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It isn't either/or
8 years ago
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Session 3 - Question 3
This is the last session for our book study to blog as we will come together on Monday, 20 April, from 4:00pm – 5:00pm in room 275 to discuss the last chapters of our book. What has been your experience blogging? Would you encourage others to participate in this type of an on-line book study? Why or Why not?
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I guess there two main difficulties with the blogging; first just learning how to make the computer do what I wanted it to do instead of what I was telling it to do, and second I miss the interaction and more immediate feedback, emotion or argument, with face to face meetings. I think we often communicate more via body language than by using words. With the time constraints we work under I think this is an effective method for the book study as long as there is at least some person to person contact at some point. loliver
ReplyDeleteI would definitely tell others to try a blog. I agree with loliver that we have so little time, and this was so easy to do when I was at home watching TV. Even though it is difficult to convey intonation and/or emotion through a blog, I think it is a great idea for this purpose.
ReplyDeleteI guess the "computer age" teachers found this easier than some of us older teachers that struggle to make these machines do what we want them to do. It did save some time, but I still feel that I get more information from a five minute face to face conversation than from a computer screen. What really bothers me is that students haven't learned the same thing about human interaction. They believe that computers are perfect machines that never make mistakes. I think it lets them coast academically sometimes instead of making them think and create. loliver
ReplyDeleteI have already been telling others about the book study blog. I love it! This is my first experience with blogging and it is much easier than I expected. However, I will admit that I was frustrated when a technological problem caused my entry to not post and I had to retype it. I like that everyone contributes! I have learned so much from reading everyones point of views and suggestions. This is a rare occasion in face to face meetings. Ususally just a few contribute and/or dominate the conversations. Also, it is very easy to get off track or go off on tangents in face to face meetings. Bloggings seems to keep everyone focused on the topic being discussed/researched. Looking forward to participating again.
ReplyDeleteI like the way it's set up now with the first three meetings being a blog and the fourth being face to face. It's just so convenient to blog. For me, too, it was my first experience with blogging and I think it's given me a more open mind about setting a blog up for my students to blog about their books. I agree with loliver about communication being less with words than with body language and that sometimes makes blogging awkward. Overall, though, I have loved the experience and would definitely recommend it to others.
ReplyDeleteI have had a tough time blogging. The technical process ran smoothly, but I much prefer face-to-face discussion. I don't think it would be accurate to say its just a generational thing because I know lots of people my age who just love to blog.I certainly would not discourage anyone from doing this because I know it is very time friendly and convenient, but I probably will not do it again. My colleague cfisher will probably talk me out of this decision when next school year comes around!
ReplyDeleteI have many of the same feelings already expressed by others on this question. I very much like the convenience and the comfort of sitting in my living room, and writing down my responses as well as reading and responding to other people's responses. This makes the blog convenient and a valuable tool for sharing a book. Fortunately, I did not experience any technical difficulties. However, I do miss the human interaction and physically being near others and listening to them. I think this is necessary, especially in the age of ever increasing technology that we live in. I am all for using technology to make things easier for us and for enhacing the learning experience. But, I can't help but be bothered by the coldness and the disconnect between human beings that comes about when communication is done entirely electronically. I think that meeting in person for the last meeting is a great idea and will be a good way to tie loose ends, and to connect the faces to the names and the thoughts I've read about. I would definitely blog again. I also like the face to face book studies. Thanks to all who contributed to this blog and for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThis is the second book study I have done online and I loved it! I am able to do my reading after he my kids go to bed, so I have flexibility on my own timetable. I am also able to read what others say and turn to the page in to book and reread as I see needed. The only drawback I found was that in anything online you can only gets so much out of typed words. I sense this is such a passionate subject for all of us that the verbal conversation would be so much more amazing.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage others to do a book study online! Especially if your are struggling with balancing family, work, time :) This really has been a wonderful experience!
I agree with S. Acevedo, when the technilogical probs happened and I could not post. I lost what I typed and that was frustrating, but I learned a lesson! I began copying all my posts after that.
