Facebook Group for FOC08 - any interest?

[Peter Efland]

I saw that Illya earlier today made a room for FOC08 over at Diigo -
http://groups.diigo.com/groups/facilitating-online-communication-08
which I thought was a great idea.

I have no experience with Diigo rooms, and I don’t know how many do.
I was wondering earlier about setting up a FOC08 group on Facebook,
but again, don’t know if anyone is on there, and if Diigo is fine then
I don’t see any reason to clutter the space and fragment the info.

So let me know if there’s any interest for setting up a Facebook FOC08
group.

Btw. For anyone who haven’t seen it, Joao has made an incredible job
of a making a netvibes site will all the blogs and information:http://
www.netvibes.com/joaoalves#FOC08

You are all welcome to follow me at:

Email: phef...@gmail.com
Skype: peter_efland
twitter: phefland
Friendfeed: phefland
Facebook: Peter Efland
Diigo: phefland

Best Regards,

Peter Efland

[Cathy Deckers]

I think that although the variety of tools we are using can prove to be daunting at times - it is important for us as facilitators of online spaces to become familiar with them.  My experience (as limited as it is so far) has been that the community/group will sort out the tool that "fits" best with their needs when given the choice.  I'm for a facebook site - (found this works nicely with the 20 something set)

Agree with  Peter that the diigo room and netvibes spaces are very interesting and worth visiting.
Cathy

--
Cathy

[Mary-Doug Wright]

I'm all for a FB group for FOC08 (and I'm of the 50 something set :-)
). It's one of my favourite social networking tools.

We've had a long weekend here and other than getting my blog out
there, I decided to take the time off. Will launch in to reading the
last several days worth of discussion tomorrow.

Cheers,
Mary-Doug
-sunny and hot in Vancouver today with a clear view of the mountains

--
Mary-Doug Wright, B.Sc., M.L.S.
Apex Information
#101 - 1857 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC Canada V6J 1M4
604-731-8562 (p)
604-730-9608 (f)
mdwr...@apexinformation.com
http://www.apexinformation.com

[Mike Bogle]

Hi Everybody,

My sincerest apologies for missing the Elluminate session today.  Start of session excitement has me inundated at the moment and having trouble coming up for air.  Count me in for a Facebook group - if there's a consensus and/or any interested parties, I'm happy to participate.

On a different note, I believe there was a thread about people putting their hands up to offer technical assistance.  I'm more than happy to help out as well - I'll look out for technical questions in the Google Group threads or alternatively people can email me directly or comment on my blog (whatever works).

Cheers,

Mike Bogle
Email: michael...@gmail.com
Blog: http://techticker.net

[vcautin]

I use Facebook a lot so it sounds like a good idea for me. :)

2008/8/5 Mike Bogle <michael...@gmail.com>

[cristina costa]

Hi there,

I am on both but I know that people might start feeling a bit overwhelming with so many tools and apps to experiment in the first week - so many different names to take in... :-)

Anyway, here are some video tutorials on the previously mentioned tool so people can have an idea what we are talking about and what they are for - so each one of us might decide what is relevant and what is not relevant for us.

Social Bookmarking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x66lV7GOcNU&feature=user

How to use Diigo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcecBgRd3ig

Social Networking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc&feature=user

Facebook - a Tutorial (quite boring/monotonous but useful! :-D ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYdFqmLCPto

I hope it helps!

BTW, my diigo ID is cristinacost and you can find me in facebook through the following email: c.mende...@salford.ac.uk

Talk soon - still need to update my blog about this exeperience - probably this evening! ;-)

Cris

--
Cristina Costa
Site: http://www.knowmansland.com/
Skype: navysternchen
Twitter: http://twitter.com/cristinacost

[Peter Efland]

Hi there,

Ok, as there has been some interest for a Facebook Group is has now
been created at:

http://www.new.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?customize=&gid=64344815327&success=1#/group.php?gid=64344815327

Hope you will all come and participate.

