Group items tagged

post from Half an Hour: excellent explanation of how connectivist moocs work, what the difference is between them and x or wrapped moocs and what open is In this presentation Stephen Downes addresses the question of how massive open online courses (MOOCs) will impact the future of distance education. The presentation considers in some detail the nature and purpose of a MOOC in contrast with traditional distance education. He argues that MOOCs represent the resurgence of community-based learning and will describe how distance education institutions will share MOOCs with each other and will supplement online interaction with community-based resources and services. The phenomenon of 'wrapped MOOCs' will be described, and Downes will outline several examples of local support for global MOOCs. 

"Social networking software sites are often mistakenly called learning communities, betraying a significant lack of agreement or concern for what actually constitutes a community. However, social networking sites are being used by teachers to engage students in dynamic ways, and by learners as vehicles for constructing their own, very personal learning environments and communities. This paper draws on lessons we have learned about building personal learning environments and virtual communities from our research and experience in formal and non-formal learning environments. It addresses the key questions of how can we construct, maintain and usher out communities, who joins communities, and what characteristics of communities seem to be shared across learning environments. The paper also questions whether the label "community" is actually a failed metaphor for something that seems to be much too dynamic and elusive to capture with a single construct. "

Cybersecurity is an area that is new and exciting. People like to know how to be safe from cyber attacks to digital terrorism. It can at first seem daunting to dive into the field of cybersecurity because it is a complex topic. However, with technology being a greater part of everyday life, it is a must to know about cyber risks. Cybersecurity podcasts have been a useful tool for years to absorb security content, keep updated with the recent risks, hear about current events, and everything else you need to know in order to stay at the top of your game. If you work in technology or are only starting to learn about the field, these are the best podcasts on the topic of cybersecurity. There are several great podcasters lauding from the security field, delivering decades of experience, fresh experiences, and useful knowledge to listeners around the globe. We have discovered 10 podcasts full of engaging conversations, interviews, and resources on recent trends and events. These podcasts are great at keeping up on the news, gathering valuable advice, not to forget that they are fun to listen to, from the newest security technologies to the emergence of new malware. Here goes the list of top 10 podcasts in cybersecurity in 2021. 1. Darknet Diaries: Host: Jack Rhysider Date of podcast launch: September 2017 Three typical topics: ATM hacking, the history of carding, Stuxnet Available on: RSS, YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, Google, Overcast, Stitcher and others Average episode length: 60 minutes, bi-weekly Website: darknetdiaries.com Darkest Diaries is undoubtedly amongst one of the most fascinating and interesting podcasts. Something that should be on the top of your watchlist. This investigatory podcast digs deeper into actual tales about cybercrime, malware, and everything else on the internet that is suspicious. Darknet Diaries provides extensive review for those who are pragmatic about the data breaches faced to today's people and corporations, featuring "true stories f

The purpose of this paper is to outline some of the thinking behind new e-learning technology, including e-portfolios and personal learning environments. Part of this thinking is centered around the theory of connectivism, which asserts that knowledge - and therefore the learning of knowledge - is distributive, that is, not located in anygiven place (and therefore not 'transferred' or 'transacted' per se) but rather consists of the network of connections formed from experience and interactions with a knowing community. And another part of this thinking is centered around the new, and the newly empowered, learner, the member of the net generation, who is thinking and interacting in new ways. These trends combine to form what is sometimes called 'e-learning 2.0' -an approach to learning that is based on conversation and interaction, on sharing, creation and participation, on learning not as a separate activity, but rather, as embedded in meaningful activities such as games or workflows.

Stephen Downes on the future of e-learning: personalised learning, networks and PLEs amongst much else

In contrast to the digital footprint you use for your personal learning network, this focus is on the online digital footprint students' use in your science or math classroom. The power of a well designed digital footprint brings the capacity to transform a classroom into an online learning community. Within this community your students use digital tools to create and develop a personal learning network.

I have annotated this quite heavily as very interesting.

