Etmooc: #1 “Oh, the places I’ll go!”

Me as a “homo floresiensis woman.” How is this for an introduction?
The Natural History Museum, Smithsonian, Washington, DC

Introductions are always tricky.  What to wear, what to say, how to say it, what is the context and the setting and what do people really want to know about me?  Sometimes is a tough call to make.  Do I really want to make something that probably no one will view? So many questions with unresolved answers.  I have spent the first week of this new MOOC understanding that any resemblance to any other MOOC that I will take may be minimal.  After all, this entire experience is to be about making connections.  I spent a considerable amount of time reading the blogs of others, participating in the initial twitter chat and watching the introductory programs on Blackboard.   Here is my ever so brief introduction:  #Etmooc-It’s me…Laurie

In my quest to make connections this week, I found an short, informative YouTube clip on the blog page of Karin Gitch.  Dave Cormier‘s ideas about How do Succeed in  a MOOC, asked me to consider how I will approach this experience.  He  suggests that students consider the following five steps in order to be successful.

Orientation-Where will I find the materials? 

#Etmooc-Educational Technology & Media

• That’s a no brainer, as the organizers of the #Etmooc have done just that! They have organized everything that I will need on a web page, have created Blackboard programs that contain a section of archived programs. I  looked forward to listening to Sue Water’s presentation about blogs.  I included Sue as part of my initial “Tribe” when creating a Prezi about my Personal Learning Network for Adult 641.   What a let down when the connection did not occur! She and I chatted briefly this week on the twitter evening about “quadblogging.”  Three women from my EDCMOOC group blog, connect on FB and will soon use Google+ to “stay connected.” Sue has graciously offered to hold another live session as there were many of us who struggled with computer glitches that night. The “archive” tab for this MOOC will provide an opportunity for me to catch up with the group at a later time.

Declare-What do I wish to accomplish, what is my goal in taking this course?

• The only reason that I knew about this course is because Dr. Alex Couros posted a tweet several months ago.  Talk about making great connections!  Connectivism is such a new theory of learning that it is not even presented in the theories of Adult Learning “bible.”   While considerable time was given to the exploration of , unpacking and application of the five major theories, connectivisim, the theory vitally important to those in the  “Teaching and Learning with Technology” track of my graduate program was not discussed.  Connectivism is so new, that I needed to add it to the dictionary on my computer!  I am keenly interested in learning more about this theory, exploring how it relates to digital learning and how I can use this opportunity to make stronger connections with others using digital and social media!

Network-building smart rooms one network at a time! (thank you, David Weinberger!)

• The possibilities are endless for how smart the rooms can become where I live and interact.  Already I have built a strong room of connections through another MOOC, E-Learning and Digital Cultures and the class has not even begun!  Understanding how important sharing and creating is to the digital world is one of the most significant components of becoming “networked.”  While this new MOOC is less than two weeks old, connections are forming based on location, interests and yes, movies!  A crucial factor in becoming a smart part of this new room is the willingness to extend myself.  Several of us dip into both MOOCs. This will provide for an interesting ‘hangout” where we converse about what we are learning in both MOOCs!

Cluster-How do I move from the “floor” to the “ceiling?”

• After a semester of thrills and roller coaster rides through the tools associated with social media, I am ready to engage  them with the tasks associated with this course.
• Theories of learning, ideas that surround connectivism, organization and digital literacy are topics that I consider”clustering around.”  In the orientation this week, Dr. Couros talked about the idea of digital literacy as the “floor” and “fluency” as the ceiling of learning. His community is considering how to implement changes with students to move them from the “floor” to the “ceiling.” I am ready to make this move. My professors provided a solid “floor” on which to stand. It’s now time to develop a “ceiling” that reflect my philosophy of “The broader the base, the higher the tower!”

Focus-baby, focus…

Educating Rita-wonder what her life would be like with digital tools?

• My mentor is so generous in saying that I am someone who is able to get back on the path even when I stray to pursue other venues.  Our conversations this week over coffee at Panera brimmed with discussion about this class, my graduate studies and where I would like to share what I learn.
• The group study, posters and presentations created in Adult 601 linger with me as I transition from course to course.  I a rather visual and can picture the image of each poster that hung in the classroom, the discussion that surrounded each theory of learning and then the application that ensue when applying it to the film, Educating Rita.
• The posters are long gone and have transitioned through the cycle or renew and recycle. I wish that they were in the “clouds” for seamless transition from topic to topic.
• David Cormier suggests that students in a MOOC set a goal for the class. I think that a Glogster poster  would be a great tool to use for future learning opportunities and presentation.
• A glogster engages the important ideas about how a hyperlink, as Weinberger suggests in his book, “Too Big to Know,” extends the experience of the learner.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

“You have brains in your head.  You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.  And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.