Participate

As I reflect on completing participate, I feel it has been very informative.  I plan to adhere to the standards for Quality Online Teaching published  by the International association for Online Learning. 

How has the Participate module prepared you to meet each standard listed above?

Participate has helped me to plan and design. It has given me a chance to complete different learning activities which I can in turn use in an online classroom.  I learned about digital learning communities and how they work.  The Netiquette is helpful in teaching the "dos"and "don'ts" of internet usage.  All these tools help me to achieve standard C.  
Standard E states:  the online teacher models, guides, and encourages legal, ethical, and safe behavior related to technology use. Participate helped me to explore and learn about this standard with Digital Rights and Responsibilities.  Intellectual property is still property and should not be used without permission.  I was learned about AUPs and was able to formulate a plan to help students understand this.  Students need to be taught that just because they can access information, it does not belong to them.  I came up with a plan which including teaching students and then having them to sign a written agreement showing understanding and willingness to comply. I was able to produce a digital slide show to show students about internet safety. This can be used in the digital classroom and then stored for a reference.   Standard states: 
the online teacher interacts in a professional, effective manner with colleagues, parents, and other members of the community to support students’ success. Participate has helped prepare me for this standard by having me to build a blog and use different types of tools to communicate.  I learned to make a digital poster and share it with others.  I also learned to communicate with a calendar. Netiquette is also used when communicating with all in the digital learning community.  The poster shows what the "dos and don'ts" of communicating on the internet.  It has taught me how to convey tone and communicate clearly. When teaching online, the information must be clear so that all involved know exactly what to do.  As I was working on Participate, it seemed challenging, but I appreciate all that I have  accomplished after reading the standards for quality online teaching. 


What strategies will you take away from the Participate module and apply to your teaching? 

I will take away the strategy of teaching safety and security.  I feel that students can never be taught enough about how to keep themselves out of harms way.  I will stress that once they write or post it is permanent and for the public.  I will also teach with tools such as digital posters and web quest. I will also share the different sites which I was able to learn about during the different walk-abouts on the web and when completing the module such as OnGuardOnline, Cyberbullying Research and A Thin Line.  These are sites which I can share with my online students.  When students do research, it tends to stay with them because they make the discovery.  I will be able to teach them about finding and using reputable digital resources. I will apply the strategies  about digital citizenship, literacy, and civility which I was able to demonstrate during the participate module.  


What lessons were most beneficial for you?

The lessons most beneficial to me were Digital Rights and Responsibilities and Digital Health.  I was able to appreciate that even in a digital community we all have rights and responsibilities which will make things runs smoothly.  We have to give credit where credit is due and this helps to protect the intellectual property of ourselves and others.  Digital health allows teachers and students to maintain a good well being.  One must have balance, even in the digital world. Planning is important in maintaining digital health.  If we have a plan to walk, sit up straight, silence our phones, or even have lunch with friends we will follow through.  I was able to place my plans on a calendar to review and to serve as a reminder.  I will teach my students to be proactive when it comes to digital heath by scheduling, implementing, and documenting the plan.  This will ensure good mental and physical heath as well.