Thursday, November 13, 2008
Interactive Tools
The social environment in a face-to-face classroom setting appears to be very important to many students. How important is the social environment to those students enrolled in online courses? According to Smith (2005), cognitive psychologists such as Piaget, Vygotsky, and Bruner, emphasized the social nature of learning. Humans are social beings – even in the preschool classroom, creating a positive social environment is one of the most important things a teacher can do. There are many tools that a course designer can use to create a community of learners in online courses. Blogs, e-mail, wiki pages, SKYPE and discussion boards are just a few tools that are available to instructors and students. Tools such as these also allow that student who is not comfortable interacting in a face-to-face class to express their opinions with more confidence. What is your favorite interactive tool and why?
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4 comments:
I'm enjoying the blogs because they're topical. The conversation related to the post is right there with the post. I also like e-mail because you can set a tone. The blogs are certainly academic, but with e-mail, I can supplement my academic discussions with friendly-type discussions.
I'm with Kellyann, I've actually enjoyed "blogging" to the point that I am marketing the idea to my Doctrine Office. The topics are generally focused about something of true interest and communal. What KA said about the email "behind the scenes" traffic is great for keeping opinions and political aspects out of the overall conversation. Blogs can be dangerous if taken out of context.
I think the blogs are my favorite too. I am really enjoying reading everyone's blogs.
A favorite? Yikes! There are so many tools to select from. The blogs are addictive; like mini servings of academia!
Skype adds the great audio inflections that may be subtle (or not so subtle); but the use of Skype, although synchronus, may lack the opportunity for reflection (unless recorded) because you are relying on your memory to provide the subject content to reflect on.
I do not have a favorite right now...How is that for commitment?
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