Readings+Summary

=**__Summary note of each reading__**=


 * READING 1: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES**

Underlying technology of wiki, blog, etc, is XML: enables machine processing of Internet documents Arrival of second-generation Web(forum)

First-Generation Web: Asynchronous Tools (email, discussion forum) Synchronous Tools (chat rooms, instant messenger

Second-Generation Web: Blog: - make rich use of hypertext to connect to other webpages > highly interactive - Cross-linked to other blogs to form a large on-line community Learners could use a personal blog, linked to a course, as an electronic portfolio, showing development over time.
 * Blogs in education:


 * Blackboard and WebCT use a top-down approach; blogs tend to go the other direction. They offer a great deal of flexibility and the potential for creativity in the construction of the site, yet still feature the ease of use of a template-based system.

- stands for "really simple syndication" - an implementation of XML - RSS feeds can help keep track of changes to blogs used as project centers
 * RSS**

- The goal of Wiki sites: to become a shared repository of knowledge, with the knowledge base growing over time - Suitable for specific projects with a set group of allowable users and provide an excellent collaborative environment, since changes are logged along with identification of the author
 * Wiki**


 * READING 2: Blogs in Higher Education: Implementation and Issues**

Pedagogical Benefits of Blogs: - As reflective devices, enabling peer interaction and collaboration - As Interactive devices: Ÿ hyperlinks and comments Ÿ Blogs allow students to socialize, interact, seek and exchange support or assistance

Transactional distance: - the distance between learners and their teacher - more a psychological and communications space than a physical and geographic separation. - a function of the interplay among three variables: structure, dialogue and learner autonomy. • Course structure: Course design elements such as learning objectives, assignments, activities, and evaluation. • Dialogue: Purposeful, constructive and valued interaction among parties involved in a learning process. • Learner autonomy: The extent to which a learner determines the goals, learning experiences, and evaluation of his or her learning.


 * These three dimensions are also the main areas for consideration when designing a blog-supported learning experience.

1. Structure: Why blog, How to blog, What to blog 2. Dialogue: Although two-way communication is possible, the quantity and level of response from the audience are usually limited 3. Autonomy: Writing Blog is Process-oriented > task-focused and outcome-oriented students find it difficult to understand the rationale of blogging Challenge: to help students develop their own voices through blogging and provide appropriate blogs to meet their varying learning needs Ways to tackle: Let students get used to the blogging technology Tell them the educational benefits of blogging.
 * Things to consider when applying blog:**

The three aspects are closely related: When self-reflection is stressed: Decrease level of structure (formality, format, purpose) and dialogue (interaction) To increase level of autonomy (self-reflection)

Wiki: read and edit at the same time, instant (e.g. agenda) -no hard security but soft security, just like a grp of people standing at their doorstep to gossip without closing the door -Pedagogical application of wiki: writing instruction [|http://teachingwiki.org] -writing as a process, with draft -‘network literacy’: writing in a collaborative environment -difficult to assess fairly -‘traditional’ management approaches -need to apply some ‘control’ on this kind of collaborative activities -Use with RSS -intellectural property rights -technical problem: server failure -Different wiki may store content in a distinct way
 * Summary of the reading 3 'Lamb_wiki'**

