Controlled Chaos

Too Busy is a Real Thing

With a little more than a month remaining in the semester, I thought it would be good to post an update on how things are going.  The best way I can describe how things are at the moment is controlled chaos.  Between changes at work, family needs, church commitments, and school, I've been crazy busy and I'm learning that there is such a thing as being too busy.  There are battles raging for my time and admittedly, I'm not doing as well on these fronts as I could - but you already know this as this is my first post in over a month.  Today I'll share a bit about this and how I plan to get things back on track in my crazy life!

Spiritual Life and Evangelism

A Tale of Two Classes

I'm a little over a week into the Spring semester and I thought I'd post a little update on what I'm up to.  This semester I'm taking PM101OL Spiritual Life and PM102OL Evangelism.  What is surprising to me right out of the gate is how differently these courses are structured and it is obvious to me that this semester will very much be a tale of two classes.

Fall 2017 First Month Review

That Passed by Quickly!

Over the weekend I realized amazingly that we're already through the first month of classes.  Man, that passed by quickly!  So I thought it would be good to give a quick first month review of what I've been doing, how things have been going, and what I've learned thus far in my classes.  I can definitely tell you that two classes is a little more challenging than one class, but it didn't take me long to get organized and into a groove.

Smooth Sailing

The Benefits of Staying Ahead

Week six is just about to peek over the horizon and for me, that means it's time to start working on Module 4.  I'm still the better part of one week ahead and the extra breathing room is really coming in handy.  It's a nice thing to be able to work at my own pace.

Getting to Know Logos

Learning Logos

I'm working on lots of things for BE101 at the moment but the most exciting thing I've done recently is to start kicking the tires on the Logos Bible Software program.  I'll be honest, it's an intimidating package to get started with.  But with a good old-fashioned "wonder what this button does?" attitude, I'm beginning to see the power of this tool.  Well, that and some helpful training videos...  

Achievement Unlocked

First Assignment Submitted

I've been poking at my learning assignment for the past couple of days and I got to the point where the more I tinker, the less I'm satisfied with the result.  So last night I decided to go ahead and submit my first learning assignment and put that behind me.  I think I did pretty well but let's wait and see if that squares with reality.  I can, at any rate, chalk this up as an achievement unlocked!

What now?  I'm a solid week ahead in my class and it doesn't make sense to read ahead quite yet for Module 2.  I have a little bit of an idea what my next assignment will be and if I'm right, I've actually got that one pretty much done as well.  So I have some time to burn.  Tonight I'll attend a chapel service or two and then maybe I'll dive into learning how to use Logos.  But that's really it for now.

BE101 - Ready, Steady, Go!

False Start - Kind of...

Officially, online classes begin tomorrow, not today.  But, DTS has posted the course module content to Canvas this past weekend so students can begin reviewing the material a few days ahead of time. We've been asked to wait to begin recording and submitting our work, but at least we can get a jump on the coming weeks.  So basically, it's "Ready, Steady, Go!" for BE101.

In addition to sharing some initial observations about the BE101 online course and my plans for the coming weeks, I'll also share my thoughts on the first live stream orientation for new online students which was held this past weekend.

Organizing the Unkown

Getting Organized

The early temptation in preparing for an online class is to just sit back and manage the tasks when they become available.  Clearly, there is an organizational structure to the class which will naturally encourage students to keep pace, but is this enough?  After all, time can be a fickle friend.  When you really need it, it always seems to turn up missing.  Therefore, it makes sense to get organized.

I honestly feel a little bit like my kids right now.  It’s binders, paper, sheet protectors, and pencils galore.  The only thing I’m really missing is a new set of clothes – although I still have a few more days…

But seriously, there is more to getting organized than just loading up on the supplies.  I’ll need to set up a schedule which includes budgeting for class time, reading, homework, and chapel.  I’m also going to need to factor in that there are a number of additional systems and resources I’m going to need to get familiar with given it’s my first semester.  So today I’ll share my thoughts on how I’m getting organized.