Teaching @ a Distance

Hi!

I am currently enrolled in ENG 795 Teaching Writing @ a Distance. This blog is all about exploring the issues and theories related to teaching writing at a distance. Distance education and distance learning is the newest craze in Higher Education (not completely true). Teaching online is the future. More and more people are deciding that driving to campus and sitting in a traditional classroom just doesn't work or isn't an option. I jumped on the bandwagon and began teaching at proprietary colleges and universities because I wanted a job with security. When the economy started going downhill my job security increased. It sounds horrible, but it is the truth. When the job market is bad more people go back to school to expand their options. That makes my life easier because I teach composition; no matter what the student's  major may be he or she has to take composition.

Anyway, I've been teaching online now for about 2 years. It has been one the most frustrating and enlightening experiences of my life. Through this blog I hope to share some of my issues with teaching online, explore some new ideas, learn some theory, and ultimately, become a better instructor.

My main issues and concerns are situated around identity, minorities, power, language, faculty advancement, ethics of proprietary colleges/universities, and accountability. I know that sounds like a lot, but I plan to narrow my focus as I go along. All these issues are near and dear to me because they are things I have had to deal with being an instructor who is young, African-American, and female. The majority of my students are about 20-30 years older than me and Caucasian.  It has made for an interesting experience, but it is also an experience that I do not want others to go through. This course and blog will hopefully lead to a positive impact on the bustling industry that higher education has become. If not, at least I get to vent, right?

Thanks for reading! Journey well.

-V