Lesley Anderson

Using LC_Moo - 2/09/09

Using the Moo environment was definitely a new experience for me. I got my user name and log-in about 2 hours ahead of the conference meeting. It had arrived in my emails during the day, but I was unable to access it due to work committments. It took me several attempts to actually get onto the site, into the right place and work out how the site worked. I downloaded some of the user files and printed out a list of commands but I really don’t feel I had enough time to look around before the conference began.
Because of this lack of time and understanding of the site and its operations I felt like I was a bit out of my depth with the experience.  I also found that, although the conversation was entertaining while the group was  in the moo, it was disjointed and a little distracting.  I was expecting some real conversation about the tasks, and essays for the subject but that unfortunately didn’t eventuate.
As a secure site - requiring specific invitation and issued user name and password, I could see how an environment like this would be ideal for an educational situation. It would certainly create opportunity for group discussion and  lateral thought - particularly if students are creating rooms or artefacts within them,  following particular instructions about how to use them and perhaps instructing others on how to use the site as well. Being a bit unusual would probably appeal to students as they learn the idiosyncracies of using the site. Unfortunately it left me a little cold but I would be willing to explore the Moo further - perhaps with my POD group?

Using Skype - 26/8/09

I have used Skype quite a bit over the last few years.  We have used it for connection to our IT support group  to set up software and go through processes with it. This saves them travelling  a 120km round trip to help us each time we might need it.
The conference we attempted on Wednesday 26th August would have to be deemed as unsuccessful. We did have the same issues last semester when we tried to use Skype for a large conference. The software copes more than adequately with audio input for small groups or one-to-one and is great for text chat but as soon as you put a large group of people together all trying to connect at once over differing bandwidths it fails dismally.  Read the rest of this entry »

Visit http://sites.google.com/site/buildingapln/ Do you have a personal learning network?
Look at the potential and challenges of each new site as platforms for learning and inclusion in a PLN?

I found it amazing when I accessed this site to find how many different places these three ladies were represented on the internet and how widespread their personal learning networks are. They seemed to have personal profiles at so many different sites it was unbelievable. The video on the site definitely made me think just how valuable the various sites could be as tools for enabling and facilitating learning in many different environments and situations.
I couldn’t help but think how we as eductors are challenged to think of ways to utilise  these sites as tools to enhance both our own further learning and those of others we come in contact with. These are the tools that people are becoming more  familiar with in their lives and use to constantly keep in touch within their personal and learning  networks.

Then I began to look at my own personal learning network and was even more astounded to find that I belong to many of the same sites.  Here is my list -

Social Networking Sites & IDs.

Already I have found many of these sites useful to me - to bring information and resources to my students, my colleagues - in Professional Development and, of course, myself.

Make a up a social profile at two new social networking sites,
using one from each list or from any you found online.

Liz Evans - a fellow  member of Red Pod created a Ning site for our pod. Consequently I have created a new social profile there and I have also created profiles at  Twitter and Diigo in an effort to expand my Personal Learning Network. 
After installing a plug-in to my blog that enables me to insert tables - for my last posting, I am now trying to link my Twitter page to my blog - I definitely enjoy a challenge!

Social Networking tools for your “PLN”

Using your set of own heuristics, Make up a new new table from lists A and B showing which sites have or do not have potential and challenges as platforms for Learning or Professional Development.

Social Networking: Software Possible Options

Read the rest of this entry »

Social Networking Tools for your “PLN”

View the commoncraft show presentation called Social Networking in Plain English at
YouTube and then TeacherTube http://teachertube.com
Watching video creations from others is an excellent way to offer professional development
on a topic such as how to make a Flash movie.

Hosting good conversations: House Rules!

Read the ISPG policy for user behaviour in a MOO at http://ispg.csu.edu.au/subjects/cscw/moo/moo-policy.doc and compare it with the Community Guidelines at http://digg.com/guidelines.
Why do collaborative social software systems with synchronous and asynchronous communications need to develop a set of “rules of engagement“?

An online community is no different to other communities and environments within our society. Each of these mayhave slightly different rules, as their needs may differ, but rules none the less. Rules exist for a reason and online collaborative social software systems also need them, to ensure that contributions and interactions are fair to all users.

Users of collaborative social software systems need to feel safe using the particular site/software. They need to feel trust in the other community users and this will influence their participation within a community. Obviously if a user is abused or harassed by another user in the community, or a piece of writing or submission is plagiarised that trust is broken, conflict occurs and most likely the wronged user will stop contributing to the community.

Consideration must be given to the type of technology being utilised in online conversation within these communities. Synchronous conversation occurring in online chat or instant messaging systems differs from asynchronous conversation occurring perhaps through email or postings on a discussion board. Read the rest of this entry »

Mobile Computing Research

What is the educational value of online mobile games
and mobile social network access?

Wi-Fi technology advantages for e-learning 

Improving interest and access for many ‘digital natives’ (Prensky, 2001) by employing familiar and flexible modes of learning, e-learning develops 21^st Century skills - problem solving, decision making, collaboration and teamwork through varied content methods such as simulations, games and social networking - effectively changing the face of both teaching and learning.

Using technology and these methods, to access learning across personal, local or world-wide networks, caters better for individual needs and learning styles. No boundaries of distance or time, means students have personal control over their learning. Read the rest of this entry »

Using the Chat Facility at CSU Interact site - 19/8/09

I found the use of the CSU Interact chat facility quite difficult. The size of the chat window was small and that made it difficult to follow the conversation/s occurring.  I did make a couple of requests in the window to see if others knew how to change the window size but it seemed that no-one else from the group had any ideas about how to.  The number of people attempting to chat at once was also difficult and I feel that also contributed to the difficulty of chatting.  

I have used the Interact chat facility before but there have only been two or three people chatting and that is quite a manageable number and I feel those conversations have been quite productive sessions when we have discussed our learning or difficulties we might be having. So I can see how it would be a useful tool to use in a classroom setting, to link learners across classrooms or schools when required, I just don’t feel I got a lot out of this particular session.

Virtual Environments and Your Cognition

Using Facebook

I joined Facebook on 20^th July 2009.

Going to the Facebook site - www.facebook.com, filling in some basic details - Name, email address etc, I created a password and voila! I had a Facebook page. It was such an easy process to complete.  I found a couple of photos of myself to upload into my “profile photos”, filled in some personal info, such as the names of my husband and children and my page was definitely up and running.  Within a few hours I had requests from 4 people to become “friends”. It appears that being friends enables you to see the photos on another person’s Facebook page, write on their “wall” - a section of the page to leave messages etc and view their personal information.  24 hours later I had 7 friends that included family, past students and colleagues. I was intrigued to see the names that turned up with requests to be added. Read the rest of this entry »