Return-Path: <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov>
Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id f5JE8if20647; Tue, 19 Jun 2001 10:08:44 -0400 (EDT)
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 10:08:44 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id: <5.0.2.1.0.20010619092330.009f7cd0@pop.netzero.net>
Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov
Reply-To: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov
Originator: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov
Sender: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov
Precedence: bulk
From: Christopher Schroeder <christopher_schroeder@netzero.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:1879] Re: blackboard teaching
X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.0.2
Status: O
Content-Length: 3385
Lines: 67
As for the mixed results, I found that many students were resistant to
electronic literacies. My goal was to avoid replicating things with the
computers that I could already do in class. For example, I didn't want to
use the computers merely to post handouts online, which I did but which
wasn't enough to justify the use of computer-assisted instruction. What I
was after, and what I'm interested in, is the way that computers lend
themselves to different literacy practices, which I could use to supplement
conventional practices.
To my surprise, students were resistant to the different literacy
practices (e.g. producing hypertext as opposed to a print essayist text),
and I'm not sure how to explain this resistance. (Lester Faigley writes
about his mixed results in _Fragments of Rationality_.) My best
explanation, as of today, is that such alternatives challenge the
expectations that students are bringing, as a result of their twelve plus
years of socialization, into classrooms. In other words, these
alternatives lack a legitimacy, and not only for postsecondary schools but
also an intellectual legitimacy.
Steve, I think you're right about the human interaction. If I
could have done more, I think these students would have invested themselves
more. I'm currently scaling back my expectations and looking for ways to
develop more interaction. Any suggestions?
BTW, tell me more about the PBS LiteracyLink, off-line if it's
something everyone else might already know
<christopher_schroeder@netzero.net>. THanks.
At 10:58 AM 06/17/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>On Fri, 15 Jun 2001, Tommy B. McDonell wrote:
>
> > Hi. I'd be interested in hearing from those of you who have taught a
> totally
> > online class, especially if it was on blackboard.
>
>I don't know if any of the PBS LiteracyLink online course facilitators are
>on this list, but I can speak for some of them; note that this is the
>system we developed for LiteracyLink, not blackboard.
>
>The single biggest point they all made to me was that real human contact
>was essential. There had to be personal dialog between facilitators and
>participants, and not just in the portfolio-feedback area; the sessions
>that went the best were always ones in which the participants physically
>gathered together with the facilitator for an intro session, and then did
>the online material following that introduction, and finished the class
>with another personal meeting. This made the participants feel that they
>had much more at stake and were really interacting with each other.
>
>Without that, participation rates ranged from 15% to 50% (or so, roughly).
>
>Facilitators who ran successful classes spent a LOT of time giving
>feedback. Facilitators who didn't give a high amount of personal feedback
>found very low participation, even in fee-based courses.
>
>Online chats and threaded discussions helped the overall feeling of
>continuity, and LiteracyLink designers are still thinking about ways to
>improve the overall experience. It's full of interesting challenges, to
>be sure.
>
>--
>Steve Linberg, Chief Goblin
>Silicon Goblin Technologies
>http://silicongoblin.com
>Be kind. Remember, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
NetZero Platinum
No Banner Ads and Unlimited Access
Sign Up Today - Only $9.95 per month!
http://www.netzero.net
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Jan 18 2002 - 11:31:19 EST