Post on 21-Mar-2017
Dirk Uys@riskycud
@p2pu
Who has taken an online course before?
There are many providers...
...with big promises!
Anyone can learn anything, anywhere, for free.
Anyone can learn anything, anywhere, for free.
Anyone with a friend or with sufficient digital/linguistic literacy (+ other literacies) and a good amount of motivation who also knows where to look can learn a lot of mostly Western oriented things that already exist, anywhere with connectivity, for free some sort of cost (in theory), but these people won’t actually know if they learned anything...but what is the point anyway?Mozfest 10/2016
Anyone with motivation with access to tools/internet (or other mechanisms) + digital/linguistic literacies and social support in a state that doesn’t block materials can learn some content (maybe not pedagogical lessons) in your language, anywhere that you can access the tools needs to access the materials, for free some cost of your time/transport/tools.Berkman Klein Center 11/2016
● Non-profit organization
● Started in 2009
● Distributed community of volunteers and
partners
Mission
To provide communities with access to education
opportunities.
● Online courses using OER
● Online platform for making & running
courses
● Open badges
● MOOCs
~7%
DIGITAL DIVIDE
UNAWARE OF OPPORTUNITY
LACK OF SUPPORT
For many individuals, online learning is lonely, difficult, and overwhelming!
+
Learning circles
Lightly-facilitated study groups for learners who want to take online courses together at their local library.
+
● Not a content expert
● Comfortable with online course platform
● Invested in community
● Available to host each week and moderate
discussion
Facilitator
● Highly accessible space
● Consistent internet/power
● Mission of open access
● Strong links to diverse audiences
● Highly-skilled employees who work to
disseminate knowledge for all
Libraries
● Everybody has expertise
● Sharing and connecting are often the best ways
to learn
● Feedback is necessary in order to improve
● Recognition that tech is not neutral
Peer learning
Weekly Structure
Beforehand:
● Edit reminder
● Review
materials
● Set up space
Afterwards:
● Clean up
● Share weekly
feedback
During:
● Check-in
● Activity (recipe
card)
● Coursework
● Plus/delta
Recipe cards● Week One: Manage expectations
● Week Two: Help set goals
● Week Three: Give good feedback
● Week Four: Draw connections
● Week Five: Celebrate mistakes
● Week Six: Reflect on goals
● Background information● Course selection tips● Space/supplies checklist● Software instructions● Promotion templates● Facilitation tips● Recipe cards● Learning circle application● Certificate
Facilitators handbook
Any questions?
CPL 2015 pilot
● 65% first time online learners
● 45%-55% retention over 6-8 weeks
● 80% did work outside of Learning Circle
● 90% are interested in taking another
● 60% may want to facilitate in future
Reflection on pilot
● Increases digital skills and academic mindsets alongside course content
● Community can overcome bad courses● Supports diverse learner pathways● Successful when aligned with library
mission
“The Facilitators continually made me
feel comfortable. which I really
appreciated this, the informal atmosphere
was great!”
“[The best thing about my Learning Circle was] knowing that I was not the only one out there with a dream of writing and being able to share this with my fellow Learning Circle members.”
“I appreciate [Chicago Public Library’s] commitment to learning and expanding tools of the library. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to take the class.”
Chicago
Nairobi/Nakuru
Boston/Portland/Providence
Paris
Paris
Making and Learning
DiscussionIf you were creating an online course and you knew it
would be used in a learning circle, what would you do
differently?
DiscussionHow can learning circles fit in with other existing
opportunities?
DiscussionHow can learning circles help you in your current work
with OER?
Get involved● Facilitate a learning circle → www.p2pu.org
● Join our community → bit.ly/p2pucommunity
● Develop learning circle material → howto.p2pu.org
● Help us:
○ expand to new communities
○ publicize our work
○ looking for a freelance web designer
www.p2pu.org@p2puthepeople@p2pu.org
DIGITAL DIVIDE
UNAWARE OF OPPORTUNITY
LACK OF SUPPORT
FACILITATOR LIBRARIESPEER
LEARNING