

//Impact: // Being an online learner has helped me to understand my students better. Even though I am not teaching exclusively online, I use an LMS with my classes. I know that I need to have everything spelled out and organized so that the students want to use it. A lot of my students have not used technology much before enrolling in classes and they are quick to say that they don't know how to use a computer. If things aren't easily located they get frustrated and don't want to try. I need to make sure that when I am creating assignments and putting them online that I go back to the state-of-mind that I had when I was a first-time online learner.

//Intent: // I want to eventually teach exclusively online and I also want to help other instructors develop their online classes. In order to see myself as successful, I need to see my students as successful at online learning.