… and so we are at the end of the journey, or at least for the ONL experience. This post should be an opportunity to look back and reflect on what this course has provided to me in my career learning path. Therefore, let me try to summarize.
First of all, this course was a completely different adventure compared to any other class I took as a student or taught as an instructor. At the beginning of the course, I expected a class more oriented toward online technology and opportunities. This feeling was somewhat intimidating. Next, after the first couple of meetings in my group, I was under the impression of a strong need for coordination and solid collaboration. Yes, collaboration was essential and improved session by session. The collaboration allowed us to approach new tools with less stress, and we learned from each other. More specific for my case was the work performed on blended learning, as the last course I taught was taken as an example of successful blended teaching.
How to turn all this worthwhile effort into practice? Learning by doing with others was an essential part of ONL. This strategy is something that I plan to implement in my teaching practice, promoting more collaborative cooperation among students in their homework, assignments, projects, and possibly, assessments and exams. Collaborative groups can accomplish their duties much more efficiently, faster, and creative way than working alone. This process involves a blend of individual skills and team chemistry. In addition, this ONL class could provide us with the students’ perspectives. We all were students at least once in our past, but this experience has put us in the shoes of current students; they might not necessarily approach their learning the same way we were used to.
Technology was also an important component of the ONL course. However, I have not perceived any change in my approach and how to use it in my teaching. I have already organized blended/hy-flex (hybrid-flexible) courses. Different classroom technology and teaching tools are already partially embedded in my courses. I would expect more consistently equipped classrooms for this type of teaching. Students would significantly benefit from the possibility of attending courses in different modes, making teaching and learning opportunities more accessible and in the perspective of equity of education.
As a result of my participation in this ONL course, I would like to encourage my students and research group to consider participating in this class. I will prepare a video to present my experience and what I did and learned and share it with them. In addition, I will ask students in my courses to prepare a single blog through which to receive feedback.
Overall, attending this ONL course was a beneficial journey, with some bumps here and there as we lost some group members during the different legs toward the finish line. Too bad!. However, it was an experience with plenty of fun, allowing me to know people from all over the globe and preparing me for the next career goal.
