#etmooc is finally here.  What an adventure it’s been to get here. I must tell you, I thought I was doomed when I discovered Alec Couros was on sabbatical for 12-13.

I met Alec and his brother George a couple of years ago when they were keynote speakers for a digital symposium at a local high school.  My first impression of them was “Wow, they really know what they’re doing, and they do it well.”  The fluidity of using technology and connecting to students was commendable, even more so when an appropriate tweet came onto the feed in the afternoon and the duo handled the situation  as a learning opportunity rather than a disciplinary issue.

I stumbled into their paths online through blogs, twitter and the like.  Alec was offering a Social Media course one fall that was open – and I so badly wanted to take it. I had just started my master’s online work and could not handle more work – next year I thought, when I’m on sabbatical. I contacted the University of Regina to sign up to be told it would be offered.  Not to be deterred, I contacted Alec directly who informed me of his good news – a sabbatical, and my bad news – no Social Media course.

Last September I stumbled onto Alec’s blog to discover the possibility of #etmooc – I was elated.

I am both excited and nervous.  This is my second MOOC and hoping I will be able to keep up better than in the first one.  I am worried about “doing well”, learning enough, contributing, wondering where will I be at the end of this MOOC and mostly, I’m feeling a little lost because I don’t have a “map” of the course!!

The upside is “jumping into the cold water” may be good for me.  Jump in and figure it out as I go along.  Some of the best adventures are those that just happen.  It will be interesting to see if any authentic connectedness occurs, or if it just a series of tasks that result in good learning.