Thursday, October 11, 2007
Time
OK, second post. I really don't have time to read anyone's post. I'm sure they are all wonderful topics, but to me, at this point in my life, they are smalltalk, and I don't have time for small talk. I am sure that much of my current midset comes from online classes, which I am determined to avoid at all cost from this point on. Most of my online classmates do not read the readings, and write weak answers to the questions. ...very hard to respond to I prefer face to face interactions. I see blogs and most internet communication, such as blackboard, as a time consuming (sucking) activity. There is very little meaningful conversation, and it takes too much effort to make the conversation flow. I think that you lose much of the nuances that make conversation valuable, such as spontaniety, facial features, guestures, tone of voice, pauses and pace when you attempt to discuss something online. Conversation to me is a give and take, not a give, wait, take, wait. I find that with required posting for classes, we are posting for the sake of posting. Thoughts do not flow freely; they are expressed in sound bites. If I am sounding cynical, it is because I am at this point. I am overwelmed and burning out fast without something meaningful to discuss and someone intelligent to discuss it with, the old fashioned way, over a cup of coffee, sitting across a table from each other. I'll take a real smile over a :) anyday!
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3 comments:
Kathy,
I'm sorry you feel that way about electronic communication (example: blogs, over the internet, etc.) While I agree with you on the fact that many conversational qualities fall away in this forum, there are some benefits to internet communication. For one, it is quite easy to transmit a clear, concise message to a large group of people across a large distance in a very short amount of time. I prefer classes on campus, in person. However, online classes have enabled some people to pursue degrees and better themselves, even though they may not be able to spend the time commuting each week to a campus.
I also disagree, respectfully, with you on another point. I believe that if the participants in an online discussion group take the time to prepare by reading the required material and thoughtfully choosing what to add to a discussion, they can have a successful learning experience. Just because body language cues are removed from online discussions doesn't mean that there cannot be meaningful discussion among intelligent people. Online classes and assignments such as this blog can only be as succesful and free-flowing with ideas as the participants make it.
Further, please correct me if I am wrong, but I think you may be frustrated by the lack of commitment and meaningful contribution to the online class by the other participants. Please don't write off a form of communication just because some people are not utilizing it to its fullest potential. There are benefits and drawbacks in every situation. Please try to see the positives to other ways of communicating than what you're used to. You may find that it's not as terrible as you once thought.
Diane says. Kathy I agree you with you. I did take an on-line class and the instructor was very vague. I did not understand the assignments and when I wrote questions the only answers I received is that it is on the on-line library. Which would also not open. APA on the on-line library was not correct or it was not what the teacher wanted. I don't know. But Jennifer, Kathy is correct, If you do not write or explain yourself well the communication gets lost. However, I did not have a problem with the students. My problem was with the facilitator. Kept telling me to find the answers and when I did they were not correct. How many APA format books is one person suppose to purchase. Not only that I had the APA book that our school uses. Now you tell me who is vague.
I must say, as a teacher, and a teacher of on-line classes, I feel sympathy for your plight. I also understand that you all are very busy people with a lot going on--other classes family, jobs, hobbies, etc. Trust me, you are not alone. I feel the same way.
I think you made a very good point, Kathy. Discussion forums like this one are only as strong as the people and their communications. And I have found this blog to be an interesting and informative sounding board. I feel like it has enhanced the class. I am happy to see not only the posts but the comments as well. What we seem to have here is an exchange of ideas, using a form of media that allows for virtual conversation and information flow.
It's kind of funny. I was thinking about blogging as journalism, and I was wondering if someone that wasn't a part of our class would find this an interesting read. And I think they might (the right type of person anyway). I mean, if people will watch not only Big Brother on network TV, but Big Brother After Dark on Showtime, then someone wuld surely apreciate a glimpse into our Baker Coll. class.
Thank you for your honesty in your post; I would expect nothing less. And, I would add, you found an outlet for your ideas, which reinforces the validity of this blog for the purposes of our class. Have fun and see you in class.
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