Another interesting listen last night. The enthusiasim of the speakers certainly motivates and gets the thinking cap on to see how I can get an online community started with my students.
I was taken back a little by her chat about the digital divide about those who know how to collaborate on line and those who don't. Perhaps they don't because they don't want to or don't have the need to. These virtual communities seem to be geared towards the academic streams, so I guess I need to think outside the square for practical training subjects. The advantage is obvious for these collaborations and it could be like having online penpals for networking about new innovations or trends. You can learn from anyone, anytime.
Online collaboration associated with practical subjects will only give knowledge information to the students. How they use this information on the work site could be video streamed onto the discussion boards for all to see.
I do have one concern though with all this online computer work:when do people get out in the real world and live? Second life and other online worlds put people into a virtual world that I assume can take over their lives. This may dissassociate themselves from their close F2F friends.
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Hi Kerry,
Have you seen Bronwyn's post on the online vs. F2F relationships issue? It's a goodie.
I am finding all of this online learning stuff pretty fascinating too Kerry, however I find I am spending a lot of time sitting on my bottom looking at my computer screen. (Not good for the size of my derrière). I did manage to get out a do a wee bit of gardening today though. I am really intrigued by the ideas of building communities online. I do feel as though I am stumbling around at the moment from one thing to another however and do feel that I need to get some direction.Thanks for your reflections which I totally agree with.
I was also interested in the digital divide idea - its more about who you know rather than what you know. I have found that that is often the case in the real world - I don't think thats a new concept.
Hi Kerry
Having had a brief go with Second Life I can tell you that it certainly wouldn't take over my life! I spent an hour just trying to get my virtual self clothed and then had someone tell me how rubbish my virtual name was! And when I went searching for something educational I just kept walking into areas that wouldn't allow me access. I think you would have to be really committed to let it take over your life - or have a specific educational purpose to use it. Of course, I'm not a great user of computer games and think Second Life is likely to appeal more to those people who are. I would prefer meeting up in a 'third place' like the coffee shop ;)
Cheers
Yvonne
Agree totally Kerry, online is great but not at the cost of real world learning experiences, nor having a 'normal' life. Online images and videos (how to ..) are great for practical courses and can generate lots of discussion around what was good (or bad!).
I can easily see how online could potentially 'take over' peoples lives, struggling with keeping it under control myself. I think we have to be weary that we don't place unreasonable demands on students when introducing these new technologies.
Cheers Veronique
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