Howard Browes

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 15:09:01 GMT
– Google+
– Public

ALT OcTEL 2014I started this course last year, but unfortunately work got in the way of seriously progressing the MOOC. This year will be different!As we have to decide on platforms to communicate, I am opting for Google+ and Twitter @hanbrowes. Hoping the various APIs i ve got set-up might allow further sharing – we ll see :)Initial thoughts from Week 0 as follows:1. Much as we like to think otherwise, the technology platforms are perhaps best described as 'work in progress'. I make this statement both from a provider and user point of view. Whilst providers have great ambition – and I m sure have spent considerable time developing technically robust infrastructure, there still always seems to be the unfortunate glitch every now and then. I hasten to add, some caused by user unfamiliarity with the technical platforms. For the advocates, we work it out or accept the glitch, for the antagonists it is seen as a further excuse for delaying further engagement with this type of learning.2. I am very much of a view, that when introducing new learners to online delivery, whether it be MOOCs or the more traditional VLEs, we need to try and replicate some of the  traditional learning behaviours. This is perhaps less of a shock and allows easier familiarity with the new approach? We normally do some kind of induction with icebreakers in many traditional learning sessions provide opportunities for social bonding etc, and perhaps just launching into the content of a course needs to include this familiar stage. 3. This relates I suppose to group formation. There are two approaches? Participant determined and 'tutor' facilitated with varying degrees of control. Having attempted various MOOCs of late, with mixed success, I always thing back to the brilliant LETTOL course offered by Sheffield College. You were put into groups for this, and the group couldn't complete some tasks  until each group or team member had contributed. Although this is more akin to formal learning, it was certainly a significant extrinsic motivator.4. So far, I have learnt of some new platforms and started to work with a fellow learner on (or perhaps it should be in) MindMeister and hopefully working towards establishing a group; i ve asked for overseas ie non UK learners as i m fascinated to hear of news, info and approaches to online learning in other countries. Aware that brevity is something I also need to master, I ll post further thoughts in a separate post. #ocTEL  

#ocTEL Activity 0.2: Small group reflection

Public mind map by Mark Bradshaw. Create your own collaborative mind maps for free at http://www.mindmeister.com

RT @Bali_Maha: Foreword to special section on #MOOCs on JOLT latest issue via @MERLOTorg http://t.co/CLbU3NEoiZ #rhizo14 #octel #BlendKit20…— Howard Browes (@hanbrowes) April 30, 2014