Looped story #1 - Futurelearn could lose mindshare as viable degree platform

I am thinking of a small set of looping stories, blog posts that repeat based on other sources but may add something. Some aspects have been part of Management theory at Work in Radio but this blog can have  a wider range of opinion. May return later.

From previously, MOOC now the MOCC -  the monetised online course certificate. Class Central reports by Dawal Shah around talk at South by SouthWest, YouTube video last year, and now updated report claiming that the second wave of hype is around online degrees.

Thing is, no mention of Futurelearn. Mention of $80m potential revenue but based only on courses from Udacity, Coursera and EdX. Previously Futurelearn has been included in the lists and there are some degree courses.

My guess is that Futurelearn is just not promoted at this time, or not reported. UK newspapers such as the Guardian did report the complaints about Peter Horrocks and his resignation, but nothing since on any alternative plan or guidance on Futurelearn funding. I try to check on Twitter so guess i would have found something if it was around.

There will be a major loop of this story at the time between BETT and Learning Technology, both at ExCel  in London. My guess is that there will be some solid info on viable platforms for degrees.

So far Futurelearn has stayed in the top five. Sorry this is put in management talk / business jargon. Just worth raising from a UK point of interest.  You might think. Comment welcome, links please for next version.

Design Science DJ - Multi Channel - #mtwr

#mtwr already a hashtag - Management Theory at Work in Radio . Too long for a title but still in my head. Relates to learning or possibly non-learning, both for companies and individuals.

Radio version of the word patterns for this blog also relates to "Design Science" . JD and myself turn up as Design Science DJs on YouTube. Not that we know more than most, just that we keep coming back to it.

"Multi Channel" seems the latest Adobe take on what was "omnichannel" or "cross media".

These words may not be clearly defined but work ok as search for tweets etc, well suited for radio. Guests welcome, may be more precise.

Still no news of Futurelearn as in OU plans

Still cannot find any update on what OU intends for Futurelearn funding.

Ass uming Peter Horrocks plans have been rejected, what is the alternative? Seems to be no reporting on this. Guardian very keen to report the objections, but then nothing as far as I can tell.

I have found a story I missed at the time about Leeds and Coursera from March. Confirms the reports from Class Central that degrees have started to feature. I also found a YouTube talk with similar content to the South by SouthWest talk, from last year but same take on MOOC changes and viability. Still shows Futurelearn in the top five and as an option.

So my guess is that the USA based platforms will have a clear offer during this year, something on show at BETT / Learning Technologies for the UK. Futurelearn may still be there but needs some support. Not just OU itself but other sources of degree content. Media still a bit blocked, Guardian may worry about comparison with print.

Meanwhile the advertising budget is out to tender. They could mention MOOCs as a way to interest people in degrees. Check out Stanford MIT for examples.

radio presentation as @will789gb

This topic may return to Management Theory at Work in Radio ( #mtwr ) but this is a more personal blog and I am starting with my own Tweet handle - @will789gb . We got a bit of discussion about how to mix print and social media but it seems Phonic FM is mostly still in print world with not much mindspace for hashtags and soforth.

There is now a printed schedule for Phonic FM and the We Don't Know show is included. However , presenter just shown as Jonathan Mahy, not myself as @will789gb. Previous copy we sent in has included the Twitter handle for the show - @wenotno - and the info that I am one of the presenters, but I think there may be a block around names that start with @ .

So next phase will be to find other radio presenters who are into Tweets etc. Will get back to Phonic and #mtwr when this is a bit more sorted. Meanwhile other topics possible, around OFCOM for example.

More temp on Futurelearn

This is just a reminder post, bit longer than a tweet.

Cannot find any news on Futurelearn funding as intended by OU. Since Peter Horrocks resigned there has been almost nothing, in Guardian print or by tweet. Assuming the implication is to reverse the cuts and not fund Futurelearn to the same extent as once in the plan, what is going to happen?

I have found a blog post by Tony Bates who seems well informed about the OU. He has insight into the print culture still strong at the OU and the funding cuts from government. He points out that most universities are not designed for lifelong learning, even though updates in digital skills are needed for the economy.

But there is not any comparison with Futurelearn that I can see.

Any link suggestions welcome.