1 Virtual office hours (instructor-student) 2 Collaboration on group projects 3 Real-time class discussions 4 Mentoring5 Distance learning support **Blog (weblogs)**- A technology that allows a sequence of entries (online diary, journal) to be posted and published online Good things:- Reflection and critical thinking are encouraged- Authenticity through publication- Development of a learning community- Ability to receive and respond to feedback Bad things:- Controlled primarily by blog author- Modifications not open as in a wiki Educational Applications:- Problem solving/manipulation space - Online gallery space (writings, portfolio, other work) - Peer review exercises- Writing courses **WIKI**- A technology that allows for material to be easily published online, and also allows open editing and inputs by a group Advantages: - Contributions and editing by a group - Open access to all users - Collaborative Disadvantages: - Lack of organization and structure may result in an unmanageable wiki - Tracking of contributions and modifications can be difficult - Quality control Educational applications: - Collaborative writing/authoring - Group project management - Brainstorming activities - Knowledge base creation (knowledge management) - Writing - Group work in courses **PODCAST**- The ability to create audio (and other media) based files to be distributed on a regular/subscription basis to users; these can be easily retrieved and played back on handheld devices, computers, and through other means Advantages:- Allows for information to be retrieved and played back on widely available, ubiquitous devices - More suitable to auditory and visual learners Disadvantages- In consumption (playback) mode, does not directly support collaboration - Is not inherently interactive in nature Educational applications - Recorded class lectures - Case-based instruction - Guest lectures in the form of podcasts - Supplemental course materials - Support for distance learning courses - Subject matter lends itself to auditory format [|Campbell - Weblogs for Use in ESL Classrooms (I-TESL-J)] http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Campbell-Weblogs.html > an online journal that an individual > > can > continuously update with his or her own words, ideas, and thoughts > through > > software that enables one to easily do > so. > place depending on the software chosen. > its first appearance in July of 1999 (Blood, 2000). > related online sources for further reading if desired. > each learner or group of learners. > ownership, and get experience with the practical, legal, and ethical issues of > creating a hypertext document.
 * READING 4** Hsu, J. (2007). [|Innovative technologies for education and Learning: Education and knowledge-oriented applications of blogs, wikis, podcasts, and more]. TeachingIn the past: Only blackboard, chalkNow (employmen of technologies): use of PowerPoint, e-mail, and Web-based course portals/enhancements, such as WebCT <-- BUT is it good enough and well use of IT? (This is the focus of this article) Good use of IT in teaching: conversational technologies (which allow for the creation and sharing of information)--> not a new thing, as it encompasses many types of systems that have been widely used for some time--> knowledge is created and shared using question and answer dialog --> fast, stored in different locations, and does not required sophisticated technologies--> e.g. e-mail, instant messaging, Web pages, discussion forums, video and audio content/streaming, wikis, and Weblogs constructivist learning tools (which encourage, and are focused on, users creating, or constructing, their own content)-->e.g. blogs and wikis--> allowing users to develop and maintain their own content--> engagement, active learning, collaboration, real world based, and the usage of reflection as a part of the learning process These technologies for class which:- collaboration and communication are encouraged- substantial group work, or projects where a collaborative document is created- hybrid and full distance learning coursesNOT FOR:- presentation of factual information New technology teaching method change the learning process:- beyond printed materials toward a greater emphasis on group work, fostering student communities- encouraging student participation- a greater sense of interaction with and “ownership” of knowledge - emphasizing self-awareness and expression, and effectively using electronic tools **Instant Messaging (IM)**- interactive and real-time synchronous communications- more “friendly” communication atmosphere.- allows students to **collaborate more** effectively on homework assignments and projects, but also helps to **maintain a closer social network** between students Educational applications:
 * Reading 5 Campbell**
 * introduce three ways that weblogs can be used to support ESL classroom learning
 * A weblog (or 'blog') can be thought of as
 * users can extend their ability to customize the layout
 * respond to any given entry with a comment and even threaded discussions can take
 * a weblog is interactive
 * 'blogging software' of the type discussed in this article, seems to have made
 * **It gives daily reading practice to the learners**
 * Entries are kept short, geared towards the learner interest, and linked to
 * **It promotes exploration of English websites**
 * encourages online verbal exchange by use of comment buttons
 * remind students about homework assignments and upcoming discussion topics
 * provides class or syllabus information
 * serves as a resource of links for self-study
 * permanent links can be set-up and organized to aid the learner in self-study
 * A common reading assignment can be followed by blog postings on the thoughts of
 * encourage the use of search engines and net surfing
 * The idea here is that students can get writing practice, develop a sense of
 * Class Blog
 * collaborative effort of an entire class
 * free-form bulletin board
 * useful for facilitating project-based language learning
 * virtual space for an international classroom language exchange
 * the use of knowledge management software
 * that allows for a great deal of threaded discussion behind the scenes
 * ==Weblog Software==
 * One major issue to consider is whether or not installation is required
 * Another important issue is cost