It’s that time of year, fellow students!
Many of you have handed in your textbooks, turned your back on the late nights and early mornings, and migrated home for the winter; all ready to raid the fridge and bask in the soft, comfortable glow of the holidays.
For those of you who are waiting on Santa’s sleigh this year, and who are suffering the slow burn of impatience as the 25th draws closer, I have some suggestions which might relieve your anguish and bring you a little joy. Here are some free, festive ways that you can use the internet to place yourself at the heart of one of the most well-loved children’s stories of the holidays.
A Message From Santa
Have young children in the family? Want to dial up the anticipation to maximum levels? Check out Portable North Pole; a free service which allows you to create a personalised video message from Santa to the children, to really solidify some extra excitement. (Or maybe you just want to make one for yourself. I won’t tell anyone. You’re among friends here, I promise).
“He's Making a List, He’s Checking it Twice”
Yup, he is indeed coming to town. And thanks to Google, and the scary-sounding North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), who have each coined their own live-action Santa tracker, you’ll be able to track his progress on Christmas Eve, in real time!
Why, you ask?
Maybe, like me, you’re from somewhere like Manchester, where clear skies are as common as Darth Bagpipes on a unicycle; craning out of the window to catch a glimpse of Rudolf will get you nowhere, and only hurt your neck. Or maybe you are agonising over whether you have been naughty or nice this year. (Volunteering with RAG and holding your flatmate’s hair back after they had a few too many, versus chatting in the library and internet piracy .... it’s a tough one). Either way, if you want to stalk the big man to see whether he deems you gift-worthy, or bypasses your house altogether, Santa Tracker is for you!
Elf Yourself!
Elf Yourself is my particular favourite. Ever wondered what you would look like in a troupe of dancing Christmas elves? Wonder no longer! Elf yourself is an online application where you can create an e-card of yourself and others as dancing elves; it’s super easy to navigate, you can alternate between different music, and it’s guaranteed to prompt a few laughs.
So next time you are sighing, and counting down the final minutes until you hear those jingle bells, just fire up the computer and pass the time with a few of the internet's spirited, Christmassy antics. But remember: if you creep downstairs too early this year, you are going on my naughty list.
If you know of any more ways that the internet is enhancing people's festivities, let me know in the comments! Happy holidays, everyone!
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Sunday, 16 December 2012
On E-ducation
These past few weeks, I've been aspiring to write about a service which has been helping me for many months now; the growing accessibility of online education. Excuse the shoddy pun in the post title (e-xcuse? Okay I'm done, I promise).
I'm someone who enjoys learning new things, and as an introvert who incidentally spends a lot of time on the computer, I've found a great way to do so that suits me perfectly.
I want to talk about the website Coursera.
Coursera is an umbrella website which offers free online courses from top universities worldwide; the execution differs from course to course, but they usually consist of a series of weekly lectures, assignments, informal exams, user forums, and vary in their workload/intensity. Some courses even utilize social networking tools such as Facebook to provide a space for students from all over the world to chat, help each other, and engage in peer review. The courses are mainly science, computing and technology based, but there is a huge range to choose from; even non-science topics like world history, economics and philosophy are available, and there are options across the board for both complete beginners and those at more advanced levels. What’s more, if you don’t have the time to engage fully in the course, you can sign up anyway and download the material for when you might need it in future.
It has always somewhat dejected me that taking an extra elective isn't really the done thing for psychology students at Leeds; on our course, it isn't an opportunity that is publicised in the department, compared to some other courses*.If this is also the case for you, it really pays to seek out alternative sources of education; I've been using Coursera to supplement my university studies for some time now, and I can’t sing its praises enough.
What I love about Coursera is that it encourages a climate of education just for fun, or for personal development; it’s free, you can do it anywhere, and it requires little more than a computer, internet access and a comfy chair (as usual, chocolate is recommended, but optional). What’s more, users gain key skills in being able to demonstrate time management, the ability to work independently, and taking on extra challenges; thus, showing these skills through Coursera certification, even though it doesn't count as course credits in your institution, might even be beneficial in future employment (after all, distance learners have high employability prospects).
However, not everyone feels the same way as I. Some weeks ago, on my personal Twitter account, I noticed some academics criticising Coursera for devaluing and depersonalising the teaching and university experience. I take issue with this stance for several reasons; mostly because of the idealistic concept of the teaching and university experiences.
