In times of rapid change, we are all students.
Network Learning
UPDATE, Jan.18: I highly recommend that you take a few minutes to watch these videos that explain how you network and learn from your networks is critical to your future success.
This is the conversation that we want to have online & in class to kick off the second iteration of our post grad level social media course. I have posted it here rather then in the certs private group because former students, mentors and alum have been an active part of developing these expectations and we hope that they will continue to help us evolve.
What different ways do we use to share learning intentions with our classes?
Networks.
Above all, I hope that our students will learn how to move from a linear form of authority directed learning, to a network form of self directed learning. We learn this way by relying on various channels: this ning network has a group for certs in the social media course where all of the details about assignments, lectures and evaluation criteria will be posted. Students will receive updates via text message over their phones and the #humberPR twitter thread will become a constant source of discussion and additional information.
We will also introduce each assignment in the classroom, be available for questions face to face, online, via email and over the phone.
The detailed course outline that is available within the certs group should be a constant companion. It will be updated from time to time and contains links to all of the required online readings, podcasts and videos that each student will be expected to cover so that they come to class prepared to add value to the discussion.
How do you receive the learning intentions in your class?
Networks.
You will receive learning intentions through all of the channels and methods outlined above.
We are seeking an appropriate balance of theory and hands-on practice in the social media course. I have posted some video tutorials, some "how to" posts and I will lead some click by click demonstrations of social media applications.
More importantly, we have created a supportive network at www.humberpr.ning.com. Feel free to connect with mentors, former students who have taken this course and alum.
Networks like these, along with twitter & others have quickly emerged as critical assets for technical "tutorial" type learning. For example, I recently had a friend ask me a question about how to share a pdf through a link online without requiring a registration. I posted a twitter update with that question and within 30 mins, I had the solution offered to me from someone in the U.S.A., who I have never had a prior conversation with.
The "How To" List assignment is a new addition to the course this term. It is designed to illustrate how networks can be used to quickly get you up to speed on simple technical skills and to walk you through the process of learning this way.
When that kind of support is a ubiquitous online commodity, where should I try to "add value" during our Humber experience?
Sometimes ... whether you consider greater reliance on networks or for another example, our replacement of the traditional mid-term exam with an online, open, hands-on, practical examination that focuses far more on social media methods than theory ... it maybe difficult to recognize when practice is trumping theory.
I ask you to keep in mind that there are broader contextual changes taking place. There are many structural factors of change (see this link http://bit.ly/122OHi) taking place at exponential rates in our society. That leads us all to experience things as a sudden shift http://bit.ly/12MPjh. Students taking this course will feel this shift! In this kind of context it is particularly difficult to manage expectations.
The most important skills demanded by students and employers are changing rapidly too. Humber’s reputation is in part due to responding to change … and when required, leading in the face of change. There are inherent risks involved in leadership. They are worth it in my opinion.
The course outline for this course is now probably one of the most widely vetted in the history of the college. PR and social media experts from all over the world have been asked and they have shared their feedback. Alum have been directly involved in shaping the course and delivering parts of it. The course changed on the fly during its first iteration to respond to student feedback and all of this feedback has been incorporated into the new amended version of the course.
Do learning intentions connect to success criteria?
The evaluation criteria for each assignment is attached to its related post in the certs group on this network. You may print this off or view it from any internet enabled computer at anytime.
Are success criteria discussed and agreed with everyone before the lesson/activity begins?
We will review evaluation criteria in class before each assignment. However keep in mind that participation, collaboration and adhocracy are the keys to success in a network culture. Perpetuating the fallacy that success factors may be predefined, when in fact success factors have emergent qualities, particularly in a network culture would be a dis-service to students IMHO. Success factors are never derived from unanimous consensus. If that were the case, no one would act independently or take risk. They would wait for others. Compromise rather than optimization would be the constant norm. In short, thriving in a network culture requires you to derive success through connection to your peers, but most importantly through weak ties to those "unlike" you. Engage. Reach out.
Some additional views on how learning intentions and success criteria make a difference to learning ...
Pay particular attention to Adhocracy as a structure. Be aware of the qualities and economics driving social media. An iterative approach is required.
Students may have some frustrations as they learn to cope with a structure that does not conform to previous academic experiences. The persistent conversation about "How do I get an A?" is ultimately less important to the real success of the student than understanding and developing their position in real world professional social networks.
Tolerance for ambiguity was a key learning intention of my post graduate diploma program, though I did not recognize the teaching methods at the time. It drove me crazy. But the approach was designed to enable me to succeed in high context Asian cultures where the most important information is received through social connections, context and subtle cues. These are the same kinds of abilities that you need to succeed as an individual in the context of high bandwidth connectivity.
I am reminded of Robert Fulcrum’s little gem, “All that I really need to know, I learned in Kindergarten.”. At one point he recommends, “When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.” or something like that.
