OER13

cc-by cake courtesy Fannie Hadoerk, Photo Suzanne Hardy. CC-BY

I spent the past two days at the OER13 conference in Nottingham. I had a stimulating and busy couple of days, preparing a 20 minute presentation on joining up some technologies and workflows developed here as part of the funded projects under the now finished 3 year UKOER programme, funded via Jisc and the HEA. There were 48 mini chocolate cakes iced with ‘cc-by’ to give away as part of our cookbook themed talk (I presented along with my colleague James Outterside).

Additionally I was asked to facilitate a 45 minute discussion session on OER Experience. No mean feat when you are in a massive lecture theatre with people sitting in ones and two all over the place…. the conversation didn’t stop, and we had a lot of notes with some fascinating observations captured by Megan, which I blogged at the conference blog. Oh I was a conference blogger too.

All the cakes went. The presentation was exactly 20 minutes long. You can see our slides (with a LOT of links at the end) at the OER13 website.

I suspect there will be a lot of work in organising and taking part in the OER14 conference, since the co-chairs are Megan Quentin-Baxter and Simon Thomson (Leeds Met). I hope I can be involved and am already looking forward to next year’s event. Wherever it ends up being staged.

Now back to ePorfolios, online assessment and feedback (OLAF), research data management (iridium) and helping out a bit with some work around open access.

OER/open practice/openness/transparency never goes way, it just gets called different things…..

Walk the talk: brushing up on presentation skills for effective communication

My job involves talking to people. It involves talking to people a lot. It has done for the past 11 years, really, and luckily I like talking to people.

My job involves training, it involves persuasion, it involves rhetoric, narrative and storytelling, as I attempt to cajole people to think about changing their practice in learning and teaching, particularly with eLearning.

I use presentation skills a lot on a daily basis. I enjoy presenting, and I hope my style is generally interactive and genuinely motivational. Presentation skills can be used in one to one meetings, in small groups, in lectures, conferences etc. The skills are the same, but how we apply them in different situations differentiates what we do in any given situation.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon with Michael Corbidge and Eamon (sorry I didn’t get his surname), voice coaches from the Voice and Text Department at the Royal Shakespeare Company. The session was organised by the Staff Development Unit here at Newcastle University. Michael and Eamon worked with a group of us to introduce tools and techniques to get mind and body prepared to speak publicly, and on ways to work with text to find new ways of getting meaning out of the words, to help us express and communicate the message more confidently and clearly. We worked on confidence, on being present in the moment, building those moments into a presentation, and linking them to gain momentum, and engage our audiences.

I found the afternoon fascinating.

I’ve always treated any form of public speaking or presentation as a performance. Whilst this can be scary and intimidating, it is always a chance to communicate your work (and to show off a bit). Communicating your work as best you can is an obligation of the funding we receive in higher education which allows us to do the work we do, in the institutions we do it in. I am constantly aware of how lucky I am to work in HE, of the privilege which goes in hand in hand with the responsibility I feel to use public money in the best way I can, as transparently as I can. Effective and efficient sharing and communication of ideas, outcomes and products of that public funding therefore goes hand in hand with doing the work. It isn’t an add on. It’s a fundamental part of the contract we enter into when we use public funds.

Keeping communication and presentation skills fresh and up to date is therefore, for me, an essential part of my personal and professional development. I am always looking for new ways into the content I am presenting, even if its a workshop I have delivered 50 times. I want the 51st workshop to feel as fresh, invigorating and interesting as the first. Everyone attending that workshop deserves to get as much out of it as the first people to attend.

If you have never thought about how you present yourself and your work publicly, I would urge you to go on a workshop like this. For many working in HE the techniques and tools you work with will feel alien and strange, but stick with it. I guarantee you will get a lot out of it, and so will your students, colleagues, funders and employers.

Learning to own the space you inhabit, to own the space you present in, to be present in the moment is fun and exciting, and will give you confidence and clarity in communicating your work and ideas. Even if you do get mistaken for a house manager from time to time.

#unitemooc – 15 March 2013. A summary.

Here is a Storify I put together from the event on Friday, here at Newcastle University. Since then a URL to a blog post by Martin Hall, the VC of Salford University has been doing the rounds, where he talks about his experience on the #edcmooc (E-learning and digital cultures MOOC run via the Coursera platform by the University of Edinburgh). I also came across a D-Lib article by Forrest Wright on What Do Librarians Need To Know About MOOCs? There is so much coming out daily on the MOOCs theme, it’s almost a full time job just keeping up with it.