Do your systems have protection against Ransomware attacks? Ransomware is a sort of malware that cybercriminals use to extort cash. It holds information to ransom with encryption or by keeping users out of their devices. Few tips to prevent Ransomware attacks: This section gives you tips on the best way to safeguard from ransomware attacks. Never click on unverified weblinks Try not to click spam emails or on unfamiliar sites. Downloads that start when you click on malicious links is one way that your system could get tainted When the ransomware is on your system, it will encrypt your information or lock your system. When the ransomware has something to hold as "hostage", it will request a payoff with the goal that you can recover your data. Paying these payoffs may seem like the easiest solution. But it is actually what the criminal needs you to do and paying these payments doesn't ensure they will give you access to your device or your data back. Never open untrusted email attachments Another way that ransomware could get onto your system is through an email attachment (Email breach) Try not to open email attachments from senders you don't trust Always download from a reliable source To decrease the risk of downloading ransomware, don't download software or media documents from unknown sites. Go to verified, trusted sites on the off chance that you need to download something. Most respectable sites will have markers of trust that you can perceive. Simply look in the hunt bar to check whether the site utilizes 'HTTPS' rather than 'HTTP.' In case you're downloading something on your mobile, ensure you download from trustworthy sources. For instance, Android telephones should use the Google Play Store to download applications and iPhone clients should use the App Store. Avoid sharing personal data If you get a call, text, or email from an untrusted source that requests personal data, don't give it out. Cybercriminals planning

Creating a lifelong learning network is essential for adults who pursue continuing education as means to advance their professional career or improve their personal life. Regardless of the reason for continuing one's education, an adult's knowledge needs to continually grow. The changing nature of today's society demands the necessity for gaining new skills, new understandings, and new intellectual orientations throughout a person's life.

A 7th grade student gives a tour of her personal learning environment. This project was conducted as part of dissertation research implementing the use of networked learning and construction of personal learning environments in a 7th grade life science class.

blog post about a personal learning network survey

This page is a supplement to Mark Pegrum's seminar entitled Personal learning networks for students and teachers, delivered at the Big Day In, Navitas, Sydney, 29 July 2011.

Jon Mott recently published an article in EDUCAUSE Quarterly on Envisioning the Post-LMS Era. Jim Groom captures the reactions of individuals who have been exploring the link between learning management systems and personal learning environments. There is a sense - and I'll admit I felt it as well in reading the article - that many long-time contributors to the discussion were not referenced in the article. In theory, the review process should draw attention to important omissions of literature. However, most reviewers would likely not see the spaces (blogs) where much of the conversation happens before it jumps into mainstream as good sources. I've posted below that I wrote while at University of Manitoba addressing the LMS/PLE issue. I'm not sure how long an archive of their copy will exist, so posting it here might give it a bit more of an existence.

'Inside the Black Box' was written by Black and William in 1998 and in it they describe the classroom as a black box with inputs and outputs but what occurred inside was a mystery. For many teachers the reality has been that what occurs in their classroom has been both private and isolating, a matter between the teacher and his or her students but a task largely tackled alone. But this isolationist view is, in the age of the social media and networking increasingly challenged and more and more teachers are finding their voice, sharing their ideas and gaining valuable insights from a global community of connected educators.

Blog post that encourages all teachers to get online to improve their practice and sharing what they do to a personal learning network. Download the PDF poster to put in your staffroom.

Would be interesting to see if this also goes for the use of twitter by students in creating/using PLN's

Why is prioritizing mental health so important for professionals, now more than ever? Professionals have been investing more 'work hours' than ever. This may be due to the changing essence of market goals and priorities, along with how integrated we are nowadays. The 'always-on' working community, which is particularly widespread in diverse industries, relies on inadequate sleep, high-pressure conditions, running around time zones, high burden associated with turnover, and more. It is not unusual for employees to worry about burnout, anxiety associated with employment, and depression. There is a strong connection between pressure and productivity in the workplace. To feel safe, content, and efficient, we all need to have a certain level of involvement and pressure in our working lives. But if there isn't enough strain or too much, there could be a risk. The accompanying diagram illustrates the distinct areas associated with job strain. Mental health at workplace The relation between pressure, performance, and mental health: Rust Out Zone: It doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have enough to do or anything at all but that you find yourself often wondering if your work is intriguing or challenging enough. This leaves you feeling extremely disassociated and disengaged. Emotional Wellbeing Zone: You will be motivated, concentrated and invested in what you're doing when you face a fair level of challenge and responsibility in your career. You are likely to feel more secure, satisfied and therefore more confident over time producing successful results. Burn Out Zone: When conditions are extreme and last for prolonged periods of time, you may be at risk of burn-out and, inevitably, anxiety. Your commitment, enthusiasm and efficiency decline dramatically as this happens. People often claim that "when they're stressed/ under pressure, they work well", but this is clearly not the case. When you are challenged, oriented and committed, you can