Well I missed last week’s Ustream session on Friday because it started earlier than expected. I had a meeting booked at the same time, but hoped to be able to catch the end of it, which I might have done had the time not been changed, without me knowing. I have listened to the recording, but it is just not the same. I suppose this is the difference between connecting conceptually and connecting socially. I find the latter more motivating.
And now I find I can’t get into the Elluminate session, which is supposed to be happening right now as I write this, but the University of Manitoba site seems to be down. If I find that the session has been going on without me, then I will despair, as I have tried every which way to connect.
It’s so frustrating when you want to connect and you just can’t. Currently, I am researching learner experiences in virtual communities of practice and I am really interested in the ‘how’ of making connections. I loved Ailsa’s post in her blog CCK08 short paper, connectivism, what is it, where is it and can i get some? where she writes:
In this exchange, there needs to be movement for learning to have occurred.
Well, I have moved, and I still haven’t connected and so I haven’t learned. If the learning is to be ‘e’, then the first hurdle will be in being able to and knowing how to make the connections online. Will the technology, or our understanding of the technology, let us/enable us to make those initial tentative connections which are going to be so important in our learning process?
I am not a ‘techie’, so I’m not super confident with technology and I’ve just got this horrible suspicion that not being able to get into the Elluminate session might be something to do with my lack of understanding of how technology works. But, on the other hand, I know that compared to some of my colleagues I am ahead of the game. George says that all learning starts with a connection, but how can we help people make those initial connections online?
Well it’s 6.03 and I’ve just managed to get in, to find there are 27 participants on the call and Grainne Conole is on slide number 100 – Aaaaargh! And there does seem to have been trouble with the Manitoba server and with Grainne’s server. That makes me feel much better, although I still haven’t a clue what has been said up to now when I can access the site, so what is being said at the moment has little meaning. I can see that there are 143 slides – although I’ve had to go to slideshare to see it – thanks to Pat Parslow for the link! – I can’t see it on Elluminate.
And now it’s 6.35 pm and although I’ve listened to the last half hour and read the chat, I’m still none the wiser – cloudmaking, cloudscape and compendiums seem to be the new words, but currently I have no idea what they mean. Hopefully there will be a recording, but it just won’t be the same.
And I was so looking forward to this session – just my area of interest! So I’m feeling thoroughly disconnected tonight!
