In this class, we have had the opportunity to read about and use a variety of online tools, to discuss the tools which we see as useful and relevant, and to add our own list of tools to our blogs.  When designing an online course, an instructor should use the tools necessary to insure good communication with students, collaborative learning, timely feedback, and flexibility.  The interface needs to be user friendly.  The tools needed to make this happen are very basic:  Internet access, common interface (such as Blackboard), word processor, PDF reader, Internet browser, and email service.  Tools that have enhanced my learning experience this semester are the gator feed, blogging site, and TappedIn for exploring our math teacher’s links and interests.  Yet the most beneficial “tool” of all has been the human factor, the sharing of information and ideas.

So are course objectives a fact of life or wishful thinking?  I think it can be a little bit of both.  When a teacher designs a course, whether online or traditional, there are goals that we hope to accomplish (the fact of life part), yet there are circumstances beyond our control which keep us from accomplishing that goal (wishful thinking).  In the traditional classroom, snow days take away from the time needed to prepare students for state testing, student motivation (or lack thereof) can speed up/slow down the pace for covering material.  In the online world, network failures/computer glitches or crashes can sidetrack the best of plans.  In my own world, I see course objectives as goals to be met.  I have yet to have a year when I have met all my objectives, but I do get closer each year.  Maybe this will be the year I make it across that finish line.