Web+Conferences

= Various Web Conference Reflections = = = =These were non-graded assignments and optional for students to participate in.=


 * (November 18, 2010) - Week 1: Part 1.1 **

This web conference was very helpful for me, yet also created more anxiety.

It was nice to hear that I was not alone in regards to feeling extremely apprehensive and overwhelmed at the amount of work that is expected to be accomplished in such a short period of time.

There were some really good questions asked that again revealed that we were all thinking and feeling the same things. Dr. Mason did a great job in responding to questions and reassuring us that she was there to support us. It was evident that she was well versed and knowledgable of all course requirements and expectations, which allowed for her responses to be relevant and meaningful. For us, the students, this is comforting in that we feel assured that what she is telling us is true and are able to rely on her information to be accurate and dependable.

At this point, being clear and concise is very important.


 *  (November 23, 2010) - Week 2: Part 2.1 **

 Very informative web conference. Dr. Mason did a great job of answering questions. The information and feedback Dr. Mason provided based on what she had seen during week 1, was so helpful. She elaborated on things such as how to correctly site resources when it is either an in-text citation or a direct quote; clarified the requirement of 3 references, and things of this nature.

 Dr. Mason's information on how Cohort 7 was to handle the courses we have not yet taken was helpful. I know I will need to stay in constant contact with Dr. Abernathy in order to ensure completion of my Comprehensive Examination, because I still have two course yet to take (Curriculum Management and Teaching with Technology.)

 I was happy to hear that Cohort 7 would not be required to purchase Tk20. At this point of the program, it would useless and a waste of money.

 The only thing I would have really liked to have before this web conference, is to have had feedback on my week one's submissions. With this information in hand before the web conference, I probably would have hand more to ask about. Perhaps, the scheduling of the weekly conferences should be planned so that they take place after all grading for the prior week is done. This would allow for much more input and reflective questioning on our part (the student's.)


 * (December 1, 2010) - Week 3: Part 3.1 **

The positive feedback from Dr. Mason in regards to the progress she feels we are making was very reassuring. I know I was really needing to hear it. The amount of work involved in this course is seriously on the verge of being impossible for me to handle and complete. The time table and amount of work involved does not leave much time for life’s unexpected twists and turns. As a result, I have found my life in general to be in a state of disarray and has left me full of guilt about not being able to provide the attention my family, (especially my two sons) require and deserve. The momma guilt is just to much!

I thank God for my husband and family everyday. If it were not for their love and support, I know without a doubt, I would not have made it this far in the program. It is during the webconferences that I hear that others are experiencing the same thing. This provides me with a since of comfort (albeit selfishly.)

The information I enjoyed hearing the most in this conference was that those of us in Cohort 7 do not have to have our Comprehensive Exam completed until our last course (which for me is in March.) This was wonderful news and reassured me that I would be able to make it through the program. From the commits written during the conference, I know I was not the only person excited to hear this. Thank you God!

Looking back on the whole design of the course, I really feel that it would have been much more beneficial to require students to begin creating their Wikis or Blog for their Comprehensive Exam within the very first course. Then as a requirement of each class, student’s must submit the class assignment reflections as a final assignment in week five. In addition, require students to attend one webconference in each course and post a reflection on their Wiki by the end of the course.

For me, I feel it would have been very helpful to have read and studied ISTE’s Technology and Facilitation and Leadership Standards to the degree we have in this course at the beginning of the program. Knowing and understanding all of this information at the very beginning would have provided a much clearer picture of my role and it’s expectations from the start. This would have also allowed for postings to be made on the standards throughout the program, instead of jamming it all in at the end. Anything that would alleviate the insurmountable amount of work in this course would be very helpful to say the least.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">(December 7, 2010) - Week 4: Part 4.1 **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">We are almost there! The end is in site! The conversations this week did not seem to have as much of a panicked tone to them. We are now passed the halfway mark and are in the zone. There is still so much to do, but at least we now have a better understanding of how to get it done.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">It was nice to get confirmation once again, for those of us in Cohort 7, about what we do and do not have to have completed by December 17th. I don't mind telling you, I welcome the extra time. I still have two courses left to take, so my final is not due until March. This is so very nice, because I know I will need all the time I can get. There have been so many ups and downs with my career over the last two years, that it's amazing I have been able to keep up with this program. I am so glad I did, because the knowledge and experience that I have gained has truly made the journey worth it.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> The information Dr. Mason and others shared on possible professional organizations to join was beneficial. There were a few that I had not heard of and will look into. The one I am really interested in the most is CoSN. Currently I am only a member of TCEA and ISTE. The more information we have access to the better informed we will be. In this field, one can't afford to get behind. It changes too quickly.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**(February 26, 2011) Web Conference Reflection for EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology:**

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> This web conference was very helpful for me as my group's leader. I had several questions to ask and needed clarification regarding what our end group product is to look like, expectations, and what group Google documents needed to be shared with our IA. As usual, Dr. Mason did a nice job of providing valuable information and insight.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> I have done some online group work in the past, but not to this extent. I have no doubt this experience will prove to be a valuable learning experience for me. I am particularly grateful for the timing of this course. I was recently told that I am to create and facilitate a few online courses this summer, so my personal experience as a student, will be of great value to me as I create my own online courses.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> I look forward to the remaining four weeks of this class. Week one seemed to go fairly smooth. I can only hope that the remaining weeks prove to be as productive.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**(March 3, 2011) Web Conference Reflection for EDLD 5364 Teaching with Technology:**

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> Based on the questions and answers given during this conference, I am very confident in saying that my group is doing well and ahead of the game. Everything we have done is right on track. As with all other web conferences, it provided me with the peace of mind I need as I work through a class. For this particular class, since it is heavily dependent on group collaboration and work, I feel the web conferences to be much more valuable. We are almost at the the half-way point of the class and I am feeling good about our group progress thus far.