The 4 broad functions (Classroom Managem…
The 4 broad functions (Classroom Management, Collaboration, Discussions, Student e-portfolios) of blogs mentioned in group 2’s blog are clearly represented within the ETEC course blogs. I find that within this course ETEC 522, these 4 broad functions are iterative. Getting most of my blogging experience from ETEC, my educational use of blogs have been mostly as eportfolio.
However, it allows me to reflect on courses as I take them and after the fact. I like to review them and determine things I may have done better or different.
I enjoy being in edit mode. The dashboard is my landing pad and I like the features there. I find that it makes me feel really good about writing and that is very positive for me.
On the oteher hand, I have now taken 2 ETEC courses using WordPress as a platform and I would say that on each occasion I had a hard time getting the flow of information initially, that made me miss out on important information and left me a little frustrated as i groped for a bit before “getting” it. 🙂
My personal advice to newcomers would be,
- Start early and try navigating and browsing just to get a hang of it.
- Write your edits in a different word processesor (where possible) and copy and paste until you understand how the blog editor works.The second benefit is, if by some misadventre you lose the edit in the blog, you have a backup
- Save your edits and review before you post
- Ensure that you read and understand the guidelines set by your school for online participation in such.
- Do not be intimidated by the “new” technology, you won’t break it 🙂 besides, the tech support team like to know if and when someone breaks something, it only makes them think better in order to provide a more robust and secure platform
- Respect the work of others
verenanz 9:35 pm on October 19, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hello!
I totally agree with your comments about making a copy….that is a hard lesson to learn.
Verena:)
ifeoma 8:18 pm on October 22, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks Verena, the advice came from a personal experience in frustration from losing posts 🙂
jenaca 3:45 am on October 20, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thank you very much for your insightful advice to newcomers! This is my first ETEC class and I have been very overwhelmed at times using the different sites for posting, reading and handing in assignments.
I will definitely keep your advice in mind:)
Jenaca
ifeoma 8:22 pm on October 22, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
You are welcome Jeneca, you are not alone, my first ETEC course was overwhelming too! The multitasking and the tons of content so you are not alone in that regard. having said that, you get better at it over time as you begin to understand your online learning patterns and style and can better articulate things. All in al, you learn not just about the course as you go along but also about yourself. 😉
Everton Walker 2:04 pm on October 20, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Jenaca,
Welcome! As you mentioned, it can be a bit tedious to navigate the blogs and other sites. For the other MET course I am doing, I have to be exploring three spaces; vista, UBC blog and UBC wiki. As a result, I have to be on the ball at all time. However, I am enjoying the blogging experience as I also use it for my personal classes. Those tips by Ifeoma are very good. Even though I some experience with blogging, I type most of my posts in word processor since technology can fail at any time.
Everton
ifeoma 8:26 pm on October 22, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks for your post Everton, I agree with you that blogging can be an enjoyable experience. Technology helps us to extend capacities but we also have to manage it in a way that we actually make the most of it. i have been a victim of not following my own advice. i had written what I though was a n inspired post and on clicking the “reply” button- nothing! that was when I realised I had not logged in and the
inspiration went with the initial click- frustrating. I learned my lesson the hard way.
Juliana 9:08 pm on October 20, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thank you so much for your post! Your advice is concise and well laid out.
I do have a question for you. Where do you see blogging going in the future? What new developments do you see for its use in education?
Juliana.
ifeoma 8:40 pm on October 22, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks for your post Juliana, Good questions too. I believe there is a future for blogs. I think they have come to stay. I would like to refer you to this link with some statistics on blog influence. The article shows that by the year 2004, blog readership had grown a whooping 54%, that was 7 years ago, Currently, blogging has been shown to be garnering more power, gradually gaining entrance into mainstream .Here goes.
http://www.itworld.com/nls_ecommerceblog040105
In Education, I see blogs becoming a tool that teachers could use together with students, parents and guardians as a good homework tool where all involved can collaborate and leave comments. With learning analysis technology gaining speed, blogs can be extended using learning analysis in the future to track individual progress or lack of it for students. Teachers, parents/guardians and the students too can see this real time and decisions on how to better harness student learning potential can arise from this analysis.
Deb Kim 11:12 pm on October 21, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thank you for the advice!
Your advice is very practical. I particularly agree with you on writing in a different word processor. I sometimes get frustrated and disappointed when I lose my work by mistake. It’s really important that you do your work in a word processor and then copy and paste to the blog. An important lesson learned after repeating the same mistake many times.
Deb
ifeoma 8:29 pm on October 22, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Deb, the incident of losing posts is an experience I believe most of us have had, hence my reason for suggesting the tip. I am glad to see that others can relate to that too.
hall 4:21 am on October 23, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I like your views on blogging for newcomers. These views are very practical and important to newcomers.