Evolution of blog submission

It has been three weeks since I started collaborative virtual environments and in that time - I have enjoyed the class thoroughly mainly for the reason that I ask myself questions on how teaching and learning should evolve! If blogs were used as a means of submitting course work, it would make life much easier on the student, the lecturer and the environment (less paper!). Typically a student report would reference webpages in this fashion:

Glogowski, Konrad (2007), "http://www.teachandlearn.ca/blog/2008/02/04/towards-reflective-blogtalk/", [accessed 17 Feb 2008].

Using an online report this could simply evolve to:

Glogowski, Konrad (2007), "Blog of proximal development", [accessed 17 Feb 2008].

This method saves the teacher having to check references by typing every character individually, also with the proper html encoding can take the lecturer to the exact paragraph the student had referenced from.

The use of blog as a learning journal/diary should be considered, The blog can be browsed by week or by post if necessary and the lecturer can check up on a students progress AND leave feedback. This has a knock-on effect of the student feeling secure in their working environment and improving their skills through this feedback.

Although there are always problems with online documentation, such as security or reliability. A student fills out a blog for 11 weeks straight and on the last week it is hacked or lost due to a hardware problem on the server! Hopefully the student has kept back-ups but all to well do we know how often that happens!

So in conclusion blogs are an advancement in technology and education but we must make the teachers/students/users how to blog safely and appropriately.....and how to make back-ups!

What are the strengths and weaknesses of blogging for supporting collaborative working?

Introduction

In the time before web logs (blogs) collaboration was done through e-mail and newsgroups, this was a very functional and effective for it’s time (mid 90’s) but in the 21st century, new technologies are constantly changing the way people learn and how they are taught. Blogs “take as much skill as sending an email”¹, and enable the technically “challenged” post articles about progress and concerns and receive feedback from those in the community or the entire web depending on the blog settings.

“Blogging is not about choosing a topic and writing responses for the rest of the term. It is about meaningful, thoughtful engagement with ideas.”²

Strengths
Collaborative working is strengthened by blogs, most blog websites can be searched for “labels” or “categories” and the search function will return blogs with similar labels/categories. This allows the user to view international blogs, do research on similar articles and possibly begin networking with other bloggers. Blogging reinforces the learning/working environment, peers, colleagues, teachers etc can leave comments with their opinion and suggest ways in which the student, colleague can improve or expand.

Blogs can be used as an inexpensive but effective distribution tool; many of the features in a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) can be recreated, such as controlled access to content and students accessing tasks online. The virtual environment also has more advantages for the user in terms of being able to communicate across a broader audience, submit work from any computer and voice opinions they may be too shy to say in a physical environment.

Weaknesses

Human interaction is fundamental to learning³ and development, with the increase of distance/web based learning this idea becomes obsolete and users will lack the ability to interact or communicate outside a virtual environment. Relying on blogs as distribution tools may encourage the learner adapt a “don’t need to go in” approach to learning. This has a negative impact on the user, causing them to miss physical classes and socially interact with their peers. The power of collaboration in the virtual environment is damaged also and many people would see it only as a means to distribute tasks and collect work when collaboration is much more effective in learning.

Reference:
1. Richardson, William (2006), Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms
2. Glogowski, Konrad (2007), "Blog of proximal development", [accessed 17 Feb 2008].
3. Walder, P. (2007), Learning Technologies Lecture Notes, University of the west of Scotland

Project Chanology

I am making this post because I believe it shows the relevance, now more than ever, why callaborating environments of the web are both awesome and dangerous.



Not all networking sites are meant to be social, there are a number of sites that allow people to post anonomously. These site were built for the purpose of hate mongering. The websites in question include:

• 4Chan
• Encyclopedia Dramatica

With users allowed to post anonymously the problem arises that the user can post/say whatever they like and not fear any (physical) retribution from their post. This group of users (known as anonymous or /b/tards) have hated a lot over the years. Some of their projects have been for the ideals of the jedi good, but many have been evil and just hound people they believe do not have a place on the internet. Anonymous bully and harass people such pedophiles and rapists (which is a moral standpoint, these people have no place on the internet) to the mentally ill and attention seekers(people who don't know any better). Their latest project was against scientology and in less than a month they organised a global protest against scientology, you can view results here.

I think one important point to make is that scientology pickets usually amount to about 5 or 6 people, when anonymous got invlolved thousands of people gathered at each of the picket points.

Your answers suggest you are a Leader

The four aspects that make up this personality type are:

Summary of Leaders

• Natural managers who strive for efficiency
• See the big picture and make strategic plans for the future
• Think of themselves as bright, independent and logical
• May overlook other people's need for emotional support

More about Leaders

Leaders are strategic thinkers, planning ahead and anticipating difficulties. They quickly spot inefficiency and organise people to make improvements. Leaders like solving problems at the organisational level, but would rather leave the detailed work to others.

Leaders are most likely to say they enjoy their job, according to a UK survey.

Leaders enjoy discussing complex issues and will challenge people’s views to spark a debate. They admire people who defend their beliefs by arguing persuasively.

In situations where they can’t use their talents or are unappreciated, Leaders may become detached, critical or aggressive. Under extreme stress, Leaders may feel isolated and doubt their abilities.

Leaders are often so ambitious in their careers that they sacrifice their personal life in the process.

Leader Careers

Leaders are often drawn to jobs in management where logical analysis and strategic planning are required.

It's important to remember that no survey can predict personality type with 100 percent accuracy. Experts say that we should use personality type to better understand ourselves and others, but shouldn't feel restricted by our results.

Overall results

The graph below shows the percentage of people with each personality type out of everyone who has taken this test.

Big Thinkers
Counsellors
Go-getters
Idealists
Innovators
Leaders
Masterminds
Mentors
Nurturers
Peacemakers
Performers
Providers
Realists
Resolvers
Strategists
Supervisors

First Week of CVE

Hello,

This is the first week of Collaborative virtual environtments. I feel that I should start collaborating by telling you folks a little about me! I'm 22 and I study at the University of paisley the west of scotland. My interests include being most interweb related things, such as youtube, MMORPGing and trolling forums for lulz! web forums.

I took this module as I hate video editing and enjoy online collaborating very much as I have very unique tastes and hobbies; and the internet allows me to communicate with similar people.

Anyway I shall update this every week as it is part of assesment so please check back ;)

Liam
Second Life handle: Leeam Doobie