Reflections on Topic 5: Lessons learnt – future practice

What remains for me to say? The course demanded more from me than I thought. You quickly get lost in the individual topics because each one is exciting and has so many facets and you always want to know more and more. I got to know some new tools, but I don’t know yet whether I will continue to use them in my own courses. I am rather pragmatic and take what is easy and helpful (it should be about the content I want to teach and not about the tools). But I will certainly keep my eyes open for new possibilities / tools and test one every now and then.

Since I don’t teach much online, I’ve been trying to find a link how can I integrate something similar for face-to-face teaching, and I’ve found that it’s all about the same thing for me: motivating learners to get involved, collaborate, engage them and give them skills, whether online or on-site.

Would I recommend the course to others? Absolutely! You are challenged, get out of your comfort zone, develop content with others, help to evolve the course itself, and learn through the other groups that there are even more solutions and many different paths are possible. I am looking forward to meeting my PBL group again, to see what the others have done and to follow the development of the course and maybe be a co-facilitator.

Reflections on Topic 4: Design for online and blended learning

It is totally clear that only giving texts, reading them and discuss them in a group is not a very sophisticated design for online learning. An effective design helps to create engaging and interactive learning experiences that support student learning outcomes. So what could it be? PBL is a well known and approved approach. It challenges the learners and give same opportunities because there is not only one way to solve a problem. But PBL is not online for online or blended learning it is also helpful for on-site courses.

And of course you should not forget the basic requirements, like ensure that the design is accessible, user-friendly and meets the diverse needs of all learners, the need for clear and concise communication as well as giving space and time for collaboration and interaction.

It is my job as a teacher facilitator to make a common thread visible, to show what the goal is, to provide learners with different sources, to guide them, but at the same time encourage them to look for other ideas and try new ways.

Reflections on Topic 3: Learning in communities – networked collaborative learning

Imagine participating in a study group or a project with a team of like-minded individuals who are also learning and exploring a topic that you’re interested in (like in ONL). Of course you can learn from the other participants by working  together and sharing ideas perhaps leading to a deeper (or another?) understanding. But it is not all about you, it is also about the group. It is a circle of giving and that requires openness. The work you do together is a common good. Maybe there will be an assessment / grading at the end, but your group work is not only for the teacher it is for the group and for yourself – together with the teacher. You have a common goal and that is what should be in the foreground. Every learner has  something that he/she can bring in, but the roles and tasks should not always be the same, facilitators/teachers should encourage learbers to come out of their comfort zone and a collaborative learning network could be a secure respectful place to try new things.

I perceived this type of collaborative learning like we did it as joyful and effective way to learn, as it provides the opportunity for social interaction, new perspectives as well as engaging because you don’t want to let the others down and motivation to finish a task/topic because you have to present it to the other groups.

Reflections on Topic 2: Open Learning – Sharing and Openness

As someone who values lifelong learning, the concept of open learning, sharing, and openness resonates deeply with me. I have seen the tremendous impact that these principles can have on my own education and personal growth.

Sharing is an integral part of open learning, as it fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas. Through sharing, I have been able to learn from others and contribute my own knowledge and skills to the community. And sharing does not necessarily mean that everything has to be online. Of course the digital world facilitates sharing enormously but you can also share or your experiences locally in an open way (e.g. giving talks for all).

However, as I want to continue to engage in open learning and sharing, I am also aware of the importance of evaluating the credibility of information and understanding the responsibilities that come with sharing (thanks to creative commons – makes it much easier to indicate things in the right way). I strive to be thoughtful and responsible in my approach to open learning and sharing, and to continuously evaluate and improve my own skills in these areas.

Reflections on Topic 1: Online participation and digital literacies

I am not someone who has grown up in the digital age, sometimes I struggle with all the possibilities that are given to us nowadays. But I believe that it is important for each of us to take responsibility for our own digital literacy and online participation. Online participation and digital literacies are more than just technical skills, they are essential for building trust and community in our rapidly changing world. Online communities can have a incredible power to connect with people from all over the world, learn about new perspectives and ideas, and build a community of support and friendship. However, navigating the digital landscape can also be overwhelming and lead to feelings of uncertainty and distrust.

Online participation requires individuals to engage with others in digital spaces, whether through social media, forums, or other platforms. This can be both beneficial and challenging, as it allows for diverse perspectives and new forms of community building, but can also lead to harassment, feelings of isolation and frustation when faced with toxic behaviour or of false information.

So how can we find out out about what the students, learners, partners or others with whom we work digitally feel, perceive us/our behavior? How can we get students / learners involved? Not only consuming but also participating, creating?

I have not found a generally valid formula for this. From my point of view, however, it has to fit the teacher, facilitator. It is of no use if you use the latest programs and tools, but feel insecure yourself.

Intro

Unbelievable but true, finally I manage to bring my reflections into the blog. The course is over since the beginning of December and I miss the exchange with my group very much (Thanks PBL01!). It was always an escape from everyday life, very inspiring and humorous.

The following reflections are my own quintessence on the journey through ONL 222. Certainly not everyone agrees with everything, so I am happy to receive critical comments that bring in still other points of view.