[Sue Barnes]

Hi James

I  agree with your reasons why OER is not a panacea:

understanding copyrights and licenses is a swamp that needs a lot of effort and determination to find a way through. I would like to think that this will become easier as time goes by or with experience but for me that hasn’t happened yet.

maintenance and monitoring burdens can persuade that it is less time consuming to create materials from scratch – and at least you feel that you are in control that way.

it is critical to avoid overload – I find that it is hard not to get carried away when you are putting links to OER together as there is often so much that seems relevant. Perhaps, though the emphasis needs to be on helping the students to choose their own most pertinent and/or best examples from those we collate in preparation for learning beyond what we provide for them.

[Sue Barnes]

I agree with the challenges you list and think that all these elements add up to a lack in motivating the participants to continue. MIght there be a way of blending the Saylor approach with elements that keep participants involved and provide a vehicle for social interaction and peer support?

[Sue Barnes]

Hi Ali

I have experience of the ‘Flipped classroom’ as a student! I was one of the student’s who did not do the preparatory reading which , it turns out, I was able to get away with as the lecturer covered the main points before us to discussion and other activities designed to help us engage with the concepts. The fact that I failed makes me sad. I had er intention of doing the readings but other things came up and got in the way. Perhaps I have an excuse as I was squeezing the study of this module into a very busy LT role but I don’t accept that! Thus, although I very much agree with the Flipped classroom model I can see why it doesn’t always work. I believe we need to get our students to engage with content in their ‘own time’ and to use ‘lecture’ time to add value. Perhaps we need to teach/ train our students in self discipline. I don’t believe it is just a matter of changing attitudes. 

Sue

[Sue Barnes]

I ended up with three wordpress accounts with three different passwords and three different email addresses and going round in at least three circles and I am supposed to be a learning technology advisor. I so recognise … search for login email … I was doing that for ocTEL, wordpress, twitter, gravatar and possibly others all at th same time!

[Sue Barnes]

I agree that the openness is key. We have some pretty cool online learning going on through our Moodle installation but it is all hidden behind password access and very much thought of as belonging to the university and those who have been accepted to study there.

What I welcome most with the MOOC movement is the idea that knowledge belongs to everyone and the sharing of knowledge is what nurtures it and allows it to grow.

However, many MOOCs are not really open. Yes, anyone can sign up but if you don’t sign up you are then shut out. There is a thin line to tread between facilitating truly open and flexible learning and facilitating learning in a social constructivist manner which takes some organisation, coordination and synchronicity.

I am currently doing an online painting course – not open – I paid lots of money for it – but it is very flexible as there is no expectation for participants to start or progress together. There is a lot of good content but the lack of any real social activity makes the learning experience very lonely and lacking.

Sorry – I have rambled – but needed to to get going! Please can I join your group, Nick? I am currently a learning technology advisor at the University of Strathclyde. However, our job has grown and we are increasingly involved in the PG cert modules amongst other things. In particular we run a module – Teaching and learning online – which begins with a 6 weeks of online learning and ends with participants presenting a project in TEL.

Sue

[Sue Barnes]

yes, same here… computer and connection problems delayed getting stated although. extreme mailbox shock, now in recovery mode, trying to remember who I am so I can introduce myself…

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