tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56844598113389763642024-03-14T04:45:47.443-03:00Teach from the Beachrandommindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534000063586138774noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684459811338976364.post-66717837085025559722007-10-21T14:09:00.000-03:002007-10-22T12:42:31.260-03:00Why I blogI've been a blogger for almost 10 years. In the early days, I had to write HTML by hand every time I wanted to post. Hard to believe. Now, blogging is as easy as writing an email.<br /><br />The first blog that I ever read was Cameron Barrett's blog, <a href="http://www.camworld.com/archives/001382.html">CamWorld</a>. Those early weblogs were "click trails". People wrote blogs to share interesting things they found online. Reading blogs made it easier to find the good stuff online. You used your favourite blogs as a filter. Blogs brought the web down to a manageable size.</span><br /><br />I started my first blog as a teaching tool. It was called Design the Web and I used it to post links to the web sites I talked about during my web design class. (Here's the <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20050326105301/www.tildeworks.com/design/archive.php?year=2001&month=01">earliest version</a> you can still find online.) When I found that learners were still checking the blog after the course ended, I continued to blog, and I've kept that habit ever since. I don't blog about web design anymore. These days I blog about technology and learning at <a href="http://randommind.wordpress.com/">Random Mind</a>.<br /><br />Like well-known edublogger <a href="http://weblogg-ed.com/">Will Richardson</a>, I've learned more by being a blogger than from most of my formal learning experiences. Blogging has connected me with some really amazing educators around the world, and it's given me a different view of what it means to be a teacher and a learner.<br /></span><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br />What is a blog?</span><br /><br />Most bloggers agree that the only thing that blogs have in common is their format. Blogs are personal web pages that you update frequently. The newest post appears at the top of the page. Older posts fall to the bottom and are eventually archived.<br /><br />I read a lot of different blogs. Some are related to my work as an instructional designer. Some are just things I'm interested in. Here are a few blogs I read every day:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.hyperorg.com/blogger/">Joho the Blog</a> (a blog written by Dave Weinberger - Dave wrote the book <a href="http://www.everythingismiscellaneous.com/">Everything is Miscellaneous</a>) </li><li><a href="http://post-secondary.blogspot.com/">Post-Secondary Education blog </a>(a great blog about university and community college news written by a professor at Memorial University) </li><li><a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/">Inhabit</a> (a blog about all things green) </li><li><a href="http://www.boingboing.net/">Boing Boing</a> (just a fun place to go)<br /><a href="http://www.smartmobs.com/">Smart Mobs</a> (a blog about mobile technology) </li><li><a href="http://cogdogblog.com/">Cog Dog Blog</a> (one of my longtime favourites -- Alan used to work at Maricopa Community College in Arizona) </li><li><a href="http://clive-shepherd.blogspot.com/">Clive on Learning</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/">elearnspace</a> (George Siemens is a leader in Canada) </li></ul>As you can see, it's quite a diverse pot.<br /><br />You can include just about anything in a blog post including <a href="http://randommind.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/reach-out-to-nova-scotia/">pictures</a>, <a href="http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english">video</a>, a <a href="http://www.ltgreenroom.org/episodes/45">podcast</a>, a <a href="http://blog.ogilvypr.com/?p=157">PowerPoint presentation</a> (click the forward & back buttons down by the words "on Slideshare") or a <a href="http://www.anecdote.com.au/archives/2007/10/explaining_the.html">sketch</a>. It's a really flexible tool.<br /><br />The best part about blogging is the connection you make with other people. Before I started blogging, if I had an idea only my friends or colleagues knew it. Now, when I blog about my ideas, everyone sees what I'm thinking. They can comment on it, ask a question or share it with other people. I connect with other people and they connect with me. That's what blogging is. It's <a href="http://weblogged.wikispaces.com/Connective+Writing">connective writing</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Why blog?</strong><br /><br />The reasons for blogging are probably as different as the people who blog. People blog because it helps then do something they want to do -- whether that's <a href="http://vivmcwaters.com.au/?p=44">sharing ideas</a>, resources, pictures, a great accomplishment or an "aha" moment. People blog to get feedback. People blog because it's an <a href="http://ngafp.org/2007/06/27/top-ten-reasons/">important way for them to learn</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://screenarts.blogspot.com/">Chris</a> says, "I blog because I like to share & connect with people. It also helps me remember things."<br /><br /><a href="http://machianations.blogspot.com/">Ian</a> says, "I blog to express myself and share what I have to say with an audience that I hope will respond, one way or the other to it - to engage in dialogue ... to vent, to rant, to share my thoughts and talk about things that make me go Hmmm... "<br /><br />At NSCC, people have used blogs to keep others updated on <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/geomatics_lab/">projects they're involved with</a> or to stay in touch and support learners while they're on <a href="http://akerley-coop-news.blogspot.com/">work experience</a>. Learners use blogs to <a href="http://return-to-school.blogspot.com/">reflect</a>. Others blog about <a href="http://www.filly.ca/life/your_life/i_am_woman/Do-It-Herself-At-NSCC.asp">us</a> and our <a href="http://ccablog.blogspot.com/2006/03/acsm-cagis-map-competition-results.html">learners</a>.