No time!

So, it’s time to have a post ready, and I don’t. Part of the reason for that is the Apt613 Support Local Book Sale on tomorrow. I still have to get organized, and make my lunch and a few other small things.

One of the other reasons I’m pressed for time is the Coursera MOOC – Plagues, Witches and War: The Worlds of Historical Fiction - I’m working on right now.

I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while, but a) I’ve been too busy and b) I’m not 100 per cent sure what to say about it yet. So, here are some random (quick) thoughts, with maybe more details to come later:

1) I’m impressed by the organization and presentation of the course.

2) I’m amazed by the dedication, and attention to detail, of the instructor.

3) This course has led me to read many, many, books I would never have read otherwise, and I’ve learned about many stories I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. For example, I had no idea Thomas Jefferson had children who were slaves. I learned this from reading Clotel – such a fascinating read.

4) Sometimes I feel like I’ve bitten off way more than I can chew, and sometimes I feel like the workload is completely manageable (I suspect this has more to do with the rest of my life, than with the actual course).

5) I like participating in this new frontier of education. The use of technology, the democracy, and the global reach are all really interesting to me.

6) The reason I signed up for this course is because of the historical YA novel I plan to write, and it’s been a great help. The last series of video lectures, in particular, with Geraldine Brooks about her book, Year of Wonders, was incredibly helpful. She gave great information about her philosophy, and process, and I feel much more equipped to move forward on my own project.

7) It’s FREE.

Free. So, really, it’s all good.

Have you taken a MOOC? Are you thinking of it? Do you have any questions?

Oh, and in case one of them is, “What is a MOOC?” – the answer is Massive Open Online Course.