Hi Thursday – what sort of participants are you seeking for this group? I am a complete novice, so no knowledge or experience in TEL, but an interest in how it works to enhance learning and how to do it.
Hi Graham,
Also a novice and at a conference today and tomorrow. Just wanted to discuss the activities and the webinar on Thursday when i get back. Reflect the activity. Hope to catch up then.
Hi, perhaps we should rename this group ‘ Novices’. Although I dipped intoTEL courses before I always feel a little daunted by the mass of posts, forums, blogs, things to do etc… Its a bit like being swept along by a raging torrent. I have to take a mental step back and just dip in when I can, perhaps trying something that I haven’t done before – like using Twitter to listen in to a discussion (and take part if I feel brave).
I hope you don’t mind me joining this group too. I have had a fair amount of experience with Learning Technologies (both good and bad) but I think it is good practice to get novice opinions as you can often view things with a different eye.
OK – so we have a group then Here is a start.
Activity 2 – With one or more fellow participants, organise a period of reflection and discussion over two or three days and see if you can arrive at a shared view of:
2.1 What can we tell about the range of experiences and preferences among ocTEL participants?
From what I have observed so far, the range is fairly broad, but most activity is (logically) coming from the more TEL experienced educator participants. Also seems to be a range of expectations for what they want to get out of the course.
2.2 What challenges does this present for the course?
Need to cater to a broad range of expectations and levels of expertise.
2.3 In what ways is a MOOC like this one well or poorly suited to these challenges?
This MOOC seems reasonably well suited with the range of options and open questions. Seems to have learning objectives clearly visible and from my perspective at this very early stage has broad appeal.
2.1 What can we tell about the range of experiences and preferences among ocTEL participants?
From the forum posts I have read we seem to have amassed a broad range of experience (from little to very tech savvy) as well as a range of opinions (pro/anti learning tech).
2.2 What challenges does this present for the course?
Those with more experience using specific terminology could scare off newcomers. Jargon can be baffling and make people think that they are not working at an appropriate level.
2.3 In what ways is a MOOC like this one well or poorly suited to these challenges?
In general, it is a great way of collating opinions and encouraging debate on a subject, especially with a broad variety of people. My only hesitation would be that it can easily become to big with peoples posts/questions becoming lost in the shuffle
2.1 With regards to the range and preferences – yes the range of experience is almost polar from one extreme to the other, which I think is produces an incredibly valuable set of resources -for me anyway!
2.2 This polarity also brings its challenges where opinion can potentially be divided although I must admit I have not found that to be the case yet unless I just haven’t read those posts yet. The experiences of most people seem to be similar.
2.3 A MOOC like this is well suited to catering for these challenges – as they say – there is no right or wrong answer and everyone’s opinion is valuable. It encourages the more timid contributors to write as they know that they are not being judged on what they say.
Yes- the down-side is the sheer volume of posts and my fear that I miss something incredibly profound and valuable because I have been in the wrong forum! Perhaps a summary from each would be useful?
Hello All,
Great comments. Had problems trying to rename the group. I now realise it’s pretty meaningless.
2.1 What can we tell about the range of experiences and preferences among ocTEL participants?
I agree polar opposites, hugely diverse. Like learners in general full of strengths, weaknesses and motivators. Also agree that previous ocTEL want to guide or help which is interesting. Also as Louise suggests this offers a global resource of experiences.
2.2 What challenges does this present for the course?
Graham, yes definitely catering more broadly. But perhaps also keeping the engagement going for those with time constraints and those new to the environment.
2.3 In what ways is a MOOC like this one well or poorly suited to these challenges?
Gary, I have tried a couple of MOOCs and so far find this one to be most challenging from the outset and totally agree it’s way too easy to become lost and miss some great stuff.
I’m about to watch the Webinar, did anyone have thought about that? Has anyone participated in a MOOC before?
Hi all – not sure about “watch” the webinar – 25 min in and still got the list of presenters – so maybe “listen” is more accurate?
No I have never done a MOOC before – nor any form of interactive on-line course. Generally I find I understand the learning stuff, but not the tech. So hopefully this course will give me a chance to learn about how and why for TEL
Hi Thursday – what sort of participants are you seeking for this group? I am a complete novice, so no knowledge or experience in TEL, but an interest in how it works to enhance learning and how to do it.
