1. Talk about your initial experience developing your wiki. Is the wiki new technology for you? How useful is it to be introduced to new technology like wikis in the youth development leadership program? Why is it useful (or why isn't it useful?)
Initially I had internet connection problems when trying to develop my Wikispace which was a turnoff. I work at a high school and many websites are blocked, so I appreciate when I am able to easily access a site. Easy access allows me to take full advantage of my downtown (get some school work done). However, this will not be the case. I look forward to long nights because this is new technology to me. I am happy this course is not "graded" because it is going to take me the full 6 weeks to get a hang of the technology. I find the introduction of new technology very useful (especially because I work with teenagers), it is my way of staying in the "know". On the flip side of that, I am not technologically sound, so it takes some time. I just started to feel like I was getting the hang of Blackboard - now I am forced to learn this - ;-)
2. What are some of your expectations going into the wiki project? Do you foresee any advantages or disadvantages of using wikis over other communication mediums (word processing, e-mail, discussion boards, etc.) in delivering your work products each week? What are your initial thoughts in terms of your wiki's functionality, ease of use, and/or editing quality? Any frustrations/apprehensions? Successes/things you like? Though I moan and groan as I set up my page, I like the flow of this form of communication. Everything is in one place, building on top of each other. This is a major advantage over Blackboard. I have to admit, I have to do my page setup bit by bit because the editing is a quite fustrating to me. But I believe alot of the fustration is because of my lack of comfort with new technology. I am open to experiencing this form of communication. Do not hold me accountable for lack of creativity!
P.S. Is there a way to build a buddy list on my page so my classmates are a click away? Instead of closing out my page to pull up their page.
a) Discuss your initial experiences in AETZone, the 3D virtual world that has been created for HEHD 892. Have you ever been in a virtual world before? What are your thoughts about the use of 3D virtual environments like AETZone in education? This is my first experience with a virtual world and I am completely fustrated. I was impressed with classmates favorable feedback. It took me 45 mintues to learn how to walk around. I am still trying to master climbing the steps. I played around with it for about an hour after class, but my fustration got the best of me. For me, the Wiki page (to post work) and the Connect sessions work for me. In your estimation, how “real” or “immersive” is the space from an educational perspective, especially when compared to other online instructional technology platforms that we’ve used (Connect, Ning, wikispaces)? What pedagogical advantages – if any – do you see AETZone having for online learning? Any drawbacks, concerns, or worries that you are encountering at this point? This tool may be the best option, but I have not maximized its usage so I can't speak to it's advantages. b) What applications – if any – could virtual worlds have for your work in the field of youth development leadership? This is a GREAT tool for engaging youth. Youth today speak interact daily via technology. They are bored with the traditional methods of teaching. This is a tool that will not teach and engage. c) How are things progressing with your wiki skills? Any new thoughts on the use of wikis for collaboration, peer feedback, etc.? As I suspected, I am getting the hang of adding and changing my Wiki page. I like it because it has all of my information in one place and it helps keep my project flowing. Peer feedback is a bit fustrating at this time. I go on my teammates sites and eager to post comments and/or questions, but I can't because I do not have access. Once I am finally granted access, my thoughts are gone. I understand the importance of collaborating and gaining fresh prespectives, but I would have rathered it in the format of individual presentations per week (longer than the time given now) and classmates giving feedback at that time.
