The use of technology to facilitate learning has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Organizations such as the Association of Educational Communication and Technology (AECT) http://www.aect.org are dedicated to improving practice. Another organization ISTI is focused on technology in K-12 education. You might also want to review literature on 21st Century Learning.
This is a place where we can discuss the practice of distance learning and gain more information on tools and techniques that enhance the learners experience.
I have found these blogs a good idea to exchange ideas and "show off" what we are doing outside of this class with technology.
ReplyDeleteFor my other class I have started a book blog as an assignment for a book I am required to read. It is a good way to exchange ideas with students about what they think of my book, as well as to get an idea of what their book is about.
While I am still struggling with some of the ways of the web, I am very pleased to not be afraid to try new things anymore :)
Blogging has so many uses in the world - as a way to express oneself in a non-threatening manner, a way to detail events and document experiences, and a way to "converse" with the world. It is not just personal writing, but an invitation to a conversation. My only experience with blogging was for a personal project - my walk across America. We were tasked with blogging. At the time, I had never blogged, and really didn't know what was expected. For me it became a very personal account of my journey, both physical and spiritual. It was a synthesis of my journey, and an experience I will never forget. Unfortunately, the blog software they chose ot use did not allow the replies that I have come to see as the "meat" of blogging. Without that two way conversation, blogging is nothing more than a personal diary meant for the writers eyes alone. To me, blogging MUST have the ability for interaction to be effective. As Andrea mentions above, the exchange of ideas is critical.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone is interested, I set up this blog one semester as a way to practice. http://techno-what.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI didn't get very far with it...blogging takes a lot of time. I find that I use my Facebook profile in much the same way as a blog - sharing information and links. And since I can access it right form my phone, it is more convenient for me to keep up with. Time is not an issue as it is right at my fingertipes.
I love the idea of blogging, but just can't find the time! I do like the library graphics Karen chose for this blog!
ReplyDeleteThinking about blogging in Education makes great sense to me. Particularly in the arena of adult education which feels so "new" and the research continually growing. Blogs seem like a great tool for sharing new research ideas and thoughts. I am with Tanya that in order for a blog to really mean something it needs to have the ability for feedback. From my other experience with blogs I feel like they provide an opportunity to be more personal. When not posting for an assignment, but rather having a place to explore personal thoughts and ideas on education it seems like a deeper understanding of others might be reached. Just thoughts...
ReplyDeleteI am fairly new to blogging as a publisher myself. But like Andrea, I have created a book blog for another class. I also use Facebook, but primarily to keep pace with my family, and I rarely post. I find that blogging is a bit too exposed for my train of thought. I tend to have a better comfort level in smaller, controlled discussions.
ReplyDeleteI do follow several blogs of other people, however. They can be fascinating when done well, but I sometimes feel as if I am being absorbed in a soap opera of someone elses life as I sit passively in my own. If I could confine it to simply distance education, blogging might be a wonderful tool.
Like others mentioned, I also created a book blog site. That was my first experience with blogging and really enjoyed. I agree with Sandy, I really like the library graphics used in this blog.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how excited that I am that I just figured out how to create a blog profile. Before I was coming up as "office politics" and I have no idea why. I just created a profile, and I think I just figured out how to start a blog! You guys are miles ahead of me with regards to blogs, but slowly maybe I can catch up :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm back again because I can't withhold my excitement- I just created my very first official blog!!!! (I don't really count facebook)
ReplyDeletehttp://jennypatrickmandy.blogspot.com/2010/07/jennys-experiment.html
Who knows if I'll really use it, but it sure is fun for now! I keep thinking of that movie "Julie and Julia" and how Julie's blog launched her career. I think my blog site will be more to update friends and family on our lives.
Hello from Margaret. I have a personal blog (hence the pseudonym) for friends and family to keep up with the wee one in the house. But perhaps you can see my face if I post here.
ReplyDeleteI read several blogs and always enjoy the stories.
