I would like to combine the first two learning outcomes: Describe the potential of human-centred learning in distributed and open-learning contexts and explore and engage with current literature on the distributed and open education movement as I felt there was a lot of overlap when meeting both the outcomes.
At the start of this course, I really was uncertain on the definition of open and distributed learning. Here is a screenshot of part of my introductory post, where I wrote my own definition of open and distributed learning at the time. We have come a long way!
If I were to change my definition now, I would keep the distributed definition the same but completely change the open part. To me, open education means accessible content where learners are able to use the 5 R’s (retain, reuse, revise, remix and redistribute) One blog post that really highlights my learning and supports me meeting the outcomes is in my blog #3. In this blog I talk about what was then a new concept, OERs. I reflected on my educational career and thought about all of the disposable vs renewable assignments I have created. This reflection really made me consider the potential of human-centered learning and open learning contexts.
After doing the readings for this blog post, I did some further research and added some additional resources that I enjoyed watching. Some of these included:
Blog post by David Wiley on Open Pedagogy : https://opencontent.org/blog/archives/2975
Ted Talk by David Wiley on Open Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb0syrgsH6M
YouTube video created by Mount Royal University on OERS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IU54mxdAhE
From just the David Wiley readings/videos alone, I feel like I have explored and engaged with literature on the open education movement. The other readings have really helped me along the way as well. In my pod, we are all aspiring elementary teachers. We all were curious about how OERs could be incorporated into the elementary curriculum. I pitched an idea to our mattermost group chat, which I will include a screenshot below. I would have never considered this before the course.
Here are some comments on my pod partners Hannah and Kayla which further support my progress and how I have met the outcomes.
From completing all of the readings, discussions and videos I am now able to understand the potential of open and human centered learning, and am up to date on the movement for OERs. Learning about all of this matters to me because I hope to become an elementary educator, and I think the next step is taking this from just a post secondary level concept to elementary level. I think even just being able to access open resources as a teacher to improve your teaching (through tips, new resources to use etc.) to benefit your learners is a good start.
