Fostering New Learning Communities, Nurturing Online Learning EcosystemsJune 19, 2009 #sloancsym #nlc San FranciscoSloan C International Symposium on Emerging Technology Applications for Online Learninghttp://newlearningcommunities.pbworks.comHolly Rae Bemis-Schurtz, M.A. @hollyraeSusan Bussmann, Ph.D. @suceppibNew Mexico State UniversityWe apply these concepts to foster experiential learning for K-20 educators.

Consider …Clarity, focus, perspective, adaptation, evolution

Influential ConceptsLearning Ecosystems(Gutl & Chang)Connectivism(Siemens & Downes)Bioteaming(Thompson)

OverviewNew Learning Contexts & SkillsLearning Ecosystem as a ModelCharacteristics of New Learning Communities (NLCs)Organizational BiomimicryOne to many communicationsSelf organizing, collective leadershipDeveloping NLCsNurturing & Supporting NLCsAssessing NLCs

Scoble’s Social Media Starfishhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/dbarefoot/1814873464/The Conversation Prismhttp://www.briansolis.com/2008/08/introducing-conversation-prism.htmlSocial Media Landscapehttp://www.fredcavazza.net/2008/06/09/social-media-landscape/

What happens to learning in this context?“Our learning and information acquisition is a mashup. We take pieces, add pieces, dialogue, reframe, rethink, connect, and ultimately, we end up with some type of pattern that symbolizes what’s happening ‘out there’ and what it means to us. And that pattern changes daily.G. Siemens and P. Tittenberger. Handbook of emerging technologies for learning, March 2009.

Connectivism‘A learning theory for a digital age’ from George Siemens (@gsiemens) & Stephen Downes (@downes).Influenced by learning theories, social structures, and technologies, such asAffordance of toolsContextual situated learningSocial learning theoryEpistemological viewsEmbodied cognitionNew media theorySystems theoryNetwork theory

In a nutshell…‘knowledge and cognition are distributed across networks of people and technology is the process of connecting, growing, and navigating those networks'the knowledge of the network is bigger than any one node Handbook of emerging technologies for learning, March 2009http://ltc.umanitoba.ca/wikis/etl/index.php/Handbook_of_Emerging_Technologies_for_Learning

Learning is forming connectionsConnectivism(George Siemens & Stephen Downes)Learning is connecting new experiences within our neural, conceptual and social networksDepth and diversity of the connections is what determines understanding Frequency of exposure and integration with other concepts can strengthen understandingConnections can be strong or weak – different networks serve different needsExpertise (the facility of using networks) is what is needed to learn in this new context

New Learning SkillsG. Siemens and P. Tittenberger. Handbook of emerging technologies for learning, March 2009. “New Learning, New Educators, New Skills”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_skillsCreated with Wordle - http://www.wordle.net/Soft Skills

Flickr Creative Commons Search for ‘early adopters’ or ‘power users’Technology Fluency & Adeptnesshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/hbemisschurtz/favorites/

WayfindingWayfinding encompasses all of the ways in which people and animals orient themselves in physical space and navigate from place to placetraditional navigation methods used by indigenous peoplesin the context of architecture to refer to the user experience of orientation and choosing a path within the built environmentthe set of architectural and/or design elements that aid orientation.From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayfinding

traditional navigation methods used by indigenous peoples

in the context of architecture to refer to the user experience of orientation and choosing a path within the built environment

the set of architectural and/or design elements that aid orientation.

SensemakingSensemaking is the ability or attempt to make sense of an ambiguous situation. creating situational awareness and understanding in situations of high complexity or uncertainty in order to make decisions. "a motivated, continuous effort to understand connections (which can be among people, places, and events) in order to anticipate their trajectories and act effectively" (Klein et al., 2006a). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SensemakingKlein, G., Moon, B. and Hoffman, R.F. (2006a). Making sense of sensemaking I: alternative perspectives.IEEE Intelligent Systems, 21(4), 70-73.

How do you support the development of personal learning skills?

Consider the EcosystemA network of living and nonliving thingsEnergy and water cycles continuouslyProducers generate for Primary. Secondary, & Tertiary ConsumersDecomposers recycle and compost for a healthy foundationIllustration by Sabine Deviche (ASU) http://askabiologist.asu.edu/research/ecosystems/index.html

Learning Ecosystem as a ModelGutl & Chang, 2008a comprehensive review of the ecosystem model as used to describe highly dynamic learning environments that change organically and oftena model to identify perspectives, relationships, approaches and implementationsassists in identifying pedagogical, cognitive, social, organizational, and technological aspects

CharacteristicsOpen and flexible to allow for student's self directionSupport the individual learner and the community in a natural learning processNetwork of learning agents and sources dynamically changes according to situations and context (Gutl & Chang, 2008)

from David Armano (@armano)

Our working definitionA learning ecosystem is…a framework for understanding new learning environments that incorporate a variety oftools (ie: course management systems, Web 2.0 applications) and multiple touch points (web, client, mobile) that aims to make transparent to the members of the learning community various channels (relationships, pathways, protocols) for learning.

So we’ve tried…To establish a framework which shows our ecosystem.The next few slides show this over time.Each is only a snapshot of a dynamic system~ a moment in time.

