PERFORMERS
Performers post weekly, or more, to front stage discussion boards. They make up the core group in an online learning community and are mostly responsible for creating the content in this space.
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INGRID
74 years old, full-time student, fulfilling her bucket list goal to get a degree
Hours spent completing university-related tasks during a 12-week semester
Font stage: 60
Backstage online: 39
Backstage offline: 11
Ingrid's story
I didn’t want to study on campus. I could have taken the bus but I thought other students would be put off by my age.
Studying online is my friendly place, where I feel part of something, not all alone at my desk, looking out at the horrible grey walls of the house next door.
I think I have gained as much from various discussion boards as from all my other reading, so if I can occasionally help a classmate I am happy to do so. I am often the first person to respond. Even if I don’t know the answer I offer encouragement. You know, so they don’t feel alone.
I firmly believe that the discussion board is by far the most useful resource at our disposal - but only when it is interactive with tutors
I don’t use social media for study; the discussion board is enough for me.
I call my daughter-in-law whenever I need support with my studies. My grandkids tell me P’s get degrees but that doesn’t stop me from obsessing.
BARRY
26 years old, full-time worker, full-time student, on his second tertiary qualification
Hours spent completing university-related tasks during a 12-week semester
Font stage: 48
Backstage online: 22
Backstage offline: 3
Barry's story
In my first two subjects studying online the discussion board and Facebook groups were really important to me. They helped me keep up and taught me the ropes. But now I am in my final year and I only participate because it keeps me motivated.
For me the discussion board is task-oriented not relationship-oriented. I have a few classmates on Facebook and that is for social reasons and last minute questions about content and assessments. Oh, and group work, ugh.
Group work is easier when everyone just agrees to use Facebook. I think that for what I want to do working with others is important. Group members can help change the way you think. I just wish that every group member showed up.
It’s fantastic to study online. I did my first degree on campus, but now I can study and it won’t interfere with my career progression. This degree is the reason I got a promotion. I actually work with three other people who studied in the same program.
I think the university should recognise that I am surrounded by content-experts at work. They will promote me, my teacher won’t! Sometimes this changes the way I approach an assessment. I have to remember that I am performing for my teacher not my boss.
So much of what I study is directly relevant to work and vice versa, it’s fun!
ACTIVITIES FOR PERFORMERS
Activities for performers will be created at ASCILITE 2017