The day was a though provoking one, and we have been fortunate to be allowed to share presentations from the sessions given by Sheila MacNeill and me.

  • Sheila MacNeill: So what are MOOCs? Histories, Pedagogies, Myths & the Media. Presentation. Sheila has posted on her blog since the event.
  • Suzanne Hardy: What is it actually like to do a MOOC: A Student Perspective? Presentation.

There was some talk about different definitions of ‘open’ and handily, Pat Lockley (Pgogy) has recently uploaded a recording of his talk on this very subject from CETIS13.

[View the story “#unitemooc: a information day for Newcastle University staff, 15 march 2013” on Storify]

#unitemooc: a information day for Newcastle University staff, 15 march 2013

The UNITE group, facilitated by @iainwheeldon at Newcastle University organised a one day event entitled ‘What Are MOOCs?’ for staff to find out more about them. Here is my version of the story of that day.

Storified by· Mon, Mar 18 2013 08:16:15

Massive Open Online Courses are an exciting recent development with greatpotential to change Higher Education. Staff with an interest in Distance andeLearning are invited to this UNITE event.The keynote speaker was Sian Bayne,Associate Dean for Digital Scholarship at Edinburgh University.A briefing document was sent in advance, and around 45 staff attended the event.Here is the programme:10.00– 10.15 Registration and refreshments10.15– 10.30 Introduction – The Digital Campus, MOOCs andthe current ‘state of playProfessorTony Stevenson – Pro-Vice Chancellor – Planning and Resources & Iain Wheeldon – Chair of the UNITE Group 

10.30– 11.15 So what are MOOCs? Histories, Pedagogies, Myths &the Media
SheilaMacNeill – Assistant Director, JISC CETIS, University of Strathclyde (link to Prezi: http://tinyurl.com/sheilamacneill)

 

11.15– 12.00 Why should we consider MOOCs? A University Perspective
SianBayne – Edinburgh University – e-Learning & Digital Cultures

 

12.00– 12.45 LUNCH BREAK
Duringwhich the attendees will have the opportunity to post questions for the panelsession at 1:45
12.45– 1.30 What is it actually like to do a MOOC? A Student Perspective
SuzanneHardy – student on e-Learning & Digital Cultures at Edinburgh University (link to slides on Google Drive: http://tinyurl.com/suzannehardy)
1.30– 1.45 REFRESHMENTS
1.45– 2.30 The Future of MOOCS/e-Learning Panel Discussion
Where do wego next?’ Chaired by Iain Wheeldon
Panel members: Tony Stevenson, Dave Wolfendale, Sian Bayne, Suzanne Hardy &Shelia MacNeill.

2.30-2.45 What Next and Wrap Up
There was a lot of varied and interesting discussion throughout the day, and obvious interest from outside of Newcastle University in the event as the day went on. This internal and external linkage was a fascinating aspect to the day.

Many thanks to everyone who took part in these discussions, to the speakers who joined us from Edinburgh (Sian Bayne) and Glasgow (Sheila MacNeill), and special thanks to Sheila who took over official tweetage when my presentation took place.

We have captured Tweets below.

