Induction with Module One-ers

This evening we had our Group SKYPE induction for people joining the course (Module One). It was great to meet everyone, so cool to be talking to people all over the country and soon to be all over the globe.

We talked about getting going with the blogs. Starting to comment on other peoples blogs and writing a kind of introduction to yourself on your own. Also getting set up with our group in linked-in. It seemed that directions and info. for the course is still available through LibGuides but I suspect it will soon be primarily on Moodle. Either way it is good to be starting to read all the handbooks.

I suggested planning your study by working back from the hand-in date in January 2014 and of course being really familiar with what it is that is being assessed!! In other words what you have to send in to the university. I was also saying that starting to get your study groove on can involve fun things like making a special corner for yourself at home or in a local coffee shop or library. Joining the student union and/or getting a student rail card!! Just enjoy the romance of being a student (again) – you might as well there maybe quite stressful moments too…so its good to get your student groove well nourished.

Let us know if you have any trouble with getting handbooks etc… Remember to make sure you have accepted your place at MDX – you should have a password for getting onto UniHub etc… and this is also an indication your enrolment is complete.

Lastly we talked about other important dates – June 2^nd 2014 at Hendon is when Module Three presentations are scheduled. Although people in Module One today, will only be in Module Two at that point coming to the presentations will give you an idea of where to go with your research inquires BEFORE you dive headlong into it.

Also we agreed on a date for another group SKYPE. This will be for anyone on any module – Monday October 14^th at 11am (London time).

Well we are off to a great start – lovely to meet everyone.

Adesola

Welcome back

Welcome back and welcome on board. We are getting ready to start back at MAPP. The summer seemed to fly by but I am looking forward to a fun, productive and thoughtful term. 

Getting started
We have  scheduled an induction/orientation chat via Skype on Friday Sept 20th, 17.00-18.30 (London time) for those joining Module One. There is also an in person look around if you want to do that too at 1pm earlier the same day. 

For return-ees we have a SKYPE meeting Saturday at 10am to 11:30 (London time).  

Some thoughts

We hope to be woven into your day-to-day activity to enrich your professional development and practice. For that reason we have designed the course to take place in your life (as it were) and on-line. But this is not about working in isolation (this is not an ‘on-line’ course) this is about creating a community of learners using Web 2.0 tools (interactive on-line based tools). How it works is that the assignments and suggested tasks set up situations for learning and presenting your learning. You will read about these in the handbooks. But the process of mulling it over, having conversations, having ideas, not having any ideas(!) is done together using blogs, group SKYPE calls, emails, Linked-In, (phone calls and of course face-to-face if you want to).

Web 2.0 offers two ways to work with time and space:

Asynchronous time, different spaces:

The great thing about Web 2.0 (blogs, emails, Linked-in) is that you can share your ideas at a time that works for you and someone else can respond at a time that works for them. So I could write something meaningful to me at 8am on Thursday (while you are working) and you might respond with something meaningful at 2am on Saturday (while I am asleep).[You were having a very long day!!!]

Synchronous time, different spaces:

We can also use Web 2.0 (SKYPE) to talk to each other in real time across great distances. Remembering we want this course to be a part of your day-to-day practice, this year we are using SKYPE to create group sessions that students can join-in with where ever they are. The first ones being:

September 20^th (5pm – 6:30pm) Induction / Orientation session

(New students)

September 21^st (10am -11:30am) induction /Orientation session

(Returning students)

(We will also be having monthly SKYPE group discussions across the term. These are an opportunity to talk with advisors and peers about your ideas, issues, ‘the tasks’, ask questions and give advice. The dates of these will be confirmed during the group SKYPE meeting) 

How it works:

You will need to open a SKYPE account (if you do not already have one). To join in the group SKYPE sessions you need to be on a computer or ipad (you do not have to have a camera on the computer just a mic and working speaker). SKYPE is FREE from a computer or ipad no matter how long you talk on it or where you are calling. But there are some costs for group SKYPeing from a mobile phone/device.

If you do not have SKYPE already:

Go to http://www.skype.com

Go to ‘join-in’ in the right hand top of the screen, and follow the instructions

Note what kind of computer you are using (is it a Mac or P.C. or ipad) and follow the corresponding instructions as you set-up

Or

Go to the App. Store and download the SKYPE app.

Note what kind of computer you are using (is it a Mac or P.C. or ipad) and choose the corresponding app.

A week BEFORE (or ASAP) the induction session:

Once you have SKYPE send an email to Adesola & Helen telling us your SKYPE name. Then send a contact request in SKYPE to us so that we can accept you into our SKYPE contacts list. Once we have you on the list you are ready to be included in the induction session. 

Speak to you soon.

Adesola