RWGNYC's Blog
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Blogging, Curse or Lifestyle?
The article Educational Blogging by Stephen Downes, shows the influence electronic media can have on the advancement of direct feedback from a sample-group.
“It’s the most beautiful tool of the world and it allows us the most magic thing…” is a quote from Florence Dassylava-Simard, a fifth-grade student, which Downes uses to get his point across. Blogs are easy to set up, use and maintain. In an educational, as well as in a health educational setting, this tool creates teamwork. Information is broadly accessible and the “no fuzz” approach of sharing information and data diminishes the fear that is usually associated with electronic media. Further, blogs can be used for question and answer sessions; this info can be used to support a frequently asked question page, which usually is more formal and impersonal. Blogging is a fun way to create direct feedback and relay information to a broad group without the need of extreme HTML knowledge. Basic computer skills are the only obstacle, beyond that point it is simple, plain fun.
On a more professional base, questionnaires, surveys, and other data collecting mechanisms can be created and implemented without the monetary investment the print counterpart requires. If the client or sample-base is receiving this media with open arms, data-collecting and providing information is instantaneous. In addition, creating studies, questionnaires, exchanging information, etc. has become more efficient. The wait for snail-mail or collection of electronic mail has become obsolete. Hypotheses, evaluations, falsifications etc. is broadly available and anyone (authorized or public) can access it if necessary.
One disadvantage, critics might mention, is the unrestricted ability to post comments and the migration to a too personal level. But blogging software has a few features to either restrict access to the blog, monitor posts, or check for profanity. If used in a professional manner, a blog is a creative tool to build a community, keep the information flow steady, and not lastly, educate the participants.
“It’s the most beautiful tool of the world and it allows us the most magic thing…” is a quote from Florence Dassylava-Simard, a fifth-grade student, which Downes uses to get his point across. Blogs are easy to set up, use and maintain. In an educational, as well as in a health educational setting, this tool creates teamwork. Information is broadly accessible and the “no fuzz” approach of sharing information and data diminishes the fear that is usually associated with electronic media. Further, blogs can be used for question and answer sessions; this info can be used to support a frequently asked question page, which usually is more formal and impersonal. Blogging is a fun way to create direct feedback and relay information to a broad group without the need of extreme HTML knowledge. Basic computer skills are the only obstacle, beyond that point it is simple, plain fun.
On a more professional base, questionnaires, surveys, and other data collecting mechanisms can be created and implemented without the monetary investment the print counterpart requires. If the client or sample-base is receiving this media with open arms, data-collecting and providing information is instantaneous. In addition, creating studies, questionnaires, exchanging information, etc. has become more efficient. The wait for snail-mail or collection of electronic mail has become obsolete. Hypotheses, evaluations, falsifications etc. is broadly available and anyone (authorized or public) can access it if necessary.
One disadvantage, critics might mention, is the unrestricted ability to post comments and the migration to a too personal level. But blogging software has a few features to either restrict access to the blog, monitor posts, or check for profanity. If used in a professional manner, a blog is a creative tool to build a community, keep the information flow steady, and not lastly, educate the participants.
:: posted by R. W. Graf, 7:41 AM
2 Comments:
Lorraine, learn the tools now and later when you have the time you will be happy to use them. the more you know, the easier it will become.
Diana, I understand that feeling. I have a full schedule being a full time student, working, and doing volunteer work. I do not have a social life any more due to the assigments and they increase, I have to work in order to pay for the classes and the volunteering is a way to get my information and get professional contacts for after college. Interesting situation, sometimes I wonder when my lid blows.
