Delayed topic 3 blog

This blog post should have been posted on April 25th or so. But I was busy at that time and then it was forgotten. Anyhow, here it comes. Me and one of my peers was topic leaders during topc 3. And it was my task to make sure our Share-part was carried out. We agreed to make a mind map in Prezi for this and it worked fine when we made it. But then it was impossible for me to share it, not even to just share for viewing. I tried a million things (at least it felt like that) but it didn't work. Then on Saturday morning I tried to change web browser and this solved all the problems. It felt so good but at the same time embarresing. I know that when things don't work this should be one of the first things to test. It is like a "Norwegian reset" (or what Norwegians call Swedish reset). Anyhow, me and Prezi completed the task as friends. And that is good because now I have a positive feeling of Prezi instead the frustration of a failure. And now it is likely that I will actually use the Prezi again.

The ONL-course have opened up some doors for me by both giving examples of how learning networks can work and also how some software/web-sites can be used to facilitate these networks. If not pushed I tend to continue using the systems and methods I am used to use. So it is good to be forced to expand ones area of experience. I am convinced I will continue to work with teaching influenced by the ONL-course. I believe a good way to develop my work in learning networks is to discuss, share and to try something new now and then.

The Picture in this blog-post is from our final topic, lessons learnt, so it doesn't really belong here. But I found this to be good. The evolution of a teacher may be related to this picture, starting from "Gollum" which so much is trying to keep the "precious" for himself developing all the way to the ONL-mindset where the teacher is happy to share.

This will be the last blog post during the ONL-course. But maybe this can continue to live as a blog of my life as a teacher. I have not decided yet.

All the best!/Ted

New tools!

I am now making the last week of the ONL-course and I will summarize my thoughts. When doing so I will focus on what I have learnt and what I am going to do now with the new tools acquired.

So what are the new tools in my toolbox?

As I have told you before I have not been teaching for quite some years now. I do have teaching experience from a time when most teachers, including myself, only used class room lectures and simulator and laboratory exercises. The last years with administrative work, I have used Zoom and Skype in many meetings so I am used to these tools. However, I have learnt some new ways to use Zoom with breakout rooms, tolls and more.

I have also learnt how to use Padlet, share documents on Google drive, Prezi, Blogger, Mentimeter and Piktochart. Well, I did not really learn the Piktochart site, but I had a look at it and saw the result. In the PBL-group, we discussed to make a film once for sharing the result. Unfortunately, there was no film produced by us. However, I will learn to make films anyway as we have studios for that where I work.

Some people claim that good tools makes half the work for a good fitter. The fitter, the guy using the tool box, that is me, the teacher. I have experienced new ways of teaching and learnt a lot. The tool itself is possible to learn by some trial and error exercises. If I have a good understanding, a vision, of what I want with the teaching the tools required can be found. But if I don’t know what to do I don’t know what tools I need. Therefore, I am now a more skillful fitter with new tools in my toolbox! With the skill to acquire new tools!

In my previous position, I worked for improving our digital and distance teaching skills and that we at Kalmar Maritime Academy should offer more such courses. I believe tomorrow’s society requires more studying in parallel with work and career. In order to meet this need we shall deliver these courses. Anyone that wants to learn more about the shipping industry shall be able to find courses that we offer. The main target for me have not been to offer open online courses but instead more distance courses which is modern digital courses. When achieved, we may look into open courses.

Now when going back to teaching I am looking forward to contribute with my own teaching to make Kalmar Maritime Academy’s portfolio of courses characterized of flexibility, blended learning, digital and distance.

Last but not least, a sincere thank you to all the staff making this course possible and the PBL-group members for good discussions during the course!

The road to...

In the last topic we have discussed how to convince a department head that we need to work with online and blended learning. It has been good discussions and it is clear that we can come up with more reasons and arguments, both for and against, doing this together compared with if we had done this one by one.  I am going back to teaching now after about fifteen years and I am enthusiastic to get going.  Since the last blog I have made the first lecture in many years. And in these pandemic times I had really good use of my new knowledge from the ONL-course. The lecture was about leadership, the leaders responsibility and possibilities to create a working environment that is free of harrassment and promoting equality. The lecture was given in Zoom, using breakout room and padlett for making notes from group discussions. 

I Think it worked out well and I beleive I will have good use of the new skills I aquired during the ONL-course. 

We are now looking into making more of our courses as distans and partly online courses. We have not yet decided to make any open online course, but we use tools on the www and we offer them as distance courses. They are online, but not open/for free. But maybe in the future? Me and my collagues are now on a steep learning curve in how to go on line. 

Now I am looking forward to the last week of the course. The road may be twisting, but I think it will lead to an interesting future!