3 weeks
a) After three weeks of class, I want you to provide some of your thoughts on the feedback potential (and reality) of the technology that we are employing. Discuss the use of the wiki, AETZ, Adobe Connect meetings (feedback groups) as feedback tools. What has been good and helpful about the feedback you have gotten from your peers so far? What could be more helpful to you from a feedback perspective? At this point I haven't had much experience with AETZ. I started playing around with it last week and was fustrated because it took me so long to figure out how to go up the steps. It has not made it any better that my computer crashed over the weekend and I have not had access to the internet. Therefore, I wasn't able to practice with AETZ before class. I am in the library now trying to finish up some work that I wasn't able to do over the weekend, but I am rushing because the library closes at 7pm and I need to finish up. In regards to peer feedback, it has not been that helpful (these are my honest thoughts). I think the lag time between requesting to be a page's member and the time of post has diluted the process. This has definitely been the case for me. When I go in to comment, I have blocked by member block. Once I go back in, my thoughts are as rich (in my opinion). b) What is your favorite technology tool that we’ve used so far in the class? How is it helping you achieve your goals as an online student? My favorite tool has been the Wiki space. I am shocked that I am admitting this because it was stressful setting up my page. However, I like that my information is in one space. Editing my page is a bit fustrating because my fonts and styles will not adjust sometime and this is annoying for me. Lastly, I wish Wiki had spell check. c) Is there any particular technology tool (wikis, AETZ, Connect Feedback Groups)or aspects of the tool that makes you feel uncomfortable? What makes it uncomfortable? What could you use to make the experience better? At this point it would probably be AETZ. This discomfront is largely due to my personal technology issues and my low experience with it. d) Any additional thoughts this week? Are your skills improving, are you seeing the connection between course goals and the technology employed, etc.? Tell me! I am becoming more comfortable with Wiki. I do offer up one suggestion, for the next cohort, please inform them to make everyone a member of the page early on. This helps with the efficiency of the peer feedback. Another option may be to do without the deadline driven feedback. The reason I say this is because the Wiki space has been most useful for me to have my information in one place and it has been an active guide. Many of us got together during the research forum to discuss our research and ask questions (based on our own interests). Let me know what you think.
Technology Reflection - Week 5 a) This week, I want you to think about the importance of attachment and connection to your peers and faculty members in your graduate studies. What do these things mean to you? How important is it to have a sense of connection and attachment to your peers and faculty in your academic program? Graduating from high school is mandatory. Going to college (undergrad) is optional. Entering a graduate program is considered being an overachiever. Individuals who enter into graduate school want to explore their burning questions about their passions. In addition to this quest, graduate school is about the collaboration and information gathered from your cohort's education and work experiences. It is crucial to be connected to your cohort. The knowledge gained from others experiences is rich and just as important as research information. Online graduate programs have a vital role in connecting students. The relationships that are established continue after graduation because they are resources to making the respective field better. b) Think about the technology that we’ve been using so far in this class (and throughout your program). Can the technology tools that are available to us help to create the level of attachment or connection to your peers and faculty that you need? Why or why not? So far, the technology that has been used in this program is great. I feel we are maximizing the tools that are available to us. On the other side of this, I feel the 3 day orientation is what brings the cohorts of YDL together. No matter how much technology advances, face to face interaction can not be replaced. c) In general, how “close” do you feel to your peers and faculty in the YDL program? How do you think your experience in a traditional face-to-face graduate program would be different in terms of attachment and connection? Would this be better for you or worse? I feel close to one student in my cohort. When I say "close" I mean I can call her anytime to get assistance with the program. I feel this connection was established because we partnered in several groups. Therefore, we spent alot of phone and chat time together. I do feel connected to my cohort, but I don't feel close to them. Will I keep in touch with my cohort after this program? I don't know. I doubt it. It is not because I do not want to, but because I don't feel close enough. On the other hand, if I had a question that I felt one particular person, based on their expertise, could answer, I would not hesitate to email that person. d) What other thoughts do you have this week? Feel free to talk about your projects, ongoing technology issues, ask questions – whatever! I’ve enjoyed reading these reflections each week, and the information is useful to me especially as I consider new and different uses of technology in our program.
Fustrated, emotional and nervous - computer crashed, my students are graduating and I found out that I will be at a new site next year.
1. Technology Reflection 5 A. This week I would like you to think about how the connection between instructional technology and the potential for creativity. What does creativity mean to you in the learning process? Do you think that the technology that we are employing in this class facilitates creativity? In what ways? B. If you don’t feel like the technology facilitates creativity, could it? In other words, what could we do with the technology to allow for more creativity in exploring our own project topics and areas of research interest? C. Revisit the three learning goals for HEHD 892 (see the syllabus). How does the technology that we are employing help achieve these goals? If you were teaching HEHD 892 in an online format and you had the same course goals, what technologies and/or learning strategies would you employ to achieve them? D. What other thoughts do you have this week? Feel free to talk about your projects, ongoing technology issues, ask questions – whatever! As always, I’ve enjoyed reading these reflections each week, and the information is useful to me especially as I consider new and different uses of technology in our program.