ReplyDeleteI have told all my coworkers about this blog book study and they are all VERY excited about trying it next year.
I definitely prefer the face to face meetings as I find the discussion much more meaningful. I didn't have any technical problems so that isn't an issue. I find it easier to follow when I can see the person and commenting after the fact loses something--I'm not sure what. I've not been teaching GT very long--2 years--and I enjoy hearing more experienced teachers talk about their experiences. I totally agree with weberp.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the flexibility of blogging but I did not have any tech problems. A big benefit was that when I was presenting at a conference or out of town I could still keep up with things so I didn't feel so far away.
ReplyDeleteI have recommended this to others since our lives are so busy and this is quite flexible. At the same time it is nice that we'll have at least one face to face meeting.
Except for a few problems with the blog...I really love doing a book study this way. I enjoy reading the comments of others, and also love that I can put my comments in at any time.
ReplyDeleteI would do a blog again in the future. Even if I had a conflicting meeting I was able to complete the readings and then answer the questions.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I miss the face to face discussions and examples that occur when meeting together. I also like the interaction between readers that a real meeting lends itself too.
I like the combination. However, I think the interaction between members is an important component that is missed through blogging.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time to blog. I enjoyed the convience of being able to complete a book study from the comfort of my home or classroom. I would recommend it to others and already have. I agree with others about missing the face to face and getting immediate feedback. I look forward to our face to face so I can meet those who have also been along on this ride.
ReplyDeleteI agree with cwegscheid and melwelsh. I appreciate the flexibility that blogging offers.
ReplyDeleteThis has been my first experience with blogging per se. However I have recently taken a couple of graduate classes that included a discussion board component. I found them easier to navigate, however that could be a web acquisition issue (blogging site instead of blackboard). I truly enjoy book studies and reflection, so I could certainly recommend this to others with similar interests. The flexible participation time is a real plus. However I feel compelled to report that though I have certainly spent more than the six hours, they have been valuable hours. The book will be a good addition to my library.
ReplyDeleteI agree with S. Acevedo. I think the blog format forces us to articulate our impressions from the material. In class settings it is possible to let others do the thinking. The focus on the topic helps each of us to delve deeper. It will be interesting to see how this effects the final face to face meeting.
ReplyDeleteThis has been my first experience with blogging in a truly academic sense. I feel that it helped guide me through reading and reflecting on the material. It was also beneficial to coever the material at my own pace as I was planning an out of town wedding during this time period.
ReplyDeleteSuellen, I have two thoughts about your post. First, I totally agree that when an individual posts they must articulate their impressions in the written form. The second point of view is different than your expression of in a classroom setting that it is possible to let others do the thinking…my idea is that in a class setting one may still do thinking, but makes the choice to keep quiet and not share there view point; where as in a blog one’s impressions, thoughts, and personal opinions will come out through the written word…because it seems to create a feeling of being anonymous…therefore perhaps a safer format to get their ideas out to others.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult for me to narrow down my ideas and thoughts about the chapters in a condensed written form. I am still one who enjoys the immediate feedback of a verbal conversation including the nonverbal cues that are afforded in a face to face. This is not my first book study via a blog…I still struggle with remembering to go back ands read other’s post and responds. Currently, it is much easier to place a meeting on my calendar and attend being prepared…perhaps this is a lack of discipline on my part or a direct result of how slow I am with typing…since I use the “Columbus” method of typing which is Hunt, Discover, Land! Would I recommend a blog book study to others? Of course I would…and I will delightfully participate in future ones along with “Columbus”.
ReplyDeleteI was in Library2Play last summer, so I blogged often then. I have a class blog, too.
ReplyDeleteI like the flexibilty of blogging. I need to be able to post at 10:30 at night sometimes. I do think that I am a little less careful with my words in a face-to-face meeting which may be good or bad. I wish there was a way to edit after a posting. Currently you have to trash the comment and start over.