a final sprint for the gold

Image from Gordon Lockhart’s blog ‘Connection not connect’ http://gbl55.wordpress.com/

The Epcop Mooc has been an incredible experience which at times has been overwhelming but always inspirational.

I had to pick bits out of the various challenge levels to be able to work out the What? Why? Where?  and How’s of eportfolios, so I seemed to be stuck at Level 1 for ages. However, I’ve finally got the hang of it and realised that the whole idea of a Mooc is to approach in a holistic way.

I have explained how I’ve structured my e-portfolio collection in another post.

Personally, the best thing I’ve got from this Mooc is finding out that there are others on the same journey- and that’s a good feeling. I haven’t contributed much in the forums or webinars mainly because of time, but it seems like others have had similar problems. But although I only managed to participate in one webinar (about using WordPress),  that in itself was a Eureka moment.

The experience will also inspire my teaching. Last week I introduced a reflective activity (on Moodle)  to a group of 14-16yr olds who are coming to the college as part of a programme to introduce vocational subjects into the curriculum.  They loved it!!  These learners are unlikely to achieve A-C grades in English and maths because, for some reason, they can’t analyse a poem in the English language, or get to grips with algebra.  Sir Ken Robinson has got something to say about that here:

I know that these young learners, in particular, will enjoy being able to celebrate their work.  However, I haven’t found any of the systems (WordPress, Mahara or Googlesites [needs updating]) particularly easy to learn myself.   I think googlesites is possibly the simplest, and will  look at setting that up for these learners. It needs to be bombproof before I introduce it to them.

I also dazzled another group with my Spicynodes presentation of the accounting system.  I was very excited about creating this and may have been a bit too ‘Wow!-ey.  The learners certainly looked stunned.  I will perhaps approach it differently next time, by asking the learners to produce their own.

Another great tool I’ve finally got round to using is Audacity.  I will be trying this with a group of students as our entry to the college’s Diversity competition.  I will upload their photos and the clips of the music they choose which best represents them into a Windows Movie file. This is me – you’ll have to wait for the photo….

PRESS PLAY 

Download: download.php?file=162318&view=46030

That didn’t work? This is the legend singing it about this legend, and I was at this concert. Now that’s class!

So, So What? Now What?

Well, its been an incredible experience.  I came into it with a vague interest in e-portfolios and now that I have a structure and have got used to making posts I feel ready and able to reflect on my own learning, and my teaching {another tool- ohlife}.   As a starting point.I want to import previous and current evidence into my e-portfolio.  That will take me some time – not because I’m clever, its just been a long life!

and Then What?

It feels like the beginning of a journey rather than the end.  I am just about to have a go at another MOOC, the change.mooc.ca which is facilitated by Dave Cormier, George Siemens and Stephen Downes , and I’m starting an MSc in Multimedia and elearning next week.  I’m going to be a very busy girl. So, I’m now going to claim all my badges!!

Thanks to all my fellow Moocers for their support.

Related articles

• 7 Things you should know about MOOCs (downes.ca)
• The MOOC Guide (downes.ca)
• Level 1 – finally! (debseed.wordpress.com)
• a final sprint to the finish (debseed.wordpress.com)

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