<br /><br />Other educators and learners use blogs to <a href="http://www.thebakerscrust.blogspot.com/">organize and share learning resources</a>, to <a href="http://541george.blogspot.com/">reflect on learning</a> (does this look like an eportfolio to you?). Some use blogging as a <a href="http://machines.pomona.edu/51-2007/syllabus">key part of their course</a>. <a href="http://college-search-and-colleges.blogspot.com/">Admissions blogging</a> is becoming more and more popular. At the University of Manitoba, students <a href="http://myuminfo.umanitoba.ca/index.asp?sec=2&too=100&eve=8&dat=5/15/2007&npa=12846">blog their service learning projects</a>. We can also use blogs to stay <a href="http://clinicalit.blogspot.com/">current</a> in our own field.<br /><br />Like many simple web tools, blogs give you a way to<br /><br /><ul><li>deliver content</li><li>extend the learning that happens in the classroom</li><li>build communities of learners</li><li>connect learners with the larger world</li><li>encourage peer review or peer teaching (i.e. learners post what they learn on their blogs)</li><li>assess learners</li></ul><strong>Remember it's not the tool. It's how you use it.</strong><br /><br /><strong>How to get started</strong><br /><br />Blogging can be a big commitment or a small one. You can blog for one course. You can share a blog with other faculty. Learners can share a blog. You might decide you just want to read blogs so that you can learn and stay up to date with what's going on. (If that's the case, use an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggregator">aggregator</a> -- I use <a href="http://www.netvibes.com/">Netvibes</a> -- and <a href="http://www.commoncraft.com/rss_plain_english">learn about RSS</a>!! It will make your online life easier.)<br /><br />There are a few really great free blogging tools. The ones I use are <a href="http://www.wordpress.com/">WordPress</a> and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Blogger</a> (also known as Blogspot). <a href="http://www.vox.com/">Vox</a> and <a href="http://www.livejournal.com/">LiveJournal</a> are two others. It's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU4gXHkejMo">easy to start</a>.<br /><br /><strong>A common sense approach to blogging</strong><br /><br />Most blogs are public so here are a few common sense rules to keep in mind when blogging:<br /><br /><ul><li>Don't post any information that identifies you (your address, your phone number, etc.) <strong>even if your blog is private</strong> since anything can be cut, pasted and posted elsewhere</li><li>Don't share personal information </li><li>Once you blog about something, it can stay online even if you delete it so think before you click "post" -- never post anything when you're angry or upset</li><li>Ask other bloggers if you have a question</li><li>Keep your Academic Chair in the loop if you're blogging with learners, and be <a href="http://workitmom.com/bloggers/whostolemystapler/2007/07/19/how-to-keep-a-personal-blog-on-the-internet-and-your-job/">professional</a> if you're keeping a personal blog</li></ul>You might also want to have a look at Cyberjournalist's <a href="http://www.cyberjournalist.net/news/000215.php">Blogger's Code of Ethics</a>. Although it was written for those who use their blogs to report news, there's some great advice here. If you're blogging with learners, this post is worth discussing with learners so that they understand what they need to do to stay safe and responsible online. (And shouldn't we be having more conversations like that with learners?)<br /><br /><strong>How do I facilitate blogging if it's part of my course?</strong><br /><br />First, before you start, make sure that you're using blogging because it fits with the learning outcomes in your course, not just because blogs are cool tools. Do learners need to research, share resources or reflect? Then blogging may be a <strong>good choice</strong>. Is this learning something that would benefit from being shared with a wider community? Do learners need a real audience for their work? Then blogging may be a <strong>great choice</strong>.<br /><br />Remember, just because a learner may feel comfortable with technology won't necessarily give them an easy comfort level with blogging. Even in the beehive of the internet, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/jul/20/guardianweeklytechnologysection2">only a few genuinely participate</a>. Blogging involves a lot of reflection and motivation. Learners may need the same level of help and encouragement that you'd offer if they were doing similar assignments in class. They will need guidance. (Here are some <a href="http://jilltxt.net/?p=1670">great practical examples</a>.)<br /><br />Once learners have established their blog, your role is similar to what your role would be in <a href="http://scienceonline.terc.edu/facilitating_online_learning.html">facilitating any online discussion</a> or <a href="http://www.cybersoc.com/2007/04/five_things_jou.html">managing an online community</a>. Sometimes you just have step back & <a href="http://eduspaces.net/dtruss/weblog/171020.html">let the conversation happen</a>. Sometimes you need to <a href="http://changingminds.org/techniques/questioning/questioning.htm">probe</a>. Sometimes <a href="http://www.eschoolnews.com/eti/2005/03/000769.php">you need to intervene</a>. Some of these <a href="http://www.fullcirc.com/weblog/2006/05/network-weavers-and-online.htm">skills may come naturally to you</a>. (Weaving is a great metaphor for what online facilitators do.) Some skills you may have to learn. But they come in really handy if you ever teach an online course or <a href="http://digitaldialogues.blogs.com/learning_technologies/2006/11/webmoderators_c.html">lead an online community</a>. Don't forget the importance of commenting on blogs. (Vicki Davis has some <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/08/how-to-comment-like-king-or-queen.html">great advice</a>.)