Week 2

Oh dear, we are rushing towards the end of week 2 and I don't feel that our group is making the progress we should be. We are still deciding whether we are for or against although I think the consensus is against. I am quite worried because I have a funeral tomorrow and will not be available much and weekends are just manic in our house so I don't see much time for that. I had hoped to at least have a role and a decision about how we are approaching the thing. One or two people are trying to push it along and one wonderful person has set up a Wiki, I have got to grips with that, (I think), but it is quite worrying for me as I am a get things done person and do not enjoy working right up to a deadline. I feel I may have to let the group down because I am just not available and have not been able to get on because we are not at a point where we can. This shows me what group work is like for students. There is a lot to do this week and I am having a very busy week at home and at work. How do you mange this?

I suppose this is more a group work problem than an online learning problem but I must say if we were working together in person I would imagine we would put more pressure on each other. I am feeling quite worried but have done my best to get things moved on along with another person. I know that I don't like group work.

Have I done my bit so far? I am moaning away about others but have I done my bit so far? Yes, I think so. I have made suggestions, suggested a deadline for making decisions and pointed out how near we are to the end of the week and I have got to grips with the Wiki. I have also made my availability clear, so yes! Now what more should I do. I will keep monitoring the discussion forum, post further messages to get things moving, start doing some research myself, make as much time as possible available at the weekend which will be difficult. Perhaps I should just do some research, put my thoughts on the Wiki and leave others to edit it. I do not think I can take responsibility for posting it as I cannot make myself available to wait around on Sunday for others to finish. I think that is a reasonable plan of action.

Writing this blog entry has made me think more clearly about things and possibly given me impetus to come up with some ideas for how I can progess rather than moaning about the lack of progress, I am sure everyone has their own problems. It sure is a lot of work to do in one week.

First blog EVER!!

This is my first ever blog.

I work as a learning support tutor, educational developer and researcher at the University of Portsmouth. We use WebCT Vista at the university but call it Victory. Previously I was a teacher in a college of further in education in Brixton in London where we started using Blackboard. At that time I used it for online learning games etc but now we are hoping to experiment with online workshops as well as tutoring via e-mail and VLE.

I am still finding it strange being on the other side of the VLE but it is an interesting experience. I feel a little lost in the course at the moment and am trying to workout what I have to do this week. I have done quite a lot of distance learning with the Open University but only one online course which was ages ago in 2001 and was quite introductory so I am getting used to the whole thing.