self organisation and virtual learning

Steve WheelerUniversity of Plymouth, UK

www2.plymouth.ac.uk/distancelearning

Self Organisation and the Management of Virtual Student Learning

In this presentation...

• What is self organised learning?• Self organised and personalised learning• Creating spaces for self organised learning• Personal learning environments (PLEs)• Conclusions

What is self organised learning?

We cannot ‘manage’ self-organised learning for our students.

We can only create conducive environments within which students will organise their own learning.

Self organised learning

Formal and Informal learning

Formal Learning Informal Learning

Self Organised Learning

In SOL students take responsibility for their

own learning and put this into successful action.

Source: http://www.equal-works.com

Informal learning “Informal learning should no

longer be regarded as an inferior form of learning whose main purpose is to act as the precursor of formal learning; it needs to be seen as fundamental, necessary and valuable in its own right, at times directly relevant to employment and at other times not relevant at all”.

(Coffield 2000: 8) cc S

“Too much schooling kills off a desire to learn.... Schools and universities should become more like hubs of learning, within the community, capable of extending into the community...”

“More learning needs to be done at home, in offices and kitchens, in the contexts where knowledge is deployed to solve problems and add value to people's lives”.

(Leadbeater 2000: 111-112)

Informal learning

Is self organised learningpersonalised learning?

Self organised learningIn self organised learning...“...the autonomous or self-organised learner [is] able to

‘learn how to learn’ and possesses a disposition to do so. Such a learner can analyse his/her own learning strategies and outcomes as well as support the learning of others. S/he also knows how to make an effective contribution to and benefit from the processes of teamwork and working with others.”

(West-Burnham & Coates, 2005)

Self organised learningIn self organised learning...“...the autonomous or self-organised

learner [is] able to ‘learn how to learn’ and possesses a disposition to do so. Such a learner can analyse his/her own learning strategies and outcomes as well as support the learning of others. S/he also knows how to make an effective contribution to and benefit from the processes of teamwork and working with others.”

(West-Burnham & Coates, 2005) cc S

For successful self organised learning the essential components are:

• Communication• Reflection• Collaboration• Community• Creative Tools• Amplification

How can we create spacesfor self organised learning?

Modes of learningInformalFormal

Collaborative

ReflectiveE-portfolios

Essay writing

Group workCo-operative learning Social networking

BloggingMicroblogging

Space integration

Community spacePersonal space

Wiki blog integration

Reflective spaceCollaborative space

Blog Wiki

Reflective spaceCollaborative space

Blog Wiki

Negotiation of meaningCo-construction of knowledge

Proximal Development Professional ID

Who I am What I know

Blog Wiki

ReflectionSelf expression

(Brescia & Miller, 2006)

Creative writingCritical thinking

Meta cognitive processesSocio cognitive processes

(Gleaves et al, 2007)

Sharing/exchangingEditing/modifying(Tu et al, 2008)

What can personal learning environments do?

Devices Interface Tools

My Personal Learning Environment

Document search

Image search

ScholarGoogleBooks

Search for reading materials

Reflective blog postand amplification

Image sharing and amplification

Personal Learning

Environment

Social Network

External Services Web 2.0

E-Portfolio

AggregatorAggregator

Adapted from David Delgado, 2007

Personal Learning Environment Model

Personal Learning

Environment

Social Network

External Services Web 2.0

E-Portfolio

AggregatorAggregator

Personal Learning Environment Model

Self organised

Institutionallymanaged

Adapted from David Delgado, 2007

Conclusions...

• Self organised learners do not need management, they need facilitation

• Personalised learning is vital• Appropriate tools are required• Creativity, reflexivity and collaboration should be

encouraged• Amplification of content necessary• Community is essential

Steve WheelerSteve WheelerFaculty of Education, University of Plymouth, UKFaculty of Education, University of Plymouth, UK

swheeler@plymouth.ac.uk

www2.plymouth.ac.uk/distancelearninghttp://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com

Thank YouThank You

self organisation and virtual learning

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