Facilitating Online Communities (FOC08)

Finally, my introductory post for the "Facilitating Online Communities" Course from MIT - NZ.

The forum (google group) has been abuzz with lots of postings. I set up a rule in outlook and my folder constantly has new information in it. There is a flurry of activity and discussion reminds me very much of Dr Seuss's Sneetches, with the Star Bellied Sneetches and Sneetches without stars. Each group feeling different and wanting to be the same. There are posts from the techos, with recommendations of tools and toys to be used and the newbies who are simply saying "What....???"

Who Am I?

My name is Robyn Honeman, I am an Education Officer (official title Teaching and Learning Support Officer (Online Applications)), member of the Learning Technology Team at TAFE NSW Riverina Institute. I have been in this role for 3 years now. I do a wide range of things from research and evaluating new technologies, facilitating and piloting projects, administer LMS (including creating courses, training teachers etc), and get to play with a whole lot of cool technology. I also provide On Desk Tutorials and run workshops for staff on all technologies including email, powerpoint, word, interactive whiteboards, video conferencing, web conferencing and whatever else there is a need for at the moment.

I feel I sit most days between a have and a have not, and I am constantly learning!!!

Why FOC08?

What an amazing opportunity to connect worldwide with a whole range of educators, all who I can learn from. While I have been in this field for quite sometime there are SOOOO many tools to use, and ways to facilitate I think you can always learn something new. Something that was mentioned in a post was how good it is to sit back and be a student sometimes. We can become very blasse about what we do and take for granted it will all come as easy to everyone else. Great experience being at the other end of the stick. The other thing that I have to admit peaked my interest is that it hails from the Land of the Long White Cloud with which I have a lifetime connection as it was my place of birth, I have also heard some amazing things about what Kiwi Educators are doing.

What do I want to ask?
At this stage there are no outstanding questions for me. I am inclined to be one of the quiet ones in a course so I am challenging myself to become more of a louder voice in this platform. For the have nots it can all seem so overwhelming and intimidating but believe me we can all learn from each other about something, and there is always something you will know more about than someone else. Back to Seuss this reminds me of "What Was I Scared Of?" I have been interested to see this week how the technology has overtaken the discussion and that some people are not so comfortable with that.

For those of you not so familiar or a bit sketchy on the memory of the Seuss Stories here is a link to read about them.

The Sneetches and Other Stories

I am already enjoying reading the conversations that have arisen from the online discussion and look forward to being online with everyone next week.

Facilitating Online Communities

Put my name on the list for the Online Community course facilitated by Leigh and Otago. 28th snuck up on me and I missed the first session but will spend some time this week getting familiar with the turf. I hope I am able to contribute as much as the rest of the people in the course.

There is an amazing wealth of knowledge in the participants from such a range of backgrounds it is pretty exciting.