The ABC of CMC

Dear all,

There was so much to learn this week – the discussions got really intense. On the one hand, new skills as a follow-up to last week’s skills, a lot of which were covered in multi-skills webpages we explored. On the other hand, the project task and planning getting closer to its implementation. Things on the course are gaining momentum as we are nearing the half of the course, which is also seen in the enthusiasm (Leslie used the term too) and the number of posts, lots of replies, links and, most importantly, feedbacks shared. It was revealing to see how Leslie and Sandra would handle this creative outbursts – an essential part of the e-moderator’s role that I also find interesting to observe. When the discussion starts going into too many separate yet challenging directions, why not start a new discussion, the way it was done here? Also, handling the length and the format are two important aspects that are constantly on my mind when I try to join a discussion. Apart from our moderators, there were a few other colleagues who would constructively point out these two features. It is wonderful to see how much l'istening' to each other is actually taking place on this forum.

I think that one of the great things about this course is how its creators expose us to such a variety of different tasks, with a number of tasks that are repeated from one week to another, and that we respond to differently as we learn new things. Like the project task, Part 2. It was very interesting to go back to my Week 2 description and resume the whole discussion, identifying problems this time. Also, having Leslie on the course made a remarkable impact, and I was surprised, with my scarce experience of online communication, to feel the kind of very particular energy that all the participants – our dear moderators and guest moderators included – have brought in along with their expertise. I regret not being able to join in more into discussions moderated by Leslie as well. Regarding lesson plans, there was an interesting feeling which recurred in a few posts – it turned up to be more demanding that it seemed. Making you feel like you have only begun to teach, as Marcia says in her blog. I fear mine is too long, but it was not possible for me to find anythuing redundant it it, if I wanted to make sure it would be understood.

Unfortunately (or shall I say – fortunately, because this is a safe learning environment, and over the weeks it has started to become my comfort zone), this week I learnt a few things about CMC the hard way. Having no previous experience using forums or other asynchronous means of computer-mediated communication, I have not been using the potential of our discussions in an optimum way. Seeing other colleagues, like Aleyda, who, like me, have been hung up with things outside the course, helps you feel less bad about not doing your best Iwhile wishing to. The rainbow image is very appropriate too, as one should always hope for improvements. And they sometimes come with an improved awareness.

After this week, I am more aware of how things could work better for me. Taking too much time to come up with one’s own post, too much time for my ideas on a topic to grow before they are posted simply does not make sense. While I am waiting for my vision of each week’s topic to emerge (it always takes a couple of days), I am missing out on the discussion that was engendered on Day 1. Then it gets very hard to join in, knowing you have already missed so much. Thinking ‘on the side’ is not useful for anyone on the course if it is not visible, i.e. posted, and reading what your peers have to say may be just as important as what you say. So a more dynamic approach is needed – a kind of a strategy.

I am going to employ it this week - post earlier and more often. I hope it works – and will appreciate to see I have moved on in that respect.

So, 'I am still here', to quote Aleyda, willing to improve my CMC skills.

Warmest regards,

Andreja