Blended learning has many educational benefits which can help to establish rich teaching presence, social presence, and cognitive presence. One of the most widely used and researched frameworks for online teaching is the Community of Inquiry. These three related concepts of teaching presence, social presence and cognitive presence lie at the core and it isContinue reading “Topic 4: Design for Online and Blended Learning”

When this topic started, understanding of the topic was vague and unclear. How do you define open learning? Education is, first and foremost, an enterprise of sharing. In fact, sharing is the sole means by which education is effected. If an educator is not sharing what he or she knows with students, there is noContinue reading “OPEN ONLINE SHARING”

Networks have a profound impact on how we learn and in this topic I have learned what a Personal Learning Network is, where everyone is a learner, teacher and a contributor. We are able to build a deep support system of colleagues, mentors and coaches by connecting meaningfully and authentically. A personal learning network meansContinue reading “Topic 3: Learning in Communities – Networked Collaborative Learning”

“Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is about to begin. And there are many things that don’t really end, anyway, they just begin again in a new way.”-C. JoyBell C. As I reflect on my ONL educational journey, I can define it to be a learning roller coaster. In theContinue reading “Lessons learnt – future practice”

“The most profound words will remain unread unless you can keep the learner engaged. You can’t see their eyes to know if they got it so … say it, show it, write it, demo it and link it to an activity.” – James Bates Without a doubt the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significantContinue reading “Design for online and blended learning”

 What a journey this has been! A very special thank you to PBL10 for your insights and such differing points of view!!Despite viewing the scenarios from different angles, we managed to produce such works of educational art, that I doubt any one of…

Originally posted on maeling.onl:
Looking forward to a season of learning, to be loss in the world of expectant exploration, of undefined areas of uncharted waters personally in the sea of blogs. Much like opening pandora box, unlike my defined life as a family physician.

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller. At a glance one can denote that the needs and expectations of current day learners have changed dramatically. Learning communities,are both physical and digital connections. In South Africa the cost of education is getting higher, alas learners are also learningContinue reading “The Power of Community– networked collaborative learning”

Prior to Covid-19, who would have thought that there was a whole different world of teaching available in the technology space. Educators were set in their ways accustomed to face to face contact classes, being able to make eye contact with students, interpret body language and use simple practices without needing much from the student.Continue reading “A WHOLE NEW DIGITAL WORLD -TOPIC 1 DIGITAL LITERACY”

When designing for online and blended learning, it’s very important to consider WHO you are designing for and what their MOTIVATION for learning is.The CoI model is a very useful tool for understanding the learner.  Once you can fully grasp the so…