A Whole New World

I cannot believe it is over! What a semester this has been. I have been out of the classroom for more than 30 years. So many things have changed - yet so many things are the same. The most important part of this class was getting to know the other members of the class. I wouldn't have survived without them. Maybe I'll try another course later --- perhaps an EdS? Only time will tell. For now, I am grateful for the experience and the new knowledge. A whole new world has been opened to me. Thanks for all of you who shared this experience with me!

Time Flies - when you're having fun!

Where has this semester gone? I cannot believe I have survived and that it will all be over on Saturday. At the beginning of the semester, I was excited and nervous. By the middle of the semester, I was scared. Now I'm relieved and sad that it is coming to an end.

I had no idea what I was doing in this course and if I'd ever be able to complete a project. Sure, I was having fun waundering around AET Zone, but was I accomplishing anything? It certainly didn't seem like it. I read the chapters in the book. I read all the discussion submissions and when I thought I had a new idea or opinion, I responded. I scanned most of the blogs. Some of them were very interesting and others were way over my head. As the time passed, I felt that I came to know some of the class members, without ever meeting them. I couldn't put names with faces -- not even for the people meeting here in Hickory. I still had a sense of what they were feeling about the class and our projects.

Early in the semester, many of us felt lost. There was comfort in knowing I wasn't alone. In a "normal" class, I may not have been able to learn the thoughts of the others in the class. Blogging seemed natural for me. I've kept journals at various times in my life, so why not now. By having the blogs and discussion boards, I could "eavesdrop" on all of the other students. I could express my feeling about the class -- since I felt unable to understand all the jargon used by educators. After all, I am a counselor and feeling come more easily.

After one of my first blogs, I had a comment. The person who responded was not from our class. It felt strange to know that anyone in the world with a computer could read what I was writing. It inhibited me for a few days and then I just forgot about it. If anyone is that bored, let them read.

The learning sets were frustrating and supporting. Trying to communicate using the coffee house never seemed to work. Sitting on a sofa, in the same room worked much better. We tried to use the new technology. We gave up! I'm sure if the members of our group had been dispersed across the state, we would have tried harder. Since we live near by and work on the same campus, it was just easier and more productive to meet face-to-face. Eventually, we did go the AET Zone together, but we usually connected by phone as well. We used the technology available to us in a way that was comfortable to us (Since we are all Digital Immigrants!)

I am working on my assessment task. In many ways it is just another journal entry with a couple of references documented. As I re-read it and prepare to print out the final copy, I can see that this has been a wonderful learning experience for me. The relationships are invaluable. The new resources are still overwhelming, but now that the class is coming to an end, I can spend some time touring around and completing my next project. There are certainly many ways to use multimedia that I will not use. There are other ways that I will try to implement into my work (with the help of our tech staff). I have a better understanding of action learning and I appreciate the concept of social constructivism. I know it would not have worked for me at an earlier point in my life, but it was a great way to learn this semester.

Thanks to all who contributed to my experience. I know I won't put this portfolio on the shelf and forget it.

I'll see you in the Zone -- since we get to keep our access.

Alien vs. Immigrant

I really enjoyed reading the article about digital natives vs. immigrants. At best I am an immigrant and sometimes I feel like an alien. During class we talked about the way young people are being raised and how it impacts not only the way teachers try to reach and connect to them in class but also everything they experience in their lives. I realize that I have strong opinions about families and the way our society has changed over the years. As I child, I often dreaded being called to the dinner table and having to answer questions about my day at school. I remember that it was a rare occassion when we were allowed to take our plate and move to the room with the TV (Black and white with rabbit ears, no less). I remember that the telephone was left unanswered many times - knowing that if it was really important, they would call back. Family time was a priority and valued. My parents made the same commitment as the kids, dinner was "our time."

Now as an adult, I realize that we were the Cleaver family. We were the lucky ones. My mom was always home when we got there. She helped us with homework and prepared our dinner. Our extracurricular activities were limited to weekends and one night per week. Not everyone valued that time together, but my parents did.

Today families pass in the driveway while one child goes to practice and another returns from dance lessons. Parents are chauffers and kids are so busy they stay connected by using cell phones and pagers. Kids can't wait to get their own cars so they can move around without parents. Often parents are not home to help with homework. Rarely, is a child "un-connected" from others through some type of electronic device -- but they also don't seem to talk (face-to-face) with anyone.

