The connections within an online community can be rather daunting at first if one has not experienced the power of learning online. Many students are fearful of the unknown and entering the realm of a virtual community shatters their ideas of traditional learning. Others won't even make the attempt because they are certain that learning cannot be accomplished. Well, to those who do not believe I say "to believe is to succeed."
I entered the realm of online learning seven years ago thinking that it would be easy and convenient. Convenient, yes - easy, no way! For me it is the most convenient way of learning without having to waste time traveling, being away from my family and especially not driving during a snow storm in the middle of the night. The easy part just never happened. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to spend most of my time reading, discussing and writing. In my first class I actually missed a deadline for a test. My instructor took pity on me because it was my first class of any kind in over 30 years and allowed me to make it up. I was really lucky that time.
If anyone had told me seven years ago how exciting the journey was going to be I don't think that I would have believed them. I don't get to be in just a class with local people. I meet people from all over the world with a passion for learning and achieving the goals they have established for themselves. Online learning is nothing to take lightly. It is an amazing process that opens up new information, idea sharing and a community that works to help each other. I have yet to meet anyone that has been disrespectful. Quite the contrary there is a respect shared between all of the online learning community; between teachers and students that cannot be compared to anything else.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
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