Final Reflection
Guitar Course: Whole note – the Online guitar Community
I choose this course because I like playing the guitar and wanted to improve my guitar skills. The guitar was given to me for my birthday, and I have been teaching myself how to play ever since, by buying chord charts and books with collections of simple songs. I had no formal teaching and I’ve always wanted to take guitar lesson but it was too costly for my budget and I didn’t have the time to do it. All this time it didn’t occur to me that I could learn the guitar online. When the opportunity came for me to this course I was overly excited.
On the whole I was quite content and satisfied with the overall course; I have enjoyed the lessons and most of all, happy that I could see improvements and the fact that it was free. By large the lesson was easy to follow and set in a logical manner. The course provided different lessons for diverse levels of competency, alos offers audio aid for learners to compare and learn, diagrams, metronome, different activities and lessons. An additional positive thing about this course is that I didn’t have to download any software for me to be able to listen to the audible tool. I also thought that the layout is appropriate for the content and intended audience. The organization or sequencing of the content is alos appropriate. Instructions or directions are clear and concise. Frequent opportunities are provided for practice and knowledge transfer. However I was a little bit disappointed that the tuner did not work for my computer, technological downside for this particular lesson. One more important aspect I thought the course lacked was to incorporate an online facilitator to support, help and provide feedback especially for an online course. Another cool thing would be to have an online video lesson, in addition to audio and diagrams. I think this is effective and will definitely speed up the learning process.
I feel I have achieved my learning objectives and expectations. Now I’m able to change the strings on my guitar, tune, learnt difficult chords, different styles of strumming and play a simple song. I’m quite pleased with myself for achieving the goals I set out in the beginning of each lessons. Even though I have not master all the above, because I know that’s impossible to do with only 7 hours of lesson, but I mange to give it ago and improve my skills, knowledge and confidence along the way. Like they say, practice makes perfect.
This course has proved that my preferred learning style preference is kinesthetic (by doing) and visual (by modeling). I was easily put off by massive blocks of instructions, but with sufficient diagrams, simple clear minimal steps and audio aid I was able to understand a lot more and learned faster. I benefit from learning at my own pace; less pressure therefore I tend to relax more; a better learning environment for me. I also discover during the course, that I was struggling for feedback, but I think for this particular course receiving feedback would be a difficult task. I’m comfortable learning at my own pace with no one to pressure me, I like the fact that I could repeat a particular lesson if I need too until I feel certain to go to the next level. The freedom to take control of my learning experience is great. I’m definitely going to continue this guitar course for my own interest.
Motivation is an important key to any from of learning, and I think plays a fundamental role in an e-learning environment, because the characteristic of e-learning is not of the traditional classroom setting, I believe learners should adopt self discipline, high motivation and high expectation. My motivation level was high through out the course, because I personally wanted to learn, but I also think the course presentation and lessons helped me to stay motivated. Although improvements such as, a variety of instructional or learning activities (games, video) used to promote interactivity can also assist with learning. I’m glad I choose something I like doing, if I had not, I would not be as motivated I also tend to procrastinate.
I thought doing an online course was not so bad after all. I had changed my perspectives on e-learning. I think it is achievable to learn online and it could be fun at the same time. I believe a well designed course that caters to the different learning preference (i.e. visual, aural, read/write and kinesthetic) and feedback support in a key component to a successful e-learning course. Also by making sure that various learning resources are used to ensure compatibility with learners’ different interests, abilities, and learning styles. As well as summaries provided throughout the material, particularly at the end of topics, lessons, and modules.