How does all this impact the way we teach and the way we learn? Are their brains really wired differently? Do they learn while listening to music, talking on the phone and watching TV? If we use action learning with them, can they really do all those things and still learn from the process? I hope so! I'm counting on these kids to take care of me in the future. I want to know that the doctors and nurses can calculate the correct amount of medicine I need. I want to know that the mechanic knows how to fix my car with or without hooking it up to a diagnostic machine. I want the clerk at the store to know how to make change. Most of all, I want to be treated like a human being with feeling -- not an interruption to their busy life!

Rushing around, multi-tasking may be the norm for kids, but I 'm still working primarily with adults (other immigrants). Instructors who use all the technology in their teaching may contribute to the fear of adults returning to the classroom. Helping adults return -- encouraging them to spend time on a computer, searching the internet, writing blogs, participating in discussion boards -- is valuable. It will help them communicate better with younger co-workers, their children, each other. It may also scare them right out of the room. Maybe we need TSL (Technology as a Second Language) classes. Originally, I thought about doing a project where adults could practice on the computers and become familiar with the current technologies available to them. I can still use these ideas in my work -- using the kiosk in the lobby, they can practice getting on the internet. Now that I am more familiar with some of the tools available I will be more prepared to direct them. This may end up being my next project - after the class is completed.

For now, I'm still an immigrant. I'm waiting for my visa to allow me to stay --- knowing that I may be deported at any moment! My bags are packed, just in case.

WHY? Does any of this really matter?

This has been a horrible month! I can't wait for it to end. This may not be an appropriate forum for this so I apologize in advance.

Early in October, my best friend was disagnosed with breast cancer. Why? She has always been healthy. She's the 3rd generation to have the disease! Last week she had both breasts removed and hopes with some chemotherapy she will live cancer free. I pray for her health - and my own, since none of us knows what tomorrow will bring.

On Oct. 6, my parents (87 and 85) celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Following that milestone, my father's health has continued to decline to the point where they can no longer stay at home without help. He called me wanting to go to the hospital so he could rest and "feel better". After his plea, I began the search to find an assisted living facility for them-- selling our family home, if necessary -- so that they would be safe and still be together. I'm afraid that they will hurt themselves while we begin our search for reliable help or a safe place. I'm still doing my research on possible facilities - it's just a matter of days before he won't be able to stay at home. Why me?

On Sunday, October 22, a 51 year old friend at church who never smoked died of lung cancer. She first became aware of the cancer in April and now she is gone. She worked at our church in Children's Ministry. She loved God, her family and all the children of the church. She was the mother hen who protected all those who couldn't take care of themselves. She leaves 2 daughters, a husband and all her friends asking - WHY?

So needless to say, my priorities and concerns have been on things besides this class and my project. In the big picture, does any of this really matter? I have learned so many things in this class about the action learning process, about using technology, about being an adult learner, about time constraints. What I'm learning is also that priorities may change but I have to keep going forward. Please understand that I am struggling just to keep up with the "necessities" in life. I've made the commitment to myself to continue to learn, to be involved in the process and to grow. Will I complete a project? Only time will tell. That is still my goal.

Soon everything will be better. My life is no different from any other adult who is trying to work, take classes and still maintain a life with my family.

Help! I'm floating and I can't get down.......

The other day our learning set was playing in the zone - trying new things and seeing what our avatars could do. All of a sudden, I was floating in the air and everytime I moved the mouse, I would spin around. Most of my life I've had a recurring dream about being able to float - or at least leap into the air and fly (like I was weightless). This reminded me of my dream. At first it was fun to float and spin, then I realized that I couldn't get back to the ground and I wasn't able to communicate with my group. None of the keystrokes worked and the mouse just spun "me" around. Finally, with a little help from a friend, I learned to hit Esc - and all the chaos ended. I learned something new today - don't hit the freelook mode and if you do, there is a way to escape!

I think this experience is similar to what I feel sometimes in this class. Sometimes I just want to push all the different keys (ie. try out new ideas and experience new things) and see where it takes me. I'm enjoying the active world and all the ways I can learn. The technology adds an extra dimension to the learning - a new toy. It can be fun for a little while but eventually, I don't know where I am or how to get home. I want to hit escape and go back to things that I understand and know how to control. I like to talk with people - hear the tone of their voice, see the body language and watch the expression. I feel like I am getting to know some of the members of the class - by reading the blogs and discussion forums. There is comfort in knowing that there is a group of people who will help me find the way back; back to my comfort zone.

