Five. Engage #edcmooc

They engage who also stand and watch. The question of engagement is interesting since it is a personal/private act. One might not know if a person has engaged until they show some sign a signifier, a post in a forum for example. There is the question that if a person has engaged with a topic and no one is there to see or there is no outward sign, does it matter.

How do we know a machine is switched on? Because the designers of the machine have added lights, green for on and red  for off. Lights are designed to flash to signify processing. The machine itself is indifferent to the lights but the spectators, the users and onlookers of the machine need a sign, is it on? Or if it fails to work as expected Can you see any lights?

In the MOOC, to read the resources and monitor the discussion boards has value, it is a personal engagement with the subject matter. Like a machine without lights we may suspect the spectator or onlooker is engaged but we have no way of knowing. Perhaps we should look at engagement as a Maslow type hierarchy.

I lead or initiate a discussion thread (Green Light Flashing)

I engage in a discussion, I signal to other participants I am engaged (Green Light is on)

I engage with the material of the MOOC (Standby Light)

I am engaged (No Lights)

"However you understand it, Engage"