This semester I will be using this space as a personal learning blog. I am attending the course ONL201 which focuses on open networked learning in higher education. The personal learning blog is intended for individual reflection on course topics.
The first week focused on getting started. I attended an IRL meeting with other institutional learners from LTU. Although the course is organized around PBL groups with participants from all over the world, I think it was a good initiative to also get to know learners and facilitators from my home institution. This will probably make it easier for me to reach out if I encounter any problems during the course. This initial meeting also involved connecting with other groups of participants from all over the world, which gave a feel for the scope of the course.
The first week also meant getting introduced to the online course environment and some of the tools that we will be using. I like the idea that all tools should be freely available. Many of the tools I am already familiar with, such as Zoom, Google Drive and WordPress. The course website have a nice design and provides a reasonable oversight of the course content and structure. In my own experience of developing and providing online education (e.g. this Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Specialist Nursing) you are wise to put a lot of effort in preparations as to minimize students initial stress and frustration. This also involves providing generous opportunities for students to get support and try out tools for communication. It seems to me that the ONL201 builds on similar experiences and ambitions.
I am not equally fond of the community space which I find somewhat confusing. My impression is probably affected by some technical problems related to uploading pictures. My previous experience as a teacher is that such minor problems are very annoying but mostly out of your immediate control as course organizer. As a student in this course I find that they really do have a negative impact on my initial overall impression of the course.
