Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Week Four: Blog Posting #8 - Reflection on Blogging
Reflections on blogging for me is that before this course, I have never blogged myself or read a blog. I know, amazing right?
Well, I have to say that initially my belief about a blog was that is was something the self-absorbed did for themselves. They created a way to talk about themselves and their every move as if we all needed to know. I was mistaken.
I see the merit and value in a blog. This is not to suggest that they are all the same in content or style, but more they are a way to connect and communicate with those of similar interests and needs.
Web 2.0 tools provide a variety of ways to communicate with others in ways that allow for an overall feeling of connectedness. These tools are accessible, easy to use and interactive. They bring worlds together and provide a feeling of belonging. Whether you tweet, blog, facebook, or ning, there is an application for everyone.
The reality is that in order for educational settings to best use these tools, there needs to be a general acceptance within the community that recognizes the potential for the learning using Web 2.0 tools. The digital natives that are currently in our schools, need to be guided in ways to use the tools safely and productively.
I am interested in how to integrate Twitter into the educational setting. I believe it provides a very quick way to provide parents with some “buzz” words to ask their students about to help support the learning from the day. I think that the interface provides the user with a quick and easy way to share ideas to parents to better equip them with some information to ask their students about when they get home from school. When parents are armed with the “inside scoop” it provides a starting place for open communication about what is happening within the classroom and let’s students know that their parents take an interest in their education.
I believe that the tools currently available, will only continue to evolve as we invest in the potential of the future. It is certain to be an interesting ride!
Well, I have to say that initially my belief about a blog was that is was something the self-absorbed did for themselves. They created a way to talk about themselves and their every move as if we all needed to know. I was mistaken.
I see the merit and value in a blog. This is not to suggest that they are all the same in content or style, but more they are a way to connect and communicate with those of similar interests and needs.
Web 2.0 tools provide a variety of ways to communicate with others in ways that allow for an overall feeling of connectedness. These tools are accessible, easy to use and interactive. They bring worlds together and provide a feeling of belonging. Whether you tweet, blog, facebook, or ning, there is an application for everyone.
The reality is that in order for educational settings to best use these tools, there needs to be a general acceptance within the community that recognizes the potential for the learning using Web 2.0 tools. The digital natives that are currently in our schools, need to be guided in ways to use the tools safely and productively.
I am interested in how to integrate Twitter into the educational setting. I believe it provides a very quick way to provide parents with some “buzz” words to ask their students about to help support the learning from the day. I think that the interface provides the user with a quick and easy way to share ideas to parents to better equip them with some information to ask their students about when they get home from school. When parents are armed with the “inside scoop” it provides a starting place for open communication about what is happening within the classroom and let’s students know that their parents take an interest in their education.
I believe that the tools currently available, will only continue to evolve as we invest in the potential of the future. It is certain to be an interesting ride!
Week Four: Blog Posting #7 - Second Life
My venture into a MUVE, specifically Second Life is solely a result of my entering Full Sail. Prior to that event in June, I had never even heard of Second Life. My first look into it was very overwhelming. I didn't understand the attraction of a virtual world as I have no experience with virtual worlds in general, much less considering it as an educational tool.
With the support and urging of my first group members, I began the task of trying to first create my avatar which I found the choices to be very interesting and the personas that some took on, even more interesting. I guess that in and of itself is part of a virtual world. You can decide everything from hair and eye color, to body part configurations, to outfits. So the initial experience begins with the creation of who you want to be in this virtual world. Once your physical appearance is decided, moving about takes center stage. You can walk or fly! Ok, fly? Really? Again, I had to keep reminding myself that this is a virtual world and that while elements are prefaced perhaps on "real world" attributes and applications, there is extended choice that addressed the "virtual world."
After using Second Life in a couple of classes, I have begun to see some applications for educational use, however it was not until I went to Education in Second Life for this course, that I got a true appreciation for how I could use Second Life in my own professional career working with pre-service teachers and conducting professional development around the state. Albert Bandura's (1977) definition of social learning theory further helped me understand the potential implications for education and further distinguished my preconception of Second Life being nothing more than a SIMS game and a complete waste of time. I do see the connection between creating a social context in which to interact to be a way to test out theory and ideas that require the "human" variable in order to replicate reality.
For this assignment I visited three sites relating to Learning Theory:
I decided to join the ISTE Second Life Project. I investigated many of the attributes of this project by visiting ISTE's Second Life Headquarter and subscribing to their Eduverse Talks and Discussion Lists.
With the support and urging of my first group members, I began the task of trying to first create my avatar which I found the choices to be very interesting and the personas that some took on, even more interesting. I guess that in and of itself is part of a virtual world. You can decide everything from hair and eye color, to body part configurations, to outfits. So the initial experience begins with the creation of who you want to be in this virtual world. Once your physical appearance is decided, moving about takes center stage. You can walk or fly! Ok, fly? Really? Again, I had to keep reminding myself that this is a virtual world and that while elements are prefaced perhaps on "real world" attributes and applications, there is extended choice that addressed the "virtual world."
After using Second Life in a couple of classes, I have begun to see some applications for educational use, however it was not until I went to Education in Second Life for this course, that I got a true appreciation for how I could use Second Life in my own professional career working with pre-service teachers and conducting professional development around the state. Albert Bandura's (1977) definition of social learning theory further helped me understand the potential implications for education and further distinguished my preconception of Second Life being nothing more than a SIMS game and a complete waste of time. I do see the connection between creating a social context in which to interact to be a way to test out theory and ideas that require the "human" variable in order to replicate reality.
For this assignment I visited three sites relating to Learning Theory:
I decided to join the ISTE Second Life Project. I investigated many of the attributes of this project by visiting ISTE's Second Life Headquarter and subscribing to their Eduverse Talks and Discussion Lists.
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