POST: EDUC 4151-Your first blog entry

Write an initial entry in your blog that answers these questions:

                          1. What goal would you like to meet with this blog?

I currently read the The Man Repeller fashion site. Leandra Medina and her team have a refreshing point of view of what fashion means to them. They are dressing for themselves and not for the opposite sex. Which can have an influence on the way people sometimes choose to dress. But if in fact they may want to dress a certain way that might entice the opposite sex it’s on their own terms. The choice of what is chosen to wear is self-empowerment and self-expression.

2.     How do you feel about your abilities as a blogger? Do you have any concerns?

I find myself using Twitter more than looking up blogs, as the blogs are available in one area and the bloggers link in the blog post to their Twitter. It is used for convenience factor instead of looking up each individual blog site I am interested in Twitter allows me to see the latest blog post as they Tweet about it.

The newness of blogging has made me to treat the posts as a narrative of my blogging journey. I would like to enjoy posting but right now my posts are influenced by the online course I am taking.

3.     Do you currently read any blogs? Why or why not?

I think eventually it would be nice to post more freely and would like to add humour and post insightful links to the blog.

Video- Hugh Jackman's Teacher Interview. College Humour. 2012. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fipSEmdj3i0&list=PL2yj7ZnpFPT6TJo5Np5LMUWHoeZ5b6bC6 

5 things to remember when teaching an online course

1.     Identify the technical equipment needed in your online course: computer, internet access, headset, applications needed to download (include instructions ask your IT dept to see if there are any made if not create easy to follow instructions). Provide technical information to the students this gives the students an understanding and confidence. Technical formalities should be dealt with before the course start time; therefore this will not be a roadblock for your students.

2.     Have a clear course outline/schedule of timeline, information covered, with Assignment due dates (Assignment criteria possibly attached in a hyperlink) and Assignment worth available in a handout form. Guide the students to know the biggest hurdle is managing and planning of their time in order to complete their assignments!

3.     Introduce yourself and let them know you will be available for them (state when you will be able to respond to their emails within a set time parameter) Acknowledge the success of an online course is highly dependant on the student who is organized and does the work. This is a good time to have the student introduce themselves. Students need to feel a sense of community this might be achieved by discussion forums. Easing into the course with introductions and why they are taking an online course may bring their ownership of the responsibility of online learning into the forefront.

4.     Have effective and dynamic activities (Link videos, websites that are interesting and relate to your course material) so the student’s will develop engagement in the course.

5.     Check in with the students to help mentor and motivate them. Provide feedback that is personalized, supportive and thoughtful. Which drives students to improve and seek out resources you have provided.