The future of learning

The futureof learning

Professor Frank RennieLews Castle College

University of the Highlands and Islands

Pedagogic Styles

Distributed Learning

Blended Learning

Distance Education

elearningf2f

Open Education

Mode 1 >> Mode 2 Education Homogenous subjects Solitary scholar Hard publication Universal themes Objectivity &

disinterestedness Blue skies research Life-long vocation

Heterogenous bases Multidisciplinary teams Internet open access Mission-led &

problem-solving In the service of

practical interests Contextually defined Professional teams

What are the Drivers? Flexibility and convenience The pressures of 'real life' Career elitism (CPD) Disaggregation of knowledge New technologies available (iPod etc) Intellectual stimulation

The Connecticon

Web 2.0• Interactive rather than Broadcast• Participative rather than a passive receptor• Collaborative rather than a single author

– Wikis, Blogs, Video, Audio, Social Networks…..

• Attention rather than Information is premium• Tests truth and its application• Context in addition to Contents• Personalised learning – multi-media etc.

http://www.freefoto.com/preview/01-17-2/Spiders-Web

Hyper-interactivity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnQcCgS7aPQ

Networking

http://research.uow.edu.au/learningnetworks/seeing/snapp/index.html

It is the connections

that are important

Online libraries

Geographical data

E-book repositories

YouTube

Open Courses

Wikipedia

Certification

Social networking

Twitter

Journals

Images

Paradigm Shift

From TeddY on Flickr

Self Study

Face to Face

Online Tuition

Activ

e Le

arni

ng

Instructional Learning

Educational Technology

Transmissive lectures

Gerald Ford School @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/fordschool/12681468384/

Pre-recorded lectures

The role of peer support

• Reference• Reinforcement• Recommendation• Resource Co-creation

Small interactive tutorials

Communities of Inquiry• Social Presence

– identification within a community with trusted relationships

• Cognitive Presence– constructing knowledge, discussing, confirming,

reflecting • Teaching Presence

– a consistent pedagogical approach to facilitation of the above to enable worthwhile leaning experiences

Knowledge

• Knowledge spreads best when it is interactive• Knowledge is networked• Knowledge is increasingly stored digitally• Knowledge requires evidence for verification• Knowledge can be contradictory and requires

an epistemological frame of reference• Knowledge is increasingly open

The university library

@ https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=University_Library_of_Graz

Online libraries

MLE Resources

On-site Practical Sessions

Field Trips

Remote field trips

Don McCullough https://www.flickr.com/photos/69214385@N04/8725078749

Third Places for study

Examples of OER

100’s of online social networks

http://kikolani.com/becoming-accessible-social-networking-social-media.html

Complex Adaptive Systems

Stability domainsSelf-organisationComplex system cycles

Triangulation of knowledge

Lessons on the importance of Place

• Different physical environments suit different learning tasks

• Different environments suit different people• Networking allows geographical flexibility• Digital resources can both supplement and

complement other learning activities• When learning resources extend beyond the walls

of the room, the possible combinations of learning opportunities become almost infinite.

The Attention Economy

Photograph sharing

The power of the crowd

Peer reinforcement

Opportunities for further study

Build on stability domainsLayer the nodes of resources

Social spaces

Shared interest communities

• Self-help communities e.g. course-based• Wider communities of practice• These can be private, restricted, or public• Could be SPOC’s (Small Private Online Courses)• May overlap into social (non-academic)

networks• Almost by definition are not geographically

restricted

Trial by exam room

Sashamd @https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashamd/132071876

Online assessments

The Benefits

• Knowledge and education as a public good• Reducing the barriers of geographical distance• Reducing the time limitations on delivery• Encouraging continuing education as a life skill• Encouraging networked and multi-institutional

education and research• Contributing to wider access to knowledge• Encouraging innovation

Curriculum flexibility

Ninja M @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/a_ninjamonkey/3772056663

Multi-institutional education

Some silly ideas..1

“Putting things online means that you lose recognition”

What about books?

Some silly ideas..2

“Putting things online means that you lose

ownership”

Creative Commons

Some silly ideas..3

“Online courses mean less staff are needed”

Re-deployment and better use

Some silly ideas..4

“Online resources are cheaper”

Different cost structure

Some silly ideas..5

“Online resources go out of date faster”

Actually means wider access

Some silly ideas..6

“My subject cannot be put online”

Almost certainly 100% wrong

The Challenges

• Dependence on the weakest link of technology• Overcoming traditional rivalries• Encouraging positive responses to change• Reducing dependence on traditional delivery

systems• Extending access to online resources and third

places• Fostering a digitally savvy culture

Some things to watch

The Attention Economy Self-organisation of learners Integration of platforms BIG OER meets small OER Course components will be owned and shared Dominance of Third Places – ubiquitous

learning Institutions will provide student support

http://www.flickr.com/photos/desireedelgado/3273760287/

A Summary

• Universities, like all other sections of society, are subject to change and evolution

• The ubiquity of digital resources and network access opens up new possibilities

• The internet offers the potential to reduce the constraints of time, geography and exclusivity

• A key challenge is to combine the best of both traditional and innovative practices

18th Century - The Scottish Enlightenment

http://www.freefoto.com/preview/9909-08-2924/Edinburgh-Fringe-2009

Europe’s first public education system

The triumph of rational thinking

The New Enlightenment

OEROpen AccessCreative CommonsCrowd Sourcing

View this presentation again atwww.slideshare.net/frankrennieMore info at www.lews.uhi.ac.uk/frennieBloghttps://uheye.wordpress.com/