Funny thing, that happens to me too. When I have to observe student-teachers make their classes I always want to participate

It’s great to meet you and thanks for taking the time to drop me a comment on my blog. I’m really looking forward to this class I feel like I have learned so much and it’s only week one. Looks like the people here are cool as well. I’m new to all of this so it’s going to be interesting.

So you’re originally from Ca? I used to live somewhat close to Long Beach over in Orange County. My fiancée and I just recently moved up here to the Bay Area and we just love it.

Say I noticed that you listed “the Art of Happiness” to your favorite books. I just started reading it myself and am really enjoying it! Well I’m off to the next classmate’s blog. Again thanks for posting and perhaps we can chat again in the future.

Brian Shimelonis

I am absolutely intrigued by the numbers who have registered in the FOC08 course now it is openly advertised. Last year we ran the course for the first time using wikiEd, however students were given access via Blackboard and a formal enrolment process. This year we got the go ahead to have informal enrolments…wow it is proof of the open concept and evidence of the need for people to keep increasing their skills in facilitating online communities…so many experienced people.

So my way to manage having meager participation will be to check in on key blogs so I can get a sense of how it is all going…for the next time I get to facilitate the course. Also so I can keep the debate about teaching versus facilitation going with Leigh.

What is your sense of the newbie facilitators – isn’t the number of participants scarey for them as well as all the talk about technologies they have never heard of…how to manage this? Buddies? Keep a clear eye on the course schedule and keep plodding?

Nice to meet you. I totally agree about the people in this course. I’ve learned a great deal in just the first few days. Not only from a subject matter standpoint, but also about the potential in online learning that seems largely unexplored.

This is a great example of what’s possible I think. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Cheers,

Mike

I know exactly what you mean about the informal-formal course. It seems quite in keeping with Leigh’s accommodating facilitation style, and the overarching theme of openness from the wikieducator site. People are given the room to explore their own learning paths while the group as a whole is gently guided along together to ensure nobody is left behind. He seems to be walking the perfect balance.

I also like the fact he encourages a group-led learning model. I think that’s a tremendous opportunity in new media – it capitalises on the strengths and consensus of the group, while also accommodating the needs and ideas of the individual.

It’s a very inspiring experience so far. I just hope I can do it justice when I try to explain it to my colleagues.

Cheers,

Mike

I know what you mean. Having read through a number of the student blogs, I’m in awe of the wealth of expertise that exists in this group. There’s such a compliment to it all. There’s more technical people, experienced facilitators, people across all of the above, and I would suspect there’s people new to all of the above. Personally I think the latter is especially important as it helps remind us to maintain a holistic perspective as well as getting into the nitty gritty.

I’m really inspired so far.

Cheers,

Mike