blog creation process

   This is not the first blog I have created, but to create a blog requires a bit of self-reflection and introspection. First, pick a topic that you love or are most passionate about, because then you will feel more inspired to start the blog and continue maintaining it. Whether you have an interest in fashion  or are skilled or knowledgeable in matters related to technology, you now have a starting point in the blog creation process. Next pick your blogging platform, Blogger is the one that I use most often. Then create an account, a blog name and template. Finally, start writing and editing. 

   Blogging has allowed me to find my "voice" professionally and my most successful blogs were ones where the passion for the topic was evident in my writing. 

MOOCs : Potential to Change the World

   Technologies are emerging that can be beneficial to education such as Cloud computing, mobile learning, learning analytics, open content, 3D printing, MOOCs, virtual and remote laboratories, games and gamification, and wearable technology. As educators, we have probably heard about many of these technologies, if not all of them.

   A technology that I find of particular interest is MOOC's (massive open online courses) and the benefit to me as a teacher. Teachers can gain a considerable amount of professional development through MOOCs. There are several benefits of taking MOOCs, including learning new teaching styles, methods, completing continuing education requirements, collaborating with fellow teachers, and obtaining additional knowledge and training to supplement a teacher’s current lesson plan.

   MOOCs was designed in 2008 by George Siemens and Stephen Downes, and they are the originators and proponents of "connectivism which is a learning theory explaining just how Internet technologies have created new opportunities for people to learn and share information across the World Wide Web and among themselves" (https://www.sciencedirect.com). These technologies include web browsers, wikis, online forums, email, social networks, YouTube, Twitter, and other tools which allow the users to learn and share information with other people. This technology has the potential to connect learners everywhere together, unlimited seating, usually free, and offer flexible schedules.

   Although MOOCs made assurances to expand a quality education across the globe, it fell short. An article in Science entitled "The MOOC Pivot" states that its lack of promise was due to “low retention rates, enrollment declines, and general affluence of students clarifying why massive open online course providers have primarily ditched their original model. Providers are concentrating as an alternative on the more traditional role of helping colleges take their academic programs online” (Reich, & Ruipérez-Valiente, (2019) pp. 130-131).

   While MOOCs are not a replacement for traditional education or even online college programs, they serve a much-needed demand for convenient, quality education. Depending on an individual’s academic needs, MOOCs can be the picture-perfect learning delivery method for a large population of learners.

   As educators embracing the emergence and adoption of MOOCs and other open learning initiatives and the principles and practices can help develop and enable communities of practice.

References

Connectivism as a Pedagogical Model within Industrial Design
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212017315001814

Justin Reich and José A. Ruipérez-Valiente, “The MOOC Pivot,” Science 11 (Jan 2019): Vol. 363, Issue 6423, pp. 130-131.

https://twitter.com/griercat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Cathy-grier651
Wiki Activity
Students or the instructor create a Class Wikipedia. Pairs or groups of students research a current issue and summarize their findings for others to review. This assignment is a summary assignment and group task. The skills and knowledge the students will learn are to carefully read complex text from multiple sources and to comprehend, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the credibility and summary of the information.