This course is was exactly what I needed at this point in my
journey.
It makes you, the learner, a part of the educational issue or
topic. I have learned that I like to learn. I look
at learning as a lifelong experience now. It is not something
that has to take place in an institution. I can connect learning
to life!—DC
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"I
can't remember a more stimulating or interactive course!"
-Nicole C.
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I have learned that...I will get more out
of classes when I speak up and have some input. I have learned
to value other's opinions and really listen to what they have
to say...
I wish more classes could be like this.
—AB
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“This
HAS been the best course I’ve ever taken. Not only have
I learned about addressing questions and issues in education,
I’ve learned so much about myself as a learner, a teacher,
a child, a parent, and a friend.” —KW
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I'm going to miss the great discussions with my group... But I'm
excited about using my new skills of communication, openness and
respect for others...
I never would have guessed I would be taking these skills from
this course. I figured I would leave with just a letter grade
and three credits. I'm glad I was way off!
—Aaron Fryer
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"A
greatly satisfying semester, one you will remember fondly for
all your
university years.”
—Dora Kwok |
The course has pushed me to take ownership of my own education
and learning.
I no longer wait for the answers to be given to me but I am now
striving and searching for the answers on my own, as well as coming
to my own conclusions.
The course has also shown me that it is okay not to know the answers,
to be actively searching for them... I have become an active participant
in my own education, which is something that I have never accomplished
before. I am truly thankful for that. It as if a whole new world
has opened up to me, and nothing is unreachable.
—RO |
"I
actually looked forward to coming. I found that time went quickly
because I was enjoying myself"
—AB |
"This was an incredible learning experience for me. It...allowed
me to look at education through a perspective I never had. This
class was unlike any other class I had taken; it certainly went
beyond any expectations I had going in. Through our unique ways,
the open class discussions, the introduction to many selected
issues, it allowed me to discover a lot about myself and what
it means to be a student."
—Sharon Brar |
I felt energized after each class...
—Helen Turner |
Take this course, and it will change your whole perspective on
university courses...
I sometimes had so much fun, that I didn’t even realize
that we were still discussing the issues!
The format of the course also made it easy for an introverted,
quiet person like myself to get to know my classmates. I did this
mainly through chat and group work, which were greatly encouraged.
Making friends in class? No problem! The class is so ingeniously
structured making new friends is easy...
—Dora Kwok |
The enthusiasm I felt for this course was amazing.
I was delighted to work on FirstClass. The ease of communication
really makes a big difference for a class. As soon as an assignment
was posted, there was likely to be some feedback in response to
it within a day. This kind of immediate feedback came from the
other students in the class as well as the instructor. Both kinds
of feedback were very valuable. There are many courses that have
little opportunity for feedback from the instructor and even fewer
that allow for this kind of communication among peers. —EB |
This course has had a profound impact on what I think about education
and my role as a student and educator. I have a stronger sense
of who I am, how I learn and the importance of developing caring
relationships with others. I have a broader view of education
and the implications of it being a life-long journey.
I’ve learned about individual differences and gained respect
and understanding for many different ideas and opinions.
Returning to the classroom will create a challenge for me to
implement changes in the way I interact with my students. It
will be important for me to stand up for what I believe in and
teach in ways that are meaningful to me and my students.
In the future, I see myself continuing to write about my thoughts
and questions, to make more sense of my life-long learning.
I will miss the people in this course. I know I will have more
memories of our stories; face to face, and on-line writings,
than any other.
—Debra Tatham
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Assignments