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Blogs
Mar 17, 2007 7:57:26 GMT 4
Post by Phil on Mar 17, 2007 7:57:26 GMT 4
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Blogs
Mar 17, 2007 10:30:18 GMT 4
Post by MattThomas on Mar 17, 2007 10:30:18 GMT 4
Hey all -
First of all, good on you for checking this out! Second of all, what's with blogs anyway? I just don't understand the attraction. Why write a whole lot online for an audience who may or maynot read whatever it is you feel so committed to writing? I can understand threaded forums where discussions can take place (or though nothing beats a good old face to face natter), but why blog?
Come on, convince me!
Cheers, MattThomas
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salwa
Founding Member
Posts: 10
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Blogs
Mar 17, 2007 12:31:54 GMT 4
Post by salwa on Mar 17, 2007 12:31:54 GMT 4
Hi Matt and all, Since I've never used blogs before, I don't consider myself an expert, but I can predict how to use them in my context of teaching interior design courses. 1. Weblogs will be a good way to discuss and get feedback (peer and teacher) for a work in process, such as a design brief. 2. Students may use "weblogs" as digital portfolios or just digital filing cabinets" (Richardson, 2004, p2): we have our own intranet in the college and supposedly we can use it to store all student related files, but with the courses I am teaching, most files are big jpg format drawings, which makes it impossible for the intranet to cater for individual portfolios of this size. 3. Because of the personalized nature of the blog, students can design their own individualized portfolios without going through the hassle of html coding. Downes explained that "a blog is characterized by its reflection of a personal style" (2004, p.3), and this style can be reflected in the choice of drawings or projects that each student will incorporate in their digital portfolio. Salwa ReferencesDownes, S. 2004. Educational blogging. Educause Review, vol. 39, no.5. Retrieved March 13, 2007, from www.educause.edu/pub/er/erm04/erm0450.asp?bhcp=1Richardson, W. 2004. Blogging and RSS - The "what's it?" and "how to" of powerful new web tools for educators. Vol. 11, no.1. Retrieved February 28, 2007, from www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/jan04/richardson.shtml
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Blogs
Mar 17, 2007 12:35:26 GMT 4
Post by Phil on Mar 17, 2007 12:35:26 GMT 4
Hey all - First of all, good on you for checking this out! Not at all Matt. I was sick of waiting to gain approval to join discussion boards. I just don't understand all the security! I've set up forums before, for online gamers, and so this is not that difficult for me. The problems lies in keeping them active. Second of all, what's with blogs anyway? I just don't understand the attraction. I'm afraid you're preaching to the converted here mate. I was never one for paper diaries, so electronic ones! Why write a whole lot online for an audience who may or maynot read whatever it is you feel so committed to writing? I can understand threaded forums where discussions can take place (or though nothing beats a good old face to face natter), but why blog? I suppose there could be a number of reasons: I recently told my students (8 Arabic girls) that they would have to start writing blogs as part of their English assessment. They were initally horrified that anybody and everybody would be able to see pictures of them (some of them are completely covered) and read about what they were doing in their lives. Then I explained that the sheer scale of the blogsphere ruled against your blog being found by accident, the concept of avatars and the whole anonymity of online identity. Basically, that they could become anybody they chose to be. After realising this, they began to become more interested, even to the extent of enquiring about the possibilty of posting in Arabic. For these girls, blogs could become an empowering tool, freeing them from cultural constraits. In essence exemplifying Ricoeur's (1978) idea that through CMC, they could circumvent the cultural and social expectations and obligations that face-to-face communication would present them with. In this way, the example of these girls could act as a counter to Stoll's (1995) point of view that CMC is an essentially negative, alienating force. Through this medium they would be able to meet and interact far more freely that face-to-face. They now have a means of inclusion! Then there is Rushkoff's (1994) & Turkle's (1997) points that CMC - in our exmple blogs - can be used as a form of " viral rebellion". Those who are oppressed are who do not like the public view of a situation as broadcast by " Big Brother" again find CMC - blogs to be an empowering tool. Blogs become the common persons's way for their voice to be heard, to challenge the picture of reality as painted by state-run or state-influenced broadcast media. As an example, the blogs from Iraq, showing soldiers and civilians everyday viewpoints of the conflict have managed to act as a form of check to the view's of governments' embedded journalists, toeing the various party lines as they wish them to be seen. This role of blogs as a check to government is also seen in El Amrani's The Arabist blog where he