Monday, 13 October 2008
E-moderating really saves time for online teachers
A new e-moderating course for practising teachers and tutors in FE starts today and another (for academic staff in HE) is into its second week starting tomorrow. In both cases it is about experiencing e-learning as a student as well as developing practical skills for online teachers. I am always stunned and sometimes humbled by the many different and valuable perspectives and relevant skills that participants bring to the course.
The idea that the teacher is the only person who knows anything about the subject - in this case online tutoring - because they are teaching the course is so inaccurate. Its my job to facilitate discovery, sharing, learning - and, yes, to contribute facts where appropriate about learning technologies or the techniques of e-moderation.
Meanwhile my own writing course (Season of Inspiration) is into its second week - we have had a blistering week with a talented group of students - and it is so encouraging when the framework I teach others to use can be proved to be so effective in my own courses.
Well designed e-tivities in a careful course design facilitate the forming of a supportive group and provide students with a clear framework to develop their work. And for the tutors it means that with routine questions forestalled (or answered for one another by the students themselves) we don't waste time and can concentrate our e-moderating interventions on facilitating a supportive community to develop collaborative learning to everyone's benefit.
Labels: e-moderating, e-moderation, e-tivities, online course, online tutors, season of inspiration, time management, writing courses
posted by Helen Whitehead 9:59 AM
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Last few places still left on our online writing course Season of Inspiration
My latest writing course starts next Monday 18th February 2008 for 9 weeks.
Season of Inspiration is back again with our trademark supportive, friendly, online writing community and all-new inspiration!
Yet again we will be dipping into a variety of sources of inspiration, from nature to music to landscape. From mesostic poems to mystery stories, there'll be formats and genres to experiment with. We aim to provide inspiration for writing that'll see you through the rest of 2008. We offer support, exercises and creative bolstering. Come whether you're bursting with ideas to try out or whether you want to rediscover your creativity. Designed so that you can work at your own level (whether you're starting out as a writer or seeking inspiration for your next publication) with the support and encouragement of a writing community and two tutors. This is the online equivalent of a writers' workshop, not a lonely self-study course. Students are welcome from anywhere in the world (the course is run in English).
Co-tutors: Helen Whitehead (Nottingham, UK) and Sharon Rundle (Hunter Valley, Australia), both editors of Kids on the Net.
Cost: UKP£150 / USD$300 / AUS $370
Please register immediately for one of the last few places at info@kidsonthenet.com
The course takes place in Moodle.
More information on the course website at http://www.newmediawriting.comLabels: online writing courses, online writing school, season of inspiration, Sharon Rundle, trAce online writing school
Link: posted by Helen Whitehead 12:06 PM
Monday, 21 January 2008
Feedback from Season of Inspiration course
One is allowed to blow one's own trumpet occasionally, yes?
Here is some of the feedback from my last writing course...
"Though I am a published writer (I have an anthology of Short Stories in my name) I must say I have benefitted from the Season Of Inspiration course in a big way. Can creative writing be taught? It is a much-debated question. Story telling, they say, is a gift, not a skill which can be learnt. Helen and Sharon have proved this wrong.
Having participated in Season of Inspiration I feel there is neither a magic moment nor a magic wand which can transform you into a writer. A story teller however gifted she or he may be must also be a wordsmith. You may have most original and inspiring ideas. But all stunning ideas do not end up as stunning stories or a stunning poems. Why? It is here that a course like SOI can come to your rescue. Perfectly and comprehensively structured, SOI gives-- as it should-- equal importance to concept and technique. I particularly liked the way Helen and Sharon used images and visual metaphors as prompts to get you set on a narrative. This is a subtle but extremely effective device or a ploy on the part of the instructor, which urges you to go beyond and beneath the surface and arrive at insights and epiphanies which, incidentally, is the dream of every writer. SOI is a road map to aspiring writers.
It is a truly inspiring course. I felt the nine weeks I spent with Helen and Sharon and the fellow participants in SOI were over too soon. Though hectic and demanding it was a refreshing and enjoyable experience."
