After finishing the article on Blogs and RSS feeds, I actually found myself in the both the shoes of the preservice teachers and those of the instructors. I appreciate what the instructors were trying to do by bringing in the new cool communication features of blogs and RSS feeds, but I also can easily relate to the complications the preservice teachers were experiencing as well. Reading blogs, especially those of other classmates, can be really time consuming. Responding and continuing the discussion can take quite a while as well. I related to the comments from the first semester students who struggled to completely grasp the concept of blogging. How is it different than a discussion board especially? I struggle to really understand the difference.
The one aspect I have found that I like about this medium is the openness to just writing. I never was one to write for extended periods of time in a journal as a kid, but I seem to just start typing and let it flow with the blog. I'm never sure if what I'm writing will make sense or not, but it's a start.
In examining the RSS aspects of the article, I have used RSS feeds before and find them pretty useful. Generally though, I use the feeds to examine websites and newspapers with updated news stories of interest to me. For example, I have New York Times feeds for world stories, NHL.com stories for up to date information, and stories from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to know what's happening in the area I grew up in. I have not yet really embraced the concept of monitoring a blog that is not attached to a credible news agency. This may evolve over time, but I also am conflicted about the time necessary to devote to really make reading and following a discussion valuable.
I look forward to hearing others comments on this, and hope everyone can track me down here. Thanks for reading!
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5 comments:
Hey Phil!
I hear you about the blog question. "How is it different than a discussion board especially?"
On one hand, I find it much more inconvenient than a threaded conversation. I may not get to read everyone's thoughts without spending so much time going to individual blogs and a threaded conversation has everyone's participation in one spot.
On the other hand, I'm trying to embrace blogs. You get much more of a sense of who a person really is when they feel less inhibited and can rant or otherwise on their own blog.
That's one element I have been struggling with during the classes. My blog feels sort of 'intimate', like I'm unsure anyone else is going to read it. That seems to encourage me to write like I speak...warts and all! ;-)
Like Leisa, I too am struggling with what are the unique strengths and weaknesses of blogging as a medium. When comparing a discussion oriented blog to a shell forum, it seems that the discussion that develops is perhaps less focused in the blog (or, less focused by the instructor, less focused around a central theme(s)).
This seems to me to be a good thing / bad thing. More flexibity, more personal thoughts versus not so focused discussions.
The idea of audience and purpose seem related. If the role of the blog is for discussion it seems to change the writing. I wonder if that is why you decided to have a new blog Phil? Our first year blog was more a record of discussions. With this course the blog expectations are different.
BTB - Congratulations on the job! I know it is a huge change. You'll have to let me know how you encountered the opening. I'd like to start a search myself!
Hi fellow team mate - you make great points about the blog question and that sometimes reading fellow classmates blogs are time consuming, I am finding it useful.
Hey Phil,
I agree with Leisa and Sheri that blogs allows us to express ourselves more personally. They create a personal stage to showcase our thoughts, philosophies and ideas.
I think discussion boards are more like a park, a community gathering place, where we have pin-pointed discussions amongst like minded people, however, through these discussions, we develop our ideas and build our philosophies. So, to me, the two are connected and therefore confusing.
I think both are valuable for reflection, sharing and professional development.
Kerry
Hi Phil - you bring up such a good point about the difference between a blog and discussion board. Sometimes it seems like it could start a good discussion but then there is constantly having to check on different blogs and posts for comments. It seems like a lot of work. I am enjoying the blog for more of a working out thoughts and ideas perspective. It is nice to be able to just write things down and not be so formal all the time.
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