And as Cathy said. In the spirit of the course, time will show what
kind software application is better for this community - hmm, this
might make for an interesting blog post ;-)

On Aug 5, 4:55 am, "cristina costa" <cristinac...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I am on both but I know that people might start feeling a bit overwhelming
> with so many tools and apps to experiment in the first week - so many
> different names to take in... :-)
>
> Anyway, here are some video tutorials on the previously mentioned tool so
> people can have an idea what we are talking about and what they are for - so
> each one of us might decide what is relevant and what is not relevant for
> us.
>
> Social Bookmarking:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x66lV7GOcNU&feature=user
>
> How to use Diigo:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcecBgRd3ig
>
> Social Networking:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc&feature=user
>

> Facebook - a Tutorial (quite boring/monotonous but useful! :-D )http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYdFqmLCPto

>
> I hope it helps!
>
> BTW, my diigo ID is cristinacost and you can find me in facebook through the

> following email: c.mendesdaco...@salford.ac.uk

>
> Talk soon - still need to update my blog about this exeperience - probably
> this evening! ;-)
>
> Cris
>
>
>
> On Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 4:34 AM, Peter Efland <phefl...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I saw that Illya earlier today made a room for FOC08 over at Diigo -
> >http://groups.diigo.com/groups/facilitating-online-communication-08
> > which I thought was a great idea.
>
> > I have no experience with Diigo rooms,  and I don't know how many do.
> > I was wondering earlier about setting up a FOC08 group on Facebook,
> > but again, don't know if anyone is on there, and if Diigo is fine then
> > I don't see any reason to clutter the space and fragment the info.
>
> > So let me know if there's any interest for setting up a Facebook FOC08
> > group.
>
> > Btw.  For anyone who haven't seen it, Joao has made an incredible job
> > of a making a netvibes site will all the blogs and information:http://
> >www.netvibes.com/joaoalves#FOC08
>
> > You are all welcome to follow me at:
>

> > Email: phefl...@gmail.com

[NELLIE DEUTSCH]

Hello fellow FOC08 community learners,

 

I hope I managed to add everyone's blogs to my blogger at
http://nelliemuller.blogspot.com/ 

 

Could you please send me the URL of your blog, if it's not there.

 

Thank you.

Nellie

On Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 9:02 PM, Cathy Deckers <cde...@gmail.com> wrote:

http://www.integrating-technology.com/pd
http://www.building-relationship.com/education
http://blendedlear.ning.com

[Russ]

Thanks for the info on all of this. I am personally challenged in this
area as it is all new to me. I am trying to come to terms with the
pedagogical uses of social networking this way.. any insights would be
helpful. Russell Thorp

On Aug 5, 3:34 pm, Peter Efland <phefl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I saw that Illya earlier today made a room for FOC08 over at Diigo -http://groups.diigo.com/groups/facilitating-online-communication-08

> which I thought was a great idea.
>
> I have no experience with Diigo rooms,  and I don’t know how many do.
> I was wondering earlier about setting up a FOC08 group on Facebook,
> but again, don’t know if anyone is on there, and if Diigo is fine then
> I don’t see any reason to clutter the space and fragment the info.
>
> So let me know if there’s any interest for setting up a Facebook FOC08
> group.
>
> Btw.  For anyone who haven’t seen it, Joao has made an incredible job
> of a making a netvibes site will all the blogs and information:http://www.netvibes.com/joaoalves#FOC08
>
> You are all welcome to follow me at:
>

> Email: phefl...@gmail.com

[NELLIE DEUTSCH]

Russ, Peter, Illya, Joao, and others,

I have been experimenting and using whatever comes out for my own use. However, pedagogically, I am a bit slow in integrating most of the programs to my EFL classes.

 

I think it's an ever ending process of learning that I should be sharing not only with teachers, but with my students.

 

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Nellie

[Derek Chirnside]

Btw.  For anyone who haven't seen it, Joao has made an incredible job
of a making a netvibes site will all the blogs and information:http://
www.netvibes.com/joaoalves#FOC08

Just looked.
Wow.  Information tsunami, but so nicely arranged . . .

Well done Joao.