@aliyafrazier @j_k_knox Me too! I saw the figure 2000 submitted artefacts mentioned in the #unitemooc Twitter chat but keen to find out moreKaty Jordan
careful consideration needs to be given to any open online showcase course #unitemooc – drivers need to be transparentSheila MacNeill
@sheilmcn @glittrgirl I can’t wait 2 see yr blog on #unitemooc, yr questions-marks & how empowerment happened by not submitting final assignEleni Zazani
@sheilmcn great tweets with #unitemooc tag which event was that? @maddiekp @sbayne Interesting figure!Eleni Zazani
@EleniZazani Have u noticed the hashtag #unitemooc? Looks like a useful thread of tweets from an event in Newcastle.Andy Mitchell
about 2,000 digital arefacts submitted by #edcmooc learners #unitemooc – huge range of techniques and technologies usedSheila MacNeill
@maddiekp Hey, when you get a mo you might find #unitemooc interesting to have a read through #edcmoocAndy Mitchell
“@sheilmcn: are MOOCs re-incarnation of Life Long Learning centres? #unitemooc” << interesting thought #oldsmoocPenny Bentley
dusting off my blog ready for part2 http://ow.ly/j0mRd great day at #unitemooc #h817NualaD
A huge thanks to Speakers, Panel, Unite group and Audience for taking part. Really interesting and exciting day. What’s next? #unitemoocIain Wheeldon
What are MOOCs? History, pedgagoy, myths and media, #unitemooc by Sheila MacNeill on Prezi http://prezi.com/lb889xjmms1s/what-are-moocs-history-pedgagoy-myths-and-media-university-of-newcastle-15313/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=landing_shareSharon Flynn
Thanks to all at #unitemooc a great day and discussionsSheila MacNeill
@glittrgirl cf http://hapgood.us/2013/03/14/the-point-where-the-toothpaste-will-not-go-back-in-the-tube/ #unitemoocJohnRobertson
Someone today asked about the MOOC market – this might be interesting http://higheredstrategy.com/who-wants-moocs/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
My slides from #unitemooc today https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bzj-mHCeteIHVkxybXBCSHpKWUE/edit?usp=sharingSuzanne Hardy
about 2,000 digital arefacts submitted by #edcmooc learners #unitemooc – huge range of techniques and technologies usedSheila MacNeill
RT @sharonlflynn: Me neither. RT @sheilmcn: I also didn’t engage in online discussion groups in #edcmooc #unitemooc << +1, loved blogs tho’Catherine Cronin
@heathermvincent #unitemooc I would have been surprised if it were different!Phillip Lord
@sgoggins But I see your point–there’s much we know about learning, online communities, media that applies to MOOCs. #unitemoocDerek Bruff
@sgoggins Unfortunately, much of the backlash I see is based on very little knowledge of what actually happens in MOOCs. #unitemoocDerek Bruff
@phillord Hm. I see your math, but many MOOCs are new courses and bring in new students. I don’t think it’s a zero-sum game. #unitemoocDerek Bruff
great set of questions and issues raised by @glittrgirl who is now plugging #oer13 #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
maybe consider niche/unique courses #unitemooc – interesting point about potential 3rd sector partnershipsSheila MacNeill
recorded lectures “not enough” – could get started with right mix of creative academic and support staff given adequate time #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
hard to balance pedagogical innovation with disruptive nature of potential failure #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
need to monitor accreditation for moocs and starting small is probably worth considering says @glittrgirl #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
Is course completion a real measure of success? #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
#unitemooc I think that we would struggle at the moment to deliver a MOOC. We don’t have a significant 100% online course presence currentlyAshley Wright
@glittrgirl felt empowered by not submitting final assignment for #edcmooc #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
need to think about new metrics for measuring success of (m) open online courses #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
are MOOCs re-incarnation of Life Long Learning centres? #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
Is risk of not engaging in MOOCs too much of a threat? Will be seen as obsolete? #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
some evidence to show that short course engagement does have positive impact on retention in longer (paid for) courses #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
What are MOOCs? History, pedgagoy, myths and media, #unitemooc by Sheila MacNeill on Prezi http://prezi.com/lb889xjmms1s/what-are-moocs-history-pedgagoy-myths-and-media-university-of-newcastle-15313/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=landing_shareSharon Flynn
potential pay backs could be increase in course enquiries? potential new overseas recruitment? but again need to be prepared #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
is this an add-on and are u (institutionally) willing to commit time & resources developing & delivering (m)open online courses #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
team approach needed for open online course design and delivery #unitemooc – that has time/cost implicationsSheila MacNeill
Following with #unitemooc tweets…Sian Prosser
as well as digital literacy skills development staff also need to be prepared for (potentially) harsh criticism #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
Pedagogical approaches, staff time for design and running takes more time than expected #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
If not using existing platform – how/where do you recruit? #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
need to carefully consider what audience you want to reach, where and when with open online courses #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
Platform – again need to consider, in terms of envisioned numbers etc #unitemooc – can you really cope with massive numbers?Sheila MacNeill
careful consideration needs to be given to any open online showcase course #unitemooc – drivers need to be transparentSheila MacNeill
need to carefully consider what audience you want to reach, where and when with open online courses #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
careful consideration needs to be given to any open online showcase course #unitemooc – drivers need to be transparentSheila MacNeill
