Hi everyone!
Just a quick little post to say that it gives me great pleasure to announce that SocialLearn is now LIVE!
SocialLearn is an experimental online learning space on an early release. The latest evolution in virtual learning, SocialLearn combines social networking, Open University and wider web resources and user-generated content to support informal learners.
Developed in response to feedback about the need for informal learning spaces, SocialLearn is open to anyone and entirely free.
The platform is aimed at those who want to advance their personal learning, no matter what subject, and will continue to develop as the community grows. Key features of SocialLearn include:
- Learning Paths – user-generated ‘playlists’ of learning resources provide step-by-step guides to help explain ideas and help people progress in their informal studies
- A virtual ‘backpack’ enables users to bookmark, comment and rate any website they visit, and import materials back into their own SocialLearn portal – creating a personalised ‘scrapbook’ of learning materials from across the web.
- Social networking tools such as status updates, friends and followers, ratings and the ability to create communities of like-minded learners
- Experimental learning recommendations personalise the experience and guide users towards relevant content and people across the web.
Vice-Chancellor of The Open University, Martin Bean, said:
”The rapid rise of informal personal learning continues today with SocialLearn, a very exciting new development from the OU. This free platform combines the very best open educational resources and social networking tools, and offers the great potential that comes from people connecting and sharing learning materials. It is a point of pride for me that The Open University is spearheading this new kind of collaborative space”
We, in the SocialLearn office, would love to hear about your experiences and feedback of our beta platform, so please email us at SocialLearn@open.ac.uk
Happy SocialLearning!!
Hannah