I picked a picture of a marathoner, because even though it was several years since I ran my last marathon, I still identify myself as a long distance runner and I know that finish line. Over the years, we all reach finish lines of various kinds. We finish school, we finish three spoons of sugar in our tea, we finish that novel in French (which was a struggle), and some of us are just about to finish the online network course we signed up for a few months ago (now it seems like yesterday!). These “finishes” are all achievements. It feels good to be there, at the end of the road, but at the same time, a bit sad, and as if we just started and this end is just the beginning.

For me, this has been an experience with certain keywords,

• Inspiration
• Reflection (lots)
• Cohesion
• New tools

There has been continuous inspiration at this course, from the very first zoom meeting with ‘speed dating’ with colleagues around the world to collaborating with the PBL group, using FISh document, investigating different perspectives, take part in webinars, learn new theories and tools, tweet chats, and blogging. Most of all, I have personally spent immense time reflecting on the topics, on group dynamics, what devices to use and why, just mentioning a few things. Now, when it’s time to sum up (I’m still digesting) these weeks of learning, I see the well thought-out course design. Progressively we are all guided on a path that leads not to a Dantesque inferno, but a road with forks that let us look back and connect while we continue our promenade ahead (sometimes we run). I’m truly impressed with this course design, its clear cohesion, and even though I sometimes have felt that the amount of time has not enough (our meetings for example), I realise that this is not the end of my own learning, rather a departure point. My fourth keyword is new tools and even though my group did not try a great variation of tools, I have started to do it on my own. Prezi, padlet, Miro, mentimeter, memes, blog, etc.). Learning to use new tools and devices takes time and patience is needed, but it’s great fun too. And uplifting!

• 

What will I do with all this – how will my learning influence my practice? I was very much open to online learning tools even before the course, but I only occasionally used synchronous activities on my online teaching. I had a wide range of activities, but never showed my face. I will change the design of my online courses in an attempt to create a balance of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Moreover, since I now dare to be a little bit more visible I will make a video presentation showing my face; I will offer live chats at the beginning of my course and an optional big zoom meeting where all new students can meet each other before the course begins. Among other things.

In the autumn, I will have a campus course which I already know will be a “hybrid” with a mix of campus classroom and online teaching which I think is brilliant – I hope to create the best of two worlds. Furthermore, I will give an online workshop/inspiration presentation in September to my colleagues at the department. The aim is to increase the quality of our online courses.

This has been an intense, sometimes challenging, and exceedingly inspiring course and journey. I would also like to thank facilitators and group members, teachers and everyone involved in the work with this course.

Thank you!

/Nina