Group Informal eLearning Projects
Group Based Problem Solving in Learning Communities
Welcome to this initiative run by Nicholas Bowskill on behalf of WAOE. This is phase 2 of the initiative and we have just organised our 1st informal learning project from Mongolia!
By way of backgound, this initiative is designed as group based problem solving in an informal online setting. Members of WAOE are invited to propose an informal learning project to do with e-learning. Collaboratively we work on the proposal through dialogue and see what we can create together. Initially, we would receive proposals for a project and then recruit a team of volunteers with time, knowledge, expertise or willingness (sometimes all 4) to work online in a distributed group exploring the project as a form of problem solving. More recently, we have begun to use social networking software (http://mywaoe.ning.com) to bring members closer to each other and then to create spaces for projects to develop and be discussed. The organisation, in the Ning environment, aims to work as a learning community around the proposal. This means that relationships and mutual support are as important as the learning strategy. In fact the development of relationships ARE a learning strategy. Through dialogue amongst the project participants along with the proposer of the project, the group does more than it might be able to achieve individually. It also creates a learning opportunity for all concerned. The groups typically discuss ideas and share resources to explore the tasks. At the end of the project, a report is created to witness the value to all concerned and wherever possible to create a resource for others in WAOE and elsehwere. Generic outcomes include:
In a connected environment we are all aware of how easy it is to access resources from anywhere in the world. Few people have developed skills in working with people in online informal e-learning communities. | CURRENT PROJECTS Tutor training for distance learning in Mongolia A Learning Community around the development of education in the Middle East. A project from Egypt. Collaborative Course Design & Social Networking Software Conference in Second Life Project PUBLICATIONS FROM THIS INITIATIVE Bowskill, N, Luke, R., & McCarty, S., 2006, Global Virtual Organizations for Online Educator Empowerment; Weiss, J., Nolan, J., Hunsinger, J., Trifonas, P., ( Eds.), International Handbook of Virtual Learning Environments, Vol.14 ISBN 1-4020-3802-X Bowskill, N., 2005, Informal Learning Projects and World Wide Voluntary Co-Mentoring, Encyclopaedia of Distance Learning Vol.3 2005 Edited By: Caroline Howard ; Judith Boettecher; Lorraine Justice; Karen Schenk ; Patricia Rogers; Gary Berg ISBN: 1-59140-555-6 Bowskill, N., Informal Learning Projects as a Vehicle for Collaborative Professional Development in Online Communities, Networked Learning Conference University of Sheffield, 2004. Available online at: "Building a Free Worldwide Community Panel Presentation from 4 members of WAOE delivered at Association of Internet Researchers Conference University of Sussex. Brighton 2004. This includes a view of our early research into these projects as informal learning and collaborative mentoring. SITES RELATING TO INFORMAL LEARNING RELATED SITES ON GROUP BASED PROBLEM SOLVINGCentre of Excellence for Enquiry Based Learning, Manchester UK Problem Based Learing at the Republic Polytechnic, Singapore University of Delaware, USA Problem Based Learning Norman, G.R. & Schmidt, H.G, http://pblkurs.psi.uni-heidelberg.de/pbl_norman/pbl_norman.PDF "Handbook of Enquiry and Problem Based Learning: Irish Case Studies and International Perspectives" Barrett, P, Labhrainn, I.M., & Fallon, H (Eds). Availiable online at: http://www.aishe.org/readings/2005-2/index.html RELATED SITES ON LEARNING COMMUNITIES Infed's page on Communities of Practice Communities of Practice from the e-Learning Centre in the UK |