are there market disadvantages of not having a MOOC presence? Does that matter to any institution? #unitemooc – there are alternativesSheila MacNeill
MOOCs aren’t for everyone says @glittrgirl #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
@sgoggins i agree we know alot already. but i thnk moocs bring interesting new social+technical questions around edu/learning #unitemoocahnjune
staff development key issue for delivery of MOOCs #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
@sgoggins @ahnjune @derekbruff @sbayne that is exactly what is being discussed here #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
Me neither. RT @sheilmcn: I also didn’t engage in the online discussion groups in #edcmooc #unitemoocSharon Flynn
careful consideration about using already open content as part of massive course #unitemooc – what are the benefits/costs/risks?Sheila MacNeill
some instutional questions – need to be very clear about engagement with online courses at this stage #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
was slightly frustrated by lack of academic engagement in comments #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
@glittrgirl engaged most on twitter during #edcmooc – I did much the same #unitemooc got a lot of traffic via blog posts but. . . .Sheila MacNeill
I also didn’t engage in the online discussion groups in #edcmooc #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
lots of groups were geographical based -not based on who likes marmite or wear red shoes:-) opportunity missed to share more? #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
another dichotomy in discussion forums – from banal to put down “I’m cleverer than you posts” – intimidating and saddening #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
@glittrgirl is of course a genius:-) #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
lots of questions of learner expectation and how to engage quality level of discussion #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
@glittrgirl #edcmooc aimed at 1st u/g, lots of post grad students in there – but found level of discourse “embarrassingly low” #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
RT @derekbruff @sheilmcn good point from @sbayne we need far more research on MOOCs before there can be a proper backlash #unitemoocahnjune
Yes! RT @sheilmcn good point from @sbayne we need far more research on MOOCs before there can be a proper backlash #unitemoocDerek Bruff
but like everyone else once in the forums it was totally overwhelming #unitemooc particularly intro forums – huge time sinkSheila MacNeill
What are MOOCs? History, pedgagoy, myths and media, #unitemooc by Sheila MacNeill on Prezi http://prezi.com/lb889xjmms1s/what-are-moocs-history-pedgagoy-myths-and-media-university-of-newcastle-15313/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=landing_shareSharon Flynn
easy things – enrolling, linking to blog feed, forums and meeting people #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
@glittrgirl #edcmooc was great fun and she learnt “loads” but not about digital culture:-) lots of dichotomies throughout #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
40,000 people to play with too good an oppotunity to miss says @glittrgirl #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
interest in OER and open education one of reasons @glittrgirl wanted to participate in #edcmooc resonated with personal interests #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
@glittrgirl starts her presentation (note the rather fabulous skirt)#unitemooc http://pic.twitter.com/bo9JXoZdimSheila MacNeill
What are MOOCs? History, pedgagoy, myths and media, #unitemooc by Sheila MacNeill on Prezi http://prezi.com/lb889xjmms1s/what-are-moocs-history-pedgagoy-myths-and-media-university-of-newcastle-15313/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=landing_shareSharon Flynn
+1 RT @glittrgirl Running MOOCs requires significant investment in terms of academic time and support staff time #unitemoocDerek Bruff
going to attempt to take on @glittrgirl ‘s twitter summarizing of #unitemooc whilst she presents the learner’s perspective of MOOCsSheila MacNeill
@phillord Perhaps you meant the content, not the students. But diverse students diversify the content. #unitemoocDerek Bruff
@phillord Actually the diversity of backgrounds and motivations in a MOOC is huge, much more than in a smaller course. #unitemoocDerek Bruff
I’m on after lunch so won’t be able to tweet and present at the same time #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
lunch has arrived – hurrah! #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
It’s lunchtime here at Newcastle University now. A beak from tweeting about #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
“@glittrgirl: Many thanks to @sbayne for being so generous in telling us about the UoE experiences with MOOCs #unitemooc” +1Sheila MacNeill
Many thanks to @sbayne for being so generous in telling us about the UoE experiences with MOOCs #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
A loss leader in brand raising #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Interested in the signature track idea #unitemoocAshley Wright
good point from @sbayne we need far more research on MOOCs before there can be a proper backlash #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
Business model not financially sustainable – what are the payoffs of MOOCing? #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Not something which is a fad says @sbayne #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
More systematic research will be done on quality of #edcmooc artefacts and feedback #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
wondering if any digital artefacts created for this instantiation of #edcmooc will be plagiarised if the course runs again #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
#unitemooc six courses done this year will repeat.Phillip Lord
I will be storifying and blogging today’s event afterwards #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Am really hoping there’ll be an archive of today’s #unitemooc event tweets. @glittrgirlSharon Flynn
Some students on #edcmooc will enrol again when it’s rerun #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@glittrgirl sweeping generalisation – they (we/I) ignore 🙂 #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
