I have learned a lot about myself from this course. I learned that I need to practice better study habits. I also learned that putting in the time upfront, actually pays off in the end. One of the most important things that I learned to me, is that I really like this field. I appreciate the dialogue and conversation that this course brings me. I wish I was more 'put together' so that I could be more of an active participant, but that is all in hindsight now. From this course, I learned how I would actually like to operate my own course - as a conversation. It helps the process of learning with others. Also, my lack of participation online makes me feel like I am alone in class when the truth is, I am not. This semester was a true test of me as a student, but given the fact that I continued on, made me feel a lot better. I do not have to be alone in an online environment and I think that is the greatest lesson I have learned in my first year of an online master's program.

Instructors

This week I started to think more about the instructors than myself for a change (this is a first). I know a lot of instructors, teachers, or professors that teach in an online environment. Unfortunately, I always here them sort of complaining about students and excuses, the larger class sizes and also how some people just don't get what they are trying to do. Although this may appear as just complaining on the outside, it is their way of exchanging ideas best practices and the like about their job. A lot has changed for the instructor in this day of online education. Students are older and expect to be catered to more. Time feels neverending because in an online environment school is always open. But what about the instructor. The class sizes have increased, the students and schools have become more demanding and other issues. For instance, how does an instructor adjust their teaching style to students without actually speaking to them? Can they change how they talk to students in all posts to ensure that everyone gets it? How do you encourage the student that 'sits in the back of the class?' While I get help and encouragement from the instructor, who is actually there to help and encourage them? How do they know that the student really understands the point they are trying to get across? The reflective portion of education not only lies with the student, but also takes place with the instructor. And while the conversation of education is sometimes only thought to benefit the student, maybe it is the measuring stick for the instructor as well.