#EDCMOOC Using MOOC-like resources for undergrad education

TLT Group
tltgroup.org

Looking for examples of how colleges and universities are facilitating the most effective integration of MOOCs and similar new resources into undergraduate programs that are NOT producing or hosting the MOOCs. And thereby increase the variety, quality, and quantity of undergraduate instruction available to students and alumni.

Please share your ideas through this survey. tlt.gs/MOOCusage

#EDCMOOC Being Real and in Rhythm

The MOOC was referred to as "a happening" by Hamish Macleod, one of the instructors in the MOOC. "Make Your Own Kind of Music" by Mama Cass Elliott captures the spirit of my ideas around being MOOC real and in rhythm.

Created using iPad ap Paper 53 and Snagit

I have been thinking about two things in relation to a MOOC. One is the notion of being "real" or human.  The other has to do with being in rhythm.
I have been trying to understand the rhythm of a MOOC. After two MOOC experiences, I have come to the conclusion that the learner needs to create their own rhythm.  The MOOC truly is a container in which I can create the contents to be in rhythm with my needs.

Then there is the idea of being "real."
When thinking about being "real" my mind is drawn to The "Velveteen Rabbit" story by Margaret Williams.  Figuring out how to be "real" in other words, to develop a social presence and make connections with others in an online environment takes time.

Designated Learner - Lessons from Our Last Experiment

Created by Felcia Sullivan
https://voicethread.com/#q.b4104932.i21006791

On February 6th, Penny Kuckkahn taught Robert Voelker-Morris how to use VoiceThread (VT). Robert served as the designated learner. The event took place using web-conferencing, Adobe Connect. Below are my notes from the chat on lessons learned.

Two more roles emerged:

• Designated Follower (DF). Participants are given the choice to watch or to follow along. The Designated Follower helps a beginning learner stay with the training by asking questions from the follower perspective.
• Designated Kibitzer (DK) adds random informative comment during the training.

Again we discovered nuances that emerged during the training that were unanticipated. For example, Robert's (the DL) specific use for VoiceThread involved embedding the VT into a learning management system. This added another layer of complexity.

We need a pre-module on how to use mics in Adobe for those who might want to use mics during the training. Suggested that some sort of training may be needed for students, maybe record a demonstration.

Sequence used in this session:

1. Intro.context
2. TASK for instructor/DL
3. Others follow along AND add questions, comments, info
4. Encourage (if relevant) all participants to have access to what was built and test it briefly.
5. More reactions
6. 2nd demo/task?
7. Further comments?
8. Next steps

The group decided to continue the learning about VoiceThread on February 20th, 3:00 PM ET. This link will take you to the registration page. Please share a link to the VoiceThread that you create in preparation for the session on 2/20 by commenting to this blog post.

I've made additions and revisions to the Designated Learner slides. Your feedback is always appreciated.

#EDCMOOC, thoughts from week 1 and 2

I got a late start on the MOOC, E-learning and Digital Cultures,  My first activity was to listen to a recording of the February 1st Google+ hangout. This was a pretty good way to start as the 5 instructors provided perspectives on different aspects of the course and reacted to various posts and themes that have emerged from the course.  I loved Sian Boyne's use of the T.S. Eliot quote "In my end, is my beginning" (“Four Quartets” Part II: East Coker)  She used it to explain participant interest in the final assignment, even before getting started. This made me think about my goals for the course.  My primary goal is to figure out how to use social networking tools to build my own personal learning network.  Here's how I hope to do that:

• Utilize TweetDeck to follow participant conversations and to share my thoughts via Twitter as well.
• Join the Google+ EDC community to see how that works.
• Participate in the tlt sMOOCher study group.

I also want to:

• Gain new perspectives on e-Learning and then share and incorporate into my work.
• Experiment with joy and abandon without becoming adicted. 

I have learned a lot about creating social presence by observing others. The course is large in size but I just don't think that should be a negative.  The trick, I think, is to figure out how to make the largeness a positive. I stumbled upon a VoiceThread that Felecia Sullivan started, see below.  I so love hearing people's voices and listening to the conversation that is emerging. The idea of engaging in a smaller community within the larger MOOC has emerged from more people.  I concur with this sentiment and this VoiceThread is an example.



I need to dive into the content so I can engage in the conversation as well.  In other words, I need to catch-up.

Designated learner slides

Working to develop slides describing the designated learner approach. Would love your feedback.