I admit I hadn’t heard of a MOOC (Massive Online Open Course)

I found a few relevant courses centred around online learning:

One at the Open University at http://www.open.edu/openlearn/education/open-education/content-section-0

I also found a MOOC at https://www.coursera.org/course/edc.  However, I cannot explore this one further as it has not yet started and also would involved double the work on top of the course I am doing.  It would have been interesting to do them both at the same time to compare the experience because of the similarity of topic and discussion.  My initial impression is that the Coursera site is attractive and inviting and easy to use.

I also found a course on P2PU – https://p2pu.org/en/groups/writing-for-the-web/ which is interesting.  In fact I am now registered at https://p2pu.org/en/Oonagh/ – this seems to be more of a dip in and out of type course and not set over a few weeks.

More about MOOCs

Watch this video:

MOOC issues discussion

A good description of a MOOC can be found at http://www.open.edu/openlearn/education/open-education/content-section-4.3 .

Some discussion around MOOCs at http://waynegersen.com/2013/03/11/anti-mooc-arguments-miss-the-point/

I have decided to focus on looking at the materials on the Open University MOOC and I am also interested in the the digital storytelling  MOOC at  http://ds106.us/about/ . Run by Jim Groom,  learners keep their own blogs, which are aggregated together into the main course blog. There is also an assignment bank where learners suggest assignments, and a radio station that is open to anyone to use for broadcasts.

Extending the Learning Process: Using the Theory of Connectivism to Inspire Student Collaboration

http://prezi.com/savijgdkjo_p/extending-the-learning-process-using-the-theory-of-connectivism-to-inspire-student-collaboration/

For years, library instruction has taken place in 50-minute class periods in the library. Librarians have traditionally demonstrated various research tools, occasionally provided students with the opportunity for hands-on practice, and then sent them back to their regular classrooms. Due to these time constraints, this method does not always allow for one-on-one instruction or interaction among students in the class. By following the underlying principles advocated in contemporary learning theories, such as connectivism, librarians can work with teaching faculty to provide students with a collaborative learning experience that extends well beyond the library classroom.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=connectivism%20library%20university%20librarian&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewprairiepress.org%2Fjournals%2Findex.php%2FCULS%2Farticle%2Fdownload%2F1833%2F1369&ei=CCdIUbOnDcic0QWirIC4Dg&usg=AFQjCNGz9b1auBhM_udRhNWVLU_ashsZBA

I’ve also been listening to a podcast of George Siemens on Connectivism at http://www.educause.edu/blogs/gbayne/cni-podcast-wikipedia-and-libraries-whats-connection

We need to see education differently. (George Siemens)

We need to see library education differently.

To stop individuals being overwhelmed by information.  What can they do with it.  We need to see connections and make sense of them.  Knowledge is the particular network. Learning is creating and shaping the networks. 

Basic level: Becoming aware of something

Active connection learning (finding a journal article and making connection with it)

Blogs, twitter etc enable connection and value of the resources.

You don’t become an expert by googling something.

Long sustained involvement in networks is vital.  Then reflect.

Libraries are there to assist students to become part of the network.

My first week on the course has been interesting because it is really the first time I have fully participated in an online course and I am finding it to be a very useful exercise.  I decided to use a blog to record my time on the course because I have not done a more personal blog before.  It may be possible for me to use the blog after the course has finished to expand my online footprint and use it to talk about teaching, learning, libraries, information literacy etc etc.

My overwhelming feeling in my first week of the course is that eeek the course has started and I have to get on with it on my own.   Having had no other contact with any of the other participants means that I am getting used to logging on and reading when I can, making sure I contribute and remembering everything that I need to do within the time contraints I have.  Normally I might see Julian or Sue and chat about things but so far I haven’t discussed anything face to face and I am immersing myself in the online experience.  I think I am slowly adjusting!