Reflection on Online Learning

This has been an incredible journey in my quest for my Master degree in Education from the University of Calgary. I have chosen to specialize in educational technology because of my interest in learning with technology. With this said, this journey has been more than just sitting in front of the computer. Although at times it certainly felt like it, and it is clear that the computer vision syndrome that I have developed is attributed to my prolonged staring into the computer screen, this journey has in fact renewed my faith in academia.

Going to school is hard work. In my undergrad studies, I don't remember the demands that school had on my life as it does today. Perhaps it is because I have a job and a family now or it could be due to the fact that partying was more important then. Finding a balance between school, work, family, and self remained a priority during my time as a graduate student. This was obviously done with a bit of organization and lots help from my family.

In my online journey, I have found students are not faceless. With each class, there are new communities formed. In an ideal situation, there would be a continuation of these communities. However, just as in life, we all take different directions so too do the communites. Therefore, with each course a new community is re-established and with each new community, a new group dynamic appears. In these communities, collaboration seems to be the element that makes things go. Without it, it would be static and uninteresting. This give and take thinking goes a long way in completing projects and assignments. Nevertheless in an environment such as this, having patience and being flexible to change are qualities that having an enduring affect on one's sanity.

The completion of the twelve (quarter credit course) will undoubtedly broadened my knowledge on what goes on in research - its design, implementation, compilation, and synthesis. My expertise as a new graduate will merely scratch the surface of what there is to know. However, truth to be told, learning on the job is probably what everyone does anyways. This is nothing new. As a teacher I am always learning on the job and doing my bit of action research. However, with this MED, I will no longer wary of what are the best practices and what constitutes good research. Therefore with this, my teaching will get and be better.