How reflection can help your learning in a MOOC
January 3, 2014
One of the most important tools for any learner to get the most out of their studying is reflection. This is especially useful in situations where learning is to a large degree self-controlled or is directed towards professional development. It could be said that the capacity to reflect on action so as to engage in …
Blog posts about Sustainability, Society and You
January 2, 2014
There are already discussions and reflections appearing about the ‘Sustainability Society and You’ MOOC starting on January 6th through FutureLearn. You can join us using the hashtag #flsustain on Twitter and in other social media: we also have a Facebook page. Course leader Dr Sarah Speight has written about the approach the course takes in …
The difference between self-directed learning and a MOOC
January 1, 2014
Happy New Year! And if your resolution is to learn something new – may I suggest learning online? The Web is a huge repository of information and resources, and it can fairly be said that you can learn anything on the Web from calligraphy to sewing, from PHP to coding games, from fundamentals of anatomy …
Countdown #28: a conversation about sustainability
December 28, 2013
Sustainability, of course, isn’t just for Christmas – we can make sustainable choices in every aspect of our daily lives. This Christmas in my family we have mostly managed recycling, and all my gift wrapping was re-used from last year! But the final one of the 3Rs is more of a struggle: reduce. I’d love …
Advent calendar #27: A recipe for a successful video shoot
December 27, 2013
Simon Barnett from our Video Team offers us his recipe for a successful video shoot: An idea of what you want to record 5 cameras and tripods 3 monitors Camera Track and Dolly (10metres in length) 1 Jib Crane 15 different lights with stands Video cable (lots) An audio mixer Audio cable (lots) 6 different …
Advent calendar #26: Tips on being a FutureLearn student
December 26, 2013
Having taken several FutureLearn courses now, as well as helping to set up and deliver the Sustainability, Society and You course, my top tips for being a FutureLearn student include: Interact with the other students, it’s so much better than trying to learn alone. And… .. learn with friends. It’s fun if family or friends …
Advent calendar #25: Using your Christmas leftovers
December 25, 2013
Sarah Speight writes: we have just finished running the ‘NOOC’ – the Nottingham Open Online Course, ‘Perspectives on Sustainability’. This is an internal University of Nottingham version of the Futurelearn MOOC, ‘Sustainability, Society and You’ that starts on January 6th. Our students have been carrying out audits of their domestic waste. While most of them …
Advent calendar #22: Influencing people
December 22, 2013
I was intrigued when reviewing the materials for our free online course Sustainability, Society and You (which starts on on January 6th) to see that there are a set of principles by which the UK Government aims to influence people’s behaviour. The approach is called ‘MINDSPACE’ (Dolan et al., 2010), which is an acronym for …
Advent calendar #21: What is a MOOC anyway?
December 21, 2013
A MOOC is a Massive Open Online Course. It is a free online course open to anyone with internet access. A MOOC is designed for large numbers of participants and is often taken for personal and professional development as well as simple interest. Participants in a MOOC can take part as much or as little as they …
Advent Calendar #20: The evolution of Sustainability, Society and You
December 20, 2013
Sarah Speight writes: When we start on January 6th, we will be into the third version of the course that is now Sustainability, Society and You and will have had the benefit of developing and refining it over a 9-month period. We have gathered feedback already from the University of Nottingham students and staff who …
