Open Learning Environments
Education is breaking free of the confines of the LMS (Learning Management System). Abundant online (mostly free!) tools and services allow both students and teachers to take advantage of broader resources and potentials within self-managed Open Learning Environments (OLEs). The inherent flexibility and autonomy encourages learners and educators to ‘own’ the learning experience in authentic, responsible ways. ETEC522, for example, operates in a blog outside of Vista – we’re currently looking for the next OLE platform to host ETEC522 so this is an important analysis zone for the course itself.
Opportunity Statement
OLE ventures can offer better products and services for specific components of learning, as well as to help students and teachers better success in self-managing their evolving OLEs. Further ventures could support more effective parent involvement as well as to create bridges into more formal administrative systems.
Prediction Source(s)
Educause – Digital Learning Ecosystems
Posted in: Emerging Markets Poll
jkotler 3:08 am on September 6, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I think open learning environments are important because they gives both learners and educators greater access to valuable resources.
kstackhouse 6:03 pm on September 6, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I began using Edmodo two years ago (after trying Twiducate). I was cautioned though by our IT services team to check into where the information was being stored. Since then I make sure that we all use Avatar names and images (not our own) and all work and references use these names to avoid having student data on servers outside of Canada. Is this enough?
sonofpat 4:41 am on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
As we continue to lament the fact that education has not leveraged the current technology examples such as this shows that in some areas at least there is some evolution taking place. What is even more fascinating for me is the trend towards constructivism with empowering of students to determine their learning. I believe that we are living in the middle of a storm of change and when it is over education will never be the same again.
Kent Jamieson 10:52 am on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I don’t know if the ‘storm’ will ever be ‘over’. The swirling mix of new technologies and media are almost dizzying. I’m all for Open learning, simply for the fact of what it stands for. Breaking free of the older paradigms, creating a more empowered, connected, and accountable generation of learners.
jbrown5 2:53 pm on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
FREEDOM! Our work environment as part of the government is so restrictive and wait times to have any projects completed through the proper channels are so long that we are left wondering what open learning environment could suit our needs.
sophiabb 7:42 pm on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Open learning environment presents many possibilities for collaborative learning communities and opportunities that might be more meaningful, engaging and responsive to the teaching/learning experience. I am more excited about the possibilities than the challenges!
Eva Ziemsen 8:45 pm on September 7, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Open Learning Environments can open doors that would otherwise not be possible. Coming at the topic from the perspective of a media/film educator, I believe virtual worlds, such as Second Life, can provide students the opportunity to learn all aspects of film production, virtually and online. Without going into too much detail, a process called, “Machinima” essentially allows you to capture anything that happens in a virtual world. Therefore, if you can make films virtually and online, film production education could be revolutionized by being taught online.
visramn 11:51 pm on September 8, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Open learning can allow for all type of learners to learn in a manner that is best suited to them. Traditional means of learning have been very rigid and this has resulted in many students feeling disengaged from their learning. Open learning allows for students to be active participants in their learning. They are linked to their learning because they are in the drivers seat. open learning opens doors for all learners.
Shaun Pepper 5:11 am on September 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I think Open Learning Environments are an obvious learning environment moving forward. I think it is important to create classrooms that mirror the way students learn and interact outside of learning objectives and provincial learning outcomes. This is becoming apparent with TED Ed. and Khan Academy.
adi 7:58 pm on September 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
OLE’s provide options for countries with fewer educational resources. Instead of spending a fortune on an LMS, they can use ‘WordPress’ and an array of other OLE’s. Granted, there is the problem of privacy, but some solutions were mentioned above.
adi 8:24 pm on September 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
The above was the first of three of my Personal Opportunity Polls.
cunnian 9:12 pm on September 9, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
OLE’s allow almost anyone to engage in lifelong learning in almost any subject. The wealth of resources out there allow for multiple points of entry and can cater to a range of learning styles. As such, this is a very worthwhile endeavour!
longworth 10:43 am on September 10, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I believe Open Learning Environments are a wonderful way for educators to take advantage of what’s already out there and build on it. At this point in time I only see the benefits of learning more about different environments and how to use them in teaching / learning. Especially with budget always being on the forefront of concerns for both public and private educators one must start with what already has a foundation and build on that.
melissaayers 8:35 am on September 12, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
This is interesting topic, while on initial thought I was a bit against using a public blog for 522 for mainly reasons of privacy, control and ability to provide a safe and comfortable environment for students. However after just a couple of days of 522 I found myself challenging this initial opinion to see what benefits it may offer and it they outweigh what I saw as disadvantages.