From my selected chapters I have learned that constructive communications between students is essential for a successful online course. Providing flexibility for learners by mixing asynchronous and synchronous communication is an efficient way to allow reflection of material learned. Through group conversations and understanding of designing instruction learners will become aware of teaching techniques that can benefit themselves and other learners. Learners at this point can design their own instruction. The common characteristics across my experiences are how users interact with each other to encourage learning. A course with just asynchronous communication can benefit learners by enabling reflective and self-paced learning, however superficial communication could fail to address the topic. Synchronous communication allows constant communication among the learners, which encourages elaboration of ideas, thoughts, or concerns. The negative aspect of synchronous communication is that communication between users can become confusing for first time chatters and time consuming.
I believe that students can be a designer of his/her own learning assuming that the proper conditions are meet. Conditions that need be addressed for students to design their own learning include: asynchronous communication, synchronous communication, dwelling space, and a flexible course management. Asynchronous communication benefits students that are not able to meet for synchronous communication, and for leaving messages for the group to read and reply to at a later time. Synchronous communication builds the relationship between the users and allows them to collaborate about work, which promotes the transfer of knowledge. Each student should have an option to create a dwelling. This will give them a place in the learning environment that they can call their own. Course management should be very flexible. The key for learners to design the learning is by allowing them the chance to experiment freely with peers.
Before taking this course I knew how to develop online learning using a variety of authoring tools, but my focus has never been on community learning. This class has really shifted my view of online learning from a singular learner to multiple learners. Designing instruction for multiple learners is very complex because there are so many issues that need to be addressed such as: communication between learners, content, context, scaffolding, and much more. The skills that I have learned, which can directly apply to my upcoming project include: asynchronous communication, synchronous communication, blogging, dwelling, and open-ended questions. I am looking forward to begin development of my online instruction.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Week 5: Chapter 8
Chapter 8
How does context apply to online communities and learning collaboration?
Chapter eight went over many things that we had discussed in the past and really did not seem to bring any new information to light. At the beginning it is noted that there are many different definitions of an online community, which is confusing for me because many of the definitions that are presented all sound very similar. Reduero’s definition seemed the most sensible for me. Recuero defined virtual communities as a group of people who interact through computer-based means long enough to create and organize social relations in a virtual settlement.
As a community socializes and participates in activities content is transferred from one user to another. During this collaboration meaning is given to content and then it metamorphosis into context. Context is the knowledge that we obtain from the content. Therefore, “Context gives meaning to content.” (Afonso, 158)
How does context apply to online communities and learning collaboration?
Chapter eight went over many things that we had discussed in the past and really did not seem to bring any new information to light. At the beginning it is noted that there are many different definitions of an online community, which is confusing for me because many of the definitions that are presented all sound very similar. Reduero’s definition seemed the most sensible for me. Recuero defined virtual communities as a group of people who interact through computer-based means long enough to create and organize social relations in a virtual settlement.
As a community socializes and participates in activities content is transferred from one user to another. During this collaboration meaning is given to content and then it metamorphosis into context. Context is the knowledge that we obtain from the content. Therefore, “Context gives meaning to content.” (Afonso, 158)
Week 5: Chapter 10
Chapter 10
The Internet is built upon openness, robustness, and decentralization. How can online communities take advantage of these features? What lessons can be learned from communities that offer peer-to-peer computing, blogging, and open source modules?
The Internet is known for its openness, robustness and decentralization. Anyone who has a computer and phone jack has the capability to explore the World Wide Web. The Internet is so, robust that a person does not need a computer to access the web. Devices like cell phones, PDAs, or video game systems have capabilities to access the Internet. Online communities can create specific functions for members to take advantage of the many devices that are used to access the Internet. For example, creating a specific web page for cell phones and PDAs to access so members can check their community messages, or perhaps have a web client for community members that allow them to chat with other members using a cell phone, PDA, or any other small portable device that connects to the Internet. By default, online communities take advantage of the openness of the Internet. I say, ‘by default’ because the government or any other organization does not censor online communities. However, communities may have moderators or administrators that monitor the boards for vulgar remarks or comments that don’t have any value.
Online communities can benefit by from peer-to-peer computing, blogging, and using open source modules. When community members collaborate there will be times when they need to share files. When files are uploaded onto a central database and download by hundreds of people the bandwidth used for the transfers will become costly for community owners. Peer-to-peer computing can decrease the amount of bandwidth that the online community owners have to pay every month. Peer-to-peer works by members allowing other members to directly transfer a copy of the file from one computer to another. Blogging can help communities by members sharing ideas with each other. It provides a way for a person to elaborate on an idea without worrying about taking up too much space in an asynchronous message board environment. Lastly, online communities can use open source software as a means of setting the standards of sharable files in their communities. For example, free word processing software like Open Office could be a standard. Every member could download the software for free and not have to worry about compatibility issues.
The Internet is built upon openness, robustness, and decentralization. How can online communities take advantage of these features? What lessons can be learned from communities that offer peer-to-peer computing, blogging, and open source modules?
The Internet is known for its openness, robustness and decentralization. Anyone who has a computer and phone jack has the capability to explore the World Wide Web. The Internet is so, robust that a person does not need a computer to access the web. Devices like cell phones, PDAs, or video game systems have capabilities to access the Internet. Online communities can create specific functions for members to take advantage of the many devices that are used to access the Internet. For example, creating a specific web page for cell phones and PDAs to access so members can check their community messages, or perhaps have a web client for community members that allow them to chat with other members using a cell phone, PDA, or any other small portable device that connects to the Internet. By default, online communities take advantage of the openness of the Internet. I say, ‘by default’ because the government or any other organization does not censor online communities. However, communities may have moderators or administrators that monitor the boards for vulgar remarks or comments that don’t have any value.
Online communities can benefit by from peer-to-peer computing, blogging, and using open source modules. When community members collaborate there will be times when they need to share files. When files are uploaded onto a central database and download by hundreds of people the bandwidth used for the transfers will become costly for community owners. Peer-to-peer computing can decrease the amount of bandwidth that the online community owners have to pay every month. Peer-to-peer works by members allowing other members to directly transfer a copy of the file from one computer to another. Blogging can help communities by members sharing ideas with each other. It provides a way for a person to elaborate on an idea without worrying about taking up too much space in an asynchronous message board environment. Lastly, online communities can use open source software as a means of setting the standards of sharable files in their communities. For example, free word processing software like Open Office could be a standard. Every member could download the software for free and not have to worry about compatibility issues.
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