Week 11 Screencast

-->Week 11 concentrated on fun video/audio tools!  I choose screencast because the tutorial I viewed was simple to follow. To create my audio file I used my smartphone, uploaded it easily and then was disappointed to realize my file was a little too big to be uploaded without additional help.  Downloaded screencast uploader and then I was ready to go!

MOOC's or Massive Online Open Course was the subject of my audio screencast.  Koller (2012) describes Cousera as a way to research how people learn.  She has feels MOOC's equalize education in that it allows many more people to engage in learning that otherwise may not have the opportunity.  Cormier (2012) says that MOOC's are a great way for people to connect, collaborate and network.  This connection supports life-long learning and the principles of adult education.  It also represents independence and as Cornier (2012) says "only you can decide if you've been successful.  Just like real life".

MOOC's as a learning tool can be added to a PLE and PLN because of the networking, sharing and collaboration opportunities it presents.  I have used MOOC's in the past and after this coursework is completed at Brock I will begin my free MOOC course on permaculture  at the University of Oregon.  MOOC's will definitely become part of my PLE.  I believe as Koller does that MOOC's support lifelong learning and opportunity; however I do know based on my experiences living and working in the remote areas of Northern Ontario that many people do not have access to the internet.  And it also worth pointing out again about the digital divide that exists based on socio-economic reasons as illustrated in my recent tweet "the new digital divide" and discussed in my last post.  I'm stressing this point because I believe many of us including the corporate world do not fully appreciate that many people do not have access to the internet.  Of course there is free wi-fi however it is not secure and with the rise in identify theft, its truly not safe to be online in a public place.

"the north" Hamilton, C. (cc) 2011

As I'm approaching my final week in the course I am appreciating my personal learning from it.  At times it was overwhelming for person with little technical experience with online tools.  However, it has certainly opened my eyes to the possibilities how to take the vast information out there, bring it to me, categorize it and share it with others.

My final post will reflect more deeply on what it means to me to be a digital citizen.  Until then, Happy Easter!

Christine



Cormier, d (2012).  What is a MOOC? retrieved from http.//youtube.be/eW3gMGqc2Q11c

Koller, D. (2012, June).  What we're learning from online education (TED talk) retrieved from http://computinged.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/daphne-koller-ted-talk-whats-new-about-moocs.