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09 We must be free and open, originally uploaded by leighblackall.

Oh, so much of interest has piled up during my time off-line that I am tempted to declare a form of cognitive bankruptcy, which I suppose begs questions about how anyone could tell the difference.

So more or less at random, I dig up an invitation on David Wiley’s blog to his impending Introduction to Open Education course. I’m not surprised to see it looks fabulous, and am much intrigued (though again unsurprised) to learn that anyone, anywhere can join as it is “completely online, run completely in the open, and is welcome to all comers.”

Already, the course page represents a solid collection of links on the foundations of the open educational field. And man, I am looking forward to seeing how these discussions might play out. And given my current roles and interests, it’s hard to imagine how I wouldn’t benefit from participating.

Then again, Professor Wiley warns us that “the course is going to be a lot of work,” averaging 12 hours per week. My inner slacker is roused from stupor and vigorously raises a red flag of cowardice. I am already feeling over-committed, and I will be away traveling about half the time over the next two months. Oh yes, I learned just this week that I will once again be teaching a course this fall after all (a very good thing, that, but still…).

I’ve never been one to let good sense get in the way of a good time, especially when there’s learning to be had. I may be setting myself up for a crushing humiliation, a series of public debacles, but I just added my name to the participants section of the course wiki. It’s quite likely I will miss some deadlines (I always do), but at the very least the experience should generate some fodder to elevate the present shoddy character of this weblog.