So as I read this article I feel humbled in away for the following:
- I'm a pretty tech savvy person and I feel lost some time I do not feel that our classes are affectively using our web technologies blogging for one
- Blogs are 2 fold I do not want to read a dissertation and I feel that my post do not get read because most others right to damn much
I try to approach blogging as a conversation to spark ideas in others. Which according to the article "Reflections from the Introduction of Blogs and RSS Feeds into a Pre-service Instructional Technology Course" seemed to apply this is the correct assumption, but... As it also stated students are confused between the differences in the different tools that they are required to use and the ones they will actually get credit for.
Coming into this semester I feel that something that the article also points out was missed for our cohort which was implied in and email either from Joni or Laura that stated that they did not realize that they both required a blog. That seemed odd to me and I felt that as part of the planning for both courses that should have been laid out. Not only what tool that we would be using but how they would be used.
On page 58 of the article is mentions and easier technology by the name Wordpress. I have not checked it out but as I reviewed some blogs it looks like some of the others have.
I may appear to be rambling but I'm trying to follow my notes in the article. I to have the following questions:
What is an ATOM feed, why do I need it if I can use an RSS feed?
What and why would I need an aggregator?
I have other questions around 2.0 technologies and how it can be used effectively but I think in order for me to pass the answers along, I need to see them demonstrated effectively. I do not understand why there are so many tools that do the same thing. Why is there not more consolidation of tools I have to many passwords now how many more do I need?
Another thing I guess I should have mentioned above many of us are in the same cohort so many of the activities seem redundant. I mean just because they are in a different tool does not make it a different activity. I feel that we should rely less on ecollege or more on ecollege and our course need to have less overlap. The article mentions an instructor site and all other work is done through 2.0 technologies. I see this working but I also see all things in ecollege working out effectively too.
10 comments:
Greg,
Interesting points on your commentary. A few points about your comments:
Wordpress is something I have not used to a great extent either. One thing I know about it is that it allows posting of podcasts. Pretty cool, but I'm not sure I have the time nor a topic to podcast about.
An aggregator is (at least from my experience) a software program (or might be built into your browser) that allows you to be notified every time a new posting is made. For me it has been helpful when keeping track of new news stories.
I also agree with what you commented on about redundancy in the use of the tools. I think with all of the new technologies out there, many instructors are looking to try to push us towards the craze, without completely giving us direction as to how it can be accomplished. In some ways, I do have to say that starting this process has been helpful to get me writing. Not enough to necessarily do it when class is done, but it's a start. Anyhow, thanks for posting so I can respond!
Phil,
Thanks for the info. I got this great article or ebook that was printed and left on my desk at work the other day. It goes into some good detail about the differences of these tools. It took about 30 minutes to read but it helped me get a better grip on things.
http://www.icrossing.co.uk/fileadmin/uploads/eBooks/What_is_social_media_Nov_2007.pdf
Greg
I really enjoyed reading your postings. They offer a different perspective then I am used to--from being in the Communication Department. I can definately see how so much of what your Department does must seem redundant, although I am not quite there with you yet. It is so weird, I work for a software company, but in sales, so I rarely actually use the system. Well I look forward to now changing that.
Greg-Lots of blogging for this class, agreed. Would like to start a similar approach in noting a few ideas, conclusions as I review the weekly readings. Keep it simple. Try to solicit feedback from others. See what new ideas and communications are generated. I checked the resource link-no page found. Can you provide title/authors? Thanks!
sorry try this one
http://www.icrossing.co.uk/fileadmin/uploads/eBooks/What_is_social_media_Nov_2007.pdf
Hi Greg! I started off with an aggregator and now I'm not sure why someone would want an RSS feed without an aggregator? I use Google Reader and have an iGoogle page set up with the reader as a seperate tab. All this to say,it is a little confusing! I'll look at the article you reference.
Do you think the purpose is different in the blog used for both classes?
I do. The messaging class seems to be using the blog as a place to collect ideas and inspirations. This class seems to use the blogs for discussion purposes. So leaving thought provoking questions or statements is helpful here. It indicates you are thinking about your readers!
I'm glad I went with two seperate blogs. It has helped me distinguish the differences a bit (and I find I'm adding all kinds of crazy things to the other blog!).
Unreleated to P&P course - I like your tools usage entries! They demonstrate that you are really testing out these tools.
Okay - I couldn't find the article off the new address (which looks like the old address?). I'll check back! :-)
I'm new to blogging and have similar questions about how blogs should be used. I'm starting to think that we can use them as we see the need. We just need to make sure we state the purpose of the blog site. If we use them in a class, we need to make sure our students are clear about the expectations as well as how to use the technology.
It does seem like the blogs are taking the place of the discussions I'm used to having in the course shell. On a positive note, we will have the thread of our blogs to take with us at the end of class so that we can reference them later.
Wow, lots of good questions and thoughts for discussion. I am still so behind on RSS feeds, I haven't made it to an aggregator yet, but am glad that by reading the other comments here I at least have an idea of what it is!
Like Sheri said, I enjoyed reading your comments on the other tools. I haven't had a chance to look through them all, but the ones I have I tend to agree with your analysis (i.e. Twitter and not really caring about all those minute details!).
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