In our ONL group, we have discussed a lot about the mutual feeling we seem to have: none of us is really comfortable with writing blogs or sharing personal thoughts or ideas with the unknown audience of the cyber world. We started to think that what is behind that uncomfortable feeling and how could we get a grasp of it.

For me personally it might be the idea that somebody who doesn’t really know me would judge me based on how I write about my ideas. First of all, English is not my native language and it shows in writing. When I’m talking with real people I can see the couragement from their faces and maybe be braver than I truly am. Also the fact that I have a terrible sense of humour, like many or most of us probably have. When I’m in face-to-face situation I can always explain my bad jokes if I see that questioning look on the other’s face. When I’m writing publicly I kind of get only one chance to express myself in a right way.

There is also the dimension that for me writing has been a very private way of sharing my thoughts. I didn’t even like it in the school as a kid when the teacher would pick my essay and read it aloud to the whole class. It is hard for me to write in general, although I have been writing a journal in all of the difficalt situations I’ve faced to help me get through the rough times. Writing is something that is for myself and if I have to, maybe for the teacher. But when I’m talking I don’t care so much. I tend to “let frogs out of my mouth” but I’m okay with that and don’t get too embarressed any more when it happens.

My bad habit is being self-conscious (in a bad way) and over-analysing of my behaviour and how others may interpret it. Maybe that is why I’m loving the fact that I’m in this kind of course where I need to overcome my mental barriers and just do stuff without thinking about it too much.

In our group, we were also thinking about that “How could we create an open atmosphere in online courses”. Based on the literature I have read (thank you from great links and articles to my group) I think that creating an open atmosphere demands more from the teachers or facilitators than in face-to-face teaching. Actually, the methods might be quite obvious, but paying attention to details and individuals is important. Maybe that is the key: when studying in an online course, one might fear to be invisible or unnoticeable. When we are visible and have the feeling of being seen by the others, we are part of the class, course or community.

Thank you David and Lina for supporting us on our way.