Well today marks the end of the second week of the fall semester. It's a little odd being both a student and an instructor this semester, but I'm enjoying it. I figure that taking classes will help me connect better with my students and better understand their academic needs and concerns. My TR a.m. section of 112 is going smoothly. My only concern is the diffidence I've witnessed so far in almost everyone but the front row. It is, however, only the second week, so my hope is that everyone will become comfortable enough with me and their peers to engage in discussion.
My online section is what has been causing me the most frustration. My literacy with computer technology is above average but I've basically just learned what I needed whenever it became necessary. Teaching this course has already presented me with deficiencies in this area of my own personal education. I want to serve my students in ways that most effective and which create an environment conducive to collaborative learning. In addition to my own technological challenges, some of my students are experiencing mini meltdowns, I fear. I've been trying to assuage their anxiety, but I'm not sure how effective I'm been in that endeavor. I can only hope that as the semester progresses, I'll get better at leading a group of 60 students through the course material in this virtual environment.