Initially I had internet connection problems when trying to develop my Wikispace which was a turnoff. I work at a high school and many websites are blocked, so I appreciate when I am able to easily access a site. Easy access allows me to take full advantage of my downtown (get some school work done). However, this will not be the case. I look forward to long nights because this is new technology to me. I am happy this course is not "graded" because it is going to take me the full 6 weeks to get a hang of the technology. I find the introduction of new technology very useful (especially because I work with teenagers), it is my way of staying in the "know". On the flip side of that, I am not technologically sound, so it takes some time. I just started to feel like I was getting the hang of Blackboard - now I am forced to learn this - ;-)
2. What are some of your expectations going into the wiki project? Do you foresee any advantages or disadvantages of using wikis over other communication mediums (word processing, e-mail, discussion boards, etc.) in delivering your work products each week? What are your initial thoughts in terms of your wiki's functionality, ease of use, and/or editing quality? Any frustrations/apprehensions? Successes/things you like?
Though I moan and groan as I set up my page, I like the flow of this form of communication. Everything is in one place, building on top of each other. This is a major advantage over Blackboard. I have to admit, I have to do my page setup bit by bit because the editing is a quite fustrating to me. But I believe alot of the fustration is because of my lack of comfort with new technology. I am open to experiencing this form of communication. Do not hold me accountable for lack of creativity!
P.S. Is there a way to build a buddy list on my page so my classmates are a click away? Instead of closing out my page to pull up their page.
a) Discuss your initial experiences in AETZone, the 3D virtual world that has been created for HEHD 892. Have you ever been in a virtual world before? What are your thoughts about the use of 3D virtual environments like AETZone in education? This is my first experience with a virtual world and I am completely fustrated. I was impressed with classmates favorable feedback. It took me 45 mintues to learn how to walk around. I am still trying to master climbing the steps. I played around with it for about an hour after class, but my fustration got the best of me. For me, the Wiki page (to post work) and the Connect sessions work for me. In your estimation, how “real” or “immersive” is the space from an educational perspective, especially when compared to other online instructional technology platforms that we’ve used (Connect, Ning, wikispaces)? What pedagogical advantages – if any – do you see AETZone having for online learning? Any drawbacks, concerns, or worries that you are encountering at this point? This tool may be the best option, but I have not maximized its usage so I can't speak to it's advantages.
b) What applications – if any – could virtual worlds have for your work in the field of youth development leadership? This is a GREAT tool for engaging youth. Youth today speak interact daily via technology. They are bored with the traditional methods of teaching. This is a tool that will not teach and engage.
c) How are things progressing with your wiki skills? Any new thoughts on the use of wikis for collaboration, peer feedback, etc.? As I suspected, I am getting the hang of adding and changing my Wiki page. I like it because it has all of my information in one place and it helps keep my project flowing. Peer feedback is a bit fustrating at this time. I go on my teammates sites and eager to post comments and/or questions, but I can't because I do not have access. Once I am finally granted access, my thoughts are gone. I understand the importance of collaborating and gaining fresh prespectives, but I would have rathered it in the format of individual presentations per week (longer than the time given now) and classmates giving feedback at that time.
3 weeks
a) After three weeks of class, I want you to provide some of your thoughts on the feedback potential (and reality) of the technology that we are employing. Discuss the use of the wiki, AETZ, Adobe Connect meetings (feedback groups) as feedback tools. What has been good and helpful about the feedback you have gotten from your peers so far? What could be more helpful to you from a feedback perspective? At this point I haven't had much experience with AETZ. I started playing around with it last week and was fustrated because it took me so long to figure out how to go up the steps. It has not made it any better that my computer crashed over the weekend and I have not had access to the internet. Therefore, I wasn't able to practice with AETZ before class. I am in the library now trying to finish up some work that I wasn't able to do over the weekend, but I am rushing because the library closes at 7pm and I need to finish up. In regards to peer feedback, it has not been that helpful (these are my honest thoughts). I think the lag time between requesting to be a page's member and the time of post has diluted the process. This has definitely been the case for me. When I go in to comment, I have blocked by member block. Once I go back in, my thoughts are as rich (in my opinion).
