Category Archives: Online Spaces

Exploring social learning environments: what can we take with us that is familiar?

A weekend of sunshine has reminded me of one of the crucial differences between the real world and the virtual: the weather. Whilst we build relationships and friendships in both real and social contexts, whilst we manage challenges and reflect … Continue reading

Posted in Challenge, Clarity, Collaboration, Community, Formal Spaces, Informal Spaces, Learning, Online Spaces, Reflection, Social Learning, Spaces | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The sense of community and the social: using virtual spaces for learning.

Three weeks ago i started the Learning Forum as a place to develop new ideas and collaborate in discussions around learning. We have nearly eighty people so far with discussion ranging across a number of topics around ‘learning‘. The recent … Continue reading

Posted in Community, Edgelands, Engagement, Forum, Learning, Online Spaces, Spaces | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creating engagement in online learning spaces. Relevance, timeliness and sociability.

When you’re going to a party, it’s important to time your entry right. Get there too early and you’re stood in the kitchen talking to Charlie, the only other person to have got there early because he goes everywhere early … Continue reading

Posted in Collaboration, Engagement, Formal Learning Spaces, Informal Learning Spaces, Learning, Online Spaces, Social Learning, Spaces | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Building trust and collaborating in online spaces. And why it’s sometimes easier to do it in person!

I’m starting some work next week with an American colleague. We’ve collaborated for some time online, through emails and over the phone, but funnily enough, when the time came for us to start working on a real project, the very … Continue reading

Posted in Communication, Engagement, Online Spaces, Trust | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Blogs, Wikis and where to spend your time. What’s the best tool for collaboration?

Yesterday i was asked the question about what would be the best way to support dissemination and discussion around conference in the Autumn. Essentially, the aim is to make it more interactive, to create a channel for communication that will … Continue reading

Posted in Blog, Collaboration, Engagement, Online Spaces, Social Media, Twitter, Twittersphere | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why do we choose the words we do? Choosing your voice and creating identity in real and online spaces.

What’s in a word? Quite a lot actually. We choose the words that we use in the same way that we choose the clothes we wear and the colour we paint our lounge. Words are powerful, emotive and evocative. Their … Continue reading

Posted in Identity, Language, Online Spaces, Words | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment