I have a background in educational psychology and I have being teaching the same since 2011 to 2017 before I went for masters in information studies, where I am currently working as an academic librarian at the Muhimbili university of health and allied sciences. All these years of teaching non teaching instructions has been done either online or blended. I had some digital literacy skills but was not able use it in particularly in the teaching and learning activities. As Osterman (2012) Suggested in his paper that the holistic view of digital literacy recognizes that the use of technology, specifically the Internet, is a reading comprehension issue, not just a techno-procedural one. This brings me more awareness that we need to read and learns every now and then in order to be effective in putting technology in use.
I the first topic of this course I learnt so much concept about digital literacy and what it meant by being digital literate Person. Being digital literate person does not mean to possessing digital skills rather it also about being able to apply skills according to context. The rapid changing of the technology needs one to keep the pace of it. The discussion which was indeed guided by the following 1.whta is the challenge about the technical partof digital tools 2. How do we get literate and what is it? 3. How do we relate to the tools? How do we choose the tools? Has led to deep understanding of the digital literacy in relation to online learning and teaching? The topic can be summed by saying that; digital literacy is at the central to full participation for the global community (Osterman, 2012).
The discussion on topic two brought me to another mile stone as an open learner. I had so many questions regarding open education. It seems to be difficult for me to go open. Many times I become a consumer of what other peoples work online. I wanted to contribute the world what I have but dint know where to start. Through the discussion with colleague in the PBL group life was made easy and I already I have a starting point for me to go open. Many tools are available for open learning such zoom, Google docs, padlets, you tube, facebook, study blogs, linkedin, etc. all these tools can ensure collaborative leaning.
There are challenges for going open for people for going open.There are insufficient skills, limited access to appropriate tools, lack of up to date software and hardware.
Law and policy of particular country. Some hinder the adoption of the opening learning. I have seen in a country where by some tools that facilitate open learning, are supposed to be registered by the government for every individual who would to use it. Like blog, you tube and forums. The registration fee and annual fee are imposed.
The teaching and learning methodologies. The traditional models of learning which is teacher centered, does not favor open learning because many professors may not know how to integrate open learning practices in their courses.
Quality Assessment – There is not a quick and universal way to assess the quality of opening learning courses and materials
Advantages for the open learning.
Opening leaning leads to opportunities for collaborative learning through the affordable tools that are freely available online. It also bridges the gap between formal and informal learning because of the tools (platforms) used and the experiences
In order to achieve this, legal and policies that impede ONL must change so that opening leaning is sustained.
Law and Policy should guarantee the issues regarding to open learning like the use and adoption of tools that support opening leaning. People should be better informed about their intellectual property rights and for those in public institution where they use public funding for researches to sing non exclusive copyrights so their institutions make their work available under appropriate licenses.
Help teachers change to facilitate use of opening learning platforms to emphasize learners’ developing competences, knowledge,and skills.
Therefore, teaching is no longer educator-centric, but instead it focuses on what learners collaboratively with educators or themselves
Reference
Osterman, M. D. (2012). Digital literacy: Definition, theoretical framework, and competencies. In M. S. Plakhotnik, S. M. Nielsen, & D. M. Pane (Eds.), Proceedings of the 11th Annual College of Education & GSN Research Conference (pp. 135-141). Miami: Florida International University. Retrieved from http://education.fiu.edu/research_conference/
