FacebUOC, an Open Social Learning experience at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya

The experience was developed during October and November’09 and aimed to test an open learning model, understood as a virtual learning environment open to the Internet community, based on the use of open resources and on a methodology focused on the participation and collaboration of users in the construction of knowledge.

The subject of the course ‘Journeys 2.0′ lasted 5 weeks, was launched through Facebook and used a specifically designed open methodology. This methodology of the course is based on the creation of a learning community able to self-manage their learning process. For that a facilitator was needed and also a central activity was established for people to participate and contribute in the community.

Almost 100 students joined the experience and participated in an open environment by constructing engaging discussions and products such as personal or grupal blogs about the topic ‘Journeys’.

Why Facebook as a virtual learning environment?  We let you know in just two minutes !

The opinions of the users participating in this course show some interesting questions related with the openness:

* The structure of the activity is still quite ‘facilitator-centered´
* Five weeks is not enough time
* Lack of commitment with free courses
* Facebook and its rigid architecture
* The trend to return to traditional ways to learn

We faced some difficulties such as the fact that these experiences may need more than two months to start working efficiently, the limitations of Facebook as learning platform or the lack of commitment of many users.

We recommend you to take a look at this powerpoint that provides interesting information about the course design and the summary of outcomes.
[slideshare id=2632479&doc=faceuocproject-3-091202084345-phpapp01&w=425]
Do you want to access the Facebook group and use our open resources about ‘Journeys 2.0′? Click here

Also, the project in the TV news:
Telenotícies de TV3
Notícies a BTV

Youtube - Explaining the FaceUOC project (it starts in minute 9:38)