Lens 1/AOL 1

Long time, no blog!

With the draft deadline looming, I have found myself more focused on the essay and not so much on blogging. But, having just completed(?) my Lens 1 section (wildly under referenced and over the word count), I thought I could summarise my reflections.

I have chosen to write my essay using a selective version of the theme-based structure that I mentioned in my Academic Writing blog. This means I am reflecting on each AOL through just one lens, as I feel it allows me to go more in depth with each. 

I have also chopped and changed a lot with my AOLs as I have struggled to see them through all the lenses. So, I found it easier to choose an AOL that directly links to each one. 

So, my first AOL...

The Effectiveness of Learning Practical Subjects Online

My experience of taking an online puppetry class this year was an amazing learning opportunity. It did, however, bring about a lot of ethical considerations about access. The idea in the handbook that 'participation is a function of our ability to actually participate' is key in this context. To participate, students needed a laptop, secure connection to the internet, time in their week to set aside for the class and for class prep, materials to make the puppets and, of course, money to pay for the course. These are a lot of boxes to tick before being able to participate. 

I also found it interesting to look at through Ullrich's theory of the 'architecture of assembly' as, through both the course and our own self study, we were encouraged to create our own virtual learning environments by linking various Web 2.0 sources such as videos, wikis and social media.

Collective intelligence was also harnessed on this course through Zoom, as we were able to comment on each others work either face to face or using the chat, as well as being able to work collaboratively on projects using breakout rooms. It definitely allowed us to 'come together as equals...and act collectively' (Feenberg & Bakardjieva, 2004), and it felt like a supportive puppet family by the end of the 8 weeks.

Overall, I will carry forward into my practice, that you can feel just as connected during an online practical course as an onsite one, if all the ethical factors are taken into account by the tutor.

An example of a shadow puppet made during the course

So much more could be said, but I suppose that is what my essay is for. Next steps for me are to find more sources to reference as I have mainly been reading up on people mentioned in the handbook. Then I need to make a proper start on the next two thirds of the essay. One week to go aaahhh!