First of all, these experiences do not have a set, standardised quality where everyone who partakes in higher education receives the same tutoring, tailored to their own needs. University can be a wonderful place, but for those of us in classes of 200, even 300 people, the ‘personalised’ experience differs little from the experience of taking an online class with thousands of others. What’s more, lecturers are only human; they are busy, and the scientists in particular have their own research going on. Far too often, your requests for help/emails will go unanswered, and sometimes, that teacher-student experience, which supposedly sets university education apart from online education, just isn't there. It sounds pessimistic, but it happens. Furthermore, more and more lecturers are digitalising their notes and classes, by using voice or video recording. Human memory doesn't work like a video camera, nor can the hand write as fast as the mouth speaks, so this is something that I applaud. My point is that the classroom setting has been integrating with technology for years now, so it seems superfluous to snuff Coursera for its methods, as it is simply a different extension of the technology-education relationship.
Second of all, I resent the implication that there is one ‘best’ way to be educated, or to have the university experience. The sad truth is that the rich world of the ‘university experience’, of department participation, tutoring, halls, parties, societies, moving away and community involvement isn't always feasible, and it’s important to recognise this in order to best accommodate the needs of different individuals (something that Leeds University also thankfully endeavour to do). Education is expensive, and there are still high rates of illiteracy worldwide; that is why I feel it is overly simplistic to criticise a free educational service for its lack of ‘university experience’ if said service can play a powerful role is addressing a much-neglected gap in education accessibility, for those people who can’t physically access the classroom/extra-curricular benefits in the first place.
Nothing in this post is written with the intent to criticise the university process, or to imply that its methods are obsolete, and I hope that lecturers don’t see these online options as too much of a threat. Rather, I think services such as Coursera don’t have to replace university, but can supplement it in many ways. And thankfully, our very own Leeds University seem to agree!
I'll admit that I'm looking at these services with rose-tinted glasses; I'm an optimist when it comes to accessible education, but Coursera is not without its imperfections (being hugely biased to the English-speaking and internet-possessing world, for instance). But so many people still slam on technology culture for perpetuating soulless consumerism and poisoning children’s minds (for the purpose of this post, those arguments are neither here nor there) so it’s wonderful to see how innovations such as the internet are affecting peoples’ lives for the better. Despite the criticisms, I personally find it amazing and fascinating that, in the world we live in, technology plays a leading part in bringing better access and international relations right to people’s doorsteps. We are living in the peak era of the technological age; I'm excited to see how it will bridge further gaps, in education or otherwise, and I encourage other students to embrace the opportunity.
P.S. see also Code Academy!
*RE: electives. If your school doesn’t offer a free choice of extra electives, and you cannot enrol in any more modules online, it’s worth just emailing the elective provider and your parent school to see if you can take one up anyway. Not many people know this is an option, but that’s how I got onto mine; if it is okay’ed from both sides, you’ll be added onto the course manually. There are so many to choose from, and it can be a wonderful, enriching process to take on challenges from a completely different department; just make sure it won’t interfere with your current workload, and make the case that you can handle it and manage your time efficiently.
I'm someone who enjoys learning new things, and as an introvert who incidentally spends a lot of time on the computer, I've found a great way to do so that suits me perfectly.
I want to talk about the website Coursera.
Coursera is an umbrella website which offers free online courses from top universities worldwide; the execution differs from course to course, but they usually consist of a series of weekly lectures, assignments, informal exams, user forums, and vary in their workload/intensity. Some courses even utilize social networking tools such as Facebook to provide a space for students from all over the world to chat, help each other, and engage in peer review. The courses are mainly science, computing and technology based, but there is a huge range to choose from; even non-science topics like world history, economics and philosophy are available, and there are options across the board for both complete beginners and those at more advanced levels. What’s more, if you don’t have the time to engage fully in the course, you can sign up anyway and download the material for when you might need it in future.
It has always somewhat dejected me that taking an extra elective isn't really the done thing for psychology students at Leeds; on our course, it isn't an opportunity that is publicised in the department, compared to some other courses*.If this is also the case for you, it really pays to seek out alternative sources of education; I've been using Coursera to supplement my university studies for some time now, and I can’t sing its praises enough.