<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">A few NSCC bloggers </span><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://machianations.blogspot.com/">Machianations</a> (Ian MacLeod)</li><li><a href="http://thepathistoodeep.blogspot.com/">The Path is Too Deep</a> (Chris Mogensen)</li><li><a href="http://randommind.wordpress.com/">Random Mind</a> (Carolyn Campbell)</li><li><a href="http://screenarts.blogspot.com/">NSCC Screen Arts</a> (Chris Campbell)</li><li><a href="http://snipsfolio.blogspot.com/">Snips</a> (Stephen Parsons)</li><li><a href="http://community.livejournal.com/geomatics_lab/">Mobile Geomatics Lab Project</a></li><li><a href="http://akerley-coop-news.blogspot.com/">Akerley Tourism Managment Co-op Support Site</a></li></ul>Good luck! Have fun! Learn to amaze yourself!randommindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534000063586138774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684459811338976364.post-3917706658157132022007-10-21T12:59:00.001-03:002007-10-21T13:36:35.308-03:00Do your students have what it takes to learn online?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30008272@N00/85220007"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 130px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/42/85220007_1648c84f7c_m_d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's common to hear that learning online is great for some people but it's not for everyone. If you ask people what kind of learners do well online, a lot of people suggest that it has something to do with being comfortable with technology. However, when the Illinois Online Network looked at <a href="http://www.ion.illinois.edu/Resources/tutorials/pedagogy/StudentProfile.asp">what made learners successful online</a>, its list looked like this. Successful online learners ...<br /><ul><li>are <span style="font-weight: bold;">open-minded</span> about sharing life, work and educational experiences as part of the learning process</li><li>can communicate through <span style="font-weight: bold;">writing</span></li><li>are <span style="font-weight: bold;">self-motivated</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">self-disciplined</span></li><li>are willing to <span style="font-weight: bold;">speak up </span>if problems arise</li><li>be willing to <span style="font-weight: bold;">commit</span> between 4 and 15 hours per week per course</li><li>meet the <span style="font-weight: bold;">minimum requirements</span> for the program</li><li>accept <span style="font-weight: bold;">critical thinking</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">decision making</span> as part of the learning process</li><li>have <span style="font-weight: bold;">access to a computer</span> with an internet connection</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">think</span> through ideas before responding</li><li>feel that <span style="font-weight: bold;">high quality learning can take place without going to a classroom</span><br /></li></ul>It's safe to say that learning online has less to do with being tech savvy than it does with being a motivated, independent learner. Can those skills be learned? Absolutely! In fact, one of our roles is to develop these skills in <span style="font-weight: bold;">all</span> learners, not just those learning online. Does every learner have the potential to learn successfully online? Definitely! Can you help? Of course!<br /><ul><li>Be <span style="font-weight: bold;">clear</span> about your expectations</li><li>Encourage learners to <span style="font-weight: bold;">reflect</span> on how they learn best</li><li>Offer learners <span style="font-weight: bold;">choices</span> about what and how they learn</li><li>Offer learners opportunities to <span style="font-weight: bold;">improve their skills</span> as online learners<br /></li><li>Give learners plenty of <span style="font-weight: bold;">feedback</span> on their strengths as online learners & <span style="font-weight: bold;">offer tips </span>on how they can improve<br /></li><li>Encourage learners to <span style="font-weight: bold;">share</span> their difficulties and successes</li></ul>By the way, look at the first list again. This is a list of characteristics of successful <span style="font-weight: bold;">learners</span> online. But how many of those characteristics apply to a successful online <span style="font-weight: bold;">teacher</span>? And how many of those characteristics do you have?<br /><br />(Photo, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30008272@N00/85220007">stillness</a>, by David Pham)randommindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534000063586138774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5684459811338976364.post-80147901861265038652007-10-21T12:08:00.000-03:002007-10-22T12:58:01.370-03:00WelcomeFor the past year I've been offering a series of workshops at our college with "Teach from the Beach" theme. I've gotten a lot of great feedback so I decided to start a blog to share resources that can help teachers support learning more effectively with technology. Take care & please feel free to leave a comment.randommindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01534000063586138774noreply@blogger.com0