I don’t really subscribe to any social networking sites or blogs for personal use outside of education. At one stage in my life I did maintain a Myspace and a Facebook site, but they ended up being more of a distraction than anything else. Of the commonly used Web 2.0 technologies, I use Youtube the most often. It is a great resource to learn something fast and easy. I use it to view and save tutorials on various complex software applications that I use in my business. Having a step-by- step video to reference and walk you through an unfamiliar process is very effective. I also use the embed feature to display videos on other sites or share them with my peers.
Despite the fact that I don’t use social networking sites often, I can see enormous potential for educational use. If a single class was set up as an online community to where classmates could exchange information freely, it would bring us that much closer to an actual face-to-face classroom experience online. There are several resources available online that have functions that I can foresee eventually revolutionizing online learning. Some examples are Voicethread’s capability for multiple users to document comments or feedback on specific media, Yacpack’s voice group configuration, Dimdim’s mood icon feature, hosting privileges, and ability to share screens, Talkshoe’s call in features and Skype’s video conferencing. If a developer could take the standout features of each of these systems and incorporate them into an online learning community similar to a social networking site, the possibilities would be mind-boggling.
As the capabilities of online learning tools expand, so too does the online learning community. It won’t be long before the number of online courses offered surpass that of face-to-face classes at the college level. With the advent of more online courses utilizing new technology, issues will arise that professors and administrators will face for the first time. With this in mind, it will be crucial that educators stay up to date on the trends and advancements of technology to ensure that provisions are in place to keep the students and E-learning on the right path.
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I also found social networking sites to be distracting. I really don't have time for them. It is all I can do to keep up with my e-mail. On-line teaching requires more time that face-to-face, I willing spend that time because it is what my scholars need. If we can all increase learning through collaboration and inquiry, the time will be better spent. Web 2.0 offers that capability at a price we can all afford. I'm looking forward to our 501 project for exploring and implementing those possibilities.
ReplyDeleteHey Nate, I'm interested in your comment about the new issues instructors will encounter with Web 2.0 tools. I can think of two - students sharing or constructing information that is wrong and students entering into conflicts because they feel free to express opinions on-line that they wouldn't do in a face-to-face class. I had that happen in a discussion forum on Blackboard but as an instructor I could remove the comment and email the student privately. In a more student-centered free-wheeling social environment the instructor will have less immediate control so guidelines for interaction will need to be very clear and well-monitored.
ReplyDeleteI liked your comment about the new issues instructors will encounter while using Web 2.0 tools. This requires a great deal of positive training to help bring many instructors around. I particularly appreciated your comments on using YouTube because of the many demonstrations available. I have used some of these videos to discover how to use different programs. They can be a valuable resource for teachers. On-line teachers would have to be as focused on setting rules and viewing comments made by students who are posting to each other online as they are in the face to face classroom, but I have to respond to Sue's comment about "that they wouldn't do in a face to face class" I guess she has not attended a class where NCLB believers are in the same class with Whole Language teachers. The teacher in charge has to be in control there also because comments and insults fly.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly Donna. It's hard enough to keep up with all of the emails alone. I was watching a movie (“Funny People” with Adam Sandler) the other night and there was a clip where he says that the people with the most friends on Myspace are those with the least amount of friends in real life. I see that to be somewhat true. As for the time required to conduct a class online, I would say that it’s an investment that will end up saving time, if that makes sense. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteSue,
ReplyDeleteI could see where a student-centered learning environment could have the potential for more conflict. I think that the instructor will still have to assert some sort of administrative role over their students to ensure that there is a sense of structure to the course. The ability to intervene at any point is always going to be vital for an instructor of an online course.
Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI use Youtube on a daily basis. There is just too much available not to. I can't imagine how demanding it would be for a teacher teaching an online course for the first time, trying to stay on top of monitoring all of the comments and posts. Something like that would take a lot of getting used to before it became routine.
Nate,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great posting and possibilities of using Web 2.0 for online courses. Also great job in replying back to comments.
I noticed a minor spelling error in YacPack-> "YackPack." Have you used it? In what manner? How was your experience of using it?
The issues Sue mentioned would be problematic. I agree with her on that clear general and specific guidelines for online interactions definitely will be needed. It did not happen much in my online courses except once as I usually teach graduate level students. For younger learners, I would prepare very clear guidelines and respectful etiquettes.
Baek
Please post your Session posting asap. Thank you! Feel free contact me if you need any assistance.
ReplyDeleteBaek