Firstly, a very fortunate one. By accident of birth I ended up with parents who were educated themselves and committed to education for their children. They also had the resources to provide practical support. We lived near an exellent 'bog standard' comprehensive with committed and capable teachers and I went to a good, well resourced university to study a subject I loved. All of this shows just how vital social and economic background is.
I find learning empowering and enjoyable - I got the 'buzz' young and have never stopped formal learning (apart from a couple of years when I was getting started as a lawyer, getting married etc). Another important point perhaps - I never stopped, returning to study after a number of years away would be very difficult I suspect.
I'm self motivating (though you'd never guess it from the last few weeks lack of activity) and whilst I enjoy collaboration I don't need it to keep going.
2. What tools and resources do you use?
Books and magazines/journals, other people, digital resources - OU library facilities, Digital tools- Delicious, Google Scholar and Wikipedia (both with reservations), OU course VLE.
3. What are your views on different technologies?
I struggle to see the real application of Twitter. The Course VLE is excellent and provides a good way of working throught the materials ( a reading list and some suggestions about how to construct a PLE just wouldn't have been as covenient).
4.Can you think of examples where technology has made a significant difference to the way you learn?
In legal practice the ability to access searchable, authoritative databases of case law, statute and commentary has revolutionised how I keep up to date and how I carry out research. Searchability and the range of sources available through the LexisLibrary and Westlaw providers makes research much quicker and more reliable (up dating and making sure provisions are in force is so much easier)
H800 is of course inherently technology based - however paper copies of the readings would be so much easier to read (reading on screen eventually gives me eye strain and a headache - any prospect of publishing the readings in a format that is compatible with say, Kindle or another e-book, I'd buy one for that alone)
5. Can you think of counter examples where you had a bad experience of a particular technology?
As I have mentioned in a previous post on my last RHS module the Moodle VLE was very poorly used - the result I think of lack of tutor training and no IT support on site.
6. What did this do to your motivation for learning?
It was frustrating - but it did not affect my motivation because the principle mode of learning was f2f tuition supported by study from various paper texts which I already owned.
7. How did you deal with the situation?
I quickly decided that the VLE had no real value and did not use it.
W23 A2
Some hurried thoughts - must catch up.
Firstly, a very fortunate one. By accident of birth I ended up with parents who were educated themselves and committed to education for their children. They also had the resources to provide practical support. We lived near an exellent 'bog standard' comprehensive with committed and capable teachers and I went to a good, well resourced university to study a subject I loved. All of this shows just how vital social and economic background is.
I find learning empowering and enjoyable - I got the 'buzz' young and have never stopped formal learning (apart from a couple of years when I was getting started as a lawyer, getting married etc). Another important point perhaps - I never stopped, returning to study after a number of years away would be very difficult I suspect.
I'm self motivating (though you'd never guess it from the last few weeks lack of activity) and whilst I enjoy collaboration I don't need it to keep going.
2. What tools and resources do you use?
Books and magazines/journals, other people, digital resources - OU library facilities, Digital tools- Delicious, Google Scholar and Wikipedia (both with reservations), OU course VLE.
3. What are your views on different technologies?
I struggle to see the real application of Twitter. The Course VLE is excellent and provides a good way of working throught the materials ( a reading list and some suggestions about how to construct a PLE just wouldn't have been as covenient).
4.Can you think of examples where technology has made a significant difference to the way you learn?
In legal practice the ability to access searchable, authoritative databases of case law, statute and commentary has revolutionised how I keep up to date and how I carry out research. Searchability and the range of sources available through the LexisLibrary and Westlaw providers makes research much quicker and more reliable (up dating and making sure provisions are in force is so much easier)
H800 is of course inherently technology based - however paper copies of the readings would be so much easier to read (reading on screen eventually gives me eye strain and a headache - any prospect of publishing the readings in a format that is compatible with say, Kindle or another e-book, I'd buy one for that alone)
5. Can you think of counter examples where you had a bad experience of a particular technology?
As I have mentioned in a previous post on my last RHS module the Moodle VLE was very poorly used - the result I think of lack of tutor training and no IT support on site.
6. What did this do to your motivation for learning?
It was frustrating - but it did not affect my motivation because the principle mode of learning was f2f tuition supported by study from various paper texts which I already owned.
7. How did you deal with the situation?
I quickly decided that the VLE had no real value and did not use it.
Vikki