During our last class, we were instructed to meet online at "Elluminate Live!" I had never participated in an online class before and was very nervous. First, I had to go to the computer lab and ask for a headset (with attached microphone) and go to the "back room" so that I would not bother anyone else. I hooked the headset up with no problems and logged in to the class with ease. I was extremely apprehensive about talking into the microphone, and actually considered going through the class pretending like it didn't work. :-) I got over it though. As the class began, our teacher explained the basics and got us started with the discussion. It was too easy. I really enjoyed the online class. Previously, because I had never participated, I would never have signed up for a completely online course. I thought the experience was great and will search for online programs in the future. (This is my last semester in my specialist program, so if I decide to get an add-on in administration or a PhD, I will look for online programs.) For me it is much better than sitting in a classroom. I personally get just as much out of sitting in a classroom as I did with the online class. Because I have MAJOR ADD tendencies, I often feel extremely rude sitting in a class. In my teaching, I try to allow my students more flexibility in their need for movement and freedom because of this. I am able to pay attention to an instructor or anyone and do something else at the same time. However, I often struggle to sit still and focus to show respect for the teacher or speaker. I really enjoyed the Elluminate Live session, and would be happy to participate in more sessions like that one.
posted by Kristina @ 9:12 AM
2 Comments:
At 12:23 PM,
Dr. Laurie Brantley-Dias said…
Hi Kristina,
I'm glad that you enjoyed our Eluminate Live session. We'll do another one at the end of the semester.
If you need to get up and move...do it. Living with someone with ADD, I know it's critical to change things up at times.
What strategies could we use in our class for ADD students? I'm also wondering about special strategies for online activities...thoughts?
At 6:58 PM,
Kristina said…
As a teacher, it can be difficult to understand when your students seem to be doing something that is rude and disrespectful. In a computer lab setting, ADD students might seem to be wandering or surfing the internet aimlessly, when in reality they can focus on more than one thing at a time. As long as a student can answer a question when I ask it, I am okay. However, when a student begins to lose focus on what is important, they need to be redirected. For online activities, students need to have freedom to browse sites that are suggested as well as sites that they can find on their own. Students need to be given small breaks so that they can do something else on the computer or take a quick restroom break. The main thing that I can think of to use in my classes is to keep things changing and not to have any type of task last more than 15 to 20 minutes.
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