Response To The Online Class (1/10/11)

1/15/11
Seanne Danielak
Student ID Number: 0000499631
Response to Monday Night's Class
EDU 590 - Professor: Mr. Bruce Umpstead

I have just finished listening to an MP3 recording of the online Wimba class due to a late registration into this course. The problem of enrollment was a miscommunication on my end. While typing out all of the information during the online registration, I must have switched a few dates around and it caused me to believe that the course registration agreement had to be submitted by January 10th. It was when I sent my information to Kendra Brown that day when I was informed that the class had already started. I was still able to join the cohort, but it was Tuesday by the time I was able to log into blackboard to receive all of the information. I noticed that I missed this online class the evening before, and that there was already quite a few assignments to do. I am determined to stay in the class and catch up to everyone this week though. It is exciting to be able to participate in such an exciting program!

I found the recording to be very useful and interesting. I completed the first assignment and realized that if I had just listened to the recording of the class in the first place, I would have avoided a lot of time spent doing the wrong assignment. That is one lesson that I have already learned by taking this course. "Tricking the computer" was not exactly my goal throughout the assignment and I may have learned to pay a bit more attention to details when reading the assignments as well. Also, there was information that was shared during the broadcast that I was unaware of and would like to share it here. I had no idea that every school in the state of Michigan is required to have a technology plan that is approved by the state in order to receive their Internet services at a discounted rate. I also found it interesting when Mr. Umpstead said "Your job is to learn, and my job is to facilitate the learning". I have not been exposed very much to this teaching style as a student, so I am interested in the teaching and learning process as well this semester.

I am very excited to be able to use computer and Internet resources better as someone brought up during the class on Monday. Also, ways to incorporate these ideas into my own classroom is also something I am looking forward to. It is nice to know that a lot of us have the same excitement in many of the same areas.

It was rather difficult to hear Mr. Umpstead due to the "vaccume" noise in the background. Also, whenever any of the students asked a question, there was quite an echo and they were extremely hard to understand as well. Other than those small issues, listening to the recording was very informative and I appreciated being able to understand the class a bit better through that experience.

Thank you for allowing me to share my feelings about Monday night's class.