I went back and forth on whether an online medium is the best choice for Lenora. I’ve landed on yes, but not a new website. The reason I was torn is because of the dial-up internet. I’m sure Lenora is not the only person in her community (or in other indigenous communities) that struggles with internet access. With that said, Lenora would have a hard time reaching a larger audience using a print source. Further, a print resource would be more costly and harder to maintain. I created a pros and cons chart based on the SECTIONS model to weigh out Lenora’s options.
| Print Medium | Online Medium | |
| Students | Limited by mailing list | Open to entire community |
| Ease of Use | Easy to reference once received | Require internet access |
| Cost | Printing cost | No cost (if use free platform) |
| Teaching/Media Selection | Images only | Various media formats |
| Interaction | No interactivity | Post comments & share links |
| Organizational Issues | Appropriate branding | Appropriate branding |
| Networking | No networking | Collaborative tools |
| Security | Can be shared | Can be shared |
Since an online medium is more costly, reaches a larger audience, and allows for interactivity/ networking I think Lenora should pursue it further. However, because Lenora has no experience creating websites and has limited time, I think she should consider other online mediums. Three options I thought of are: a blog, an online newsletter, or adding content to existing online communities. While each of these options pose their own challenges, I think overall they will play to Lenora’s strengths and resources.
Blog
Sites like WordPress and Weebly allow you to create a blog for free and have very user friendly platforms. Lenora could develop a series of post relating to anti-bullying resources. She can also upload documents or embed links (which would be faster). Blogs also allow for open communication, so members of her community and comment and contribute their own stories/resources.
Newsletter
An online newsletter is a great way to share information without having to maintain an online platform. Lenora can draft the newsletter offline and embed documents within it. She can then circulate her newsletter to various indigenous communities.
Online Communities
Instead of creating a website from scratch, Lenora could add her content to already existing online communities (like Cradleboard). These communities already have a following which will allow her to reach a large audience. Further, she would not be responsible for maintaining the website.
References
Bates, T. (2014). Teaching in digital age http://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/ (Chapter 8 on SECTIONS framework)
HI Colleen,
I really like what you’ve done here. The way that you incorporated the SECTIONS model really brings it to life and I think you used it well. I also agree that the big question is if an online medium is the way to go considering Lenora and possible her audience have issues with access as well.
Are you suggesting one of your options over the other?
Jason
Jason – The internet issue is definitely still a concern but I think it makes the most sense to reach a wide audience. I think I like the blog option best. It seemed like Lenora gained a lot from speaking to other members of her community so I think the interactivity from a blog would be really beneficial. Blogs are also really easy to set-up and maintain so her lack of experience will no be as much of a hindrance.
Yes, after reviewing her options, her strengths, and her resources. I came to the same conclusion. Different ways of getting there, but in the end it’s probably the best option.
You clever girl,
I like how you incorporated Bates into your analysis!! However I though the online newsletter fit with where she is right now. It could help her in the gathering of resources/information stage, and still get her message across. As well most school websites have a widget where families can sign up for the newsletter to be “delivered” everytime a new one gets published.
Thanks for the post,
Keri
Keri – I’m clever twice in two days! That’s a good point, I didn’t think of the functionality to sign-up for newsletters already on school sites.
Hi Colleen,
Your post got me thinking about whether or not Lenora would need to create her own online website or forum. I like your suggestion of perhaps having Lenora working within cradleboard.org and creating her own anti-bullying section within that online space. That would allow her to immediately start working online within an already established audience and develop some skill and confidence before possibly creating her own website in the future.
Given that our background knowledge about Lenora is limited, do you feel that this option would allow her to meet the goals of her anti-bullying work?
– Allen
Allen –
Yes and no. I’m not sure that people from other Indigenous communities would check Cradleboard. I think it will help he share information/resources within her own community but I’m not sure how much further it will go. What do you think?
Cradleboard seems to be a good starting point for sharing resources and information. There is a section on the Cradleboard home page entitled “Native American Resources,” and it lists lots of resources and links to websites for many different First Nations tribes. This might be a way to initially connect with communities across North America and spread the word about Lenora’s anti-bullying work.
Hi Colleen,
I like how you have created a table to make it easier to compare. Would you consider Lenora’s time spent after regular work hours to work on this online anti-bullying resource a “cost” per se? Just trying to consider how we can broaden the definition of ‘cost’ to include time and not just a monetary issue.
Edwin
Edwin –
Good point. Lenora’s time is for sure a cost (in both the online and print option). Perhaps if she went for an option like the blog she could somehow incorporate it into a school assignment – getting her students involved (which would minimize the cost of her time and teach important lessons)
Hi Everyone;
Ok, Colleen, you are far too organized for me. LOL! I am jealous that I didn’t think to use a table like you did to organize your thoughts.
I agree, that a blog will probably create the most dynamic experience for users because of its interactive component. However, I hadn’t even thought of an online newsletter. If Cradleboard was willing to distribute it to its members, it may be a good jumping off point for Lenora, especially considering that she is a novice with online technologies. She may feel quite comfortable with this medium, because I am sure she is used to creating similar documents for her students.
Very good use of the Bates’ model!
Kind regards to all,
Tanya