Week 5 Summary

Week 5 Summary

This week has been a rollercoaster. The original Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) ‘Leadership and Management’ made me panic as I quickly noticed that there did not seem to be an active online community than I had anticipated. I, therefore, enrolled myself onto another MOOC through Coursera and based the selection of subject on my current interests. The course discussion forum showed a cohort of participants from a professional background with the aim to further their understanding of ‘The Brain and Space.’ During the first couple of days, the forum was full of introductions, but no mention of the course content. I found myself an ardent participant throughout the first couple of days until I began to evaluate the process, content, and assessment. After an intense study period, I began to contemplate ways to challenge the technology behind the multiple choice quiz in the assessment process. At work, collegiality was tested as we discussed the impact of MOOC’s on employability. I put my mark on our MSCEDC online community map and valued the presence of a book after both purchasing and reading a few digital education ebooks. I finished the week appreciating the xMOOC and through self-reflection questioned the need for discussion if aims and objectives are logical and course content and structure transparent. I felt that maybe a cMOOC would have been a better fit and began to compare and understand the importance of both. I also witnessed my daughter transition from an avid youtube viewer to an aspiring vlogger, recording her every move and thought on her iPad.

2 thoughts on “Week 5 Summary

  1. ‘ as I quickly noticed that there did not seem to be an active online community’

    Indeed, that is what quite a few people are finding. Understandable that you’d want to look elsewhere!

    ‘During the first couple of days, the forum was full of introductions, but no mention of the course content.’

    Well, that is quite interesting in itself, isn’t it? There is a need to establish identity, and often link it to location (thinking here also of the Google map for EDC this week!). Does community always then have to start with ‘introductions’, everyone getting to know everyone else?

    ‘I finished the week appreciating the xMOOC and through self-reflection questioned the need for discussion if aims and objectives are logical and course content and structure transparent.’

    That is really interesting Linzi, and I suspect that is what many designers of ‘xMOOC’ type courses would agree with. What does that say about ‘social learning’ and ‘constructivist pedagogy’ I wonder? Perhaps a good critical angle here is to question the need for ‘community’?

    1. Hi Jeremy,

      “Does community always then have to start with ‘introductions’, everyone getting to know everyone else?”

      Yes, I feel identity is important. However, we all have variations of our identity; social, familial, business, academic. It depends on what we wish to expose, we can create an improved version or produce the authentic self. The introductions can at times produce a sense of authority and power amongst peers, resulting in a competitive nature.

      The introductions at any workshop, meeting or forums can at times make me anxious!

      “Perhaps a good critical angle here is to question the need for ‘community’?”

      I feel at this point of the xMOOC the need for community would be to gain reassurance and discuss my experience rather than further my K&U of the content.

      L x

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