Reflections from the Introduction of Blogs and RSS Feeds into a Preservice Instructional Technology Course
By Richard E. West, Geoff Wright, Bruce Gabbitas and Charles R. Graham
I found the information in the article very interesting. However, I found myself empathizing with the students who were struggling with the technology.
I’d heard of blogs but had never used one before. I still can’t figure out how to add a link to my blog, without having the link in a word document first and then copy/pasting into the blog. As for the RSS feed, I’ve seen the icon on the bottom of some websites, but I had no idea what it did. I’m still not sure I have a good handle on that.
I also agree with some of the points made in the article. On pg. 57, the article listed guidelines for improving pedagogy with blogs and RSS:
1. Preparation work completed before the semester begins
Yes, it would be nice to have a better handle on *why* I’m using a blog and other new
technology to communicate.
2. Technical learning curve soon after class begins
I feel lost when trying to set up some of the technology and then how to use it after I get it
set up.
3. Conceptual learning curve throughout the rest of the semester
I assume that I’ll figure out, during the course of class, how the new technology can actually
assist me with instructional design and in the classroom.
I’m struggling with the technology, but I get what the article is stressing:
You have to decide exactly *how* you want to use new technology and not just use it because it’s “cool”.
You need to help teach the students how to use the technology. Don’t assume they know how to use it and don’t leave them frustrated when they try to use it and have issues doing so.
Ensure you impress upon the students why they would use certain technology in class and for which reasons and in what settings it should be used.
RSS Solutions for Restaurants
21 years ago
5 comments:
Eek! I think perhaps I've made the wrong assumption that because you are taking a course that is part of the eLearning degree that you would already knew about how to use a blog and RSS. My mistake -- Sorry about that assumption! I should know better. It really makes me wish that as faculty we shared more learner insights with each other. Hang in there. The learning curve will get better. :)
Laura,
That assumption might not be too far off track, if I had been an original part of what seems to be a lengthy cohort.
I finished the certification portion of the master's degree in...2002. :-0
To say that technology has progressed by leaps and bounds since then is a gross understatement. My job doesn't require (and frankly can't allow) the type of 'outside' technology that we're using in class.
We're on a closed, classified network. However, we're bringing in and developing (slowly!) some of these capabilities at work.
So, it's been a bit of a mind shift to see how these technologies can be useful in my work setting...but I think they're coming!
Reading comments in our classmates blogs, I get the general sense that a majority of students are new to RSS, and most have not authored their own blog. So, we will all be learning together! Hang in there.
Hi Laura!
I think it is important to think about the purpose behind the technology that you are choosing to use in your instructions and to share that purpose with students. Especially if you expect the students to join in using the tools.
I can't imagine what this program looked like in 2002. So much has happened since then!
Hi Leisa!
I'm going to title my first comment "what was I thinking" - just wanted to say sorry for mis-addressing you in my comment! I was looking at Laura's comment as I was starting my own.
Please pardon me!
Looking forward to hearing more from you in class.
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