ABSTRACT
Using social media in classroom contexts are opportunities to create MOOCs and what we call a POOC (Personal Open Online Course). POOCs and POOC thinking are similar to Personal Learning Networks where students access information online to create their own educational spaces. POOCs capitalize on student interests, asking them to become experts in a field using social media and to share their expertise through multiple Points of Presence online. Students analyze resources and negotiate how to represent their online personas. POOCs are public spaces where students participate, curate, and debate the validity of knowledge makers. POOCs are Personal, Participatory, about becoming a Professional, and negotiating Points of Presence online.
This chapter discusses POOC practices, concepts, and our experiences POOCing two of our classes: an upper-division New Media Writing course and a Developmental Writing course. We include analysis of our assignments related to the POOC and the theories guiding our pedagogy.