good questions re copyright infringement in #edcmooc student created artefacts – we’re all just working out how to deal with this #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
And how do peer assessors deal with obvious copyright infringement #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
How do couse providers deal with copyright infringements of student artefacts? #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
http://mashe.hawksey.info/2012/08/notes-on-technology-behind-cmoocs-show-me-your-aggregation-architecture-and-ill-show-you-mine/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
About expectation management, being clear about audiences #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
How do you balance students wanting contact against Massive nature of these courses? #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Laura Delgaty asking question about what problem we are solving by using MOOCs #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
http://mashe.hawksey.info/2012/08/notes-on-technology-behind-cmoocs-show-me-your-aggregation-architecture-and-ill-show-you-mine/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@ashleyhwright #unitemooc I wondered about that. Significant issue for rebroadcast.Phillip Lord
If you were to develop your own MOOC platform – @sbayne answers make it much more social #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@sbayne says Coursera platform brought the numbers they got #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@youngy71 asking question about Coursera platform – how much would have been possible without Cousera platform #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Like this pres from @sheilmcn: What are MOOCs? History, pedagogy, myths & media http://ow.ly/iYEnb #unitemoocCatherine Cronin
Next year UoE planning around 10 MOOCs around the same time. More strategic #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
The outcomes from the research around #edcmooc will be heavily anticipated #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
interesting to note the expectation of teacher presence from some #edcmooc students #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
I think it interesting that over 60% of participants had post grad degrees but were asking where are the professors and structure #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
#edcmooc perceived as being a very untutored space #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
#unitemooc Several clips online using well know music. Copyright issues, sorry to mention C wordAshley Wright
about 2,000 digital arefacts submitted by #edcmooc learners #unitemooc – huge range of techniques and technologies usedSheila MacNeill
Range of digital artefacts was huge- thinglink was very popular #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@sheilmcn I guess as a participant you have to find your own way to cope with it #unitemooc In a way similar to HE traditional modelAshley Wright
RT @sheilmcn: lots of questions to @sbayne about time/costs/rewards for teaching teams for developing MOOCs #unitemooc #edcmoocCatherine Cronin
#edcmooc transliterate space – was a deliberate decision by course team #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
#edcmooc most common experience was that is was overwhelming for both course team and students #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
What are MOOCs? History, pedgagoy, myths and media, #unitemooc by Sheila MacNeill on Prezi http://prezi.com/lb889xjmms1s/what-are-moocs-history-pedgagoy-myths-and-media-university-of-newcastle-15313/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=landing_shareSharon Flynn
#unitemooc First MOOC I went on was in 1993. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/91378.article. Nothing new under the sun.Phillip Lord
RT @sharonlflynn What are MOOCs? History, pedgagoy, myths and media, #unitemooc by Sheila MacNeill http://prezi.com/lb889xjmms1s/what-are-moocs-history-pedgagoy-myths-and-media-university-of-newcastle-15313/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=landing_share <-prezi, but goodDavid Kernohan
Reading through #unitemooc tweets — thanks all! Sounds like a great group, great event :)Catherine Cronin
#unitemooc Most students on MOOCs already educated to degree level of above. Most are 25-35.Phillip Lord
Like this pres from @sheilmcn: What are MOOCs? History, pedagogy, myths & media http://ow.ly/iYEnb #unitemoocCatherine Cronin
What are MOOCs? History, pedgagoy, myths and media, #unitemooc by Sheila MacNeill on Prezi http://prezi.com/lb889xjmms1s/what-are-moocs-history-pedgagoy-myths-and-media-university-of-newcastle-15313/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=landing_shareSharon Flynn
Are the presentations from #unitemooc available online, or going to be? Ta!Katy Jordan
@sbayne now talking about spaces created around the official platform #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
Question to publishers about how they will make materials available to MOOCs #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
#ff people tweeting from #unitemooc at Newcastle today @glittrgirl @sheilmcn @sbayne @ashleywright @phillordSharon Flynn
Team who ran #edcmooc also run http://online.education.ed.ac.uk/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Running MOOCs requires significant investment in terms of academic time and support staff time #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Why do a MOOC – academic course team perspective #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
lots of questions to @sbayne about time/costs/rewards for teaching teams for developing MOOCs #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
UoE did not anticipate making any money from this endeavour #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Running MOOCs requires significant investment in terms of academic time and support staff time #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
following on from #cetis13 analytics session – questions really important to data collection #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
#unitemooc Most students on MOOCs already educated to degree level of above. Most are 25-35.Phillip Lord
Most UoE participants were in 25-34 age group #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
guess the gender spilt in AI and Equine nutrition #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
