ED 205

Until this class I never took an online class, so at the beginning of the semester I really didn’t know what to expect. However it all it came suprisingly easy. I don’t know if it is from my background with computers or if it is because the professor made the class completely organized and easily accesible and navigatible or from both. Either way at this point in the online class I have found it useful, convienant, and enjoyable. (as enjoyable as school can be anyway )
I like that I know in advance all my assignments for the week and knowing exactly where to locate them each week. I like having the time to complete any work due at the end of the week. It definately makes my life less stressful. I like not having to go sit in a class which takes away my day time. For the most part college students have enough packed into one day as it is and if they can have a class that they can access whenever they want for instance at 3:46am which is the current time then it can lighten the load.
I don’t know at this point that I would really change anything. I might have more insight in that area after the class is completed. At the present time I think everything is just fine.
Sometimes in class lectures can really just be a waste of time. I mean you might not learn one thing that day. For example this week in one of my classes that is 50 minutes the professors spent 35 of those minutes talking about up coming assignments and other junk and I didn’t learn a dang thing. The last 15 minutes we split up into our pre-formed groups and began discussing articles that each group was assigned. Groups one and two completed their class discussion and I was actually in group one, therefore I still didn’t learn anything new until the last 6 minutes of class or so. I mean honestly I just feel like that is a huge waste of my time. I don’t pay tuition to go to class to learn something for 5 minutes. I think a better idea would have been to post all those announcements and mumbo jumbo at the beginning of class on Black Board. Then everyone would have the information and tons of valuable time and money would have been put to good use. It’s so simple!
I would definately rather take some classes online. I guess it depends on the person and their learning ability. I know I couldn’t take a math class online but I could take an english class. For some people it would be completely the opposite, neither or both. But, if I was presented with the option of an online class at any time I wouldn’t hesitate to consider it.
I can’t think of any other classes off the top of my head that might help facilitate online learning that haven’t already been implemented. Then again I don’t know all the courses at GV or any other schools for that matter so I am sure some definately do exist. I will however look for online sections in more of my remaining classes. Having this class online has benefited me and my schedule this semester for sure. I have also enjoyed the class and the new learning style this class presents and enforces. I don’t doubt that at the end of the semester I won’t feel the same way, so at the next opportunity of an online class it will most likely make me look twice and consider ALL of my options!

The number one most important should be WORD:
Students should learn word first because more than likely it is the one thing you will use on a computer the most frequently in your life. Especially during school and work. I would say that around 4th or 5th grade would be a good age to begin teaching this to your students. At this age they are older enough to comprend and grasp the basic information. As they get older and become more familiar they will catch on to the other aspects.
Number Two - Powerpoint:
Powerpoint is an extremely useful tool. It can help you display ideas in a much less and more fun format than a simple outline. A powerpoint document is a lot easier to add your own written notes to than an outline and especially in college I have found powerpoint to be a huge part in my learning experiences. Students should begin learning this program right after word, approximately sixth grade. The concepts will be easily mastered at this age especially with a background in word.
Number Three - The Internet:
The internet provides people with an outstanding array of information which is greatly beneficial to students. Learning to search topics and gather information via the internet will be something most people continue through their entire lives in this day and age. Sixth grade would be a good age to start this learning. Although I know many parents that start their kids on the internet at a much younger age. My nephew who is six now has been playing online games at disney.com since he was probably three or four.
Number Four - Excel:
Excel is a great program for organization and data. This is extremely useful to those in the business or administrative fields. Students should learn this program at a later age because its concepts are a bit more difficult and tricky to master or understand than most other programs. I think 8th grade would be a good time to begin, and if they can handle it sooner, maybe 7th grde.
Number Five - Images, Editing and Digital Photography:
More than likely people will also use this information through their entire lives because it isn’t always work, it is a lot of play as well. But the concepts and organization can be hard to use if you aren’t familiar with what you are doing. I think 8th grade is a good time to start this type of program. By now the students should have a good base knowledge about the computer and its capabilities. This will only enhance the student and make them more well rounded and proficient at using their computer and all of its components.