posts Wael Abbas' YouTube mobile phone videos of alleged government ballot stuffing and voter fraud. Another example comes from Dubai. An award winning blog, Secret Dubai Diary was temporarily banned for not conforming to the Government view of life. The fact that in some other countries, China for example, the internet is so heavily regulated as to remove any chance of this, is also an indicator of this function of blogs. Similar examples of govenment repression can be seen of blogs in Thailand and CMC in Cambodia, where the government banned SMS the weekend before an election. Come on, convince me! Cheers, MattThomas Don't know if I've managed to convince you, or indeed myself of the usefulness of blogs but it allows ne to add another item to my USQ checklist. Philip. REFERENCES: Associate Press. (2007). Cambodia switches off text messaging for election period in Taipei Times Retrieved 01st April from www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2007/04/01/2003354795 Cashmore, P. (2007). YouTube Blocked in…Thailand. Retrieved from mashable.com/2007/03/11/youtube-blocked-inthailand/ El Amrani, I. (2007). YouTube videos of referendum vote-rigging in The Arabist. Retrieved 01st April from arabist.net/archives/2007/03/28/youtube-videos-of-referendum-vote-rigging/Ricoeur, P. (1978). The rule of metaphor: Multi-disicplinary studies of the creation of meaning in language. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Rushkoff, D. (1994). Media virus: Hidden agendas in popuar culture. New York: Ballantine. Stolle, C. (1995). Silicon snake oil: Second thoughts on the information highway. London: Pan Books. Turkle, S. (1997) Seeing through computers: Education in a culture of simulation. The American Prospect, 31, 76-82.
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Blogs
Mar 17, 2007 14:17:18 GMT 4
Post by Phil on Mar 17, 2007 14:17:18 GMT 4
3. Because of the personalized nature of the blog, students can design their own individualized portfolios without going through the hassle of html coding. Downes explained that "a blog is characterized by its reflection of a personal style" (2004, p.3), and this style can be reflected in the choice of drawings or projects that each student will incorporate in their digital portfolio. Salwa, do you see blogs and portfolios as the same thing or blogs as merely the space to organise your portfolio - the content which you upload to your blog?
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salwa
Founding Member
Posts: 10
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Blogs
Mar 17, 2007 18:28:40 GMT 4
Post by salwa on Mar 17, 2007 18:28:40 GMT 4
Hi Phil, Your question was: "Do you see blogs and portfolios as the same thing or blogs as merely the space to organise your portfolio - the content which you upload to your blog?". I really don't think the boundary between the two is a fixed line, instead it is a blurred area, because what is a blog without content? A digital portfolio can be achieved with blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, podcasting, etc. Probably I should have named it a "blogfolio", as defined by Tubbs (2004) "a proper defintion of digital portfolio is : the process of archiving student work in an electronic format with the purpose of enhancing learning". Salwa ReferencesTubbs, J. 2004. Future of math. futureofmath.misterteacher.com/digitalportfolios.html
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dean
Founding Member
Posts: 11
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Blogs
Mar 18, 2007 16:44:24 GMT 4
Post by dean on Mar 18, 2007 16:44:24 GMT 4
Hi Matt I don't have a lot of experience with Blogs, (third year student) however during last semesters 15 day prac i found it a valuable means of communication with parents of students in my prac class. We did a couple of experiments which i posted on my blog and then gave the blog address to them to take home to their parents so they (those that have access to the internet) could see what their children had been doing in class. I think it also gives parents an opportunity to provide feedback to the teacher via the blog. So i can see it as a means of two way communication between teacher and parent/student somewhat like a daily dairy. Have a look at my blog if you like: sawubonna.blogspot.comDean
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reggie
Founding Member
Posts: 7
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Blogs
Mar 18, 2007 20:29:33 GMT 4
Post by reggie on Mar 18, 2007 20:29:33 GMT 4
Hello all,
I am also very new to the blog concept but a friend of mine writes a blog in Dubai every day and I must admit, I love checking it out - he has opinions on everything and I can almost hear his voice... For him, it's a connection to his family and friends more than anything else as he travels a lot.
Educationally, I agree with Phil with the girls in the UAE. I also teach local girls here and it does allow them to express views that they wouldn't express anywhere else, under the cloak of anonymity. They love it but we haven't really got it going for educational purposes yet as the school is a bit paranoid about having 'official' blogs. They want the security in place and very restricted access rights before they'll sanction it. It's on the way as we establish our VLE but moving very slowly, frustratingly for me.
