So, where are you? What IS your motivation?
You could be a designer charged with learning the new LMS system and creating “trainings” and helping instructors create courses – and designing templates, too…
You could be an interested instructor – seeking to get ahead of the game and hone your e-Learning or online teaching skills…
You could be an instructor faced with changing LMSs – perhaps your institution ditched WebCT or Blackboard for the lower cost Moodle alternative? You’re faced with learning a new system and hoping that your course migrates to the new one and that you can get it up and running with minimal expenditure of your already sparse time and effort…
You could be faced with the decision to choose an LMS system: you’re an administrator, a faculty member, an IT person, a designer. You’re a chosen one, checking things out and evaluating what’s available and how it will “fit” with your institution…
You may have stumbled upon eLearning and discovered LMSs with the goal of “saving time”, “reducing on-campus time”, “teaching remotely”, and “ditching the physical classroom”- if for no reason other than convenience and reducing or avoiding a commute…
Whomever you are, whatever description, whether it’s one of these or any number of others, fit you…you’ve come to the right place.
Your motivation will ultimately drive you. It will determine your path.
Just know that the minute you choose an LMS, the minute one is chosen for you, the minute you enter the world of “virtual teaching”, regardless of your role – you are making a commitment:
- To learn
- To roll with the technology punches
- To adapt your methods of thinking to new ones
- To commit your time and energy
- To enter into a grand adventure…
The pathways are endless.
Extrinsic restraints may be placed upon you – time, resources, budget, available technologies. No matter WHAT the extrinsic restraint, you can still build a solid, meaningful, and productive course.
The intrinsic force of motivation is the only factor over which you have control. Your motivation will drive the following processes:
- your course design
- your time commitment
- your effort
- your learning curve
- the technologies you choose to employ
From the bare bones course to the epitome of fully engaging, interactive online courses – you’re here now at ground zero: considering and defining your motivation. Ultimately, knowing yourself.
The course(s) you build will ultimately come down to a true reflection of:
your motivation and your willingness to embrace technology and all that comes with it – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Indeed, your goals and expectations will be shaped by your motivation.
Read on…there are more articles on what to do now that you’ve started thinking about your motivation…
- Mary
