Today’s learning shard at #DigitalScholar is from the philosopher Rousseau. He said this about education –
Teach your scholar to observe the phenomena of nature; you will soon rouse his curiosity, but if you would have it grow, do not be in too great a hurry to satisfy this curiosity. Put the problems before him and let him solve them himself. Let him know nothing because you have told him, but because he has learnt it for himself. If ever you substitute authority for reason he will cease to reason, he will be a mere plaything of other people’s thoughts …
An AHA moment don’t you think?! I certainly know this is true as I have two young sons. And then the challenge for my course announcement work –
Think about your course announcement. Where is the ‘desire to learn’ hiding in what you have written so far? How can you make it (more) explicit? In a short course announcement, how can you convey what you intend to do to stir the ‘cheerfulness of interest, the charm of freedom’ that will rouse the curiosity of participants to drive problem-solving and learning?
Here’s what I have so far –
BUILD A PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORK ON TWITTER
A Pilot Online Course for Health Professionals Invested in Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning is expected of health professionals who need to keep abreast of developments in their field of expertise. It is not the lack but the overwhelming amount of information available which makes doing this difficult. By building a personal learning network on Twitter, health professionals can curate relevant content and filter noise.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
- Health professionals considering Twitter for continuing professional development
- Students of health-related courses who wish to learn beyond the classroom
- Teachers in health professions education who are interested in using Twitter for teaching
WHAT WILL YOU GAIN?
- Each participant will design their personal brand on Twitter.
- Participants will have the opportunity to establish and expand their personal learning network on Twitter.
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS COURSE?
The activities are designed to provide a structured yet immersive experience on Twitter.
SCHEDULE
Learning activities are ordered in sequence so participants can explore different aspects Twitter in stages. While these activities may be asynchronous individual experiences that extend beyond the week assigned to it, participation in the community forum to process these experiences will follow this schedule.
Week 1. Getting Around Twitter
Week 2. Design your Twitter Profile
Week 3. Build a Personal Learning Network on Twitter
Week 4. Expand your Personal Learning Network on Twitter
WORKLOAD
Participants may expect to dedicate 4-5 hours a week for this course. Those who have not used Twitter before may need an additional 1-2 hours a week.
WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THIS COURSE?
Each participant will build a personal learning network on Twitter. To accomplish this, participants will:
- Examine what makes up an effective Twitter profile.
- Demonstrate proper Twitter etiquette.
- Develop criteria for following others on Twitter.
- Appraise Twitter management tools.
- Assess participation in a tweet chat.
- Evaluate experience of live tweeting an event.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
WEEK 1. Getting Around Twitter
What’s a tweet? What’s a retweet? Participants will learn Twitter terminology by doing i.e. by tweeting and retweeting.
Explore hashtags on Symplur’s Healthcare Hashtag Project.
WEEK 2. Design your Twitter Profile
Reflect on your choice of profile picture and Twitter handle.
Examine Twitter profiles of other healthcare professionals.
Write your profile description.
WEEK 3. Build a Personal Learning Network on Twitter
Follow people on Twitter.
Try using Twitter management tools.
WEEK 4. Expand your Personal Learning Network on Twitter
Join a tweet chat.
Live tweet an event.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?! 🙂
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