Now that I am moving ever closer to the end of my OLTD journey, it seemed appropriate to update where I am now. My purpose is to use this as an unofficial philosophy of education as well.
As I have travelled along this journey, I have become more aware of my deficiencies and my recent growth in online education. I have learned more about the various systems of online learning and the pros and cons of each type. I have also learned about different LMS and non-LMS environments as well. Sadly, I am very aware of the lack of technological prowess my district and my practical experience in online learning and teaching online.
My goals as I move forward are to continue to learn and grow in my understanding of online learning. To take what I am learning and apply it to everyday practice in my classroom. I would like to develop a pilot course that uses the flipped model approach. I would also like to investigate more about this gamified learning approach as well. As I strive to build my professional practice my goal is to provide students with options and the best education I can give them.
As I have learned more from my journey my belief is still the same as when I started teaching. I follow the saying,"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." This is still my belief and is reinforced with the concept of online learning where there is no way to physically be there to drown them in many cases. That is why my focus continues to be to make the water hole as shiny and tasty as it can be to entice my students to indulge themselves.
I still teach in the elective area where students 'elect' to be there and this furthers my belief that since they chose my water hole to drink from I by no means am required to stuff their faces in it.
I look forward to the completion of this program and seeing where my belief structure will evolve or further develop.
Sincerely,
Christopher Sowden
As I have travelled along this journey, I have become more aware of my deficiencies and my recent growth in online education. I have learned more about the various systems of online learning and the pros and cons of each type. I have also learned about different LMS and non-LMS environments as well. Sadly, I am very aware of the lack of technological prowess my district and my practical experience in online learning and teaching online.
My goals as I move forward are to continue to learn and grow in my understanding of online learning. To take what I am learning and apply it to everyday practice in my classroom. I would like to develop a pilot course that uses the flipped model approach. I would also like to investigate more about this gamified learning approach as well. As I strive to build my professional practice my goal is to provide students with options and the best education I can give them.
As I have learned more from my journey my belief is still the same as when I started teaching. I follow the saying,"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." This is still my belief and is reinforced with the concept of online learning where there is no way to physically be there to drown them in many cases. That is why my focus continues to be to make the water hole as shiny and tasty as it can be to entice my students to indulge themselves.
I still teach in the elective area where students 'elect' to be there and this furthers my belief that since they chose my water hole to drink from I by no means am required to stuff their faces in it.
I look forward to the completion of this program and seeing where my belief structure will evolve or further develop.
Sincerely,
Christopher Sowden