ETEC 501 Intro

Hello Everyone. My name is Robert Fleck, and I am a fourth grade teacher at Andrew Jackson Elementary in Indio, which is located in the Coachella Valley. I have been teaching for approximately 12 years. I am currently enrolled in the Master’s Program at CSUSB in Instructional Technology. It is my goal to someday to either be working with teachers on how to use technology in the classroom, or become a computer teacher at the middle or high school level in helping young students access knowledge through the use of technology to engage students to find meaning within their own learning. I am also interested in the area of curriculum development, with technology as the  component that will drive instruction. I feel that e-learning is a step in that direction.

I am currently at the tail end of my thesis project, and that it is the actual writing process. It probably is the hardest part for me, even though I enjoy writing. I must admit, that part of the reason for taking the e-certificate classes is to keep me enrolled as I work through this process. I have been putting this project off for too long, and I need to finish. My professors have been very patient with me, and have been supportive, and have guided me the best they can, and I appreciate everything they have done for me. Ultimately, it is me that needs to make it happen. My friend, and work partner Kathy has also been a blessing and has really been there when I have struggle with this project. I have given myself to the end of fall quarter 2010 as my target finish date. I just can’t wait any longer. 

The project itself is the creation of parent’s webpage whereby parents could access information, and learning modules that parents can use to help their children with their school work. It is also meant to be a way to get parents more involved with their children and there education and learning. In addition it is also meant to be a link to open up communication between parents and the school.  In researching this project I found that this could be a viable tool used to open channels, where at one time, there were very few or no channels open. Kathy has been gracious enough to help me upgrade the site within the next few months.

The main reasons I am pursuing the e-certificate and want to learn more about e-learning is that I think it will be the vehicle of instruction in the future. E-learning is growing rapidly across college and university campuses across the country at an alarming rate. Even high schools are beginning to see how this valuable tool or process has increasing opportunities for young students to actively participate in their own learning. It will allow more flexibility to learn and access new information at a pace that will work for them. So many of these students learn in new and different ways than myself or people my age or older. Their understanding and knowledge of technology greatly exceeds most of us. So, isn’t it extremely important to give them the tools to access knowledge and create meaning on their own terms of about what they have learned? I think so.

Perhaps my greatest interest in learning more about e-learning is helping it find its way to the elementary level. I would like to be there when it happens, and be a part of making it happen. Currently, it is happening in a few places in the U.S. In going to a number of technology conferences each year, I see that the possibilities and the opportunities are out there. More schools and school districts need to make the jump and be a part of the wave of the future when it comes to teaching and learning.

The experience with e-learning design and development and e-learning in general has been minimal. I took ETEC 674 with Dr. Newberry last quarter. He exposed us to a number of technologies we could utilize in creating a online class that students could access information, get assignments, take tests, get scheduling information, and work on projects related to the material. He also introduced us to strategies and criteria need to set-up a successful online class. In addition, I took a Dreamweaver where we created an online website. Dr. Baek was the instructor for this course. Much of this course was online. I have throughout my Master’s Program taken online classes where I have seen and worked with the e-learning model through the courses the instructors set up for us. It it is now just a matter of taking that knowledge and putting it to work for me in creating my own e-learning/online classes.

I am looking forward to the this next class and reconnecting with Dr. Baek. I am also looking to be able to take this new knowledge and make it work for me. Again, I look to my mentors, teachers, and friends who have been there for me, and have helped to reach my goals and aspirations.