Wednesday, January 14, 2009
week one
I have had a rough start to this program! I'm not overwhelmed by the technology, but it is a lot of new information at once. I was confused about how to log in both this week and last week. Once I figured it out this week, I had computer issues. Last night at 8:05 I was running two laptops, neither of which were logging on to the ning. My brand new laptop has a web cam on it and it wouldn't load the site, while my three year old laptop was just plain having a melt down. When I finally logged on I was so mad, I don't know if I picked anything up from class. It was very nice to be able to watch the recording of class from start to finish again today. As far as my experience with this techy stuff, my degree is in Technology Education, but my expertise is not in computers or communications, it is automotives. This will be a learning experience for me, but I have been updating my curriculum and adding the things we learn in this program will fit very well with the direction I am heading in. I'm not sure what is meant by a web link, but I do have a prior blog on the website of the company I work for part-time Bob Burns Golf. (www.bobburnsgolf.com) and the blog is (http://bobburnsgolf.wordpress.com/behind-the-blogger/). We just revamped our website and our blog and I am not even listed as an author yet, but the new website is an improvement. That's all for now here's to hoping my technical difficulties don't continue next week!
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Well, I just finished my post to you about how frusterating technology is and then the whole page disappeared. So to say the least I am now even more frusterated!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, originally I was explaining to you that my experience has been a bit bumpy as well. I can completely relate to how you feel. During our first online session I was cut off of the phone conference completely. This was not as bad as the second session. It was during this session that I could not communicate until the last 15 minutes of Louis' lecture. This really made things difficult. I am now at the point where I am trying to figure out the different assignments and their requirements. It is especially an exhausting task because I have to toggle between Wolfmail, the Ning, and ou blogs. My mind can only be in one place at a time.
I am sorry to hear about your difficulties however, it makes me feel better knowing that I am not the only one with these feelings. I too am excited to learn the new things that this class has to offer. The problem is that it comes with an expense...my sanity!
Oh, Jay, I'm so glad I selected your blog at this particular moment. I feel your anxiety. Fortunately, everything has been working according to plan, but I'm feeling rather overwhelmed myself like Catherine. I imagine there are many in our shoes - excited to be diving in but wondering where to begin. Until Tuesday, I had never blogged or had a Gmail account or participated in an online course, and suddenly this week I'm trying to do it all at once and write about it as well. I'm a kid in a candy store who doesn't know whether to start eating the chocolate or head for the lollipops. I'm sure your tech problems are only temporary and like you said, thank goodness we can go back to the recording. Like I said, everything for me went smoothly; however, my connection at home sometimes burps and so there were several instances where Louis froze for several minutes and then suddenly skipped ahead. Hmmmm, perhaps I had better go back and watch the video as well. It might make better sense to me, LOL. I think what we could use is some chatting. Perhaps this is the only disadvantage to online learning - none of us can look at our neighbor with that, "Do you know what he's talking about?" sympathetic expression. Just knowing I'm not the only one makes me feel better already.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck on Tuesday!!!
Hey Jay,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say hang in there. I felt your frustration a little bit during our orientation when I kept getting discontinued. I also feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the different accounts and websites that we need to keep up with. However, I think we will all get used to it in time. I'm looking forward to collaborating with you more this week on Google docs. Thanks for all the great thoughts you have contributed so far.
I can't believe it! I'm not the only one who has had problems. I had to call in two or more times on the first class and just when I thought I had things figured out for the second class but was kicked out of the session and had to call. Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy other people had difficulties, It's like the old saying "misery loves company". Just kidding. I'm glad I have started the class. I am having a problem with my blog. For some reason when you go to my blog address it comes up as someone else. Not my blog. Other than that my biggest obstacle is my confidence with the computer. I'm always hesitant, afraid of making a mistake. I feel much better knowing I'm not alone. Thanks Jay for telling us.
ReplyDeleteHey Jay,
ReplyDeleteHope all is going well for you. Miss the good ol' Stout days. I, along with everyone else, understand the pain that you were feeling. I had problems for our first class last Tuesday night. I did go through though and download Firefox at Louis's recommendation. I don't know if you have done this, but it worked 100% on Firefox and I have had no problems with any of the course content, while IE is a whole different story. I guess Microsoft truly doesn't reign supreme over all the other technologies available.
I guess the only suggestion that I would have if problems is call Louis, he has helped me with all of my problems and all have been answered successfully. My other recommendation is just double and triple check your site links and such because they can be very troubling to deal with.
I think the first time we try to walk, we probably fell. Think of this program as beginning to do things differently. I am certain technical difficulties will arise - I mean they have when a bulb burned out showing a 16mm movie (yeah I used to use them before video tapes) or when my cell phone drops a call. Yet through all of it we pick up and learn a trick or two.
ReplyDeleteKeep plugging and remember, on a really bad night you turn off the computer and visit a person.
Jay, I have felt like you many times. But to tell you the truth it is out of adversity that we make our greatest leaps. With all your troubles you are learning quite a bit. Hey and kudos to Louie for recording the class. I believe many people underestimate their abilities and knowledge, so when things go right we say luck. But it sounds to me like you will have worked out all of the kinks in connecting so when someone else has trouble you can be the Savior. Good Luck
ReplyDelete