I am glad to be part of your network!
This is the conversation that we want to have online & in class to kick off the second iteration of our post grad level social media course. I have posted it here rather then in the certs private group because former students, mentors and alum have been an active part of developing these expectations and we hope that they will continue to help us evolve.
What different ways do we use to share learning intentions with our classes?
Networks.
Above all, I hope that our students will learn how to move from a linear form of authority directed learning, to a network form of self directed learning. We learn this way by relying on various channels: this ning network has a group for certs in the social media course where all of the details about assignments, lectures and evaluation criteria will be posted. Students will receive updates via text message over their phones and the #humberPR twitter thread will become a constant source of discussion and additional information.
We will also introduce each assignment in the classroom, be available for questions face to face, online, via email and over the phone.
The detailed course outline that is available within the certs group should be a constant companion. It will be updated from time to time and contains links to all of the required online readings, podcasts and videos that each student will be expected to cover so that they come to class prepared to add value to the discussion.
How do you receive the learning intentions in your class?
Networks.
You will receive learning intentions through all of the channels and methods outlined above.
We are seeking an appropriate balance of theory and hands-on practice in the social media course. I have posted some video tutorials, some "how to" posts and I will lead some click by click demonstrations of social media applications.
More importantly, we have created a supportive network at www.humberpr.ning.com. Feel free to connect with mentors, former students who have taken this course and alum.
Networks like these, along with twitter & others have quickly emerged as critical assets for technical "tutorial" type learning. For example, I recently had a friend ask me a question about how to share a pdf through a link online without requiring a registration. I posted a twitter update with that question and within 30 mins, I had the solution offered to me from someone in the U.S.A., who I have never had a prior conversation with.
The "How To" List assignment is a new addition to the course this term. It is designed to illustrate how networks can be used to quickly get you up to speed on simple technical skills and to walk you through the process of learning this way.
When that kind of support is a ubiquitous online commodity, where should I try to "add value" during our Humber experience?
Sometimes ... whether you consider greater reliance on networks or for another example, our replacement of the traditional mid-term exam with an online, open, hands-on, practical examination that focuses far more on social media methods than theory ... it maybe difficult to recognize when practice is trumping theory.
I ask you to keep in mind that there are broader contextual changes taking place. There are many structural factors of change (see this link http://bit.ly/122OHi) taking place at exponential rates in our society. That leads us all to experience things as a sudden shift http://bit.ly/12MPjh. Students taking this course will feel this shift! In this kind of context it is particularly difficult to manage expectations.
The most important skills demanded by students and employers are changing rapidly too. Humber’s reputation is in part due to responding to change … and when required, leading in the face of change. There are inherent risks involved in leadership. They are worth it in my opinion.
The course outline for this course is now probably one of the most widely vetted in the history of the college. PR and social media experts from all over the world have been asked and they have shared their feedback. Alum have been directly involved in shaping the course and delivering parts of it. The course changed on the fly during its first iteration to respond to student feedback and all of this feedback has been incorporated into the new amended version of the course.
Do learning intentions connect to success criteria?
The evaluation criteria for each assignment is attached to its related post in the certs group on this network. You may print this off or view it from any internet enabled computer at anytime.
Are success criteria discussed and agreed with everyone before the lesson/activity begins?
We will review evaluation criteria in class before each assignment. However keep in mind that participation, collaboration and adhocracy are the keys to success in a network culture. Perpetuating the fallacy that success factors may be predefined, when in fact success factors have emergent qualities, particularly in a network culture would be a dis-service to students IMHO. Success factors are never derived from unanimous consensus. If that were the case, no one would act independently or take risk. They would wait for others. Compromise rather than optimization would be the constant norm. In short, thriving in a network culture requires you to derive success through connection to your peers, but most importantly through weak ties to those "unlike" you. Engage. Reach out.
Some additional views on how learning intentions and success criteria make a difference to learning ...
Pay particular attention to Adhocracy as a structure. Be aware of the qualities and economics driving social media. An iterative approach is required.
Students may have some frustrations as they learn to cope with a structure that does not conform to previous academic experiences. The persistent conversation about "How do I get an A?" is ultimately less important to the real success of the student than understanding and developing their position in real world professional social networks.
Tolerance for ambiguity was a key learning intention of my post graduate diploma program, though I did not recognize the teaching methods at the time. It drove me crazy. But the approach was designed to enable me to succeed in high context Asian cultures where the most important information is received through social connections, context and subtle cues. These are the same kinds of abilities that you need to succeed as an individual in the context of high bandwidth connectivity.
I am reminded of Robert Fulcrum’s little gem, “All that I really need to know, I learned in Kindergarten.”. At one point he recommends, “When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.” or something like that.
I am glad to be part of your network!
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Tags: collectivism, learning intentions, network learning, networks
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