Not a stranger to OER Been involved in prompting the use, creation, sharing and adaptation of OER (open education resources) for years. Useful because of its “reach”! OERs are affordable for students, remove access barriers and are usually designed to encourage flexibility. I’ve been both a user of OER and developer, releasing materials with an …
Author archives: Derek
Post-digital
“Post-modern” was a smug term I encountered 30 years ago at the end of my studies. It represented a questioning of the grand narratives associated with the enlightenment (and my 4 years of higher education). It picked apart the stability that modernity had promised me and my future. This phrase both annoyed and intrigued me. …
Ed Tech Intermediaries
“Innovate”, “transform”, “engage”, “envision”, “upskill”. Words drawn from the lexicon of Distinguished, Innovative or Certified Educators. Individuals employed by educational institutions who have been awarded a level or accolade from a global software company. A signal to distinguish the holder’s proficiency? A marker of mastery of a particular software suite. Or an electronic portfolio, a …
Ceilings and floors of a course home page
Picture the instructional designer. Putting together a course home page on the institutional LMS. How do you want to “dress” this page? To impress? Do we reflect the department or faculty “brand”. Do we watch the intended user, noticing how they interact with the page, and then make changes. Do we make the interface intuitive …
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Job Fog Blog
It is expected that you will package the “facts” of your career. Neatly select and present a list of credentials, previous employers and responsibilities held. Remember, they say, to sound professional. Inflated job titles. Humble brag your accomplishments. No harm in posturing? I’ve been watching this. For a long time. Tried pushing significant things that …
My experience in online teaching
I’m an independent e-learning consultant, who is focused primarily on educational technology and learning design. I’m home based, work online, at a distance, from offsite locations and through digital channels that suit my client’s specifications. My absence from an office on campus means that my commute to and from work has been drastically reduced. But …
What does my dad do?
This is “Job Fog Blog”. A series of explanations about my work, for my kids. I attempted to explain where virtual is – where I do most of my work. Below, I attempt to explain to my poor children (and perhaps to others who care to read), what I actually do. Every now and then, …
The Webinar – intro
In the first quarter of 2020, Zoom burst into our lives and onto the higher education institution (HEI) scene. Promulgated healthcare regulations led to the suspension of all on-campus activities and classes. In March, a state of disaster and a national lockdown was declared. Much like the rest of the world, South Africa’s educational system …
Emergency Remote Teaching
“Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT)” became the key term to describe a temporary technology led response to campus closures. (Hodges et al., 2020). South Africans assumed this would be over in 3 weeks. The shift online was supposed to be a short-term solution for an immediate crisis. But as the pandemic stretch from weeks into months, …
Mentorship Building
Digital Mentorship… A long, long time ago, I was a member of a listserv. My subscription to IT Forum (run by itech1.coe.uga.edu), delivered a regular digest of technology and education expertise. ITFORUM was a mailing list for anyone who was interested in instructional technology. It was place to discuss theories, research, new paradigms, and practices …