Presentation by Katarzyna Kozinska

1. olnet.org Social Learning on OpenLearn Engaging with Open Education Wikisym 2010, Gdansk 7-9 July Katarzyna Kozinska, Centre for Research in Education and Educational Technology, Institute of Educational Technology

3. ‘a hybrid of a repository, structured assets, a community, course-based tools, and personal learning tools’.OpenLearn Research Report 2006-2008 (McAndrew et al., 2009:3) olnet.org

4. OpenLearn: LearningSpace 12 main Topics, ca 100 Learning Clubs, hundreds of Course Units

6. Motivations for socio-collaborative learning practices on OpenLearn: Examining community interactions among registered users Core Question: What motivates registered users to engage in socio-collaborative learning practices on OpenLearn? To: identify the offline and online factors that influence users’ participation provide better support, content, tools, spaces olnet.org

7. Findings: The purposes of interacting with others (through forums, clubs, profiles, browsing, communicating, observing) on OpenLearn Cognitive/ intellectual ASK questions, GETfeedback & information ANSWER, give feedback, offer advice, critique, share opinions GET USED to the system REMAIN INTELLECTUALLY ACTIVE Social/ emotional/ affective CONNECT with ‘similar’ people, get & give support, share fears, ambitions, goals, introducing, encouragement, GAIN INSIGHT into what others are feeling, thinking, get ideas, share experiences, observe ‘attitudes’ GET AWAY FROM THE ISOLATION of ODL context FIND OUT who the people are who posted interesting things/ replied to our posts

8. Factors that influence interactions Tools, forums, profiles, journals - availability, visibility, ease, clarity, support Other users – interest, reciprocity, e.g. evolving in roles gradually; feedback, recognition Values, experiences - appreciation of learning, belief in importance of communication; background Motivation by: Knowledge, curiosity, recognition, altruism, enjoyment, self-expression, change, new experiences, challenge olnet.org

9. Why research the topic?World 2010 and Future Forecasts (OECD 2008, 2009; UNESCO, 1999; NIACE, 2009) Social justice and lifelong learning Demographic changes – Ageing Workforce – Migrating Masses – Digital Divide– Poverty - Diversity Opportunities vs. exclusion Solution? Dialogue, awareness = > provide tools and spaces on OER that will enable & promote communication collaboration and connecting within networks of learners, development of skills, not just content Image: maistora, 2008, source: Flickr maistora, 2008, source: Flickr olnet.org

10. References: McAndrew, P., Santos, A., Lane, A., Godwin, S., Okada, A., Wilson, T., Connolly, T., Ferreira, G., Buckingham Shum, S., Bretts, J. and Webb, R. (2009) OpenLearn Research Report 2006-2008. Milton Keynes, England: The Open University. OECD CERI (2008) Higher Education to 2030. Volume I. Demography. Available from: <http://browse.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/pdfs/browseit/9608021E.PDF> OECD CERI (2009) Higher Education to 2030. Volume II. Globalisation. Available from: <http://browse.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/pdfs/browseit/9609041E.PDF> Schuller, T., Watson, D. (2009) Learning Through Life. Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning. Summary. Leicester, United Kingdom: NIACE. The Open University (2010) OpenLearn. LearningSpace. Available from: <http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/home.php> United Nations (1999) The World at Six Billion. Available from: <http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/sixbillion/sixbilpart1.pdf> olnet.org