As learning shifts the written word can be used to shape our online learning space and provide rafts to new possibilities.

1. Words to shape
ways of being in
the online classroom
Mary Loftus
#celt12
“If we compare the evolutionary cycle of film-making and technology enhanced learning, we are
currently somewhere around the 'Keystone Cops' stage of elearning technology and theory” -
Diana Laurillard (2005)

2. 1970s – Distance Learning
1995 - Internet
2004 – MScSED
2012 –
Twitter, MissionVHQ, MOO
Cs, edX, Coursera ?
2014 – Charlie Chaplin
2027 – The Jazz Singer (sound)
2039 – Gone with the Wind
(colour)
2041 – Citizen Kane
2065 – The Sound of Music
2073 – The Godfather
2077 – Star Wars Learning

3. Film makes
meaning in the
mind of the
viewer.
5 Levels of effect
on the viewer:
1. Sensual
2. Emotional
3. Intellectual
4. Ethical
5. Spiritual

4. Diana Laurillard
Feedback should relate to
course objectives
Learning Design
Learning Patterns
Bridge research & teaching
Further reading:
London Knowledge Lab

5. Paulo Freire
“For apart from inquiry, apart
from the praxis, individuals
cannot be truly human.
Knowledge emerges only
through invention and re-
invention, through the
restless, impatient, continuing,
hopeful inquiry human beings
pursue in the world, with the
world, and with each other.”

6. Stephen Brookfield
Critical Incident Questionnaire
Critical Thinking
4 Rs: Respect, Responsiveness,
Research, Relationships
Further reading:
StephenBrookfield.com

7. Carl Rogers
‘Saw himself as a facilitator -
one who created the
environment for
engagement.
However, what he was also to
emphasize was the attitude of
the facilitator.
There were 'ways of being'
with others that foster
exploration and encounter‘
• Realness in the facilitator of
learning Smith (1999)
• Prizing, acceptance, trust
• Empathetic understanding Further reading:
Joe McCarthy
Donald Clark

8. Etienne Wenger
Communities of Practice
(COPs)
Education is a journey through
the landscape of a discipline.
Map alone is not enough
Learning Partnerships
Belonging, Identity
Further reading:
Developing Learning Partnerships
Digital Habitats

9. Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change
– Brene Brown

10. John O’Donohue
‘Words can form a raft that
can take us to new
possibilities’
Healthy disregard for
‘process’ and ‘function’
Further reading:
A tributed to JOD
by Michael D Higgins

11. Fully online 2 yr Masters
in Software Engineering & Database Technologies
run jointly by NUI Galway and Regis University

12. • Discussion Posts • Conversations
Discussion is the heart of the classroom

13. Hard Play – vLabs
Scaffold
Support
Opportunities &
encouragement to fail

14. Shared Risk
We must model the risk-
taking, iterative failure
and comfort in ‘being
wrong’ that we wish to
see in our students

15. Assessment
• Exams • Praxis
• Peter McBride
Assessment - from Exam -> Praxis – Paulo Freire

16. Critical Incident
Feedback Questionnaire (CIQ)
Brookfield
At what moment in class this weekend did you
feel most engaged with what was happening?
At what moment in class this weekend were
you most distanced from what was
happening?
What action that anyone (teacher or student)
took this weekend did you find most
affirming or helpful?
What action that anyone took this weekend
did you find most puzzling or confusing?
What about the class this weekend surprised
you the most? (This could be about your own
reactions to what went on, something that
someone did, or anything else that occurs).

17. Plagiarism
Set Expectations
Set assignments that
cannot be easily
plagiarised
Openly discuss the issue
Assume good intent
The antidote to shame is Empathy
Shame needs secrecy, silence and judgement
– Brene Brown

18. Creativity

19. We must see our students for who they are – and who they can be…

20. Thank you!
loftus.mary@gmail.com
@marloft