Open-Learning Pioneers Describe Connected Learning for Higher Ed During Sept. 22 Webinar

Irvine, CA, September 13, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Open-learning leaders will present a free webinar on the latest “connected learning” research, its relevance in society and how it can be applied in higher education. Connected learning is an approach to education in the 21st century that takes advantage of today’s abundance of information and social connection.

The webinar is part of a series being offered via the new online course, “Connected Courses,” which is being taught by open-learning pioneers who developed the curriculum for fellow college and university professors to learn to teach their own open courses.

When/Where:
Sept. 22, 1 p.m. PDT/4 p.m.EDT,http://connectedcourses.net/event/describing-the-why-of-connected-learning/?instance_id=34

Viewers are welcome to post questions and comments via Twitter using the hashtag, #CCourses.

Who:
The webinar features Mimi Ito, research director of the Digital Media and Learning Research Hub, chair of the Connected Learning Research Network and professor in residence and MacArthur Foundation chair in Digital Media and Learning at UC Irvine; Vera Michalchik, senior associate director for learning sciences and technology at Stanford’s Center for Teaching and Learning; and William Penuel, professor in educational psychology and the learning sciences in the School of Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Why:
Ito, Michalchik and Penuel will discuss their ongoing research on connected learning.

“As educators who support connected learning experiences for our students, we often struggle to describe what we think are the deepest and most resilient learning outcomes that go beyond content mastery and skill development,” Ito said. “Researching connected learning involves similar challenges. We are beginning to develop research tools for documenting the features of connected learning environments, and capturing student experiences of social connection, engagement, relevance and interests that are at the core of connected learning. In this webinar, we will discuss what we know about how to best support connected learning, and what the benefits are to students. We have also designed a survey that faculty can use at the end of their course to get student feedback on their connected course.”

Connected Courses, supported by the University of California Humanities Research Institute,Digital Media and Learning Research Hub and MacArthur Foundation, runs from Sept. 15 through Dec. 14.

More Information:
Connected Courses is a free online course. For lessons, instructor bios and more details, visit connectedcourses.net. Other Connected Courses webinars include:

Orientation, Part 1: http://connectedcourses.net/event/move-in-registration-orientation/?instance_id=30
Orientation, Part 2: http://connectedcourses.net/event/move-in-orientation-registration-live-session-2/?instance_id=32
Discussion: “The End of Higher Education”: http://connectedcourses.net/event/finding-your-why-3/?instance_id=13

Media Contact:
Mimi Ko Cruz, mcruz@hri.uci.edu, 949-824-4587

http://dmlhub.net/newsroom/media-releases/describing-connected-learning-higher-ed