Think
back over the last two weeks and the subjects and our related
discussions. We have defined online communities and discussed how to
best organize and produce high performing teams in virtual environment.
Now it is time to reflect back and wrap up all of these issues into one
last reflection. Consider this one as the “last reflection” and focus on
both how we have defined online communities and looked at the many
variations of them as well as the complex, high performing team
creation.
Now, what does all that mean to you? What are the big issues and
ideas you have taken away from these two weeks of discussions? Finally,
how does it apply to you? What will you do with this new knowledge base?
Hi Dr. Rob,
Looking
back over the last two weeks, I think the community and teaming topics
are the "secret" to a good online course or program. Community in an
online course means that the students and faculty member/facilitator
rely on and trust each other, frequently. Teaming in an online environment means that students produce work together and thoughtfully discuss material. Community can be produced easily, but teaming takes much more time and energy.
When
I say these things are the "secret" to quality online learning, I mean
they create understanding and that most online programs probably do not
follow these principles, from the little online learning I have observed. I keep mentioning this course I am TA-ing for
these semester. The instructor, nor the program encourages teams. The
sense of community was weakly established with a "get to know you"
discussion and through other weekly discussion, but I do not think this
is enough! I tried to encourage more when the course was designed but the instructor was rather afraid of going beyond templates and established program guidelines.
Going forward, I have already blended these ideas of
teaming and community into my online course design (I'm completing this
certificate backwards), but if I ever TA a course again in the
organization I work for, I will push for more community activities as I
can. The teaming idea I think will be a harder push but it is worth a
try.
Thanks for your guidance and instruction the last 8 weeks!
Best,
Kelli Urry