Hi Graham,
Also a novice and at a conference today and tomorrow. Just wanted to discuss the activities and the webinar on Thursday when i get back. Reflect the activity. Hope to catch up then.
Hi, perhaps we should rename this group ‘ Novices’. Although I dipped intoTEL courses before I always feel a little daunted by the mass of posts, forums, blogs, things to do etc… Its a bit like being swept along by a raging torrent. I have to take a mental step back and just dip in when I can, perhaps trying something that I haven’t done before – like using Twitter to listen in to a discussion (and take part if I feel brave).
Hi everybody.
I hope you don’t mind me joining this group too. I have had a fair amount of experience with Learning Technologies (both good and bad) but I think it is good practice to get novice opinions as you can often view things with a different eye.
Thanks
Gary
OK – so we have a group then
Here is a start.
Activity 2 – With one or more fellow participants, organise a period of reflection and discussion over two or three days and see if you can arrive at a shared view of:
2.1 What can we tell about the range of experiences and preferences among ocTEL participants?
From what I have observed so far, the range is fairly broad, but most activity is (logically) coming from the more TEL experienced educator participants. Also seems to be a range of expectations for what they want to get out of the course.
2.2 What challenges does this present for the course?
Need to cater to a broad range of expectations and levels of expertise.
2.3 In what ways is a MOOC like this one well or poorly suited to these challenges?
This MOOC seems reasonably well suited with the range of options and open questions. Seems to have learning objectives clearly visible and from my perspective at this very early stage has broad appeal.
2.1 What can we tell about the range of experiences and preferences among ocTEL participants?
From the forum posts I have read we seem to have amassed a broad range of experience (from little to very tech savvy) as well as a range of opinions (pro/anti learning tech).
2.2 What challenges does this present for the course?
Those with more experience using specific terminology could scare off newcomers. Jargon can be baffling and make people think that they are not working at an appropriate level.
2.3 In what ways is a MOOC like this one well or poorly suited to these challenges?
In general, it is a great way of collating opinions and encouraging debate on a subject, especially with a broad variety of people. My only hesitation would be that it can easily become to big with peoples posts/questions becoming lost in the shuffle
2.1 With regards to the range and preferences – yes the range of experience is almost polar from one extreme to the other, which I think is produces an incredibly valuable set of resources -for me anyway!
2.2 This polarity also brings its challenges where opinion can potentially be divided although I must admit I have not found that to be the case yet unless I just haven’t read those posts yet. The experiences of most people seem to be similar.
2.3 A MOOC like this is well suited to catering for these challenges – as they say – there is no right or wrong answer and everyone’s opinion is valuable. It encourages the more timid contributors to write as they know that they are not being judged on what they say.
Yes- the down-side is the sheer volume of posts and my fear that I miss something incredibly profound and valuable because I have been in the wrong forum! Perhaps a summary from each would be useful?
Hello All,
Great comments. Had problems trying to rename the group. I now realise it’s pretty meaningless.
2.1 What can we tell about the range of experiences and preferences among ocTEL participants?
I agree polar opposites, hugely diverse. Like learners in general full of strengths, weaknesses and motivators. Also agree that previous ocTEL want to guide or help which is interesting. Also as Louise suggests this offers a global resource of experiences.
2.2 What challenges does this present for the course?
Graham, yes definitely catering more broadly. But perhaps also keeping the engagement going for those with time constraints and those new to the environment.
2.3 In what ways is a MOOC like this one well or poorly suited to these challenges?
Gary, I have tried a couple of MOOCs and so far find this one to be most challenging from the outset and totally agree it’s way too easy to become lost and miss some great stuff.
I’m about to watch the Webinar, did anyone have thought about that? Has anyone participated in a MOOC before?
Look forward to your posts. Lisa
Hi all – not sure about “watch” the webinar – 25 min in and still got the list of presenters – so maybe “listen” is more accurate?
No I have never done a MOOC before – nor any form of interactive on-line course. Generally I find I understand the learning stuff, but not the tech. So hopefully this course will give me a chance to learn about how and why for TEL