WHY? is the core question of any activity.

If you see your objectives clearly before you start doing something, you're more likely to succeed. This might seem to be so obvious that it's needless to be mentioned. Yet, I'd like to clarify my goals of signing up to the course. If I create a checklist at the beginning, it'll be easier to see what has been achieved at the end (I still hope to finish the course).
I've decided to organise my aims and divide them into three groups:



Educational (general)
Educational (professional)
Personal

Of course, when I was signing up to the course, I wasn't thinking about such classification of my objectives. But it doesn't mean that my enrollment was a whim. Actually, my desire to learn something new has always urged me to search for various sources of information to satisfy my personal and professional aspirations. When in August, 2012  I found the course E-learning and Digital Cultures offered by the University of Edinburgh, I immediately understood that this is exactly what I wanted. I'm going to devote a separate post to each group of my goals.

START WITH QUESTIONS

Before getting down to any activity, it's so natural to question myself  about the reasons for doing it, the time I'm going to spend (and whether I can afford it), the efforts I'm supposed to invest (and hopefully I possess enough endurance for that).

Moreover, I'll have to decide if it's worth writing about. First of all, I'll be doing it to help myself organise my thoughts. And secondly, if anybody else finds it useful, I'll be more than happy.

Cris Swift came up with an amazing idea to create a Google map to help visualise where the participants of our course are located on the globe. It's a spectacular view, especially when you realise that people of different age and occupations from all parts of the world are united by educational ideas. I'm curious to know what their reasons for taking this course are. Why am I going to do it? I guess it will be the theme for the next post.

Awaiting MOOC experience

What's the use of writing and speaking about something that you never dare to try?
So I finally decided to take an online course E-Learning and Digital Cultures. I signed up for MOOC.
It's my first experience with distance learning (not mentioning some webinars and short 3-5 day courses).
To say that I'm excited is to say nothing.
So I decided to start recording all reflections and feedback right now to be sure I'm not missing any details.

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY!

My congratulations and best wishes for those who are involved in education!

Lifelong Learning for Everyone.

Here is a great example how educators can make a difference giving everybody equal chances to get access to the best sources of information.


8 сентября мировое сообщество отмечает международный день грамотности. И эти инициативы ведущих образовательных заведений заслуживают внимания. По-моему, это особенно актуально, когда узнаешь цены на дистанционные(!) курсы повышения квалификации для учителей в нашей стране (речь не идет о бесплатных вебинарах). Надеюсь, наши вузы тоже когда-нибудь поддержат этот почин ;)

INSPIRING IDEAS

Isn't it great that modern technologies allow educators to share ideas and exchange opinions on different topics? And some of new approaches are really inspiring. If you are looking for ideas that can sparkle your creativity, simply start browsing TED Talks. Be sure to be ready to explode with amazing discoveries.
Даже если кому-то кажется, что сегодня нас уже трудно чем-то удивить, эти люди могут поменять свою точку зрения после просмотра некоторых из лекций-выступлений. И, скорее всего, пополнят ряды фанатов TED. Буду иногда ссылаться на мои любимые talks.