Genderwise UoE generally fairly evenly split #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
MOOCs dominated by US and UK participants #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
niche courses could have more retention – but we still don’t really know #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
#unitemooc “reverse selection” different model to traditional HE. Students choose the course and stay or leaveAshley Wright
issues of data collection and use here #unitemooc – really need to join up Coursera data with non Coursera data/activity #lak13Sheila MacNeill
Mustn’t think of completion figures in conventional terms #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
#unitemooc very high drop out rate in Mooc — interestingly, v. variable across courses.Phillip Lord
critical thinking MOOC @ Edinburgh most enrolments #unitemooc – all kind of levelled out to c35% still active at end across all #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
RT @glittrgirl: Here’s the link to @sheilmcn prezi http://prezi.com/lb889xjmms1s/what-are-moocs-history-pedgagoy-myths-and-media-university-of-newcastle-15313/?kw=view-lb889xjmms1s&rc=ref-71415 #unitemooc > nice prezi, following event but wish I was thereJacquie Kelly
We will be uploading all of the presentations to the UNITE blog later #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@sbayne giving us some stats on UoE MOOCs #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
excitement and fun element of getting involved in MOOCs from teaching teams perspective #unitemoocSheila MacNeill
Reasons for UoE: repetitional gain (coupled with risk) and strong culture of digital education, explore new pedagogical space #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
UoE launched with 6 MOOCs aimed at 1st year undergrad level #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
UoE went into MOOCs – signed 3 year contract with Coursera in July 2012 #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
MOOCs at Edinburgh why consider MOOCs as an institution? Why consider a MOOC as an academic team? @sbayne #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Next up MOOCs @ Edinburgh #unitemoocAshley Wright
@sbayne IS #edcmooc #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Next up we have @sbayne from University of Edinburgh #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Here is the FutureLearn website http://futurelearn.com/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Question about FutureLearn – seems like there is nothing there…. #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Depends on what support people are looking for or want #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Question about support. How does the instructor teach participants to support each other? #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Links back to open badges, business models etc People are looking at it #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@sheilmcn gets asked about how employers view MOOC completion or not #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
#unitemooc If a course is massive, by definition, it’s going to be more homogeneous, because there will be less coursesPhillip Lord
Here is @sheilmcn work blog: http://blogs.cetis.ac.uk/sheilamacneill/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Completely open or not? Good point #unitemooc #sheilamvcAshley Wright
And @dkernohan’s blog where you will find his retort http://followersoftheapocalyp.se/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
And @dkernohan’s blog where you will find his retort http://followersoftheapocalyp.se/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
#unitemooc am I the only one to get travel sick watching prezi?Phillip Lord
And @dkernohan’s blog where you will find his retort http://followersoftheapocalyp.se/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Here is the Clay Shirky article @sheilmcn mentioned #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Interesting event here on campus today RT @glittrgirl: Here is the UNITE blog https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/unite/2013/03/… #unitemoocHelen Blanchett
#unitemooc Quote of the day “I have a bunch of nutters as twitter followers”Phillip Lord
@clhendricksbc @dkernohan #unitemooc is an information day for staff at Newcastle UniversitySuzanne Hardy
Here is the UNITE blog https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/unite/2013/03/14/what-are-moocs-event-15th-march-2012-10-00am-2-45pm/ #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@clhendricksbc discussion about MOOCs in Newcastle UK – the ever-awesome @glittrgirl is leading it, @sheilmcn is speaking. #unitemoocDavid Kernohan
@dkernohan Hello from etmooc! What is #unitemooc?Christina Hendricks
Here’s the link to @sheilmcn prezi http://prezi.com/lb889xjmms1s/what-are-moocs-history-pedgagoy-myths-and-media-university-of-newcastle-15313/?kw=view-lb889xjmms1s&rc=ref-71415 #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Hello to the #mooc discussions at #hedg and #unitemooc . And all over the known universe…David Kernohan
PCV Tony Stevenson outlines the Newcastle University position in its digital presence #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Newcastle University now has an official social media strategy for home student recruitment #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@iainwheeldon introducing the day #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
@sheilmcn is wearing the best frock I have seen this year for #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Welcome to everyone here, we hope you all have an interesting day #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
The room is filling up and all speakers are here for #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
#unitemooc Looking forward to the sessions today. What is the Ncl position?Ashley Wright
“@carenmilloy: California proposes legislation to bring MOOCs & other online courses into credit system: http://bit.ly/Z9o02t ” #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Should be an interesting day. Especially given my lack of sleep and therefore propensity to gabble. #unitemoocSuzanne Hardy
Getting up to prepare for #unitemooc day for Newcastle University staff. I’ll be tweeting it all day. Consider yourselves forewarned.Suzanne Hardy

