Mc² = E Learning Reflections

S o, despite learning about connectivism a number of years ago at the start of my #MAODE degree, I don't think I've ever really embraced the power of connectivism until recently.  So I wanted to share my thoughts on it here. For those who haven't heard of it before, here's a short clip where George Siemens (as cited by the University of the Sunshine Coast, 2014)  explains the concept behind his theory. So this idea of making connections became interesting when I started reviewing my EdD Proposal with the aim of connecting it with my previous blog posts.  I was having a bit of a reflective moment thinking, "How did I get to where I am?"  What unfolded wasn't just connections, but evidence of an evolving journey.   [Before I go on, I should say that I haven't been sponsored, nor am I intending to promote any particular tools or software.  I'm sure that there are other tools and ways to achieve the same or similar ends to what I've been doing.  I...

If you read my previous blog, Music has really influenced my thinking of late.  It's always been a big part of who I am, but more recently I've found myself thinking a lot more about words, lyrics and meaning.  Perhaps this is just a reflection of the fact that I'm getting older and the thumping dance tracks don't quite appeal to me as much as they once did.  But, in a reluctance to admit to the advancement of time, I prefer to think it's more a reflection of my own learning journey as I think about my current and past experiences. ( " A Treasury of Gregorian Chants "  by  StudioMONDO  is marked with  CC PDM 1.0 .) But this week I've been thinking a lot about by school music classes.  I loved learning about the history of music and how musical styles progressed through the centuries.  One of my favourite texts on the subject was a book entitled Stylistic Harmony  by Anna Butterworth (1994), a lecturer that I had the privilege to study wi...

Downloadable Copy of Transcription Downloadable Copy of Presentation Slides Abstract The potential of mobile technology to enhance learning and teaching practice has been recognised in various academic studies (Xiao (2020); MacCallum et al. (2017); Mohammadi et al. (2020)) and the learning opportunities afforded through the use of mobile devices are complimented by a number of learning theories including connectivism (Siemens, 2004 as cited by Manchester University, ND) and social constructivism (Vygotsky, 1978 as cited by McLeod, 2019) .   In contrast however, policies on learner behaviour management coupled with issues relating to the individual and collective identities of educators have led to resistance in the adoption of mobile technology within learning and teaching practice.   Indeed removal of mobile devices is still used as a punitive action against learners where the devices themselves are deemed a classroom distraction by educators.   Yet, studies address...

Hello to all my amazing readers out there.  I hope you've all enjoyed my writings and reflections over the past weeks, but this time I'm wondering if I can ask you for some help. (A poster created for my presentation at the Open University's H818 Online Conference) I'm a literacy educator working in Scotland and I'm passionate about mobile learning.  From my own experience as a mobile blogger I wanted to create a course that would support other educators in developing their understanding of digital pedagogy, develop an appreciation for the benefits and challenges of blogging and, in combining blogging with the afforances of mobile devices, spark creative discussion which might encourage other educators to use this in their own scholarship practice or as a vehicle to promote literacy development with their learners.   As such I've created a course using the Open University's Open Learn platform which is free for anyone to access.   Here is the link to the co...

Well, this is the start of a new and interesting journey for me.  Who knows where this will go.  It's exciting and slightly terrifying at the same time.  But all journeys start with one small step.  So here we go! Step 1 :  I suppose I should start by explaining my context, why I'm writing this blog and what I hope you, my readers, will get from sharing in my journey.  (With that in mind, please do make use of the comments facility below - an important part of this learning journey will involve listening to your thoughts and experiences in order to broaden and challenge my own thinking.  All I would ask is that comments are made in a mutually respectful way).   I'm writing this blog from the point of view of an educator.   I studied my undergraduate degree with the Open University (UK) and went on to work as  a literacy practitioner in the FE sector.  I've worked in the field of adult learning for s...