Comments on: Massive participation but no one to talk to: #moocmooc day 3

By: Vicki Suter

Vicki Suter — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:57:52 +0000

Thanks for the response last night, Sheila. I felt a lot better after posting it, although that felt a little like putting myself out there. Maybe it is because how I feel about learning is central to who I am, and I feel a little exposed when I, well, expose myself.

I like Rachel’s idea of making a goal to connect with 2-3 people a day – that’s what I did at all those many conferences I used to attend (and plan). I am going to approach this as though it is the first of a new type of conference I’m attending, and use some of the strategies that worked so well for me in the past.

I wasn’t planning on giving up, just trying to figure out a way in. All these ideas were very helpful.

By: Sheilamacneill

Sheilamacneill — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 11:38:17 +0000

Hi Jesse

yes it was great. Thanks for the link – I think that sums up how most people have feel at some point in a MOOC.

Sheila

By: Jesse Stommel

Jesse Stommel — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 06:12:33 +0000

Really glad that you found some folks to chat with in your hangout. Absolutely loved your idea. I understand what you mean about the desire for some f2f time. Thought of you and your post when this entry just showed up on my feed: http://vsuter.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/why-cant-i-find-my-way-in/

I made a comment on the post, but it feels like a place that might need some more populating.

By: Sheilamacneill

Sheilamacneill — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 22:09:18 +0000

Hi Dan

Yes working in different time zones a bit confusing:-) Just update post with video of chat. I found it worthwhile so would be up for doing another one – if we can work out suitable times:-)

Sheila

By: Dan (@akaPyro)

Dan (@akaPyro) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:54:49 +0000

Hi, I considered joining, then decided I couldn’t since it’d be too late – but have since realised this was purely because I misread and thought it was at 8pm EST as opposed to BST! Hope the hangout was productive, perhaps I’ll catch another if you find it worth repeating.

By: Sheilamacneill

Sheilamacneill — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:51:11 +0000

Thanks for posting a comment Verena, and after I posted this has a flurry of communication on twitter and also the hangout did go ahead – just about to update the post with a link.

Sheila

By: Verena

Verena — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:32:15 +0000

Hey Sheila….

I too find MOOC’s very isolating…the tweets have been coming fast though, so I think that’s why I have felt more enagaged…

Can’t make your hangout…as I am already supposed to be two other places online at a similar time (have yet to figure out how that will work…) But I wanted to write and say – I can relate – I think that is something that needs to be discussed, how you can feel so alone within a MOOC…and Why

I am on twitter for future chats…@verenanz

By: Sheilamacneill

Sheilamacneill — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:12:39 +0000

Hi Iain

Thanks for the response and totally understand re times. I’m usually a bit brain dead by time twitter chats start so just thought this would be an alternative – maybe chat later.

Sheila

By: Sheilamacneill

Sheilamacneill — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:10:44 +0000

Hi Rachel – thanks for the response – like your strategy and I’m doing something similar, will hopefully share recording too.

Sheila

By: iainmacl

iainmacl — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:01:40 +0000

things do seem to go quiet for a bit and some folk bunched in similar timezones still…so it’s been tricky to get the discussion going asynchronously in a short time period. As for the G+ hangout would be happy to join in, just depends on family things so might be a bit disrupted as folk are due back in the house at that time!! Yes you can choose the G+ ‘live on air’ option to stream more widely to a larger audience and it records the session into your youtube account. Have used it a number of times and it can be quite nifty.

By: Rachael Hanel

Rachael Hanel — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:56:21 +0000

It’s hard to be in this big, massive thing but not really feel connected. A Google Hangout is a great idea! I would attend if I were available during that time. I’ve made it a little goal to try to connect with two or three people in the MOOC each day. I follow them on Twitter and retweet or reply to their tweets. Or I comment on someone’s blog This helps to make it more manageable to me.