Recognising skills: design matters

I’ve been looking at documentation today with a view to overhauling and refreshing a great deal of it. This includes looking at online presence, printed materials, and project management documentation.  Despite having worked in this area for most of my working life, it never ceases to amaze me that design of educational materials if often either passed on to student placements to do (and not even graphic or product design students), or untrained desk top publishing enthusiasts.

Would you let an untrained hairdresser loose on your tresses? Would you let an amateur dentist anywhere near your gnashers? What makes you think you can do as good a job as professional designers who have trained for years, got lots of experience, and know the rules for making something work?

Could an enthusiastic amateur do your job?

Isn’t presenting a professional well balanced, thought out and designed online and print presence important? Don’t you want the first impression your clients get of you and your services to be a good one in advance of you meeting them?

What drives people to cut back on professionally designed websites and print?

This is an area I feel passionate about, and one that really does matter. Getting a graphic designer in to help you produce on message print and websites is not a luxury. Nor is it a frippery that can be dispensed with. In my opinion building budgets which include professional paid for graphic design services is essential, and in the long run can indeed save you time, effort and resource, as you are forced to reflect carefully on who the audiences are and the important messages you wish to convey in your marketing/dissemination media.

Providing content is something which subject experts are indispensable for, and working alongside someone who knows about print and web design and their associated production and copywriting processes is something which is difficult to quantify in terms of worth to some. Until they have tried it with someone who is good, and who helps reflect the subject experts work clearly, succinctly, and in the best possible light.

Please don’t skimp on graphic designers and copywriters. They are worth their professional weight in gold.

2nd day with QuILT: partnerships in the student experience

Most of the day was spent in a workshop on leading the student experience: academic and professional services in partnership, funded by The Leadership Foundation and The Higher Education Academy. We have been looking at a draft toolkit to promote effective partnerships across academic and professional services.

The toolkit and its preamble were dissected by a range of staff and student representatives, and the team was sent away with a lot to think about. All in all a useful day for me.

First day rambling

My first day working for the Quality in Learning and Teaching unit here at Newcastle, and it’s been packed and informative.

I was lucky to be asked to attend a senior tutors meeting, which was fascinating. ePortfolio was one of the topics on the agenda, but to be honest I found being able to stay for the whole meeting incredibly useful.

Senior tutors are obviously a key group to talk to about the roll out of the system across the whole University and they came up with some fantastic ideas about how we might enhance the system and about how we can creatively bring more sceptical tutors on board with using ePortfolio to support personal tutoring.

Then we went to talk to careers who also came up with some interesting possibilities.

I am pretty pleased (if slightly confused) at how the first day has gone, with a potential 5 contacts from enthusiastic people with possible  ePortfolio pilots to explore further after only one day. Let’s hope the momentum continues with those who may need a bit more convincing.

Everyone has been lovely to me today which is a great way to go into the weekend. Hoping for nice weather in Alnmouth.