As a science teacher, I could see the value of setting a homework where the students discuss science issues online. There is only a certain amount that can be done in class time so I can see the value of it.
Reggie
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javed
Founding Member
Posts: 4
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Blogs
Mar 20, 2007 10:16:48 GMT 4
Post by javed on Mar 20, 2007 10:16:48 GMT 4
Blogs work well for students because they can be worked on at virtually any time, in any place with an Internet-enabled computer. Hence, they can be used by computer savvy teachers to create a classroom that extends beyond the boundaries of the school yard.
User-Friendly Technology Fortunately for teachers, blogs are surprisingly easy to use. They require minimum technical knowledge and are quickly and easily created and maintained. Unlike many traditional Web sites, they are flexible in design and can be changed relatively easily. Best of all, students will find them convenient and accessible via home or library computers.
Educational Benefits of Blogs In addition to providing teachers with an excellent tool for communicating with students, there are numerous educational benefits of blogs. Blogs are: Highly motivating to students, especially those who otherwise might not become participants in classrooms. Excellent opportunities for students to read and write. Effective forums for collaboration and discussion. Powerful tools to enable scaffolded learning or mentoring to occur.
Using the Blog in the Classroom As an educational tool, blogs may be integrated in a multi-faceted manner to accommodate all learners. Blogs can serve at least four basic functions.
Classroom Management Class blogs can serve as a portal to foster a community of learners. As they are easy to create and update efficiently, they can be used to inform students of class requirements, post handouts, notices, and homework assignments, or act as a question and answer board.
Collaboration Blogs provide a space where teachers and students can work to further develop writing or other skills with the advantage of an instant audience. Teachers can offer instructional tips, and students can practice and benefit from peer review. They also make online mentoring possible. For example, a class of older students can help a class of younger students develop more confidence in their writing skills. Students can also participate in cooperative learning activities that require them to relay research findings, ideas, or suggestions.
Discussions A class blog opens the opportunity for students to discuss topics outside of the classroom. With a blog, every person has an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Students have time to be reactive to one another and reflective. Teachers can also bring together a group of knowledgeable individuals for a given unit of study for students to network and conference with on a blog.
Student Portfolios Blogs present, organize, and protect student work as digital portfolios. As older entries are archived, developing skills and progress may be analyzed more conveniently. Additionally, as students realize their efforts will be published, they are typically more motivated to produce better writing. Teachers and peers may conference with a student individually on a developing work, and expert or peer mentoring advice can be easily kept for future reference.
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Blogs
Mar 20, 2007 12:49:01 GMT 4
Post by joweston on Mar 20, 2007 12:49:01 GMT 4
Hi Matt et al,
I was sceptical about blogging to start with. I was required to start one as part of my Instructional Design unit. I now have two. The first I use to relate anecdotal stories about my kids for friends and family. While the second is for reflections on topics/concepts/issues studied. Here's some learning theory to support the practice of Blogging.
The constructivist's theory of learning is based on the premise that we all have our own versions of reality and truth (bear with me) and that the most effective way to learn is to realise what that truth and reality is and build on it with new experiences. This internalisation of thought and reflection is improved if we record the journey.
'Journaling is an example of an instructional method that facilitates the process of internalizing dialogue (Vygotsky, 1962). Specifically, journaling is considered to be an instructional activity that reinforces the skill of reflecting what was simultaneously being discussed with others (Burnham, 1992; Reinersten and Wells, 1993; Beyerbach, 1992).' (Kanuka and Anderson, 1999. Radical Pedagogy)
I have to say that having crossed the initial psychological barrier, blogging/reflecting/journalling or whatever you want to call it, really does help the learning the process. To paraphrase from my son's favourite book, Cat in the Hat, "try it you might like it"!
Jo
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Blogs
Mar 20, 2007 13:15:56 GMT 4
Post by MattThomas on Mar 20, 2007 13:15:56 GMT 4
Hey all -
Great to see we have started an interesting conversation. I find it a bit strange that we could be having this conversation with WebCT, but aren't. Any how . . .
OK, I see you point Phillip about how blogs can be empowering for others who have social restrictions, and how using the web to interact with the wider world can give them a sense of freedom. However, this is not me.
And Dean, I can see how using a blog in a school situation could be useful to inform parents of what you are doing in class, but then I see many parents after school most days anyway (they all congregate outside my room ten minutes before the end of the school day to have a chat, and I make a point of going out and mingling with them after school). I'm not sure the payoff would be worth the effort compared to other methods of communication (face to face, newsletters home, etc).
