Online vs. Traditional face-to-face Coursework

When I tell people that I am working on my Master's degree online, I am met with mixed responses. However, the most common response is not exactly positive. "I don't know how you do that." "I would be too scared of working entirely online." "Ewww. How do you like that?"

Their reactions have forced me to evaluate why I like online courses. First of all, I think there is more collaboration as an entire class for online classes. For face-to-face classes, I might be able to see examples from a small handful of my classmates. For my online classes, I get to see the examples posted by ALL of my classmates. I think it gives me a more broad "bag of tricks" as examples to use in my classroom.

Second of all, I like the flexibility of online classes. I do not have the same day each week that is "free"...some weeks my free day is Monday...it's Wednesday for another week. I would have a difficult time devoting the same day and time each week to attending a face-to-face class. If I have time at 9:30 on a Tuesday night available to work or 11:30 on a Sunday morning, I can work on my course work when it is convenient for me.

In addition to these benefits, I like no having to devote time to drive to class, park my car, walk to the classroom. Yes, I do believe that there is a bit more writing that is designed to replace the classroom discussions that would occur in the face-to-face classroom. Yes, there are times in which something can be misinterpreted online because of the lack of face-to-face nonverbal clues. Yes, there are times when I feel less support because I cannot just stay after class to ask a question of the instructor. However, overall, I like taking online classes. They just fit my current lifestyle...after all, while taking three classes this summer, I was still able to go on vacation for two weeks with me family--a distinct perk! That definitely would not happen with a face-to-face class!

Homework on a Friday night?

As I work on next week's homework on a Friday night, I am hit with a question...when on Earth did I get to the point at which I don't mind working on homework on a Friday night? And not just working on homework on a Friday...I am actually trying to work ahead! Plus, this is the second Friday night in a row that I have found myself working on homework. My younger self would have referred to me as a "LOSER"!!

This would be yet another example of how I think I am finally growing up. I have noticed that my taste buds have matured. I now like vegetables when I did not before. I cannot really tolerate MTV anymore...Food Network and TLC are more my speed now. I traded in my 2-door Grand Prix for an SUV. I have Disney songs in the CD player in my vehicle...and I think the DVD player was a much better option than the sunroof.

I wish I could pinpoint when exactly this all happened; however, it was quite gradual...first the food, then TV...then my daughter came along. If that doesn't change your life, nothing will.

I do take comfort in the fact that I can still sneak a little Bon Jovi in the car every once in a while...nurtures my younger self a little bit! :)

Here is an iMovie I made with my computers class. Of course, it's of photos of my daughter, McKenzie. I never pass up a chance to show her off!

I hope attaching this file works!! :)
Kate

Overwhelmed...

I am feeling quite overwhelmed. Besides taking three classes this summer, I have been at a conference for three days. That conference was immediately followed by a week-long vacation with my husband's family. Trying to balance vacation with homework assignments was something that I struggled with. Now I am spending a few days with my family. Hopefully the balance works better once I get back to "normal"...whatever that is with a three-year-old at home... :)