Personal Blogs

We were asked to give our opinion regarding open source software and relate this to the Weller recommendations to the OU.

What is Open Source Software (OSS)? Open Source Software is software that is available for everbody. Everybody can use it and everybody can adapt it to suit their own needs.

Wikipedia gives the following definition: “Open source software (OSS) is computer software for which the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that meets the Open Source Definition or that is in the public domain. This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified forms.

In his paper Weller recommends to use the OSPI project OSS for e-portfolio use. “It also allows us to develop a tool which we both understand and can modify so that it meets our needs”.

The last 4 words in the quote are very relevant and very important if you take a critical look at all the other products. Commercial products often seem to be very rigid and inflexible. OSS provides the user to adapt the software so that it meets the needs. For the OU this solution is, in my opinion, a valid one. However, there are some disadvantages as well. Customer Support, for example, is very important when one tries to implement new applications. I guess the OU has the expertise to fiddle around with Moodle, OSPI or other OSS applications, but most of us don’t. if I take a critical look at the OU blog and compare this with a World Press blog for example then my choice would be very easy. The WP Blog looks fancier than the OU Blog and has much more features. Adding widgets, integrate it with your own website for example is something that I really value. The same goes for My Suff and Mahara or PebblePad. These commercial products don't just look nicer and fancier but do the job as well. Again, using open software and adapting this to match the needs of a institution is a big advantage, but somehow I'm still not convinced and wouldn't just choose for OSPI,Moodle or ELGG on basis of cost analysis or adaptibilty.

Cheers Eugene

I summarise what I’ve written before in previous blogs, but then structured this according to task 2f:

How do the various arguments align with your own experience?
I understand the Universities’ point of view that a VLE provides control. Tools from outside, integrated in a central organised VLE provide a clear overview of what students learn (course content), how they interact (forum, blog, elluminate) and how they collaborate (wiki). As a learner this structure helped me to start my first online course properly.  I would have been lost if it had just been me and a large selection of internet tools and I simply had to find out which ones would be best for which purpose. I favour Sclater’s (and Weller’s) argument that a default environment makes it clear to the students which tools are needed and in which environment. The OU clearly uses this method as they assigned Delicious to us as an example of Social Networking. There are numerous other applications (Digg, EduTagger etc) that we could have used but we had to work with Delicious. It gave us an idea how to work with these tools in general and now we have these skills can choose our own. For me this approach worked well.
I strongly agree with Weller’s opinion that the Tools on the web need to be used. Learning by using is one of my slogans as well.

Are you broadly in favour of PLEs/use of Web 2.0 in an educational context?
I am in favour of using PLEs and web 2.0 tools in an educational context. One can find numerous tools  on the internet which suits my needs and certainly  the needs of others as well. However, I agree with Sclater that there has to be some kind of default tool which we all use in order to communicate with each other. My experiences with University VLE’S are limited to the OU’s LMS. I like the set up, although I hadn’t initially realised, that the OU used a Moodle based VLE and made it their own. The OU certainly transformed it to ensure the VLE meets their demands and makes it possible to use web 2.0 tools in a controlled environment.

I believe that VLE’s are there as some sort of safety net. They ensure that all students and tutors achieve a baseline level  in working with web 2.0 tools and it is then up to the individual to decide how much further they want to take it.

Using my PLE in a default environment would be the perfect solution for me. We can’t deny the existence of the PLEs and tools outside the VLE’s. Why don’t we bring them together? I therefore agree with Paul Coulthard’s comment on his blog where he says that he prefers a mixture of a VLE and a PLE: “....but one that would still not address those learners who do not embrace Web 2.0 technologies or those students who choose to separate the social use of them from their educational use.”

Or do you foresee a number of issues and problems?
Although I favour the use of PLEs and web 2.0 tools in education, I also foresee some problems or difficulties. Technology develops in a fast pace and for tutors/staff/teachers it might be difficult to keep up with the latest tools. If there isn’t a default environment, the divide amongst those who are able to use this technology and those who aren’t will continue to grow.
Another issue raised by  Sclater was the difficulty of assessing students. It would be difficult to assess students if they all use different tools. However, I strongly agreed with Weller that Universities and educational institutions should review their ways of assessments. Wouldn’t it be better if we assess processes alongside end results?  Isn’t it better to assess how one contributes in addition to what one contributes instead of carrying out the same assessments as 20 years ago with today’s technology? I believe this would be a true reformation and a huge step forward.

To conclude, I am in favour of a controlled environment to introduce learners to technology where necessary, and support many of Sclater’s opinions, but my own use of web 2.0 tools outside the OU’S VLE proves that I look for tools which suit my needs.  Somehow I try to integrate this into my study and into my tasks. I use it alongside the OU’s VLE but as well for pleasure and personal persuits.

My notes regarding the Weller/Sclater podcast:

To conclude, I am in favour of a controlled environment to introduce learners to technology where necessary, and support many of Sclater’s opinions, but my personal views align more closely with Weller’s. I like his approach of using what is available and learning by doing. I strongly favour his arguments about reviewing the entire method of assessment. People like Weller have a Vision about the future, which in my opinion, will bring Education a step forwards. He wants us to stop looking back, stop going in circles, and to move forward.

Cheers, Eugene