OLTD Learning Outcomes:

• Become familiar with common terms, definitions and elements related to online environments
• Undertake engagement with environments through online facilitation for effective learning
  • Understand how to build rapport and manage groups
    • Engage in building learning communities and communities of practice
• Critically assess and evaluate resources for best practice in online learning

Evidence to Support Outcome: Weekly Reflective Blog Posts

• Disruption and Cultural Content – Week 1 Blog Post
• Remix of “RIP: A Remixer’s Manifesto” – Week 2 Blog Post
• MERLOT Review – Week 3 Blog Post
• Why I’m Not Good At Sharing (And How I’m Trying To Get Better) – Week 4 Blog Post
• Diigo List – Week 5 Blog Post

Reflection to Support Evidence:

The evidence I have chosen are a series of blog posts made throughout the course of OLTD 505. The blog posts represent my reactions to the various readings and experiences that I had during this course. They also represent a collection of resources related to open educational resources.

Throughout the course of OLTD 505 these blog posts required that I critically and thoughtful engage with concepts related to open education – both open content and thoughtful sharing of materials and experiences with other educators. Although my own personal engagement with the materials developed some of my understanding, reading and replying to the posts of my peers was the most transformative part of this exercise. Creation of the weekly blog posts and replying to my peers also allowed me to develop a keen understanding of the necessary effort to create a community of practice online. Without our previously established group rapport this assignment would have been highly challenging, and throughout this assignment the dynamic within our cohort changed to develop the necessary supports along with the professional dialogue.

Having a strong understanding of copyright issues, creative commons, OERs and sharing is critical for online educators today. Many of the copyright, fair use and creative commons issues discussed during this course will likely continue to be major parts of using and creating online content for years to come. It is also important for educators to be able to “talk the talk” in order to appropriately assess the use of materials in their classrooms, and support appropriate student use of materials as well. Knowing the language of copyright and creative commons also helps educators understand a multitude of related issues, and allows them to engage in conversations about this issues with administrators and co-workers.