Current Events & TrendsAmbient ConsumptionWidgets & RSSPrimary ConsumptionExternal CommunitiesFacilitation and AssessmentProductionRecomposition

Level of learner investment/aka “risk”Ambient ConsumersPrimary ConsumersProducersRecomposersParra, Bemis-Schurtz, Bussmann (NM TIE & iNACOL VSS, 2008)

Learner ResponsibilityLearner as LurkerLearner as ConnectorRelationship to RequirementsLearner as ProducerLearner as Recomposer

Learning/Course Management SystemWebconferencing SystemVOIP Instant Messaging ToolRobust WikiBlogsMicromediaRobust WikisVoice Discussion ToolsCollaboration & Interaction Tools Learning & Content Management ToolsLearningEcosystem ToolsLearnstreaming ToolsContent Creation & Dissemination ToolsMultimedia Creation ToolsSocial Bookmarking ToolsContent Sharing ToolsCustom Search ToolsLifestreaming ToolsAnalytic ToolsRSS Feed AggregatorsSocial Networks

Learning/Course Management System

Webconferencing System

VOIP Instant Messaging Tool

Robust Wiki

Blogs

Micromedia

Robust Wikis

Voice Discussion Tools

Multimedia Creation Tools

Social Bookmarking Tools

Content Sharing Tools

Custom Search Tools

Lifestreaming Tools

Analytic Tools

RSS Feed Aggregators

Social Networks

Examples of NMSU & RETALearning EcosystemsUsed at various levels, K-20 to foster experiential learning for educatorsShared quickly for reference ;-)

Podcasting and Vodcasting for Improved Achievementhttp://pvia.pbworks.com3rd grade Educator Teams implement podcasting in classroomsMentors (RETA Instructors)Facilitated by @suceppib @hollyrae & Bethany Bovard (@tektrekker)

Online Teaching & Learning Opportunities Programhttp://otlo.pbworks.com/eLearning-EcosystemSecondary educators develop OTL environments for distance deliveryMulti-year programFacilitated by @suceppib & Julia Parra (@desertjul)

NMSU Division of Student SuccessStudents and staff learn to access and share support onlineVery much in ‘beta’ ;-)Facilitated by @hollyrae with Laura Grant (@laurapresently) & Phillip Johnson (@phlipper3000)

Online Teaching & Learning Graduate Certificate Programhttp://extended.nmsu.edu15 credit graduate programPrepares learner for OTLFacilitated by @suceppib, @tektrekker & Julia Parra (@desertjul)

So…What happens to the community when it spans across all of these contexts?How does this influence our pedagogy?

Characteristics of New Learning CommunitiesPersonal learning skills are integralConversation is not just in one system/tool/placeCommunities overlap between networksConnections (the stuff of learning) are made organicallyHighly dynamic, Influenced by a wider social experience and...

Organizational BiomimicryLooking at ‘power users’ & ‘power’ communities of natural ecosystemsKen Thompson (The Bioteaming Manifesto)Traits of successful bioteamsPheromone messagingCollective leadershipThese are new communication styles for humans!

Looking at ‘power users’ & ‘power’ communities of natural ecosystems

Ken Thompson (The Bioteaming Manifesto)

Traits of successful bioteams

Pheromone messaging

Collective leadership

One to Many CommunicationsThompson (2008) – Did ants invent the perfect mobile messaging system?http://www.bioteams.com/2008/04/30/did_ants_invent.html

Collective LeadershipThompson (2008) Why penguins have no commanding officerhttp://www.nesta.org.uk/why-penguins-have-no-commanding-officer/

This is a tremendous shift!Successful bioteams are highly dependent on members’ beliefs and valuesOne to many communication methods are new to humansEach users experience is unique and personal responsibility is substantially increasedSo what strategies can we use to develop, nurture and evaluate our new learning communities?

Developing NLCsBegin with needs & comfort level assessmentChoose core elements (tools) purposefully with learners in mindMake the ecosystem explicitMapsCategoriesToolsPhilosophyDesign so that you are facilitating interactionopen ended and self directed activitiesact as concierge, connector, atelier, curator

Developing NLCs (ctd.)Establish reasonable expectations Consider learner riskEncourage voluntary participationProvide a synchronous orientation to the ecosystemUtilize audio/video tools frequently to support knowledge of the ecosystemEstablish protocols for utilizing channels (ie: engaging a colleague or instructor via Skype)

Supporting NLCsFoster metacognitive awareness of the ecosystem, tools, touch points, channels with continued supportConsider ‘Bio-score Calculator’(http://www.bioteams.com/flash/IsYourGroupaBioteam.html)Assist students in developing an idea of their own personal learning networkIdentify your own strategies for wayfinding, make transparent for your studentsEncourage social sensemakingthroughout the experience

Assessing NLCsConsider Ken Thompson’s ORGANICS (for assessing self organizing within a group)Evaluate growth in student’sself assessment of use of PLN(s)concept maps of PLN(s) over timeUtilize summative assessments that are outcomes based (such as a portfolio)Utilize formative assessment (such as learnstreaming)

Learnstreaming*Use of these types of tools to develop holistic and formative understandings about what is happening in the learning communityLifestreaming (Plaxo, FriendFeed)Analytic Tools (Lijit, Google Analytics)RSS Aggregators‘Friendships’ in social networks*this is experimental, be cautious

Let’s engage in somesensemaking.hollyrae@nmsu.edusuceppib@nmsu.eduResources continue to grow…http://newlearningcommunities.pbworks.com * http://delicious.com/hollyrae/connectivism * http://delicious.com/hollyrae/ecosystem * http://delicious.com/hollyrae/bioteams