SiteMap

In and Out Online by Dennis O'Connor

My first online learning experiences were failures. I was involved in a project building writing curriculum with the Milken Family Foundation. The ideas I favored weren't adopted by the group and I grew lukewarm to the concept. I opted out of the online follow up and drifted away. Later when the project was a great success, I regretted removing myself from the loop.

When the opportunity to join an onine project based on the International Society for Technology / NETS project presented itself, I saw it as a chance to become part of a powerful nation wide initiative. The online course (again sponsored by the Milkens) lasted all summer long. I started strong and then stumbled badly.

There was an online chat scheduled every Monday. I was unexpectedly away from home (and my computer) and missed a Monday meeting. I felt out of it, but went online and did the reading and responding. The following Monday I simply forgot about the meeting. Soon I was four weeks behind and racked with guilt.

It would have been so easy to just fade away... distance learning seems to make it easier to fade. Then I did something that changed my life, although I didn't know it at the time. I returned to class and asked to rejoin. I was met with such warmth and understanding that I became inspired and finished the course by giving it everything I had. That experience lead to being asked to help write the NETS for students curriculum.

Once that domino dropped a series of events lead me to... right here! I became addicted to online teaching and learning. I earned a new degree, and eventually left traditional teaching to work here (online) full time.

I try very hard to help every learner feel included. In no small part because I once felt excluded and was welcomed back with joy and acceptance.