Part 1: Evidence and Reflection on Your Learning
Throughout this course. I explored the concept of human-centered learning and distributed and open learning. I created blog posts for each area of interest. Essentially, I have learned the benefits and drawbacks of open or distributed learning. Some common methodologies of implementing this kind of education, and some controversial topics around these methods. I have expressed my findings and exchanged thoughts with my peers during this experience.
#Blog 1:
In the first blog, I evaluated the goods and bad of digital learning, especially focusing on the effect on personal privacy in this kind of setting. The author points out a few critical concerns of privacy in digital learning; they list examples of lawsuits again programs that track student’s behaviors in an unethical manner. They also showcased 6 issues around privacy and third party software that school implements. However, I believe most of the concerns and be resolved by having strict regulations and regular check-ups. As algorithm itself does not has a sense of moral balance or ethical opinion. It simply predicts results. All the bais are introduced through sinful human inputs. Which could be reduced by peer-reviewing those inputs.
link to my topic 1 discussion: https://edcialexli.opened.ca/topic-1-disscussion/
comment I received:
#Blog 2:
In the second post, I explored some past deployments of open and distributed learning. I found the long history collective effort of making educational resources available and accessible to everyone is inspiring. Not only does it help individuals who are not able to attend regular educational institutions. It also provides a more flexible and forgiving learning environment for students. However, I found that in a distributed or open learning setting, it’s difficult to evaluate a student’s progress as it is mostly human-centered but not grading-centered. Therefore, it’s difficult to enforce academic integrity or provide an engaging learning environment for all students.
Link to my topic 2 discussion: https://edcialexli.opened.ca/topic-2/
comments I received:
#Blog 4:
The final discussion addresses the problem of the lacking of OER’s for students who want to participate in open or distributed learnings. I think this is the elephant in the room and the biggest obstacle that open learning must overcome. That author suggests the concept of renewable assignments that let current students guild futures students by providing materials. However, I disagree that students should be responsible for creating such resources. Instead, experts who are qualified to create textbooks or commercials resources should step in and create OER’s. I acknowledge that open learning has charity traits that provide free education. Thus I think it should function like any other charity of raising funds through advertising and government support.
Link to my topic 4 discussion: https://edcialexli.opened.ca/topic-3-2/
Part 2: “Showcase” Blog Post
I chose topic 4 as my blog post to showcase. Because I believe this is the most significant obstacle of open learning and deserves attention and discussions. I believe there are many potentials for developments on this topic. I have also read the discussions from my pod members and gathered their insights. I plan to integrate them into the new post.
Original post: https://edcialexli.opened.ca/topic-3-2/
Updated post: https://edcialexli.opened.ca/update-topic-4/