Wow! I am really beginning to be able to visualize what my completed course will look like to my students. I feel so much differently with this course creation than I have with other online environments that I have created such as Webquests. I find myself standing up for e-learning in conversations with my colleagues. Many people claim that online classes cause them to feel disconnected. I disagree! I feel very connected in this course. I really believe this is a result of the eTools that are used in this course as well as those built into the courses we are creating.
I feel a bit naïve to admit it, but I did not know that there were online equivalents to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I had used Google Docs before when multiple people were in need of accessing the same document, but I never made the comparison to Word or considered that it could replace it. I am sure there are other people in my district who lack this information or the ease of its use. I am excited to contribute in the upcoming technology conversations by suggesting Google Docs and Google Presentations instead of spending the money to upgrade to the newest version of Microsoft Office.
As I come to the end of my course creation, I am constantly reminding myself to choose and create purposeful activities for my Wiki and not just find tasks that will work. It is a bit strange to create activities to fit this mode of delivery and also meet my objectives. Previously, I had objectives, created an activity, and then decided how the information would be presented. I have this etched in my brain so that my course remains purposeful and not just an excuse to use technology.
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