Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

Over the past few weeks in NTI we have experimented with both synchronous and asynchronous learning. In my opinion, both have their pros and cons.

To start, I enjoy working asynchronous and being able to do the work on my own time. This allows me to have a more flexible schedule and to work at my own pace. Sometime in a synchronous classroom I find myself becoming disinterested if I understand the material and the class is not moving on yet. With asynchronous I am able to work at my own pace: either fly through it if the lesson comes easy to me or take the time to do more research if I have trouble understanding.

On the other hand, I also enjoy synchronous learning because the classroom environment is traditional. It gives me the opportunity to hear ideas from others which I may not have thought of on my own. It also give me access to the teacher. Another positive to the synchronous classroom is the accountability of getting work done on time. Sometimes working in an asynchronous environment I find myself (not necessarily procrastinating but instead) getting distracted by my teaching job and all the work it requires. When I don't have to be in class at a certain time, sometimes I forget about the assignments which needs to be done on my own time.

I know this is not what you are looking for, but my answer is: no answer. I like both methods, but I think too much of any one thing can be a bad thing. So, maybe a combination is a good way to reach the most students.

Thanks for reading!
Anna Miller

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I agree with you, Anna. Though I think I learn better in a synchronous setting due to the collaborative and social elements, I enjoy working alone and at my own pace. I think you are correct in saying a mix of the two is the best approach.