The Guru- How higher education can retain relevance and a point of difference in this New e-Age

Again- a lovely (cold) 1st day of Autumn morning in Melbourne and I am devouring another thought provoking forum post from the afore mentioned Masters student who inspired me yesterday (Her name is Katie by the way, and if I had a link to her in an online professional profile of sorts I would insert it here, cause really, she is very excellent, and that great big mind of hers deserves a little educause pimping out!).


Again... my response became epic, but also tapped into yet another blog I have wanted to talk about for a while that is the other side of my MOOC and the future of Higher Education coin...So Katie types away to me in response to how 'necessary' is the piece of paper these days:

"For me, your own story adds to this. ......  Instead, you've used your skills creatively and have earned a living out of them, somewhat "proving" that those bits of paper weren't necessary..."

My response is...Yes and no...here is where my story is a bit different perhaps.

MOOCs ...oh the henny pennying- Phemie's e-ology on MOOCs

*shakes head*


MOOCs ...oh the henny pennying over MOOCs...

*for those who dont know what a MOOC is- Massive Open Online Course. A free course online put on by some universities (MIT, Stanford to mention). Here is more about MOOCs if you want more of an overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massive_open_online_course*

So....I have had this post in my head for a while now, listening to the muffled tense conversations of concern down the virtual halls of education about the future of 'it all'...

Why I will never stop being inspired by online learners

As I waited in courtyard of the rather historical looking Sydney school hosting the university entry exam for me to embark on my online learning journey nearly 5 years ago now, I felt somewhat out of place amongst the fresh, young and somewhat despondent looking faces surrounding me. I did not stand apart because my face was more ‘mature’ (not that 27 years at the time was particularly more mature), but rather because of the uncontrollable smile plastered from ear to ear across my face. I smiled back at their youth and innocence because passion and enthusiasm welled within me for having finally made it to stand here...where I was always meant to be.

I have never for one second taken for granted the opportunity to return to university, to complete a degree (ok...so maybe there were a few moments before my statistics exams, but that’s about it).

Even through the tears, the frustration, and the ferocious fear, I have always felt honoured, humbled and privileged to be sitting where I am today, and I will tell you why;

Student Services and Amenities Fee- Anything left of the distance learner?

So... it's been nearly a year since the introduction to the student amenities fee was brought back (and I last whinged about it), so let's have a look at what has improved/changed or if there is anything new on the horizon since then shall we?:

Fitness and Life Success- Why keeping those New Year's resolutions might be good for not only your life, but your grades also.

Forgive me readers it has been a bit long between posts, I have been crazy busy...things are changing over here in Phemieology world, which will include the direction of this blog...but for now, here is still a post related to e-students, though the topic is relevant for all of us...

So, Im sure Im not alone, when although I dont do "resolutions" , I DID promise myself to start putting my physical health back on the agenda... 2012 was a ridiculously busy year for me, filled with a little too much stress coping wine and cheese devouring.

Now that things are going to get calmer, organised, enterprising and efficient this year (oh yes they are...you hear me 2013?! *shakes fist*), I like many others have laced up my runners and have been trying to get back onto the road...

Aren't they pretty?....

But fluro fun filled sneakers aside... turns out... exercise could actually be good for your life success...including academic success , (as well as your general health and all that...)

Conversations with "Future Me"- Part One

At this time of year , perhaps the best time of year to do it, I find myself reflecting a lot on my past, how far I have come, how many unknowable things have happened along this journey, and mostly....just what exactly the future holds for me.

Now I don't know about you, but when I look back on photos of myself from years before, I find that "Current Me", is shaking her head as she looks at "past me" and thinks things like "Oh, you have no idea how GOOD you are doing, about the wonders that await you, that I know right now you are terrified about your future, but trust me...its all silver lining from here on."

I'm tired...are you tired?: Higher Education and the business of YOU...

You know, I have been on this higher education journey for over four years now. I say over because I started my uni prep 6-8 months before I was even accepted into my undergrad degree...lets not even discuss the post grad stuff yet!

The thing that is starting to wear very thin for me, is that its beginning to feel like the business, that is still not showing the appropriate signs of becoming successful...and I'm getting very... very tired of 'running' the business that is "Me".