[ElizabethECharl]

Imogen – I understand your ambivalence re the badge I would much prefer an attendance certificate but will take what is on offer. Your insights and ideas on the various issues covered has been helpful to me in reassessing my practice and views so thank you.

Elizabeth

[ElizabethECharl]

Thanks Sandra and good points Jo. I think that with the current economic climate it is going to be even more difficult to argue that one cannot undertake managing a project whilst delivering on the day job; and to bring in a dedicated project manager. If you are lucky enough to be able to use some funds to pay other staff to do the day job whilst you manage the project then you stand a better chance of really ‘managing the project’ as it should be. Also from the webinar a key point for me was to have a project sponsor – somebody who champions the project AND has the authority (power) and is known to all participants so that when a pinch point occur they can be called on when needed to help ease pass these.

[ElizabethECharl]

Sandra – thanks for sharing. We often learn more from mistakes than from things that run smoothly as you can then see clearly how the individual parts contribute to the whole – so I would agree with your takeaway message. I am sure that as a result when you are involved in a project you are more likely to ensure that the issues you raised as going wrong are addressed or acknowledged.

[ElizabethECharl]

Hi

I would have to agree with Ali that the area of concern would be in ensuring that the tone is appropriate for the audience. If that could be addressed in the design phase, different options for different audience then I would agree that James’ proposal is a viable one.

[ElizabethECharl]

Sancha,

Thanks for starting this thread. Can I pick up on the failure section and ask with regard to “mature students and blogging” whether you have considered:

Either providing some basic guidelines on how to blog or it is more likely that the concern is about putting their thoughts out there;

That this is delivered in a secure (password protected) environment or they set up their blog under an assumed/project name and how to do this (a little video/screencast on how to set this up on WordPress or Blogger – might not go amiss?)

You would then get what you needed their reflections but also have responded to the learners’ concern about vulnerability

The hosting by two websites is an additional complication that it would be wise to reduce but you are aware of this.

With regard to the technological support I am not sure that I can help but it might be interesting to see if some of our ocTEL participant might not be able to advise.

[ElizabethECharl]

James and Sue,
Thanks for an interesting thread. I totally agree with Sue’s last point about “emphasis needs to be on helping the students to choose their own most pertinent and/or best examples..” If that is kept in mind then we are providing multiple options/building blocks for the learner.

[ElizabethECharl]

Dear Sancha,

I can tell that you were not expecting to have to do this – I totally understand. I think that it is worth doing it the way you have suggested especially if they have not experienced that environment before. They will then get a firsthand experience of what it is like to be a learner in that environment and that is valuable. Possibly you could get them to keep a log of what they have picked up or realised as they participate as a learner: the issues, confusion, what works and does not, what would have helped – all should be recorded somewhere (Google shared drive anonymised amongst the groups). These could then be consulted at next stage of designing as a group – are there similar issues with all participants, how can these be resolved/addressed/be mitigated in the design of the course and activities therein.

I hope this helps and do get back to me if you want to discuss some more.

[ElizabethECharl]

Katherine,

Many thanks for the link it was extremely useful, in echoing issues and possible solutions.

[ElizabethECharl]

David,

Thanks for the feedback and the suggestion. I agree that I do need to also provide that element of them creating their own personal learning network and your suggestion would be an engaging way to achieve that. Building on the webquest that I have already designed this would be a logical next step. We already have a substantial list of resources that are freely available so examples could be given to get the ball rolling. I like the curation and use of shared bookmark suggestion, in sharing their findings it would result in a win-win situation for all concerned. With the learners being co-creators and my role that of facilitator.

[ElizabethECharl]

David
I have been toying with the idea of delivering my sessions online or as a blended option, to enable me to engage with a larger number of my potential learners. This was also one of the factors that contributed to me deciding to undertake this course as I wanted to ensure that I transformed my course design rather than just delivering it as I currently do F2F. Delivering the session as a PBL tends to engage mature students and as due to competing pressures they tend to look for support “just in time” this would enable me to provide that at a time and place that is convenient for them.

[ElizabethECharl]

Jim and James,

I have to say that I feel more comfortable using the chat window whilst the presenter is speaking as it is easier and less intrusive to type questions or ask for clarification from the moderators or other participants, without interrupting the flow of the presentation. Also as I am also located in an open plan office I really do not want to distrub others in the room and the chat window enables me to raise my questions without adversly disturbing others. I have attended US webinars and noted that there does appear to be more mic being used but even then there is still a preponderant use of the chat window. I supposed it may depend on the type of presentation and how many people are logged on. The Nancy White presentation I used both the chat window and the mic for that one. So all in all I would say that it depends on the individual, the presenter, the topic being discussed and whether the participant is in a office by themself or an open plan.

[ElizabethECharl]

I concur with James’ view about how important week zero was for easing into this MOOC and it made all the difference to how I engage with this course.

[ElizabethECharl]

Thanks Imogen

This is a really enlightening look at questionnaires and the issue with those completing them either over-estimating their competence/abilities and the fact that surprisingly some learners still lack basic IT skills. This is why I created the web quest (during the learning design activity) to try and get a baseline of learners competency before a F2F research session took place. I echo Anortcliffe views and the frustration the learner in question may encounter in suddenly hitting this obstacle which just adds to the layers of difficulties that they have to overcome, never mind the demands of the discipline/subject.

[ElizabethECharl]

Sandra and Sancha,

I too have concerns about the students who are less motivated or self-directed in their learning to continue and complete an online course. Although the argument could be made that a similar drop-off rate would occur if they were attending a campus for F2F teaching, there would be due concern as to why they stopped attending as Sancha pointed out. Yes these courses are open to all but I wonder if in about 10 or 20 years we will find ourselves in a similar situation as we have in the ‘analog’ distribution of education where only those who are self-actualized will be taking these online courses, a minority (granted a larger minority) and not the majority.  There may be motivation to complete a course so as to improve career options/prospects but with the likelihood that the individual will be working for longer and changing their jobs often how will this play out economically (xMOOC)  if accreditation becomes all important?

[ElizabethECharl]

I just came across the following and immediately thought of your course:

Vokis : http://edudemic.com/2013/03/how-to-become-a-better-presenter-by-using-voki-avatars/

 

[Author]

Posts