b) What is your favorite technology tool that we’ve used so far in the class? How is it helping you achieve your goals as an online student? My favorite tool has been the Wiki space. I am shocked that I am admitting this because it was stressful setting up my page. However, I like that my information is in one space. Editing my page is a bit fustrating because my fonts and styles will not adjust sometime and this is annoying for me. Lastly, I wish Wiki had spell check.
c) Is there any particular technology tool (wikis, AETZ, Connect Feedback Groups)or aspects of the tool that makes you feel uncomfortable? What makes it uncomfortable? What could you use to make the experience better? At this point it would probably be AETZ. This discomfront is largely due to my personal technology issues and my low experience with it.
d) Any additional thoughts this week? Are your skills improving, are you seeing the connection between course goals and the technology employed, etc.? Tell me! I am becoming more comfortable with Wiki. I do offer up one suggestion, for the next cohort, please inform them to make everyone a member of the page early on. This helps with the efficiency of the peer feedback. Another option may be to do without the deadline driven feedback. The reason I say this is because the Wiki space has been most useful for me to have my information in one place and it has been an active guide. Many of us got together during the research forum to discuss our research and ask questions (based on our own interests). Let me know what you think.
Technology Reflection - Week 5
a) This week, I want you to think about the importance of attachment and connection to your peers and faculty members in your graduate studies. What do these things mean to you? How important is it to have a sense of connection and attachment to your peers and faculty in your academic program? Graduating from high school is mandatory. Going to college (undergrad) is optional. Entering a graduate program is considered being an overachiever. Individuals who enter into graduate school want to explore their burning questions about their passions. In addition to this quest, graduate school is about the collaboration and information gathered from your cohort's education and work experiences. It is crucial to be connected to your cohort. The knowledge gained from others experiences is rich and just as important as research information. Online graduate programs have a vital role in connecting students. The relationships that are established continue after graduation because they are resources to making the respective field better.
b) Think about the technology that we’ve been using so far in this class (and throughout your program). Can the technology tools that are available to us help to create the level of attachment or connection to your peers and faculty that you need? Why or why not? So far, the technology that has been used in this program is great. I feel we are maximizing the tools that are available to us. On the other side of this, I feel the 3 day orientation is what brings the cohorts of YDL together. No matter how much technology advances, face to face interaction can not be replaced.
c) In general, how “close” do you feel to your peers and faculty in the YDL program? How do you think your experience in a traditional face-to-face graduate program would be different in terms of attachment and connection? Would this be better for you or worse? I feel close to one student in my cohort. When I say "close" I mean I can call her anytime to get assistance with the program. I feel this connection was established because we partnered in several groups. Therefore, we spent alot of phone and chat time together. I do feel connected to my cohort, but I don't feel close to them. Will I keep in touch with my cohort after this program? I don't know. I doubt it. It is not because I do not want to, but because I don't feel close enough. On the other hand, if I had a question that I felt one particular person, based on their expertise, could answer, I would not hesitate to email that person.
d) What other thoughts do you have this week? Feel free to talk about your projects, ongoing technology issues, ask questions – whatever! I’ve enjoyed reading these reflections each week, and the information is useful to me especially as I consider new and different uses of technology in our program.
Fustrated, emotional and nervous - computer crashed, my students are graduating and I found out that I will be at a new site next year.
1. Technology Reflection 5
A. This week I would like you to think about how the connection between instructional technology and the potential for creativity. What does creativity mean to you in the learning process? Do you think that the technology that we are employing in this class facilitates creativity? In what ways?
B. If you don’t feel like the technology facilitates creativity, could it? In other words, what could we do with the technology to allow for more creativity in exploring our own project topics and areas of research interest?
C. Revisit the three learning goals for HEHD 892 (see the syllabus). How does the technology that we are employing help achieve these goals? If you were teaching HEHD 892 in an online format and you had the same course goals, what technologies and/or learning strategies would you employ to achieve them?
D. What other thoughts do you have this week? Feel free to talk about your projects, ongoing technology issues, ask questions – whatever! As always, I’ve enjoyed reading these reflections each week, and the information is useful to me especially as I consider new and different uses of technology in our program.