Student, Oct 07 (Haryana, India)"This was the best online writing course I have ever done. Writers were given the freedom to be creative without the unnecessary restrictions of other online courses, but whilst also respecting the feelings of other course members (and the instructors). The feedback was useful and constructive - I was praised for the aspects of my writing that worked well whilst being given advice on how to improve my work (exactly what I expect from a top notch course). The technical aspects of the course were excellent in terms of layout, ease of access to lessons and general use of the forums. The other students were amazing. I loved the chat sessions and the terrific effort by Sharon and Helen to accommodate all students' time zones. The support I received from everyone when I experienced major technical problems with my computer was fantastic and really made me feel part of a community of writers. Lastly and not of all least, the exercises we were given each week were fabulous and very much encouraged my creative spirit. I have learned so much from this course."
Student, Oct 07 (WA, Australia)"I have found Season Of Inspiration better each time I took part. Both students and tutors were keen and enthusiastic. The interactions have been helpful, stimulating, forthright, and most importantly, honest. The materials were more than ample and well diversified to cater for different students' individual needs. There was no pressure but a lot of pleasure and fun to be in the SOI course. It has been very productive for me even when I was away overseas for 4 weeks. As a bonus I have improved my English through interacting with the others. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who aspires to be a writer and to writers who want to be better writers. I certainly would recommend it to potential students who are not born with English as their mother tongue."
Student, Oct 07 (NSW, Australia)"The course really was inspiring. The tutors were knowledgeable, supportive and flexible and I enjoyed communicating with other writers from around the world. I would wholeheartedly recommend a Season of Inspiration course to anyone looking for prompts and encouragement to explore their own writing and develop their critical faculties, particularly if the time they have available to write is limited or variable, or they aren't sure how to get started. Season of Inspiration gave me a whole lot of new beginnings."
The next course Season of Inspiration online writing course starts 18th February - plenty of time left to sign up! More information about the course
Student, Oct 07 (Bath, UK)Labels: online writing courses, season of inspiration, writing class, writing tutor
posted by Helen Whitehead 3:06 PM
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Spaces still available on Season of Inspiration online writing course
Season of Inspiration online writing course
There are still some spaces left on our latest online writing course
Season of Inspiration
9-week online writing course. Starts 8th October 2007 for 9 weeks.
Join us in making the most of seasonal colours and scents, metaphors of the season, place and time to provide inspiration for writing that'll see you through the rest of the year. We offer support, exercises and creative bolstering. You'll experiment with and collaborate in haiku walks, visual writing, meaningful journalling and capturing the sights and sounds of the season. Dip in and rediscover your creativity. Previous students will find all-new materials, and new students are very welcome.
info@newmediawriting.com
http://www.newmediawriting.com
The techie details - we'll be using Moodle :)Labels: online courses, online learning, season of inspiration, writing, writing courses
posted by Helen Whitehead 11:33 AM
Monday, 13 August 2007
Season of Inspiration online writing course
I'm really excited to be teaching a new Season of Inspiration writing course in October.
This will be the fifth time Sharon Rundle and I have taught this course together over several years. We work brilliantly together online, yet we met for the first time in real life only a couple of months ago (which was a real treat). She works from the Hunter Valley in Australia. That's what I love about online learning!
Our students have come from the UK, Australia, USA and a few from other countries across the world. All nationalities welcome (although the course is taught in English so you have to be reasonably fluent).
Season of Inspiration
9-week online writing course. Starts 8th October 2007 for 9 weeks.
Join us in making the most of seasonal colours and scents, metaphors of the season, place and time to provide inspiration for writing that'll see you through the rest of the year. We offer support, exercises and creative bolstering. You'll experiment with and collaborate in haiku walks, visual writing, meaningful journalling and capturing the sights and sounds of the season. Dip in and rediscover your creativity. Previous students will find all-new materials, and new students are very welcome.
info@newmediawriting.com
http://www.newmediawriting.com
The techie details - we'll be using Moodle :)Labels: season of inspiration, writing courses
posted by Helen Whitehead 9:09 AM
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
BBC Online courses
The BBC still have available various short self-study online courses. They include several in creative writing. Of course, a "real" course like Season of Inspiration, with tutors and fellow students to feedback on the exercises and writing, is much more useful than self-study, but until we announce the next Season of Inspiration course, I guess it's what's available :)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/onlinecourses/Labels: e-learning, season of inspiration, writing, writing courses
posted by Helen Whitehead 10:11 AM
