Elizabeth Klammer Reflection Paper Texas Tech University November 29, 2013

The Learning Experiences, The Challenges and Applications of EDIT 5370 The textbook, Teaching and Learning at a Distance was the tool that opened my eyes to the perspective of the distant educator. As a student who has experienced distance education through Southern Methodist University and presently, Texas Tech University, I have realized that there is a great amount of time preparation and management required in the implementation of an excellent distant education course. Through this course, I have had the dual role of student and future virtual educator, by generating lesson plans and management documents for distance education courses. A Texas Tech professor reminded me this summer of the importance of "framework" in future research for my distance education coursework. The relevance of knowing part one is vital for my future research in global distance education. Chapter one and chapter two of the textbook gave me my framework for the foundations of distance education and Chapter two gave a strong background of the history and theories of distance education. Chapter three gave me the "big three", which are learning, time and collaboration. My biggest challenge was time management. The information on time management is the most crucial for me to be a successful learner. Chapter seven was very helpful in realizing that the questions that students in the textbook asked, were my own. It emphasized the importance of learner responsibility. If you have a problem, you work on it. I have found that

creating a binder and calendar for each class works well for me. I am an older student, a digital immigrant and need the feel of paper. When I am through with the assignment, I check it off. Presently, I am taking three online courses for my graduate work in science education. At times I feel overwhelmed, but have found that if I do a little each day, I do not have the Sunday or Tuesday night "OMG's". The opportunities to share information or viewpoints on discussion boards provides students solace in knowing that they are not alone. The discussion board provided a great way to commiserate and respectfully challenge other students on academic ideas. I was amazed to see so many different perspectives on the same concept. The only challenge as an older adult, was to remember to add and reply to others on the board. There was a point in the course when my mindset turned from student to future virtual educator. I was creating lessons and making management tools for distance education. I began to think as a distance educator and how I would apply this to my own future classroom and my PhD dissertation. My advisor, Dr. Walter Smith, is leading cohort one into global distance education for science educators. The textbook, Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds is a great companion to Teaching and Learning at a Distance. Both books have sections information about asynchronous and synchronous learning and how to apply them to distance education. As educators we are transforming our students into "digital citizens". The turning point for me was module 8, when I had to create an online course by taking my curriculum and turning them into learning modules and units. My mind adjusted to the viewpoint of the distance educator or "digital instructor".

I have found that the field of education is an ever evolving one, as a teacher, "you adapt or die". Meaning, one must keep up with new technology skills and pedagogy or you will be replaced in the workforce. As an educator who has the task of creating students with 21st century skills and adhering to the Next Generation of Science Standards, this coursework has given me insight on how to implement distance education into possible hybrid programs on a high school or university level. The idea of "flip classrooms" allow students to go online and do their coursework in their own home. The class time is then used for answering questions, expanding concepts and enrichment. As a future college or university professor, I see that the job market is offering positions as "virtual teacher or instructor". Most major universities are offering distance education and are in need of qualified educators to fill the positions of director of online curriculum, technology managers and course instructors. The Department of Defense (DOD) recently had a posting for a virtual teacher in biology for their overseas schools in Germany and Japan. The onset of virtual charter schools has exploded and there are many opportunities in that area. The most popular is the Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academy, which is "popping up" in major cities around the United States. This academy serves lower income students in large metropolitan areas who are not achieving success in the traditional classroom. In conclusion, I feel that the major application that I will take away from this class is the understanding of the preparation it takes to create an online course. The preparing of the course material and how it is to be transmitted to the students. The knowledge of what would be the best digital vehicle will carry the information. I also appreciate the confirmation of my feelings of a distance student being validated in the course readings. I am not alone in cyberspace and now have the tools to become a better distance learner and future DL instructor.