It is the night before our first introductory webinar where we are to meet our cohort compatriots and our module and course leader Jesse Alexander. Our Fastnet cohort is gradually taking shape with a constant trickle of new sign-ups both for the dedicated Teams group as well as the newly created WhatsApp grouping.
It is perhaps not surprising at this stage that so many of us are feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the scale and breadth of the online interface we will be using over the coming months. It does seem however that the structure of the online portals has been carefully considered and there is a generous set of resources to help us grapple with navigation and course structure.
I have had a walk-through so far and this was perhaps helpful in gaining an initial perspective of the online environment. However, the first few days remained somewhat daunting as I tried to piece together how to navigate, book appointments, synch feeds across Outlook, and access the various guides that were buried within the Canvas universe.
I am somewhat lucky I suppose in having designed and created several websites within WordPress over the past few years. This has allowed me to progress relatively efficiently in creating a basic framework for the Critical Reflection Journal. This does not equate to understanding how this will be populated going forward but provides some basic comfort in having a visual framework at kickoff.
Tomorrow, our meeting with Jesse should start the process of personal connections for the cohort as well as acting as a forum for initial concerns to be raised and signposting where and how help can be accessed. My own challenges lay in building collaborative relationships whereby in the past I might have looked to solve my own problems and rely on myself for ideas and inspiration, I am keen to engage fully with the skills and talents of the group.
The Photography of David Rosen 