Week One Reflection

In week one I was able to get into the program and start to look at the documents within.

My greatest surprise was not just in the first week, but as I moved into the week two readings. I am not American, and not in America (perhaps this is justification for the next comment): I had no idea that virtual schools existed for K-12.

I had a feeling that we were discussing hypotheticals here, and that in the future should such situations arise, we could think about the pedagogy for the future. I am quite surprised that there are indeed schools that exist today - schools which not only supplement education - but offer it full time.

What I am puzzled about is 1) are diplomas granted? 2) how can we be sure that students are indeed doing the work themselves, and 3) is this really the way to to?

I am fascinated and excited when I think of these issues, the things I wonder, and hope to move further along a continuum of understanding - and still need to work out how to be a good online student myself. I have a lot of energy to study. I have decided to take this TC Masters as I can go and do most of my courses on campus - and I have, and find it more difficult to be a good online student.

I am a great distant school student. Give me a list of A,B, and C to do and off I go. Here, as there are weekly A,B, and Cs to do I get caught up between work, family life, my running/photography and course work. So, this course is more than just the content for me. This makes it all the more exciting.

Kind regards

Steve R. Pellerine