1. Providing Learning in Social Networks
Stephen Downes
April 16, 2009

2. 1. Context
Context

3. Games & Simulations
Games and simulations are terrific
Context

4. Games & Simulations Context
Benefits: they create environments and are therefore immersive and stimulating
Context

5. Games & Simulations Context
We need to situate games and simulations within the wider context
Context

6. Games & Simulations Context
However, they need to be planned and designed in advance
Context

7. Unknown Unknowns
Jollymore: we educate for the unknowns
Context

8. Unknown Unknowns Context
Haines: we need to understand what makes people tick these days
Context

9. Learning Networks Context
Partially, the idea is to distribute, to make decisions in the field
Context

10. Learning Networks Context
But critically, the idea is to create a learning system that learns
Context

11. Learning Networks Context
Because, often, we don’t know what we want to teach
Context

12. Company Command Context
Knowledge exists in the minds of the members or participants
Context

13. Company Command Context
The need for content and support emerges form the conversations
Context

14. Drupal
Is an open source content management system
Context
Context

15. Drupal
Supports individual accounts, pages, conversations, and much more

16. E-Learning 2.0
Is the application of social networking and web-based software to learning
Context

17. E-Learning 2.0
Represents a gradual shift to decentralization and linking between members
Context

18. Elgg Context Combines content management and social networking
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Context

19. Elgg Context Enables content import / export
Context

20. 2. Current
Current

21. The Complex Internet Environment
Not just destination websites and communities (not the Net.Gain model)
Current

22. The Complex Internet Environment
Not the web services (choreographed) model either
Current

23. The Complex Internet Environment
People have multiple ‘home pages’ - blogs, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr…
Current

24. Connectivism Course
Model: open, distributed online course
Current

25. Connectivism Course
2200 students participated in fall 2008
Current

26. Connectivism Course
Participants essentially created a network
Current

27. gRSShopper
Software support for CCK08, OLDaily
Current

28. gRSShopper
Prototype Personal Learning Environment as a centre for learning
Current

29. gRSShopper
Also useful as a teaching platform
Current

30. gRSShopper
Content aggregation and organization
Current

31. Notes on Evaluation Current
Evaluation of competence, contribution, and not memory
Current

32. Notes on Evaluation Current Distributed Evaluation
Current

33. 3. Future
Future

34. Serialized Feeds Future
Purpose - to simplify content submission to distributed courses
Future

35. Serialized Feeds Future
Method: predefined and times content releases into and RSS content stream
Future

36. PLE
Upcoming NRC development project
Future

37. PLE
Major stages: aggregate, remix, repurpose, feed forward
Future

38. PLE
Creates a learning network and not merely a management system
Future

39. A World of Objects
The point where PLEs and Envrionments meet
Future

40. A World of Objects Future
The original idea from mudlibs - object orientation, inheritance
Future

41. State Based Learning Design
The old theory - learning objects just static content, organized as though it were a book or manual
Future

42. State Based Learning Design
The new theory - learning objects are (a) words in a conversation (b) entities in an environment
Future

43. Openness
The question of security always arises
Future
Future

44. Openness
My belief: walls do not create security

45. Openness
Security systems create a point of weakness - security is robustness even when secrecy is breached
Future

46. Stephen Downes
Author