Shawn Kildea is presenting live at the Digital Now educational symposium on Blackboard vs. Facebook for asynchronous learning networks (ALN) in a class room setting. ALNs provide a number of opportunities for presence, interaction, and a space for people to post carefully thought out responses. ALNs are prospering from a long term increase of social computing capacity in both computers and students. The question is what is value of ALNs from the student perspective.
12 students found Blackboard useful for keeping in touch with classmates in specific classes and keeping track of class-centric topics. However un-uniform use by professors is confusing for students. Intermingling of social and academic networks on Facebook was a theme from a number of student responses.
In crating a Facbook profile the goal was to increase pre-class communication and facilitate discussion. One concern was that the use of new technology would be a barrier. However use over a semester's time (acclimation) proved to have students feeling comfortable in using Facebook as an ALN and letting their professors into their Facebook space.
whatever the networks and computers offer to us in learning fields ; they can't introduce the human reaction between professors and students ;i think computers introduce thousands of benefits in many fields ;but not in emotions ; feelings or sentiments .
Posted by: Terje (the Digital Piano Man) Brooks | March 01, 2008 at 04:01 AM
Terje,
I don't entirely agree with you. Online environments provide a space where people can communicate. Emotions and feels can be highly aroused by this form of discourse. Some research has shown that lowered inhibitions and stripped down non-verbal cues can create a rich environment for discussion. Using Facebook, which is primarily used a social networking tool, to develop relationships between classmates and their peers or professors seems to be a good way to foster in-class discussion. It is also like having minutes of a discussion. The professor can always refer back to the posting boards for clarification and to illustrate to students how their ideas have changed or remained the same.
Posted by: Yankee Doodle | April 02, 2008 at 02:14 PM