Free Online Genealogy Course with FutureLearn (Week 1)

[Romilly]

I've had a few surprises with the gender of fellow RootsChatters too Romilly A lot of us do have non-gender specific user names, but I sometimes put 'Mand' at the end of my posts (short for Mandy and so I'm female )

Snap... so am I 

[groom]

I think sometimes, even with non gender specific names, the avatar is a clue to gender. 

[Romilly]

I think sometimes, even with non gender specific names, the avatar is a clue to gender. 

Yes, mine, (currently) is a one-eyed female cat. (20 yrs old now!:-)

[jaywit]

I wonder if the people running this course are thinking they have bitten off more than they can chew.

To try and teach a course with students from all over the world a considerable number of whom appear to be complete beginners will I think be impossible.

How are they going to cover the fact that every country has it's own system, many countries having little online?

How are they going to explain things like privacy laws being different from country to country?

I think the fact that there are this week hundreds of posts about name changes I don't think bodes well.

I hope I am wrong but I do think there may be trouble ahead.

[groom]

Will be interesting. There have been learners from all over the world on the other courses, but as they have been dealing with one specific topic or time in history that hasn't mattered. As you say, this one has learners from probably all continents, each country having different laws and records. I think, as it is being run by a Scottish University, a lot of the records we see will be from Scotland, England and Wales. If learners have British ancestors that will be fine, but those without may be disappointed.

[panic]

It's a MOOC, the M stands for Massive. The course relies on peer interaction/learning, so they won't talk about privacy laws all over the world, but would talk about what privacy laws are and get students to talk about the specifics of their country's laws.

[jaywit]

It's a MOOC, the M stands for Massive. The course relies on peer interaction/learning, so they won't talk about privacy laws all over the world, but would talk about what privacy laws are and get students to talk about the specifics of their country's laws.

OK In theory that's a good idea but I honestly don't think a large number of the students are experienced enough to know about things such as privacy laws.

Also I think you have to be wary of relying on other students, what check is there that they are knowledgeable enough to advise more inexperienced students?

I will reserve final judgement until another couple of weeks have passed but I am nt convinced at the moment.

[groom]

Also I think you have to be wary of relying on other students, what check is there that they are knowledgeable enough to advise more inexperienced students?

Surely, to a certain extent that applies to any forum, even this one? I've seen some dodgy advice and information given here, but there are usually others that point out it is incorrect. I think the same thing will happen on that course once it settles down.

[jaywit]

Also I think you have to be wary of relying on other students, what check is there that they are knowledgeable enough to advise more inexperienced students?

Surely, to a certain extent that applies to any forum, even this one? I've seen some dodgy advice and information given here, but there are usually others that point out it is incorrect. I think the same thing will happen on that course once it settles down.

In my mind the difference is that this forum isn't run by a university.

Being run by a university I worry that people may think they are being advised by the university not by people who know, well there is no knowing what they know.