Make it Work

As an online student of just about one year I am generally satisfied with my SCILS educational experience. I have learned a lot in the classes that I've taken, and have been able to make use of the concepts that I've learned both in other classes and in practice. I still feel a bit disconnected from the process though and less like a "serious" MLS candidate than I think I should. Likely, it's the lack face to face interaction with the SCILS community. You have to work a lot harder to make connections with your peers online, and sometimes it feels like you are living from assignment to assignment, rather than participating in an active, educational culture.

Also, there is still a bit of learning curve when it comes to online instructors. Some get it, some almost have it, and some have not a clue. Teaching online requires instructors to work a little harder to ensure engagement with the material. You cannot engage by lecture notes alone. I think that using the journal section of e-college, blogs, and "discussion" tools make all the difference. And I did not realize this until I took a class that used very little of these tools in instruction. I was still able to learn the material, but I had to work hard to engage myself. Interaction is the cornerstone in the foundation of most of LIS theory (can you have a IR system without it? a reference transaction?) and shouldn't it be would obvious that interaction is key to preparing professionals for the field, particularly is you will never see these students face to face?

I think I may be sounding more negative than I actually am. I think you get out exactly how much you put into your educational experience. I actually love "going" to school, so I would make it work with two tin cans and a string if I had to.

My flickr pictures reflect my lonely alienation with only printed articles, wires, and a stuffed owl for company. Or check out the rest of the class.