And whoever it was who talked about students blogging as self reflection - I can understand that, but I am trying to relate everything back to my situation which is teaching 6 year olds, who are learning to read and write before they can type. From this viewpoint, I still think it is more empowering for them to be creating movies and sound files (although not podcasts yet, I wonder why not??) than a blog.
Sorry, maybe I'm just playing devils adovocate, but I'm still not convinced. With reluctance I now go to write in my blog!!! Might just copy and paste this in, it'll save me some time!!!
This is where I'd like to stick in a really fancy looking reference, but I don't have one. Yet.
Cheers, MattThomas
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dean
Founding Member
Posts: 11
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Blogs
Mar 20, 2007 16:51:48 GMT 4
Post by dean on Mar 20, 2007 16:51:48 GMT 4
Matt, i can see your point given your present circumtances. You never know you might be teaching grade 5 at some stage and then all this info will come in handy!
Dean
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dean
Founding Member
Posts: 11
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Blogs
Mar 26, 2007 7:13:03 GMT 4
Post by dean on Mar 26, 2007 7:13:03 GMT 4
I have opened a new blog for purposes of this course and hope to update it weekly with thoughts of the course and any resources that i find. uni07.blogspot.com Dean
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Blogs
Apr 9, 2007 7:51:54 GMT 4
Post by Phil on Apr 9, 2007 7:51:54 GMT 4
I was reading Jane's blog and she raises an interesting point that I have also been thinking about. Anyway, I'll post this reference and this one for some background reading and wait for Jane to give us her thoughts and feelings about it. A blog hate crime in Russia and a call for government control in the UK. And that old chestnut, Freedom of Speech Vs libel. And a note on blogs in the Arab world.
Lynch, M. (2007). World Politics Watch : Blogging the New Arab Public: Arab Blogs' Political Influence Will Grow. In Arab Media and Society, an online journal published by the American University in Cairo's Center for Electronic Journalism. Retrieved 15th April, 2007 from www.bahrainrights.org/node/1157 Bahrain Center for Human Rights Middle East Times. (2007). Russian Blogger faces First 'Hate Probe'. Retrieved 14th April, 2007 from www.metimes.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20070413-050507-2943r O'Reilly, T. (2007). Call for a Blogger's Code of Conduct. In O'Reilly Radar. Retrieved 09/04/2007 from radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/03/call_for_a_blog_1.htmlParker, D. (2007). Blogging code of conduct - or anything goes? Retrieved from Download Squad on 10th April www.downloadsquad.com/2007/04/09/blogging-code-of-conduct-or-anything-goes/Schofield, J. (2007). Something nasty in the neighbourhood. In The Guardian. Retrieved 09th April 2007 from blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/archives/2007/03/27/something_nasty_in_the_neighbourhood_updated.htmlThe UK Daily Pundit. (2007) Press Complaints Commission to Issue Kitemark For Blogs. Retrieved 14th April, 2007 from the-daily-pundit.blogspot.com/2007/03/press-complaints-commission-to-issue.html Wikipedia. Mahmood Al-Yousif: The blogfather. Retrieved 15th April, 2007 from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmood_Al-Yousif#Legal_Conflict
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jeorge
Founding Member
Posts: 6
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Blogs
Apr 16, 2007 7:36:01 GMT 4
Post by jeorge on Apr 16, 2007 7:36:01 GMT 4
Thanks Phil L. for compiling the list of blogs, that has come in quiet handy. As others have mentioned I also feel that one of the things Blogs are best suited towards are reflection activities. I think a Blog can be a great place for either students or teachers to post their reflections about different topics or school in general. For another course I am doing this semester that focuses on ICT integration, I have had to create a unit overview with many different things included like to name a few, Assessment Marking Rubrics, Special Needs and ICT Integration Plans, Classroom setup etc. One thing that we also had to include was an example of a students work from the unit. I created the blog that I have asked my students to create that reflects their thoughts on the unit and their group work participation. Link to student’s blog: jimmyreflections.blogspot.com/Now keep in mind that I’m not 100% finished but I’m sure you all get the general idea. I think this is an effective way for an educator to assess to what degree the students have taken in the knowledge and content. As this assessment piece is suppose to be completed daily it is a great way for a educator self reflect and judge if the students are developing the correct interpretations and understandings. There are obviously issues and concerns that teachers need to be aware of when asking students to complete a task like this online (home internet access, access to a computer etc) but these concerns can be worked around. Jeorge
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