[p2pu-webcraft] Things I learned about peer learning communities while conducting Javascript 101 last semester

[Parag Shah]

Glad to play my little part in enabling education... :-)

--
Thanks & Regards
Parag Shah
http://www.diycomputerscience.com

On 4/29/11, Pippa Buchanan <Pippa.Buchanan at gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks so much for these responses Parag! You've put a tremendous amount of
> effort into organising the Javascript 101 groups - but this feedback is
> valuable for all course organisers beyond Webcraft.
>
> P*
>
>
>
> On 29 April 2011 17:52, Alison Jean Cole <alisonjean.cole at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Agreed. Will do.
>>
>>
>> ALISON
>> p2pu.org/users/alison
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 8:45 AM, Philipp Schmidt
>> <phi.schmidt at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Parag - This is tremendously useful feedback. Thank you for sharing!
>>>
>>> Ali - could you also create a discussion topic in the new helpdesk
>>> along the lines of "Lessons from facilitators", and add this? [Or
>>> Parag could add it there]. Would be good to make this kind of
>>> information easy to find for new facilitators.
>>>
>>> P
>>>
>>> On 29 April 2011 17:31, Alison Jean Cole <alisonjean.cole at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> > Thanks for the feedback Parag! Working towards collecting these
>>> impressions
>>> > in the most useful way, but until then, I've added it to:
>>> >
>>> http://wiki.p2pu.org/w/page/38653353/organizer-feedback-cycle-4-%282011%29
>>> >
>>> > ALISON
>>> > p2pu.org/users/alison
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > On Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 5:39 AM, Parag Shah <adaptives at gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> Here are a few things I learned about facilitating peer learning
>>> >> communities while facilitating Javascript 101 last semester... maybe
>>> other
>>> >> people can add  their own learning... A few of my points might give
>>> >> the
>>> >> feeling that I am being critical of the participants, but that is not
>>> the
>>> >> case. I am only documenting my observations...
>>> >>
>>> >> Participants at an average can dedicate about 5 - 8 hours a week along
>>> >> with their work and other responsibilities. Anything more than that
>>> will be
>>> >> difficult for everyone to keep pace with.
>>> >> It helps if the study material for every week is clearly cut out,
>>> >> along
>>> >> with activities, and expectations. Vague and open ended material will
>>> >> confuse a lot of people
>>> >> Frequent communication is very useful... something like a daily update
>>> >> which notes important questions, answers, activity submissions, some
>>> kudos
>>> >> and recognition for good work etc will help drive participation
>>> >> Some participants can be very unforgiving, often forgetting that the
>>> >> facilitator is also volunteering their time... do not let it bother
>>> >> you
>>> :-)
>>> >> Providing quick responses to questions can also be an important factor
>>> in
>>> >> driving participation. The responses may not be direct answers, but
>>> >> can
>>> be
>>> >> hints also
>>> >> It takes a huge amount of time to assess a participant's response to a
>>> >> challenge (for badges). It would help if it is possible to upvote
>>> individual
>>> >> responses of a large challenge.
>>> >> Having the material for the entire course ready upfront will help,
>>> because
>>> >> some participants may proceed fast and will be ahead of the group
>>> >> Having study buddies would be very helpful for many participants...
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >> Thanks & Regards
>>> >> Parag Shah
>>> >> http://blog.adaptivesoftware.biz
>>> >>
>>> >> _______________________________________________
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>>> >> p2pu-webcraft at lists.p2pu.org
>>> >> http://lists.p2pu.org/mailman/listinfo/p2pu-webcraft
>>> >>
>>> >
>>> >
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>


-- 
Thanks & Regards
Parag Shah
http://blog.adaptivesoftware.biz