This week we were introduced to the Common Sense education website, which offers feedback and insight into the legitimacy of other online content creating platforms. We also discussed the pros and cons of online education, and how to plan a course for online delivery.

We used a jamboard to discuss the worst things about learning online, the points I agreed with most were the break out rooms (where no one talks), getting distracted easily, and the technology issues that arise and disrupt the flow of the class. On the flip side, when discussing the best attributes to online learning, the majority of us noted personal preferences as opposed to learning preferences.

After our lecture, we got into our pod groups and did an activity where we described a different teaching activity and how it would work – synchronously or asynchronously. Our example was an Art teachable, where we let the teacher lead a synchronous lesson on tonal shading. after that, the students would guide their studies asynchronously and work on their projects. Finally, the students and teacher would come together to create an online art gallery which students would upload their projects to. That way, the class could come together synchronously and look at the works, and have the option to go back at a later time (asynchronously) and comment their thoughts on each other’s works.

Personally, I really loved most aspects of the online learning component in particular because I was studying fine arts. I’m lucky to live in a 2 bedroom apartment soI had the space to essentially turn that room into my studio full time, and not having to lug all my supplies back and forth to campus every week was a bonus. I would say it was harder to meet people, I transferred to UVic in my 3rd year coming from a college in Vancouver, and then when covid hit I wasnt F2F with any of my other classmates, which made graduation weird because I hadnt ever really met most of the people there with me haha.

I really hope a situation like this doesnt happen again, but luckily I am in a position as an art teacher where i’ll be giving my students ample free time to complete their work anyways. I definitely love the idea of creating an online art gallery, I think its a great way to give/receive feedback and helps with anonymity from students who may be too shy to speak up or participate in a class setting.