Wanted: Resources for the Classroom

I was extremely excited to get my Donor's Choose project funded!  Having 4 extra iPod Touches around the classroom has been awesome.  I am curious about other ways teachers have acquired materials for their classroom without spending much--or nothing at all!?

2 of my students with our new iPod Touches!

My experience of online learning

So I took one online class in undergrad at gvsu--I think it was called computers in education(?).  I passed--easily.  It was TOO EASY.  But..then I started grad school---all ONLINE!  Ahhh!  Being a social person--I kind of was wary at the task of doing an entire degree online, but alas, I am here.

I was signed up for two classes in the Fall of 2011, one Ed, the other EDT.  I dropped the ED class during the first week.  The professor didn't have a syllabus.  She was late on getting things posted on blackboard.  She didn't respond to an email. And when looking into the course, it was 4 modules--listening to her lecture on and on and on--and then write papers.  That is not how I learn best.  I need discussion, interaction, emails, videos, podcasts, SOMETHING other than listening to her talk!  So I dropped it and felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. 

My Ed Tech classes have been fabulous. Topper and Lancaster know their stuff and strive to get me to think deeper, question things, and seek out ways to improve myself.  I enjoy Sean's discussion board--as I feel like I know my classmates--it may be due to their pictures and names being posted, it may be due to us being required to post a TON :) each week.  

Now-after taking this particular course--I have figured out that holy moly--6 week courses are HARD!  The express rate at which we get into content and are busting out papers and or projects is nuts.  I am starting another 6 week course right after completing this course--and I may pull my hair out. :) I think I may be better off sticking to a regular fall or winter course schedule--but who knows--I tend to work well under pressure.  

Another instance that irked me--discussion boards where you are to post your own answer and then be sure to respond to at least TWO of your classmates.  Well--sometimes I have a hard time finding something that strikes me when reading through some of my classmates posts--therefore I struggle to respond to people.  I don't think that is a good way of conducting online discussion.  If I have something to say--I will--if not--I won't.  Forcing me is making my answers very short and sweet--and sometimes are repeats of what others have already said.

As I reflect, these classes help me figure out the type of teacher, instructor, person I want to be (or not be).  I want to be organized, prompt, descriptive, helpful, resourceful, and respectful.