What are the most important things that you have learnt through your engagement in the ONL course? Why?

• There remain more questions than answers – the technologists are defining the future by and large and education is being left to drift along on the tide of technological schizophrenic development (check out the number of tools/apps that are available – which is most fit for purpose and will there be time to master it before moving onto the next?). Who’s challenging them?
• A blended approach is key – it appeals to all learning styles, circumstances, needs and demands. It combines the support of face-to-face learning with the flexibility of online learning. Why not leverage the best of all worlds?
• The need to put the shoe on the other foot – talking to the ‘target market’ is paramount if we are to create serious traction using technology as a learning support mechanism. What do they need? What do they want in order to create value in their eyes?

How will your learning influence your practice?

• The tolerance factor – there is a need for tutors/lecturers to become more tolerant of the situation given the challenges and demands being made on them. Will technology be the death of the teacher as we know?
• Curiosity – I am a naturally curious person with a large slice of creativity to boot, which I will continue to use, looking for opportunities to use/apply the insights I have acquired, both in the face-to-face and offline space. I will continue to look for the cracks because is that not how the light gets in?

What are your thoughts about using technology to enhance learning/teaching in your own context?

• It’s a mindset – what is evident to me that this is about the journey (the cliché of lifelong learning blows my hair back), not so much a destination. About an education and not a qualification. It’s about capturing the essence of self-improvement and hopefully planting the seeds of the conscious practice of crafting a life. In my book, technology must get closer to education, understanding it’s role (technologies role) as a means to an end. It creates a powerful edge, but it must strive for simplicity and relevance. Let’s reflect on the Facebook situation briefly – it’s dealing with issues that might have been avoided had it taken the REAL interest of the market to heart – Internet privacy, such as its use of a widespread “like” button on third-party websites tracking users, possible indefinite records of user information, automatic facial recognition software, and its role in the workplace, including employer-employee account disclosure etc. Not to mention the purported psychological effects, including feelings of jealousy and stress, a lack of attention, and social media addiction. Technology should make work more interesting, and more productive.  Question is, is this the doing of the technologists or is it the problem of users making ill-informed, reckless choices?  

What are you going to do as a result of your involvement in ONL? Why?

• The future – the reason why I joined the course is that, as the world around moves deeper into the 4^th Industrial revolution, I need to work on my skillset and toolset (as a tutor/facilitator/instructor) in order to be relevant in the market place as these changes place greater demands on my ability to deliver. I will actively seek out opportunities to apply the learnings with the aim of adding value to the market at large. Can I be the bearer of good tidings?

What suggestions do you have (activities and/or in general) for development of eLearning in your own teaching or context?

To keep an open mind – getting caught up in fads is way too dangerous a position to find oneself in. Take the best of the best, keep an eye on the real world and see that inspiration is at the forefront of what is being pursued. At all costs align the curriculum and education system with the needs of the future workplace. Private education (my default position) is a business, make sure that business is understood. The importance of balance cannot be emphasised enough. It can’t be an either-or scenario, it’s about blending technology with the right curriculum design and learning environment.

How do educators teach skills and problem-solving for jobs that don’t exist?