Online Class 1: Susan’s log of the TWT Enterprise
Reading assignments – summary:
For class one, we were required to read the weekly topics sections 1 through 4. Each section contained sub-sections that averaged about 7 sub-topics. It seemed a bit overwhelming at first, but as I skimmed through each topic and sub-topic, I found information I was familiar with; so those topics posed as reviews, like creating a website or downloading and uploading files. Then there was the “for your information” section (figure of speech) that consisted of the class syllabus, rubrics and tutorials. Ooh, and let me not forget the T/F questionnaire, tech inventory and learning contract assignments that were due and needed to be submitted.
With all that said and done, what did I get out of the readings? Well, I found out that we are in the year of the blog. This is not like the smog (smoke and fog) that happened in England back in the 1950’s or the movie that was made about it where many people lost their lives. Blog is short for weblog which is the hottest form of communication in town right now.
What I should really say is weblogs are the hottest form of communication in the world right now since globalization. Why?
Because in January (I assume of this year 2007), “Blogger announced it had reached the 1 million user mark”, also “in March, the Conference on college Composition and Communication (CCCC) featured a number of panels about blogs and blogging” and lastly (for me), warblogs due to the US and British forces fighting in Iraq have been keeping us up to date regarding the on-going conflict. Needless to say, blogging has come a long way.
With that in mind, I read how to set up a blog, and previewed from my readings some of the online resources available in helping me do so.
In my opinion, mailing letters are becoming a dinosaur. Why should we use it when we can communicate much faster with computers, using such things like blogging, e-mail, internet postings, and websites. I must say, I much rather use the internet than write a letter. I much rather use the internet to pay my bills than send it by mail. I also save money on stamps. My biggest fear is will we begin to loss out in the quality of writing; and I don’t mean the content, I mean the penmanship. Is penmanship beginning to lose its value? Is it no longer important? Should we even bother to teach kids how to write? Well, we might just have to teach them how to sign their names, because that is a way of identifying them. But looking on the bright side, I will no longer be receiving tons of e-mails and pictures from my sister-in-law who overloads my e-mail box with pictures about my nephew (her only child thus far) once I introduce her to weblog. This way I can go on and see him whenever I want to and read her comments about him. I am also sure the rest of the family will also appreciate it.
Next (in my readings), there was Netiquette – internet manners. To sum it up in bullets:
· Netiquette is a set of rules for behaving properly on-line.
· Don’t type something unless I would say it to the person’s face.
· Follow the rules or laws of cyberspace. If you won’t break the law in real life then don’t break it on cyberspace.
· Know where you are and listen before you speak to get a sense of what’s going on so that inappropriate comments are not made.
· Don’t waste people’s time. Make sure the information you are sending is worthwhile.
· Use correct grammar and clear logic. Don’t use offensive language and don’t be confrontational.
· If you must swear use asterisk fillers or euphemisms.
· Share your knowledge and post what you have learned or know; this will help others.
· Don’t instigate flame wars or fostering 2 people going at each other angrily because the others will feel left out and bored.
· Do not read other people’s e-mails; respect their privacy.
· Don’t embarrass or point out other people’s mistakes in a public forum. Be polite, understanding and forgiving.
This leads me to:
Online Class/Day 1 – summary:
My Day 1 online class did not start off with very good netiquette. In the beginning there were many different group conversations going on in the class meeting section, so it was hard to keep track of the different conversations or know what was going on for that matter. I believe this was because it was the first time for many of my classmates in an interactive online course; and I know how intimidating and overwhelming it can be. However, Dr. S. is so good at what she does. I was impressed at how she brought order to the class online. I watched it go from people speaking all at once to one person at a time using “more” to continue and “stop” to finish. Amazing! Not to say this is the first time I have experience Dr. S expertise. I had her as a professor for my very first graduate class at the Mount and she really set the bar (I didn’t think I was going to survive that class). Do I think it’s any easier now? No, but I know now I will survive.
Anyway, once the class was in order every group introduced themselves by giving a group name and a motto. Unfortunately for my group, the name we decided on was used in Dr. S last class. I’m guessing we should be able to change it. To the credit of the other groups, they came up with some great names like “The 6 Stars”. The group compared themselves to a starfish meaning as a team, if one member is separated from the group, that member can still carry on all the functions of the team. Now, that’s cool.
The next group used their initials to name their group, “EMMH”. Their motto was about logging in problems, but within 3 seconds Dr. S. came up with, “Elaborate, Motivate, Mesmerize and Honor Technology”. All I can say was simply brilliant! Just when I thought that was it for creativity, the last group came up with “WEB-ucators” “To boldly educate like no one has done before”. They get the “E” for excellent from me.
Each person then expressed what impressed them the most about the postings and at the end Dr. S. said we must explain why we liked the postings and mention the readings or authors.
My group (group 3) meeting:
We started off with a lot of confusion and questions – understandably so. This was the first time with an interactive online class for a few of my group members, and even though I had taken a similar class, I was also a little confused. It is not easy to communicate in a group setting online; and doing this class made me realize how hard it can be. The hardest part for me was the organization, as well as needing someone to take lead. I think no one wanted to seem pushy by initiating the lead. Without someone leading, we ended up jumping around from topic to topic without finishing the first topic. Questions were lost in translation of other questions and the discussions did not flow smoothly. I think we need to appoint one person per group meeting to lead the discussions, alternating, so that everyone gets a chance to lead. A specific agenda should be set at the end of each meeting for the next meeting so that everyone can come prepared. But, I am sure that will come as we become more organized and practice our netiquette.
I have to stop now or I will go on forever (and I can too). I must be mindful that with all the students in this class, there will be plenty of blogs to read and time is always of the essence. So with that said, you can read me again after my next class or group online meeting.
