Reflections on Unit 5

Online learning isn’t for everyone.  It requires a number of skills and traits, including motivation, discipline, organization, ability to read and absorb information, and comfort with technology.  All of those are great things to have or be regardless of the educational setting, of course, but with face to face classes, the setting and presence of others can compensate for what an individual may be lacking.  The materials in the unit provide excellent advice for anyone taking online classes, whether it is for the first time or as a seasoned veteran.   Setting a schedule can be crucial.  Most of us feel extra excitement or motivation when starting something new, and therefore logging in daily or even more frequently during the early part of the semester is common.  Continuing that practice throughout the semester may be less easy to sustain.  The unit also provides concrete tips for bringing organization to one’s time and materials through the use of calendars and folders.

Working in teams is indeed a common event in the workplace.  Ken Haycock’s presentation contains excellent advice on managing the potential chaos that a group can bring to a process.    Haycock’s advice to reflect on one’s own contribution to a team project is solid advice for a variety of situations.  Recognizing which behaviors of others, as he puts it, “really push my buttons” is easy.  Dealing with it is more difficult, and I think many people tend to get angry instead of getting to Haycock’s fourth suggestion, which is to consider how you may need to change the way you work or to increase your tolerance for certain behaviors for the good of the team or the success of the project (slide 7).  Being able to accomplish this takes time, practice and patience. 

Near the end of her presentation, Enid Irwin reminds us that team assignments offer a space for practicing leadership and mentoring (slide 20).   But we need to remember that it also provides us with an opportunity to practice followership, to witness various leadership styles (or dysfunctional behaviors), and to accept mentoring.