Journal

Category 3:

“learning from one’s experience involves not just reflection, but critical reflection.” (p. 117)

Objective:

When we take the time to reflect on our experience, we often focus on “the stuff” that we want to take away from the experience. For example, in dental hygiene school we were often asked to take some time to reflect on our experiences in the clinic. Most of us would reflect on the good stuff and the bad stuff as most students do.  Faculty encouraged us to think about our successes, our failures and ways we could improve or do things differently.  They were trying to get us to critically reflect on our experiences.  By learning this skill it would help us in the future so that we could evaluate and critique our work because nobody was going to be by our side in the workplace.  The ability to critically reflect at work has to helped me become a better clinician by improving my clinical skills and managing a variety of situations in the workplace.  This quote reminds me that I learned how to use my instruments in school and now I need to take it a step further and continue to question/analyze my work/skills.  

Reflective:

I realized that teaching is not only just providing the learner with the necessary information/facts.  Teaching is also encouraging the learner to take the information and question it.  I believe that as children we have this innate ability to question everything around us and we do so by asking questions or testing out things to see what will happen. Perhaps as educators we need to help learners remember what it was like to be a child in order to help with critical reflection.

Interpretive:

My “aHa!” moment when reading this quote was to reflect back on my days as a dental hygiene student and understand why there was a constant need for self reflection after every evaluation.   It now makes sense to me that by doing the self reflection, it forced me to become a better practitioner.  As a future adult educator, I would like to help my students to see the value in critically thinking.  If they are able to think critically then they will be able to make the necessary changes to their thoughts/behaviours to get the desired results.  I can provide them with the basic knowledge they will need to go out to private practice but they will need to be able to problem solve and figure out things by themselves.  I realize that as I continue on this journey, I will need to continue the ongoing process of critical thinking and self reflection. 

Decisional:

I have been influenced by this quote because if learners are capable of critical thinking and ask questions then it shifts the notion of teacher led to learner centred teaching.  It gives the learner more control in the classroom as they are able to stop the discussion and offer a different perspectives or ideas to the topic at hand.  

References:

Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2014). Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Category 4:

“Persevering at online learning is also affected by computer and information literacy, time management…online communication skills…self-esteem, feelings of belongingness in the online program and the ability to develop interpersonal skills with peers…” (p. 199)

Objective:

I am relatively new to the online course thing and I have to agree with this quote about the challenges of online learning.  I think the point that stands out for me is about computer and information literacy because without a certain level of computer skills, online learning can put a learner at a disadvantage.  It is easy to become frustrated if the learner is not able to get access to the online course/community and because they are alone with their computer getting help quickly is often not easy.  We all want to be part of the group and appear to our peers that we belong but when our shortcomings are revealed there is often embarrassment/shame for our failures.  

Reflective:

Teaching an online course will require that the educator ensures that everyone taking the class has a certain level of competency and is comfortable.  The educator will need to ensure that all learners are comfortable asking for extra help and may need to provide assistance to those who do not feel comfortable with the technology.  Incorporating assignments that require group work so that learners feel a sense of belonging with their peers and ensuring there are guidelines so that on discussion boards everyone is made to feel safe when expressing themselves.   

Interpretive:

The “aHa!” moment is identifying that online learning continues to grow and there does not appear to be an end in sight.  Due to the convenience, online learning would most likely be the first choice of learners wanting to do further studies. However, the educator’s role has evolved because they need to know how to use the computer program/software and be able to help those who are not familiar with it.  For those learners who are not computer literate an educator will need to be patient and offer praise for the small accomplishments their learners make such as setting up a blog as this may be a big achievement for the learner.  One key insight that I have gained is recognizing that even though I am part of a large online community it is very easy to feel alone because you do not see your peers and you don’t have the face to face interaction.  

Decisional:

Keeping in mind that it is easy for learners to feel alone in online courses, I would want ensure that a sense of community is established early on.  So, by having the learners participate in web conferences more frequently for assignments and discussions this may help them feel connected.  For those who are not computer literate, I would want to help point them in the right direction so that they can get the extra help that they need.  I think that the Introduction section of this course followed by the Skype call really made the difference for me.  The Introduction allowed me to familiarize myself with the platform and find important information.  

References:

Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2014). Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.