What if educational autonomy was not about self-managing learning tasks, but about becoming a subject capable of critical thought, reflection, and agency?

Too often, online education reduces autonomy to individualised control over pace and content. My latest blog post argues for reclaiming autonomy as a central educational aim - not a system feature.

Read more here:
e-learning-rules.com/blog/0035…

#CriticalPedagogy #OnlineLearning #DigitalEducation #HigherEd #Assessment #learningdesign

A faceless figure stands before a cosmic backdrop with a glowing sun, geometric networks, and floating shapes, evoking a surreal vision of thought, space, and digital interconnectedness.

I have just published a new blog post: Reclaiming Assessment Through Annotation

Annotation is often treated as a peripheral academic skill. But what if we made it central to how we assess learning in online and distance education?

In this post, I explore how annotation supports critical digital pedagogy, enables authentic forms of assessment, and offers resilience against the growing influence of generative AI.

Read the full post here:
e-learning-rules.com/blog/0026…

#Assessment #Annotation #OnlineLearning #DistanceEducation #CriticalPedagogy #AuthenticAssessment #AIResilience #DigitalPedagogy #EdTech

How do we build genuine community in online education - not just simulate interaction?

In my latest blog post, I explore how connection in digital spaces demands more than tools and tech. It requires pedagogical intention, vulnerability, and co-authorship.

What does "community" mean in your online teaching practice - and how do you design for it?

Read the full post:
e-learning-rules.com/blog/0023…

More writing:
e-learning-rules.com/

#OnlineLearning #DigitalPedagogy #EdTech #ConnectedLearning #HigherEd #elearning #CommunityOfInquiry

As generative AI tools become more embedded in everyday academic life, detection is no longer enough.

In my latest blog post, I argue for a shift in how we think about assessment—especially in online and distance education. It's time to move beyond reactive measures and design assessments that are resilient, meaningful, and pedagogically grounded.

Read the full piece: e-learning-rules.com/blog/0020…

#Education #Assessment #AI #OnlineLearning #DistanceEducation #CriticalPedagogy #OER

I'm Stephen Wheeler, an eLearning Technologist at The University of Manchester. My work focuses on online and distance learning, including MOOCs, OERs, and student-centred design rooted in critical pedagogy. I advocate for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and ethical, decentralised platforms that support authentic engagement and inclusive education.

I'm here to connect with fellow educators, technologists, and open education advocates, and to explore how platforms like Friendica can support collaborative, non-commercial educational spaces.

Looking forward to meaningful conversations across the Fediverse!

#EducationTechnology #CriticalPedagogy #FOSS #OpenEducation #Fediverse #DigitalLearning #AuthenticAssessment