Its January, its cold (not as cold as it could be) and class has started for the traditional setting and the online environment. This semester I continue as clinical instructor for the pediatric module at Holy Family doing our clinicals at a busy inner city pediatric hospital. I think as a faculty we well and truly overwhelmed these poor students the first two weeks of orientation, I know I had a headache by the end of it. Finally last Thursday at 6.30am sharp (I had been there a while by then.....yawn!) we were all on the floor, ready for assignments, implementing the nursing process, using evaluation and critical thinking skills like it was second nature, and oh yes....mastering the dreaded paperwork! It went well, again a lovely bunch of students, I already know I am going to enjoy them once they stop being so terrified and realize they know more than they think they do. But its good to be cautious in a new situation like this. We will work on and build skills as we go.
Comparing that with the online class I am teaching there is a world of difference and similarities with the two learning environments. I am in week 4 of teaching a community health class called Vulnerable Populations, the syllabus is excellent (thank goodness I did not have to write it), the readings are wonderful, engaging and up to date, the online environment is a nightmare to navigate. The first week I struggled to do such simple tasks as post my welcome letter, get to email, and grading papers gave me hives.....too many buttons to push. Everything has to be done within the online world, it has been a sharp learning curve but now we are in week 4 I feel I am just beginning to get the hang of it. I have already signed on to teach another class in February on Older Populations....it cant be that different from pediatrics ...right? That being said, a student is a student, these students have an electronic relationship with me but I still think given a little effort you can build a sense of community. I have tried to get involved with the discussion boards, answer questions and emails promptly and even put in that extra human-Angie touch. These students struggle like every other student with balancing work, family, school...been there...done that. Its hard, you give up a great deal, tv, a social life, food beyond frozen pizza. However, online education means you can plan and write papers, participate in group discussion at any time of the day or night. For example I graded papers this morning in my pajamas in bed while watching the Today Show.......that's a pretty good gig.
It is expensive with time though, I am online seven days a week, I am working as a community health nurse sometimes seven days a week. But thank goodness I have a job that I love and my sweet dog just lies by my feet and keeps me company!! Next week I am praying for snow (with no power cuts) so I don't have to go anywhere.
