Multiliteracies Evo session

Abstract In 2008, a new term emerged in the already crowded e-learning landscape: MOOC, or massive open online course. Lifelong learners can now use various tools to build and manage their own learning networks, and MOOCs may provide opportunities to test such networks. This paper focuses on the technological aspects of one MOOC, the Connectivism and Connective Knowledge (CCK08) course, in order to investigate lifelong learners’ attitudes towards learning network technologies. The research framework is represented by three perspectives: (a) lifelong learning in relation to open education, with a focus on the effective use of learning tools; (b) the more recent personal knowledge management (PKM) skills approach; and (c) the usability of web-based learning tools. Findings from a survey of CCK08 participants show that the course attracted adult, informal learners, who were not concerned about course completion. Time constraints, language barriers, and ICT skills affected the participants’ choice of tools; for example, learners favoured the passive, time-saving mailing list over interactive, time-consuming discussions forums and blogs. Some recommendations for future MOOCs include highlighting the purpose of the tools (e.g., skill-building) and stating clearly that the learners can choose their preferred tools. Further research on sustainability and facilitator workload should be conducted to determine the cost and effectiveness of MOOCs. Investigation is also necessary to understand MOOC participant profiles as they relate to course outcomes and retention and whether terms such as course and attrition are appropriate in this context..

4) You have lots of spammers following you

how hard-wired our affinity for novelty is

explores the evolutionary, biological, psychological, and cultural forces that drive our deep-seated neophilia

how our ability to respond to change saved us from extinction some 800,000 years ago to neophilia’s basic mind-body mechanisms to the profound ways in which the information age has altered our relationship with novelty

PLN, or Personal Learning Network

what we envisage involves colleagues sharing information in a social network or community of practice

Scott Leslie's nice collection of PLE diagrams: http://edtechpost.wikispaces.com/PLE+Diagrams

2. Hide Your Buzz Contact List from Prying Eyes

This isn't all that different from FriendFeed expect for one important fact: on FriendFeed you picked and chose who your friends were, but your Buzz contacts are added for you automatically based on who you email the most. If that's not information you want to share, here's how to turn it off:

Sign into your Google account via Gmail (or any other Google service) Go to your Google profile here: http://google.com/profiles/me Click the link at the top-right of the screen that reads "Edit Profile" Here, you'll see a checkbox that reads "Display the list of people I'm following and people following me." To make this info private, just uncheck that box. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Save changes" button

If you spend any amount of time using a wiki–or, for example, services such as Flickr or delicious, where you can tag and organize your material in a variety of different ways–then sooner or later entropy will tend to set in.  It can be hard to find things

If you spend any amount of time using a wiki–or, for example, services such as Flickr or delicious, where you can tag and organize your material in a variety of different ways–then sooner or later entropy will tend to set in.  It can be hard to find things

If you spend any amount of time using a wiki–or, for example, services such as Flickr or delicious, where you can tag and organize your material in a variety of different ways–then sooner or later entropy will tend to set in.  It can be hard to find things

learning as a two-step process: First there’s the transfer of information (from a source of knowledge, like an instructor, to the student), then there’s the assimilation of that information by the student

students need to have their first exposure to the course material happen some other way—like reading their textbook

in all fields, there’s still the challenge of motivating students to actually do the pre-class readings

TexToys is a suite of two authoring programs, WebRhubarb and WebSequitur. The programs are used to create web pages (HTML documents) which contain interactive language-learning exercises.

TexToys is shareware, so you can download and install it free of charge.

Registering your copy of TexToys entitles you to one year's free subscription to our hosting and results server at www.hotpotatoes.net.

the goal is to study technology and society by making gadgets that challenge assumptions of how machines fit into daily life and get people interacting

as Web sites become more social, they will threaten the existence of all kinds of businesses and organizations, which might find themselves unnecessary once people can organize on their own with free online tools

Find and Share Similar Websites SitesLike is a free service that allows you to find, tag, rate and share websites that are similar to each other. The websites listed on SitesLike are constantly monitored so the content is always fresh and up to date.

what is needed is something more closely approximating fluency in another language: the language of digital environments.

ess useful to know one program very well and more useful to achieve a level of comfort navigating digital tools for oneself.

1. Think of your computer less as the place where all your data lives and more as the thing that gives you access to your data.

Network Awareness Self organization (Smart Mobs) - There are examples of people organizing and mobilizing using networks in Spain, in Chile (penguin revolution), and here in the US (immigration protests).

Building trustworthy networks (part of crap detection) is a skill that students need to learn.

Attention - Collaboration - Critical Thinking - Network Awareness All of these skills need to work together. They aren't taught in schools. Students aren't teaching each other these literacies, though they are teaching each other many other things.