Week 5 at the Introduction to Box'Tag SOOC

Week 5 is the final week of the synchronous phase of the Introduction to Box’Tag Small Open Online Course (SOOC). As of this morning there are 131 participants in the course.
There were 25 participants at the start of this cSOOC. It has been interesting to see the course flourish as the participants approach Dunbar’s number, 150.
Thanks to Adam Brimo and his colleagues, the course will be available online as an asynchronous resource for the Box’Tag community.
This is the second SOOC in which I have participated. Both SOOCs have underscored for me the centrality of a community driver. In the Box’Tag SOOC, Paul Perkins has been a remarkable, vigilant, supportive and encouraging driver.
Allan Hahn has been a prime mover in the SOOC and he has played the role of mentor. This is a vital role in a SOOC too, I believe. Driving a community is very demanding and it is very helpful, and reassuring, to be able to come up for air during the day-to-day activities and talk with a mentor. Allan has addressed too some important philosophical questions about Box’Tag in the discussion forums in his gentle way.
I have really enjoyed meeting the Box’Tag community in this SOOC. Participation and profound engagement have bubbled away throughout the course. I have been delighted in the ways the community has explored and discussed the course content. I have a sense of belonging from the SOOC that is very powerful.
We have made limited use of social media to extend the reach of the SOOC. The OpenLearning platform remains the primary vehicle for the SOOC. There is a Facebook page for the Canberra PCYC, University of Canberra Research and Development of Box’Tag.

 
I do think SOOCs need technology stewards too. In this SOOC, I have been monitoring activity on the OpenLearning platform but Adam Brimo and his colleagues have developed a powerful resource that requires little stewardship. It seems more like cheering from the sidelines.
I have a profound sense of service pervading this SOOC. A group of dedicated and passionate people have come together to share and in reading have come to know that they are not alone.