Lifelong learner: Reflective summary of experience in Future Learn platform

Experiences

The blended learning essential: Getting started course is an eye opener for me. This is the first time ever I'm learn something new in Future Learn platform. Future Learn platform offer a diverse selection of courses from leading universities and cultural institutions from around the world. The lesson are delivered one step at time, and are accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop, so I is can fit my learning around my life.

This course is quit enjoyable because it is provide social experience. so I have the opportunity to discuss the lesson with others that help me to make fresh discoveries and form new ideas. I can learn about blended learning by watching videos, listening to audio and reading articles. There are short quizzes also to help me check my understanding for every week.

This course is separated by five weeks. The lesson are not so difficult to understand and have been design in simple way to be understood. If we have any doubt, don't hesitate to write your question in the comment space. Your questions will be attend by the educator, mentor or even members of the course. The mentors and educator are very helpful and encouraging.

Strength

I found that this course is very helpful for me to understand what is blended learning, how to implement blended learning in my class and this course also shows me that there are many online tools to be use in the class.

In week to the mentor shows us how to match pedagogies with technology, which an essential knowledge to apply blended learning in my own class

Next, the strength of this course is I am able to explore Virtual Learning Environments, digital tools and Open Educational Resources which I never heard before.

This course also provided a opportunity for me to designing a blended learning course and the best part is my lesson plan have been reviewed from members of future learn. Their comment and suggestion give me confidents to use BL as my teaching approach.

Another good features of Future Learn platform that we are able get notification if someone reply to our comment or like your comment. Even though there is no face to face session this I find this course encourage social interaction and engaging.

Weakness

As far as I concern, there isn't much weakness in this course but nothing is perfect. Here a few weakness from my point of view.
1. In order to get uninterrupted learning process, the internet connection must be fast and reliable. Sometimes I learn through Future Learn while commute or waiting it happen that not all places has good internet connection. This condition irritate me and the learning process not enjoyable anymore.
2. The language barrier- this course using fully English, sometimes the learner had difficulties to understand the lesson and is hard for them to interact with others in learning process.
3. The learning process is lack of personal touch or face to face session, sometimes is good to have real class environment to get the students engage with the lesson.
4. Motivation- self-directed are required. If there is no self-discipline you are going to left behind, nobody will encourage or check on you.