highlights from today’s conversation with Bil

• Adding human factors to the online environment – making phone calls, letting them hearing the human voice, be responsive to inquires. Will start by asking questions.
• Teachers’ (current and future) technology level – a common problem I think, and an often overlooked factor in establishing an online program. Teacher’s online presence is substituted by Bil’s aggressive online presence
• Level of student interactions – those who are familiar with the online environment have been activity, motivated, and interacting with one another. There is about half of the “invisible” students who are not yet presence. Bil can see the site logs and know that they actually have been logging in and clicking on lecture links. Due to maybe English and/or technology limitations, they have not been participating. Another factor might be the unfamiliarity with the western educational system to speak up, question, debate, and be active.
• Pre-survey provided some insightful information, especially about people’s time commitment. Most people cannot only spend a very limited amount of time on this program.
• UWest is not investing too many resources into this program. As a one-person shop, Bil might be overworked and overloaded with all aspects of the program.
• Thinking about grouping and the next group assignment – want to mix different levels but consider geographical diversity

My reflections:
1. U West needs to invest more resources to ensure program success. Adding more program staff and provide teacher technology training are two obvious and immediate ones
2. With an open-door policy, a program likes this will have students coming in with different levels of English, technology, and Buddhism content knowledge. This is okay but how to scaffold so the entire community and move forward while each individual can find their own voice is a challenge

I changed to landline connection before the interview but the connection was dropped toward the end. Technology! What can you say?