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Helpful look at some of the reasons we need to help students learn how to engage in online content through blended and asynchronous learning environments.

Self-directed learning on open online networks is now a possibility as communication and resources can be combined to create learning environments. But is it really? There are some challenges that might prevent learners from having a quality learning experience. This paper raises questions on levels of learner autonomy, presence, and critical literacies required in active connectivist learning.

The academic conversation on MOOCs is starting to polarise in exactly the talking-past-one-another way that so many complex conversations evolve: with very smart points on either side, but not a lot of recognition that the validity of certain key points on one side does not undermine the validity of certain key points on the other. I regret this flattening of online learning into a simple binary of 'politically and financially motivated greed' on the one hand and 'an opportunity to find out more about learning' on the other. Some of both in different situations can be true.

Linda Yollis, an award-winning 3rd grade teacher, made this video with her students to share how they have used blogs to learn the importance of connecting online with others online, about Digital Footprints and Internet safety, and sharing their voice. I think you'll enjoy it and hopefully think about the ways you encourage students to make their writing/learning visible and connect with others, whether it be a blog or an interactive online discussion. 

What is the relationship between synchronous and asynchronous experiences? The opportunity to learn more about digital literacy by treating both sessions as one continuous "meeting" helps define what digital literacy actually implies (the ability to move seamlessly within these various digital platforms to create one cohesive experience). How we define "meetings" is being transformed with the advent of the blending of synchronous and asynchronous experiences and I think will have a profound effect on education and professional development. What literacies will be needed to learn in these settings?

"NY Times writers collaborated with the Common Sense Media writer Kelly Schryver to focus on the increasingly important and nuanced question "Who Are You Online?" Times and Learning Network content as well as offerings from Common Sense Media's K-12 Digital Literacy and Citizenship curriculum for teaching and learning about this complex issue." Lots of avenues to take this material in working with students.

Why do we learn online?

"This online program will assist you with learning and improving your typing speed!" - check out this program for your class/school. Free and inexpensive paid versions.

"This online program will assist you with learning and improving your typing speed!" - check out this program for your class/school. Free and inexpensive paid versions.

The post really points to the possible pitfalls of online courses. It also suggests the importance of examining & evaluating the effectiveness of online courses - including the teacher's pedagogy and instructional methods - and student receptiveness, level of engagement, and success in courses. The comments after the post provide a lively discussion. Blended learning seems to get high marks.

Dr. Heather Farmakis shares some keys to successful online learning - especially as it relates to participation in MOOCs

Great way to use a blog as an online resume. Margaret has done an exemplary job in her curation of her blog. Great to show for career classes & business. I'm thinking about starting to do something like that for myself!

Great presentation on the place/value of blended/online learning & the CA Open Campus Initiative. The Initiative was Federally-funded to develop the curriculum which is shared to schools that want to use it. Embedded in the HaikuLMS. 

a list of courses to get you started on some social media learning, specifically aimed at teachers

Online portfolio for teachers - FREE. I would encourage especially pre-service teachers to consider using a tool like this to help provide something more engaging than the standard resume. One of my goals this summer is to use something like this or a blog resume to document my work, experience, skill sets, and learning. 

The honeymoon with MOOCs is over. The reality check has finally arrived which was inevitable. MOOCs will not solve all the woes of higher education. It is unfortunate it had to be a class on how to design an online course; it was the Fundamentals of Online Education: Planning and Application [FOE] offered through Coursera that brought things to a screeching halt. But this experience can provide an opportunity for institutions to re-focus-identify the role and purpose of MOOCs and move forward with a thoughtful, purposeful strategy.

"Rational ritual" and shared knowledge in the age of online social networks. Public ritual is about transmission of meaning and the co-creation of a common knowledge. Does common knowledge = literacy?