An Online Learner

Why a n00b?

June 14, 2008

I have been continuing to mull over what it really means to be a n00b. Several highly skilled, highly regarded people have recently categorised themselves as n00bs. So what is a n00b?

Personally I found that being a n00b is a combination of factors.

Yes there is the lack of familiarity with the new environment, but many newcomers have experienced similar environments, and so are able to quickly become comfortable in the new environment, but still feel themselves to be n00bs. Yes there is a new skill set that must be learnt – in an online environment it may be, for example, how to fly, how to walk, how to communicate. Again, many newcomers bring with them previously learnt skill sets that support their rapid acquisition of the new skills.

All too often though the familiarity and the skill set are seen as the only elements needed for a newcomer to move on from the n00b phase. There is at least one other element which I have found to be important for me to move into more confident territory – the conventions which are either associated with the new environment, or which are accepted by the other participants in that environment.

I wonder if I have paid as much attention to conventions as I have to skills and environments, enough to support my students in moving through their learning in the best way possible!

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: learning, teaching.