CEdO550 Week 2

My experience with online communities has been primarily with this cohort. It was a little rocky at first, but as we got to know each other by working in groups and became more familiar with the online classes, the classes became much easier. Since being a part of this cohort, I've actually taken what I've learned about online colllaboration and use it in my grant consortium meetings. Our district shares a large technology integration grant with six other districts and finding a common meeting time/place is difficult. We've gone to working on "Go To Meeting" and working on our grant through Google Docs. The biggest benefit of online collaboration is just what I previously mentioned, it is very time efficient to work online when we are all pressed for time with our many job responsibilities. I believe the greatest challenge of online collaboration that I've experienced has been technology issues....could be internet being down, or learning how to use some new tool or software (such as Brainhoney). I've always worried about students who chose their schooling strictly in the virtual world because of the lack of socialization and participation in normal school events (music/band concert, sports, prom, etc.). Even after reading the advantages of virtual schooling, I still am somewhat apprehensive promoting it as the sole education a student receives. But, on the flip side, I can definitely see how a student would flourish more in a virtual class if they are shy...getting their opinion online through discussion boards, blogs, etc. will help them enhance their communication skills and perhaps break through the shyness barrier.