Downes says:
In general, where we are now in the online world is where we were before the beginning of e-learning [1]. Traditional theories of distance learning, of (for example) transactional distance, as described by Michael G. Moore, have been adapted for the online world. Content is organized according to this traditional model and delivered either completely online or in conjunction with more traditional seminars, to cohorts of students, led by an instructor, following a specified curriculum to be completed at a predetermined pace.
He reflects on the development of learning objects and the structures that capture them in the form the ubiquitous learning management systems. I find that term so odd… but it does reflect what people think… learning can be systematically managed if we just get the content right and present it in the right order… and that we get the correct purveyors of learning… the fine faculty… and we keep the students happy by minimizing their expectations (do it any time!) and maximizing our revenue (but it’ll cost you more!)
So the discussion point for me here is the question… can a learning management system be a personal learning environment? At the moment, I don’t think so. Here’s why… someone has to run the LMS… or I, depending upon the model… I have to share the environment with others (not a bad thing). But… my learning is mine. In an LMS there’s always the implied “other” seeking to lend a linear structure to my learning… is that what I want, need, should have? The concept bothers me.
Enter Moodle (for example)
Moodle is a course management system
It is an open source course management system
But it’s still an instructor based course management system
How can I use it to support PLE thinking?
Well… Martin Dougiamas in his presentation at UK MoodleMoot 06 that his entire dissertation is in a Moodle site. This doesn’t boggle my mind as much as I thought it might.
So the issue really is what I started out in my learning contract wondering about… as an individual, self-directed learner… with an unstructured almost chaotic environment for learning leaping out at me on the web… can I manage my learning using Moodle. Might be so!
I want to make sure of three things: accessibility to any learner (probably through moodle.org), integration with the many tools that need to be in a learner’s toolkit… and support for alternative choices… and ability to suppress unwanted features (quizzes, for example). Fundamentally, the content must remain the learner’s.
And I know for SURE this question cannot even be asked of Blackboard or WebCT…proprietary and PATENTED learning management system (shame shame shame on Blackboard)
