OLDaily Audio

Against Digital Research Methodologies

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:56:38 -0400

[Slides][Audio] This is a description of my approach to research, based on problems inherent in traditional descriptions of scientific method, and the ways I have adapted my own work to compensate. It is a research process more like discovery, more like learning a language, than it is about forming hypotheses and confirming theories. Please note that the video was created May 9, 2013, one day ahead of the presentation, and that the audio is from the presentation itself, May 10, 2013. Both use the same slides. Digital Research Methodologies, Preston, UK, via Skype (Keynote) May 10, 2013 [Comment]

Massive Open Online Support for Education (MOOSE)

Mon, 6 May 2013 13:19:10 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Discussion of the concept of Massive Open Online Courses as they evolved from the development of open online learning and evolved into a means of offering social and immersive learning online. The context was a discussion of officials from the University College of the North in Manitoba, which is mandated to provide learning to numerous communities scattered across a large northern environment. University College of the North, Thompson, Manitoba via Google Hangout (Seminar) May 6, 2013 [Comment]

Moocs and K12 Cloud: Privacy regulations and Risk Management

Fri, 3 May 2013 13:25:45 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Engaging panel with a researcher, educator, professor and a lawyer about the privacy and legal implications of MOOCs. Panel: Discovery Education Canada(Dean Shareski), BD&P (Jim Swanson), Alberta Distance Learning Centre (Verena Roberts), National Research Council Canada (Stephen Downes, panel moderator) Ed Tech Innovation, Calgary, Alberta (Panel) May 3, 2013 [Comment]

MOOCs in Context: the re.mooc in Africa

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:26:34 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Organized with Alex Barchiesi, postdoc in EPFL Media Design Lab (after a PhD in Particle physics), based on his concept of the re.mooc: how to re-use the material coming from the xMOOC and reorganize it in a localized version that could facilitate the "After school" education in African coutries. EPFL Media Design Lab, Lausanne, Switzerland, via Skype (Seminar) March 11, 2013 [Comment]

We don’t need no educator: The role of the teacher in today’s online education

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:28:14 -0400

[Slides][Audio] This presentation, delivered in Bergen, Norway, describes the changing nature of online learning with the introduction of massive open online courses, and in that context describes and explains the changing roles of the educator. Utdanningskonferansen 2013, Bergen, Norway (Keynote) February 15, 2013 [Comment]

MOOCs and OERs

Wed, 6 Feb 2013 09:27:30 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Overview of some of the early MOOCs we created, along with some more extended duscussion of the design principles we employed in creating MOOCs. Conference Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain, via Hangout (Keynote) February 6, 2013 [Comment]

MOOC et REL

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 14:26:54 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Presentation in French on the subject of MOOCs, their design and intent, and their relation to open educational resources (REL). Atelier REL , Moncton (Seminar) February 5, 2013 [Comment]

The Virtual Learning Organization

Wed, 5 Dec 2012 07:02:26 -0400

Presentation slides from December 6, 2012. , Ibague, Colombia (Keynote) December 5, 2012 [Comment]

Open Discussion on the LMS and the MOOC

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:38:17 -0400

[Audio] Discussion of the keynote on the topic of the LMS and the MOOC model. Some interesting topics covered, including the question of curriculum, assessment, and the nature of critical literacy. MoodleMoodUY, Montevideo, Uruguay (Panel) November 23, 2012 [Comment]

The LMS and the PLE

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:25:42 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Keynote on the topic of the LMS and the MOOC model. Abstract: "With the widespread adoption of the massive open online course (MOOC) over the last year, questions are now being raised about the role of a learning management system (LMS) such as Moodle. Where previously the focus was on the management of course materials and cohorts progressing according to predefined objectives and curricula, the learning environment of the future is more open-ended and less overtly managed. In this talk Stephen Downes, one of the originators of the MOOC format, describes the differences between types of MOOCs, compares them to the LMS, and outlines the changes LMSs such as Moodle are looking at in the future." MoodleMoodUY, Montevideo, Uruguay (Keynote) November 23, 2012 [Comment]

