Dirk Uys@riskycud

@p2pu

Who has taken an online course before?

There are many providers...

...with big promises!

Anyone can learn anything, anywhere, for free.

Anyone can learn anything, anywhere, for free.

Anyone with a friend or with sufficient digital/linguistic literacy (+ other literacies) and a good amount of motivation who also knows where to look can learn a lot of mostly Western oriented things that already exist, anywhere with connectivity, for free some sort of cost (in theory), but these people won’t actually know if they learned anything...but what is the point anyway? Mozfest 10/2016

Anyone with motivation with access to tools/internet (or other mechanisms) + digital/linguistic literacies and social support in a state that doesn’t block materials can learn some content (maybe not pedagogical lessons) in your language, anywhere that you can access the tools needs to access the materials, for free some cost of your time/transport/tools.Berkman Klein Center 11/2016

Non-profit organizationStarted in 2009Distributed community of volunteers and

partners

MissionTo provide communities with access to education opportunities.

Online courses using OEROnline platform for making & running coursesOpen badgesMOOCs

~7%

Photo from Flickr CC-BY-NC 2.0 Tom Woodward

DIGITAL DIVIDE

UNAWARE OF OPPORTUNITY

LACK OF SUPPORT

For many individuals, online learning is lonely, difficult, and overwhelming!

+

Learning circlesLightly-facilitated study groups for learners who want to take online courses together at their local library.

+

Not a content expertComfortable with online course platformInvested in communityAvailable to host each week and moderate

discussion

Facilitator

Highly accessible spaceConsistent internet/powerMission of open accessStrong links to diverse audiencesHighly-skilled employees who work to

disseminate knowledge for all

Libraries

Everybody has expertiseSharing and connecting are often the best ways

to learnFeedback is necessary in order to improveRecognition that tech is not neutral

Peer learning

Weekly StructureBeforehand:Edit reminderReview materialsSet up space

Afterwards:Clean upShare weekly

feedback

During:Check-inActivity (recipe

card)CourseworkPlus/delta

Recipe cardsWeek One: Manage expectationsWeek Two: Help set goalsWeek Three: Give good feedbackWeek Four: Draw connectionsWeek Five: Celebrate mistakesWeek Six: Reflect on goals

● Background information● Course selection tips● Space/supplies checklist● Software instructions● Promotion templates● Facilitation tips● Recipe cards● Learning circle application● Certificate

Facilitators handbook

Any questions?

CPL 2015 pilot65% first time online learners45%-55% retention over 6-8 weeks80% did work outside of Learning Circle90% are interested in taking another60% may want to facilitate in future

Reflection on pilot● Increases digital skills and academic

mindsets alongside course content● Community can overcome bad courses● Supports diverse learner pathways● Successful when aligned with library

mission

“The Facilitators continually made

me feel comfortable. which I really appreciated

this, the informal atmosphere was

great!”

“[The best thing about my Learning Circle was] knowing that I was not the only one out there with a dream of writing and being able to share this with my fellow Learning Circle members.”

“I appreciate [Chicago Public Library’s] commitment to learning and expanding tools of the library. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to take the class.”

Chicago

Nairobi/Nakuru

Boston/Portland/Providence

Paris

Paris

Making and Learning

DiscussionIf you were creating an online course and you knew it would be used in a learning circle, what would you do differently?

DiscussionHow can learning circles fit in with other existing opportunities?

DiscussionHow can learning circles help you in your current work with OER?

Get involvedFacilitate a learning circle → www.p2pu.orgJoin our community → bit.ly/p2pucommunityDevelop learning circle material → howto.p2pu.orgHelp us:

expand to new communitiespublicize our worklooking for a freelance web designer

www.p2pu.org@p2puthepeople@p2pu.org

DIGITAL DIVIDE

UNAWARE OF OPPORTUNITY

LACK OF SUPPORT

FACILITATOR LIBRARIES PEER LEARNING