I have done the online learning thing before and in a variety of ways. I have been in classes which only use Moodle or Blackboard, classes which use wiki spaces classes which just used emails been I haven't used some of the tools that we are using in this class. This class doesn't even have a Moodle page which for most Plymouth online courses is a bit strange. That was the first glue this class would be a bit different.
The wiki page is well constructed which is saying a lot because most of the time they are poorly put together and hard to navigate. The site is easy to navigate and read. The links are useful and the fact that the articles change throughout the course is a plus because it shows that the course is up to date. The articles aren't boring and long at least not yet.
After years of public schooling crushing my spirit of speech when it comes to many topics I can say without a doubt I am not a blogger. I can't see the myself doing it much after this class, but the chance to try it is more then welcome. It difficult to do because I'm use to academic writing, or normal everyday speech/writing and not some informal academic hybrid child. Its nice, but again I worry about my words coming back to bite me or my opinions to be thrown through a shredder. One lesson I have learned so far is I am not a very good collaborative learning when it comes to being open with my thoughts. I can do the work well enough but it doesn't mean I'm completely open about my thoughts, so I'm not sure how this whole blogging thing will work out for me.
Diigo is wonderful! I find myself using it anytime I am online reading things for my classes. I use it for more then just this class too, bookmarking anything that I use for my education courses. Its like book marking except neat and more organized and doesn't kill my browser. I have even used it to look back on some links for other assignments. In truth I don't have too much of a digital footprint. I only have a few email accounts, I don't do online shopping, I don't blog, its really just Facebook and some art profiles. I know my way around art sites, forums, role-playing sites, and programming help sites. I have experience with Moodle and Blackboard and the use of wiki-spaces, and a few computer science sites along with some tools like Google Docs and other collaborative tools. Technology is always evolving so we have to get evolve with it. There is always something new tool to learn. I'm hoping I find some new tools to use and play with.
Hi, DJ. First, let me say how amazing your sketches look. Have you displayed anything at a gallery?
ReplyDeleteAs for the content of your blog, I was intrigued by your words about "public schooling crushing my spirit of speech."
I too am a product of public schools, from primary through to my current doctoral program, and I am interested in your take on how your experiences in public school make you less likely to blog. Could you elaborate a bit more on this point, if it doesn't prevent you from being too "open about your thoughts?"
DJ., thanks for discussing how you use Diigo and comparing it to bookmarks in browsers. I've got so many bookmarks in my browser, and they are so unorganized that it is easier to simply Google what I'm looking for! You've inspired me to get going and use it.
ReplyDeleteI know, blogging is a bit free. It is scary. A place for the world to see all of your thoughts? A place you can air your opinions. That is the point and I want you to feel comfortable to be yourself. Please be honest and write how you want to write. It is OK to be a little nervous if it is new to you. I like that you care enough to let us know what you are thinking. We are in this together and together we learn more. I am obsessed with diigo and have 7589 bookmarks in mine! Wowza! Maybe I have a diigo problem. I might need an intervention! Can't wait to learn more with you.
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