EDLD 5306 Web Conference Week 5 - December 13, 2011

This was the final web conference for the EDLD 5306 course. It is hard to believe that it is over already. Time goes by fast when you keep really, really busy.

The conference was very helpful for me. I had several questions regarding the Internship plan and the Principals Competencies and Skills Chart. Dr. Borel was able to answer them and clear up other concerns I had as well. She provided examples of activities for the Internship plan and explained that we should use as many activities as possible that fall within our regular job duties. This information was very helpful and enabled me to complete my plan after the conference.

The documents that needed to be uploaded to TK20 were clarified and Dr. Borel explained the new summary report we will have to complete during the internship time. She was also able to explain the course embedded hours reflection we are required to complete for each course with embedded hours.

This has been a wonderful experience and I was able to learn a lot about educational leadership and technology. I am looking forward to the rest of the courses in this program.

EDLD 5306 Web Conference Week 4 - December 8, 2011

This weeks web conference provided a lot of valuable information. Dr. Borel discussed the changes to week fives assignments and we went over the Internship Plan and Principals Competency and Skills Chart. I feel much more comfortable about completing those two items now that Dr. Borel has explained the process and the selection of activities. She also discussed what we are required to submit to TK20 and the deadline for submitting all course work.

We were also able to ask questions about this weeks assignments, including the Professional Curriculum Vita we are to complete. After listening to the questions and answers I was able to edit my vita to be more suitable for its purposes.

I enjoy attending the web conferences because I think that it helps me feel more connected to the other people in the cohort. It helps to see that other people have the same questions and concerns that I do and it is helpful to put faces with the names we always see on the Blogs and Wikis.

EDLD 5306 Web Conference Week 3 - November 29, 2011

I attended this weeks web conference even though it was a repeat of the last mandatory web conference. I was overwhelmed after the last conference and I wanted a chance to hear and see the information again and to ask any questions I may have had.

Going through the information and listening to Dr. Borel explain everything a second time was very helpful. I was much less stressed and was able to focus much more on the details. After last nights web conference I definitely feel that this is a very manageable program; as long as I keep up with everything.

I think I have a good understanding of the flow of the program and the order of the classes now. The calendar that David posted was helpful (thank you); I remember seeing it before but I had not taken the time to go and look for it again. I feel good about the assignments I have posted and I believe that I am on the right track with my internship paperwork and plan.

EDLD 5306 Web Conference Week 2 - November 17, 2011

Wow, talk about anxiety.  I was worried and nervous before this web conference about being able to get all of the course work completed and now I am really worried.

I was happy to see all of the information on the Masters program and the Universities accreditations.  I have to admit I have been a little apprehensive about doing my masters degree online.  Even though I have read that information many times previously, I just feel better seeing it again. 

The outline of the program and the internship requirements seem to be a little overwhelming right now.  I hope that breaking them down into small pieces makes them much more manageable.  I am worried about how busy and how quickly the next 18 months are going to be.  I know that I am not the only one with a busy schedule already, so I feel better being able to take part in the web conferences and putting faces to names that I have seen many times online.  It helps knowing that I am not alone in this adventure.

I hope that I can not only learn a lot from this program but also be able to help some people out along the way. 

EDLD 5306 Web Conference Week 1 - November 16, 2011

This was the first web conference I have attended using the Adobe Connect software.  It was extremely easy to get connected and the tools for the microphone, audio, and webcam were easy to navigate. 

I liked having the ability to use the Chat window to type questions and receive feedback without interrupting the person speaking and that multiple people were able to answer various questions without having to disturb the flow of the instructor. 

Another good attribute of the software was that the instructor could mute all of the microphones when the feedback got to loud.  The last time I took an online course with web conferencing the feedback from the various microphones made it difficult to stay focused on the instructor and the content of the lesson.

I find it interesting how quiet everyone was during the web conference.  If we were sitting in an actual classroom I am sure we would have gravitated into groups and been chatty.  I myself do not mind speaking up and asking questions when in a classroom and face to face with the instructor but each time I take an online course with web conferencing, I tend not to say much of anything.  I prefer to sit back and observe.