So 6 months in to BCUC's Postgraduate Certificate in e-Learning it is time to reflect on being on the "receiving end". What do I know now?
1. I can't learn how to use new technology without being shown (thanks Justin)
2. Once shown it is a doddle and unlike 1980s technology doesn't fall over!
3. I don't need to be in a physical classroom to learn new theories and, actually, would prefer to be allowed to get on with just reading about them
4. I don't get much value out of discussion board (more later)
5. I am still hesitant to post comments "publicly" (despite evidence to the contrary)
6. I think the most relevant theoretical idea we have discussed was Maurice's Theory of Sensed Risk - Go Maurice!
7. I really look forward to going to class for the social side of learning. I believe I would have lost interest without it.
8. I love the potential for using wikis but don't yet feel confident to do so for real
9. Second Life rocks!
Why discussion board sucks?
1. I can't learn how to use new technology without being shown (thanks Justin)
2. Once shown it is a doddle and unlike 1980s technology doesn't fall over!
3. I don't need to be in a physical classroom to learn new theories and, actually, would prefer to be allowed to get on with just reading about them
4. I don't get much value out of discussion board (more later)
5. I am still hesitant to post comments "publicly" (despite evidence to the contrary)
6. I think the most relevant theoretical idea we have discussed was Maurice's Theory of Sensed Risk - Go Maurice!
7. I really look forward to going to class for the social side of learning. I believe I would have lost interest without it.
8. I love the potential for using wikis but don't yet feel confident to do so for real
9. Second Life rocks!
Why discussion board sucks?
1. It is an added layer of communication that isn't necessary and isn't handy. Who is going to shut down email to ask a question through the discussion board?
2. It isn't user-friendly - either to post or to respond to other posts and especially not in back tracking over a conversation
3. It takes too long to get a response from anyone
4. The process of posting is encouraged through artificial tasks and therefore doesn't generate a long term behaviour
That said the Virtual? Classroom which offers instant messenging may get around these issues and my own students found discussion board a very useful tool in completing a group assg over the Easter break.So, I guess, I need to find a real task to sell it to my own students.