What I love about Coursera is that it encourages a climate of education just for fun, or for personal development; it’s free, you can do it anywhere, and it requires little more than a computer, internet access and a comfy chair (as usual, chocolate is recommended, but optional). What’s more, users gain key skills in being able to demonstrate time management, the ability to work independently, and taking on extra challenges; thus, showing these skills through Coursera certification, even though it doesn't count as course credits in your institution, might even be beneficial in future employment (after all, distance learners have high employability prospects).
However, not everyone feels the same way as I. Some weeks ago, on my personal Twitter account, I noticed some academics criticising Coursera for devaluing and depersonalising the teaching and university experience. I take issue with this stance for several reasons; mostly because of the idealistic concept of the teaching and university experiences.
First of all, these experiences do not have a set, standardised quality where everyone who partakes in higher education receives the same tutoring, tailored to their own needs. University can be a wonderful place, but for those of us in classes of 200, even 300 people, the ‘personalised’ experience differs little from the experience of taking an online class with thousands of others. What’s more, lecturers are only human; they are busy, and the scientists in particular have their own research going on. Far too often, your requests for help/emails will go unanswered, and sometimes, that teacher-student experience, which supposedly sets university education apart from online education, just isn't there. It sounds pessimistic, but it happens. Furthermore, more and more lecturers are digitalising their notes and classes, by using voice or video recording. Human memory doesn't work like a video camera, nor can the hand write as fast as the mouth speaks, so this is something that I applaud. My point is that the classroom setting has been integrating with technology for years now, so it seems superfluous to snuff Coursera for its methods, as it is simply a different extension of the technology-education relationship.
Second of all, I resent the implication that there is one ‘best’ way to be educated, or to have the university experience. The sad truth is that the rich world of the ‘university experience’, of department participation, tutoring, halls, parties, societies, moving away and community involvement isn't always feasible, and it’s important to recognise this in order to best accommodate the needs of different individuals (something that Leeds University also thankfully endeavour to do). Education is expensive, and there are still high rates of illiteracy worldwide; that is why I feel it is overly simplistic to criticise a free educational service for its lack of ‘university experience’ if said service can play a powerful role is addressing a much-neglected gap in education accessibility, for those people who can’t physically access the classroom/extra-curricular benefits in the first place.
Nothing in this post is written with the intent to criticise the university process, or to imply that its methods are obsolete, and I hope that lecturers don’t see these online options as too much of a threat. Rather, I think services such as Coursera don’t have to replace university, but can supplement it in many ways. And thankfully, our very own Leeds University seem to agree!
Eleven top UK universities are joining the Open University to launch free internet courses, in a bid to catch up with the elite US institutions that have led the way online.
...
Leeds University say the partnership will also benefit students studying on campus: "And our current students will have access to a rich, interactive set of resources, from both Leeds and our partners. In line with the Leeds Curriculum, this will help give them a deeper and fuller understanding of their field of study as well as encouraging them to broaden their education beyond their main subject areas."Woo Leeds!
I'll admit that I'm looking at these services with rose-tinted glasses; I'm an optimist when it comes to accessible education, but Coursera is not without its imperfections (being hugely biased to the English-speaking and internet-possessing world, for instance). But so many people still slam on technology culture for perpetuating soulless consumerism and poisoning children’s minds (for the purpose of this post, those arguments are neither here nor there) so it’s wonderful to see how innovations such as the internet are affecting peoples’ lives for the better. Despite the criticisms, I personally find it amazing and fascinating that, in the world we live in, technology plays a leading part in bringing better access and international relations right to people’s doorsteps. We are living in the peak era of the technological age; I'm excited to see how it will bridge further gaps, in education or otherwise, and I encourage other students to embrace the opportunity.
P.S. see also Code Academy!
*RE: electives. If your school doesn’t offer a free choice of extra electives, and you cannot enrol in any more modules online, it’s worth just emailing the elective provider and your parent school to see if you can take one up anyway. Not many people know this is an option, but that’s how I got onto mine; if it is okay’ed from both sides, you’ll be added onto the course manually. There are so many to choose from, and it can be a wonderful, enriching process to take on challenges from a completely different department; just make sure it won’t interfere with your current workload, and make the case that you can handle it and manage your time efficiently.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)