OER Minicourse

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 09:23:40 -0400

[Slides][Audio] 2.5 hour minicourse on the topic of open educational resources. This is a class session, not a lecture, so there are periods of chaos, group discussions, and more. Enjoyable, if confusing, listening. Topics covered include the definition of OERs, creating OERs, and OER metadata and discovery. Licensing is mentioned and covered in the slides but wasn't a major topic. MoodleMoodUY, Montevideo, Uruguay (Seminar) November 23, 2012 [Comment]

Sustainability and MOOCs in Historical Perspective

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 09:45:06 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Overview of the historical factors leading to the development of massive open online courses, and discussion of what this history can tell us of the sustainability of MOOCs in the future. Simposio Internacional Estado Actual Y Prospectiva De La Educacion Virtual, Bogota, Colombia (Keynote) November 15, 2012 [Comment]

L'apprentissage ouvert et les affaires

Thu, 1 Nov 2012 12:09:16 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Talk given en français on the subject of open learning, MOOCs and the lessons for small and medium businesses. Full text of the talk is available here. Sadly, the video shows only the remote audience, not the speaker and slides. Forum sur l'économie du savoir, Edmunston, via Google Hangout (Keynote) November 1, 2012 [Comment]

Elspeth McCullogh Interview

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:26:00 -0400

[Audio] Interview on mobile learning and the directions mobile and online learning will take in the future. In this interview I define mobile learning, talk about opportunities and challenges in the field, and address the major issues related to competences, assessment and the design of learning. Adobe Connect, online (Interview) October 24, 2012 [Comment]

The Connective Learning Environment

Mon, 8 Oct 2012 09:30:50 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Overview of the model of learning informing the design of the first MOOCs, including a look at some aspects of the gRSShopper software we have been using to support the MOOCs. Tele-TASK Symposium, Potsdam, Germany (Keynote) October 8, 2012 [Comment]

A True History of the MOOC

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 08:33:28 -0400

[Audio] A one-hour live and interactive FutureofEducation.com webinar hosted by Steve Hargadon on the "true history" of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) with Dave Cormier, Alec Couros, Stephen Downes, Rita Kop, Inge de Waard, and Carol Yeager. While a wave of courses from prominent universities are now labeled as MOOCs, we'll drill down on the connectivist roots of the early MOOC offerings and discuss the importance of the differences between them and the current breed. Recordings: The full Blackboard Collaborate recording is here and a portable .mp3 recording is here. Mightybell Space: Resources, videos, links, and conversation about the interview can be found here. Future of Education, Online, via Blackboard Collaborate (Panel) September 27, 2012 [Comment]

The World Beyond the Word

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 18:07:29 -0400

In order to manage the deluge of data produced by modern technology, a rapidly changing society, and challenging environmental and economic systems, we need to relearn what we understand as social and scientific literacy. The students of today and the innovators of tomorrow will speak languages we barely recognize today. What are the fundamentals of these new literacies, how do we learn them and teach them, and how do they redefine innovation in the future? In this talk Stephen Downes describes a future in which learning is a creative act and the environments and technologies that will be needed to support this learning.

Destination: Innovation, Banff, Alberta (Keynote) August 19, 2012 [Comment]

Models, Technological Resources and Knowledge Management

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:58:07 -0400

[Slides][Audio] To offer effective e-learning it is important to get the model right, but this is difficult. I suggest that the internet itself is the model we need to use. This suggests a set of open learning resources that extends beyond content and even conversation but also activities and interactions. XIII Encuentro Virtual Educa, Panama City, Panama (Seminar) June 21, 2012 [Comment]

Interview regarding sustainable and business models for Open Educational Resources (OER)

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:41:10 -0400

[Audio] Interview with Alexandra Hache contributing to a Study for the European Commission regarding sustainable and business models for Open Educational Resources (OER). Sorry about the microphone gain, which is a little bit too high. Alexandra Hache, telephone interview (Interview) June 13, 2012 [Comment]

Publishing Paradigms of the Future: Where are We Headed?

Sun, 27 May 2012 09:20:24 -0400

[Slides][Audio] Canadian Association of Learned Journals - Congress of the Canadian Federation of Humanities and Social Sciences , Waterloo, Ontario (Seminar) May 27, 2012 [Comment]