OpenTurf: The effective use of Web 2.0 technologies in creating a collaborative platform for self-determined learning. The narrative for each of the slides in the presentation is available at: http://blog.openturf.co.uk/narrative-for-h818-conference-presentation

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"OpenTurf: The effective use of Web 2.0
technologies in creating a collaborative platform for
self-determined learning"
by
Chris Gray, MSc(M:MT)(Open)
17th
February 2016
Open University
H818 Conference Presentation
February 2016
Innovation theme

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Introduction
• Embracing change
• Web 2.0 tools
• Open education
• Self-determined learning
• Making connections
• OpenTurf: Online Platform
• Conclusion

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Embracing change
• Encourage learning,
• Encourage ownership of learner journey,
• Create web platform as a hub of connections.
• Develop “21st
century skills”
• Adapt to future job needs
• Demonstrate concept with
vocational learning
Why?

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Embracing change
1. Increase opportunities for life-
long learning.
2. Use digital technology to
positively engage with and
encourage active learning.

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Web 2.0 tools: What are they?
These are online digital
applications that allow for:
• User interaction,
• Freedom to contribute,
• Community development.

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Web 2.0 tools: Contributing to change
Enhance the ability of a web
platform to be used for
sharing and collaboration.
Convergence of personal,
social and educational
applications.

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Open Education: What is it?
•Removing of barriers to learning,
•Freedom of access to courses and content,
•Social, informal learning,
•Disruptive, innovative education,
•Participative learning that embraces digital technology.

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Open Education: Why is it important?
“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we
rob them of tomorrow”. (Rice, 2013)

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Self-determined learning (Heutagogy)
Encouraging learners to be “directly responsible for their own
learning as an active rather than passive learner.”
Source: Blaschke, (2012)

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Self-determined learning: In practice
• How to learn,
• What to learn,
• When to learn,
• Where to learn,
• Who to learn with,
• Reflect on learning.

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Making connections
Collaborative
Learning
Environment
Open Education
Web 2.0 tools
Self-determined
learning

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Making connections
Institutional VLE:
• Formal,
• Internal standards,
• Tutor managed.
Pedagogy / Andragogy Andragogy / Heutagogy
CLE
CLE: Complement to VLE, or
stand-alone platform:
• Informal,
• Experimentational,
• Tutor facilitated (or not!)

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OpenTurf: Online platform

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OpenTurf: User Generated Content
Harnessing the
power of the crowd
•Comment features
•Wiki
•Forum
•Blog

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OpenTurf: Using APIs
Remixing and
integrating other
content:
e.g.
API
(Application
Programming
Interface)

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OpenTurf: RSS
Distributing
changed
content

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OpenTurf: Community building
 Leveraging the long-tail
Web technology allows for cost-
effective delivery of niche
products and services
 Content is constantly evolving

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OpenTurf: RIA
Rich Internet Application
(RIA) technology
Interactive and dynamic
elements within web pages
which update just that part
of a web page.

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OpenTurf: Social features
Quick social links
Instant sharing with
social media networks
Content creation for
sharing

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OpenTurf: Open Education
Learning:
• Social
• Informal
• Collaborative
• Free access
• Disruptive
• Innovative

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OpenTurf: Self-determined learning
Learning:
• Journey of choice
• Active
• Reflective
• Digitally engaged
Better understanding
of how to learn

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Conclusion
Thank you & Any questions?
OpenTurf has
1. A good blend of interconnected Web 2.0 tools to promote
active, collaborative learning,
2. An accessible, digital, informal platform that reduces
barriers to learning and promotes open education,
3. A structure which allows a learner the freedom of
determining their own learning journey.
What next?
Add content User feedback Promote widely
Add more features Continually innovate