Perhaps I should start one for my journey through this program, if I can find the time!
Blogging certainly has its pros and cons, depending on your intentions and hopes. As some of you have mentioned, if you have a specific topic, such as the book discussion in 692, it is a great place to host that discussion. And for some, it is a great way to journal and record your journey. Though sometimes, a blog might appear to include a lot of information that simply does not interest the reader.
ReplyDeleteWe need to remember that people do blog for different purposes - and we can join in those blogs that fit our interests and leave those blogs that do not.
My personal preference is for blogs that cover specific topics, as you have noted, participating can take up a lot of time - and so I like what I read to be informative, useful, and/or interesting. Most of the things I journal about, such as my trip down the Grand Canyon, I don't have access to technology when I would be journaling so i still have had-written journals.
Glad to meet you all here outside of RamCT.
Karen
I would have a difficult time creating a personal bio blog. I'm not sure that my life is interesting enough to have a lot of followers. I would much rather journal for my own enjoyment. I can see the benefit of using a blog for a specific topic to discuss. Another major benefit is that you do not have to save the discussion to the memory of your e-mail or computer since a separate website will host the information. Unlike chats, it is easy to come back to and reference.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure it would be advantageous to move our class discussion to a blog when we have Blackboard which is very user friendly in my opinion. If we wanted to invite other members from outside of the class "walls" to join, then it could be a great resource.
Just some thoughts,
Phil
I finally got in!!!! I have so many email accounts, I couldn't figure out the right code. But, now I have the correct account and am on a roll!
ReplyDeleteAbout blogging. When I lived overseas, blogging was quite popular for several people to keep family in the states up-to-date with happenings. Several of those friends still have a family blog to keep people in touch. Unfortunately, since Face Book, I have not done any blogging. The first popular blog site was "My Spaces". Then, that got out of control, then FB and Twitter.
I like what Karen said about having a particular topic to blog about.
I am interested in having a blog site for my students. Now there are so many options...I just need to decide which is most 'user friendly'.
(sigh)
Catch you on line!
Philip, I too like the threaded discussions in Blackboard better than a blog for class discussions. The threaded discussion is much easier to organize. Yet, if I have a specific topic that I want to engage in discussion about, a blog is not a bad place. The biggest challenge in a blog is that you cannot reply to a specific question so your brain works harder to follow any type of conversation that is not general.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I believe you need to access a blog on a very regular basis for it to be effective.
Karen
Yeah Barb, glad you made it.
ReplyDeleteI think blogging about a trip and adding photos is a great way to journal it and share at the same time. I have a friend who does this and then sends us reminders to visit the blog.
Fortunately, it is easy to try out the different products. Good luck with your project.
Karen
I finally made it here. But like Karen said, the blackboard does keep things more organized than a blog, where it is continuous.
ReplyDeleteVonnie
Blogging has always been a hobby of mine. It is a great tool to present topics both in text and visually. It also serves as a great communication tool as it is being used for that purpose now.
ReplyDeleteSome of the tools that I use as an online educator to enhance the online learning experience are PowerPoint Presentations and Adobe Breeze Connect.
ReplyDeletePowerPoint presentations are a great vehicle in visually displaying subject matter. I teach Java Programming online and PowerPoint provides me with a tool in which to present tables, charts and graphs in slide format. The slides can be tailored to suit my needs in specifically presenting what I am looking for in regards to the given assignment.
Adobe Breeze Connect offers me opportunities as conducting a weekly live chat with my students to discuss the week’s assignment and present the PowerPoint presentation that coincides with the assignment.
These are both very good tools to have and utilize for the online learning environment.
Steve Osborne
Below is a link to a blog that I have worked on over the years. Unfortunately, I have not had time to work on it in a while due to time constraints. However it has been an excellent resource in relieving stress and having fun. I hope you like it.
ReplyDeleteSteve Osborne
http://moviemonstermega.blogspot.com/
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