Monday 31 January 2011

Back to the Beginning

Only it's not exactly back to the beginning, but rather another new start. I'm moving on, and this blog, which I began for my OU H808 'The elearning professional' studies back in 2009/10 is moving on with me. This time I'm embarking on H807 'Innovations in elearning'.

The course promises that we will 'Discover the latest developments in elearning and reflect on how they are changing relationships between teachers, learners and technology.' We'll be encouraged to consider what innovation is, and what leads to innovations being adopted (or not). I'm also looking forward to the opportunity to develop specific elearning and etutoring skills such as online group moderation, as this will be new to me. I'm particularly keen to see what I can pick up which I can incorporate into my own professional work in developing elearning.

On a personal level, I'm looking forward to the intellectual stimulation of studying again, and I remember the satisfying feeling that came from returning to study and recognising that as a key part of my identity with H808. Work, however, is busier and more stressful now. There is more intellectual challenge there than there was a year ago, and I'm rather concerned about being overloaded. I know I can be a perfectionist, so this time I need to be a bit aware of that, and try to make sure I keep studying in proportion with other important parts of my life (running, climbing, cello, seeing people!), and accept that there will probably be times when I can't do all I would like to, or perhaps even all the activities.

Anyway, I'm excited to get started and look forward to things getting underway for real!