I am not trained as an educator. I am not versed in the various pedagogy. Most of the theories mentioned in class are new to me. I hear (read) the terms or names and then have to do research to understand the concept. My background is in counseling. I work with individuals most of the time, not groups. I don't teach as much as I encourage others to find the correct answer for themselves. I provide resources, not solutions. Helping others grow and expand their knowledge so they can develop their own path - that's my job.

This class is sometimes like an out-of-body experience. I feel like I am just floating around watching the world go by -- not really part of it and certainly not grounded. I'm just floating and spinning and trying to find the escape key! Other times, I know I am learning, building new relationships and expanding my knowledge so that I can be a better resource for others. That is what it's all about.

Great expectations

HE 5050 - I've learned more than I expected - about myself and adult learning experiences.

Initially, I decided to take a course so that I could relate better to the adults who come to my office for assistance. Many of them have been out of the classroom for a number of years. I suspect that some of them were marginally successful in high school or college so they are hesitant to take the leap and try again. I considered a class from the community college (free tuition) or one of the classes offered by ASU at HMHEC. First, I had to find a class that would not conflict with my work schedule and my "other time commitments" like church, parents, Rotary, sleep, etc. This is the same for almost everyone who comes to my office. I have access to the names of the courses offered by ASU early in the year and when I saw HE 5050 I thought it might be interesting. I called Sandy and asked about the process and before I knew it, I was registered. The process was easy - especially with a little help from my friends.

The first night of class I felt like the new kid who just moved to town. I recognized several of the students. They are continuing with classes in their cohort. They thought I was there to welcome them back for another semester --- what a surprise to find out I wasn't leaving! It was exciting and it also made me nervous to actually be back in a classroom after 20+ years.

Moving to the computer lab and beginning to immediately learn about the "new world" made it all real. I felt lost! Information overload. Fortunately, I took lots of notes -wrote down user names and passwords - and enough key words to keep up with everyone else. By the end of the evening, I was excited about this new world and feeling overwhelmed by the experience. I immediately went to my office to download AET Zone - before I forgot how to do it.

By the end of the second day, I was fairly confident that the technology would not be a significant hindrence for me but all the background theories and terminology were missing from my database. As other students listed theories, technologies and attributes of adult learners, I sat quietly --- trying to assimilate all the new names and terms. Time for homework! I ordered the text, began reading and started to feel more comfortable. Reading all the blogs and the discussions added to my sense that most of us in the class were "in the same boat". We were all floundering around -looking for guidance and finding support from each other. That was part of the process, but it made me uncomfortable, especially when I read that "I will let you sink" (which turned out to be a typo -- not was missing!)

By the time the class met for the third time, I was again feeling comfortable with my decision to return to the classroom. I have gained so much by getting to know my classmates. The action learning process has been a valuable tool - both for building those relationships and for learning. I have felt the frustration of getting lost and I have felt the pride of figuring it out (with help or by myself). I still did not have all the names and faces matched up, but I wasn't a total stranger.

The semester is not over yet. I expect to continue to build on what I have learned about my project and the technologies available to assist me as a facilitator and instructor. I know I will be a much better counselor --- I have experienced life as a student again. I am surviving! This class is the best of both worlds. We meet together and we also communicate using the available technologies. I will be able to help others talk about their fears and I'll be able to share my experience with them. I may even show them around the commons!

Now, back to the book and on with my project. This semester will be over too quickly. I have to get this done!

So that's what you look like.....

Today I met one of my Boone classmates. It was great to see her face. From now on I'll have a new appreciation for her comments and blogs. She and I will be dealing with some of the same students as ASU begins to provide more services for the off-campus programs, especially the new undergraduate full-time, daytime programs. I look forward to finding out more about her project and the impact it will have on the students here and at the other sites. I wonder how many on-campus students will also use her program --- especially since they may be more tech savvy than some of the off-campus students who are still be living at home.

Anyway, just another plus for taking this class. I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the group in December. I am enjoying the AET Zone and all the possibilities for doing research and just playing in the commons, but I know the most important part of this educational experience for me is still meeting the members of the class and hopefully getting to know them. I cannot imagine a class that meets totally on-line without some face-to-face interaction. We are all using technology that was used on Star Trek and the Jetsons for our work and in our daily lives. Who knew that a tricorder would become a cell phone with GPS? Only Gene Rodenberry! As long as it is a supplement to our interactions and isn't the replacement, I guess I can live with it. Sometimes it feels like it isn't real when I can't see, hear or touch. Interaction and learning for me includes all of my senses --- again, this may be because of my counseling background, or just my age. I am too easily distracted with all the gadgets.

So for now, I'll enjoy this new world and look forward to adding new voices and human faces to the avatars in December.