MOOCs, Rhizomes & Networks:

Information Literacies ���in a Time of ���

Complexity & Abundance

@davecormier & @bonstewart���University of Prince Edward Island

WILU 2013

Untangling 4 Threads"

•  Information abundance = context •  Networks & Rhizomes = structure •  MOOCs = possibilities •  A challenge: Where do we go from here?

The system of higher ed is in shift"

"

What comes next?  

Multiple axes of change

knowledge scarcity

knowledge abundance

open

public funding

neoliberalism

closed

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelheiss/2871996129/  

Part 1 – A context Oral to catechetical to textbook to " " " " " " " " " "digital/market"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/killfile/3344595791/

Part 2a – Identities ���The structure of networks"

www.flickr.com/photos/sjcockell/4398929160/  

Structures beyond institutional "structures"

Networked Identities = Multiple, Public, Participatory"

Always Connected "

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanr/142455033/  

Networks expand participation"

My Networked Connections"

greater access, diversity, visibility… also increased noise & time.

Belonging is always

partial, always multiple"

Always hybrid"

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/daveduarte/3420117809/  

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/striaEc/2191408271/  

Hard to hear"

Signal/Noise Literacies"

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/promediagroup/5726389205/  

Different legitimacy practices  

Institutional  

•  product-focused •  mastery

•  hierarchical ties •  plagiarism

•  authority in role

•  audience = teacher

Networked

•  process-focused •  participation

•  peer-to-peer ties •  crowdsourcing

•  authority in reputation

•  audience = world

Part 2b – Rhizomes���Ways of navigating networks"

ED 366

What do they need to know?"

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/marcobellucci/3534516458/  

How do I know?"

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/marcobellucci/3534516458/  

I don’t know."

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/marcobellucci/3534516458/  

Rhizomes:"•  are aggressive, chaotic and resilient. •  are difficult to contain •  follow their own paths •  are multiple

http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsnortheast/5951029777/sizes/l/in/photostream/

The rhizomatic approach is about"1.  Preparing for uncertainty 2.  Learning when there is no answer 3.  Dealing with complexity 4.  Being responsible to your own learning 5.  Drawing your own map

Part 3a – A convergence An example on the open web"

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/gforsythe/8028605773/  

What’s a MOOC?"

“MOOCs are the internet happening to education.” ! ! ! ! ! !- George Siemens, 2012!

Massive"

Open"h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/neosnaps/2596044654/  

Online"

Course"

Part 3b – Implications What this means for higher education"

MOOCs = Many Things

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/garymacfadyen/6860003781/  

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/noiseprofessor/8270908219  

Education = the final frontier  

 

 IBIS  Capital:  Global  e-­‐Learning  Investment  Review,  2013    

 

Education = online"

GSV  Advisors,  2012  

“Education is Broken”  

networks neoliberalism Institutional education

Major MOOCs merge ���

networked critique of institutional education with ���

neoliberal shock doctrine: ���“here’s a disaster, here’s a solution.”

But MOOCs don’t HAVE to be like that.

 

"

Approaches to MOOCs"

Neoliberal ���= About���Market ���

Solutions  

Networked���= About ���

Connections

Some MOOCs…" Harness & contribute to knowledge abundance Are participatory Are distributed Generate knowledge & connections that extend beyond course Share the processes of knowledge work, not just the products

h#p://www.flickr.com/photos/wiccked/133164205  

Part 4 – Going forward What should I do now?"

h#p://alonetogetherbook.com/  

Move online together"

@bonstewart @davecormier

Participate "or "

Perish."