Remember the Time Summary:

In the latest captivating episode of the "Dear Professor" series, our host Dr. Kellie Alston invites Brittany White, an online college student, to engage in a candid and relatable discussion. This segment, titled "Remember the Time," provides an intimate look at the trials and triumphs of pursuing education in a virtual space. Listeners are offered a rare glimpse into a student's personal story that reaches beyond the confines of structured learning.

Brittany humorously and earnestly recalls a particularly overwhelming week at the end of a semester when the course required interactions, that were too much to handle, resulting in a loss of points but preserving her sanity. The episode then spirals into a collaborative condemnation of the infamous and dreaded discussion boards, a staple of online courses. Dr. Alston and Brittany's candid dialogue is peppered with relatable experiences and the shared desire to do away with discussion boards in online learning.

Key Takeaways:

• Discussion boards in online courses can lead to notification overload and can be overwhelming for students.
• Despite course requirements, self-care and mental health considerations may lead students like Brittany to make decisions that save their sanity, even at the cost of grades.
• Toward the end of the semester, the pressure and workload can result in students feeling particularly overwhelmed.
• The episode captures a widespread sentiment among online learners: that discussion boards are not favored educational tools.
• Brittany and Dr. Alston discuss the potential collective action to propose the removal of discussion boards from online courses.

Notable Quotes:

• "I remember getting overwhelmed and responding to the standard two people."
• "I lost points for that. But I'm okay with it because I still have my sanity."
• "It was just that particular week. I was real overwhelmed."
• "I don't know anybody I've met that just says, I love discussion boards."
• "We all can sign a petition to ask online courses to get rid of discussion boards."

Thank you for listening, rating, sharing, commenting, and subscribing!

Website: kelliealston.com

Email: [email protected]

Resource:

Are you interested in enhancing your mindfulness this semester? Incorporate journaling specifically about your work experience in higher ed. Grab your copy of The Professor's Week in Review: A Journal for Weekly Reflections on the Higher Ed Experience and make it a mindful semester!

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Dive into the full episode premiering on March 27th to hear Brittany's full story and join the conversation about the pros and cons of online learning experiences. Don't forget to subscribe to the "Dear Professor Series" for more engaging episodes where college students get to speak their minds on the realities of virtual education. See you then!