Connectedness in Learning
Brenda Gourley’s keynote address at the 2009 Educause invited us to radical militant activists – it tolls for thee. She titled her address, “Dancing with history – a cautionary tale” (I find it interesting that innovators use “dance.” Patricia Schubert-Barnes who began Sister Schubert Rolls in 1989 spoke at an event at Baylor University several years ago and invited us to dance. She was alluding to service, giving to others, volunteerism.)
Gourley originated the Open University and spoke to six important points that she feels impacted success. These are my notes from her podcast and not necessary direct quotes!
1. paid serious attention to quality of materials: assembled experts to teach course teams, technologist, graphic designers, Second Life
2. paid serious attention to student support through offices so that there was administers available, study centers, tutorials, meet other students, attend seminars, using facilities of other universities including residences
3. enlisted staff of other universities as part-time tutors @ 25 students per tutors, students say that they have never had more personal attention
4. OU lectured over the BBC, brand building, as technology became sophisticated it is now on cds and internet; BBC prompts interest today, jointly produced BBC/OU shows (10 Million viewers a week)
5. worked hard at presence, students, part-time students/staff scattered all over the world, seminar groups online, chat rooms, clubs, societies, peer-to-peer mentoring: 24/7 operation
6. emphasis on using educational technology, carefully researching how and when to use; large teams of people dedicated to research and extensive testing in this area
Two statements she listed hit home to me: paid serious attention to student support and worked hard at presence. I understand personally why Open University has been successful. I’m a current student in an online Ph.D. program and am two courses away from completing my coursework. The fun then begins, but that’s another conversation. The question is: Are we surprised that online programs need to commit to student support and presence? or Are we surprised that online programs think they can commit to support and presence? People are generally curious about online learning if they have never experienced it. I see blank expressions when I tell them how I’ve experience rich discussion and also mental exhaustion after each class. In my program, we get together once a year for 2 weeks of intense discussion, student-led and professor-led research presentations, classes, and mentoring among doctoral students. However, we visit with our professors over the phone, through IM, facebook, and Twitter. Many in the program have created hashtags where they tweet about topics important to their research. We stay current on each other’s research through blogs, visiting at conferences, etc. Online learning can be rich, vibrant, personal, and invigorating.
Two important players in the digital world are also noted in Gourley’s address. Tapscott and Williams introduced me to their “wikinomics” world in their book that profoundly impacted my view of the wiki principle. Gourley mentions Tapcott’s book, Growing up Digital. She also highlights Kevin Kelly and his phrase, “a new kind of socialism.” I was introduced to Kevin Kelly in one of my online classes, watching his video about the next 5,000 days of the web. Gourley invites us to join her and embrace the momentum of technology.