-Derek

[Illya Arnet-Clark]

Hi Nellie
I have used only a bit of technology in my EFL classes, and one of the reasons for not trying out more is that they tend to be overwhelmed if I introduce too many at once (sound familiar?), and the other reason is that I don't want to try out more than one new tool on a class myself.
So far I've only used blogs and wikis, and my attempt at introducing skype has been largely ignored.

I'm wondering how you do it.

[Joao Alves]

Hi Nellie,

Did you check my Netvibes page? http://www.netvibes.com/joaoalves#FOC08  There almost all blogs of the course participants listed. If anyone's blog is missing, please let me know the URL.

Cheers,
Joao

2008/8/5 NELLIE DEUTSCH <nellie.mul...@gmail.com>

--
Joao Alves
http://joaocarlosalves.eu

[Joao Alves]

Hi Illya and all,

I totally agree with you. As for my own experience, the students really tend to feel overwhelmed by the technology if we don't introduce in very tactful manner. We need to start very simple, meaning with it almost like playing with the technology. The students need to get confident with it first, they need to feel that using technology does not mean more assignments or more work. My advice is start simple and slowly, don't show too much enthusiasm, just as much as it's necessary. Don't take for granted that only because you are using ICT  that the students will love it. There are many students who are not keen on technology at all. Last but not least, don't feel frustrated if in the end just a part of the students in the class used the technology you suggested. Consider a success that at least some of them used it and enjoyed the experience. I have reflected on this issue in my blog.

Cheers,
Joao

2008/8/5 Illya Arnet-Clark <illya...@gmail.com>

[alexanderhayes]

Hi,

As our blogs will attest both Leigh and I have struggled with the
walled-garden effect of Facebook.

I disagree that it's a generationally oriented platform of choice
rather a very cleverly marketed networking tool with buries knowledge
and segments social interaction eventually.

I'm recounting also the assertion that privacy is a cultural thing and
that security is attained by telling others nothing of what is done or
known. Seems paradoxical that the CIA has the same login page for it's
Facebook group as everyone else.

I'd welcome your opinion otherwise.

ps. sorry my late appearance however I'm struggling to rid myself of
the 'facilitator' moniker elsewhere in preference of 'individual
contribution that adds value'.

On Aug 5, 12:34 pm, Peter Efland <phefl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I saw that Illya earlier today made a room for FOC08 over at Diigo -http://groups.diigo.com/groups/facilitating-online-communication-08

> which I thought was a great idea.
>
> I have no experience with Diigo rooms, and I don’t know how many do.
> I was wondering earlier about setting up a FOC08 group on Facebook,
> but again, don’t know if anyone is on there, and if Diigo is fine then
> I don’t see any reason to clutter the space and fragment the info.
>
> So let me know if there’s any interest for setting up a Facebook FOC08
> group.
>
> Btw. For anyone who haven’t seen it, Joao has made an incredible job
> of a making a netvibes site will all the blogs and information:http://www.netvibes.com/joaoalves#FOC08
>
> You are all welcome to follow me at:
>

> Email: phefl...@gmail.com

[Deborah Thompson]

WOW – think I’m going to stop madly adding people to my bloglines and just piggyback on Joao’s fabulous netvibes if it’s ok with him? Thanks Joao – you have done a wonderful job – now I’m going to have to get back to work and restrain myself from looking at it until tonight!
Just by the way. I’m from New Zealand and I just seen this fabulous whakatauki (Maori proverb) in an on-line newsletter which I think might be a bit apt for our course – it’s obvious collaboration and reciprocation is important in this course and this just sums it up nicely:

        "Maku penei kiwai o te kete
        Mau tena kiwa o te kete"    

  "I will carry one handle of this kete and you need to pick up the other handle"

I’m currently thinking a bit about ‘lurkers’  (in my own community as well as here – I have been one on this list up til now!). Thanks to a few different conversations I’ve had,  and the stuff I’m reading here, I’m thinking about how everyone one learns /contributes at different levels – some not visible to the group and how lurkers can still be learners. However, Joao has exemplified a collaborative attitude, by sharing his netvibes. His contribution can benefit the whole group – which wouldn’t have happened if he’d kept it to himself!
Part of my worry is having to answer to my employers in terms of how well my community is populated and how active it is (hence my interest in lurkers) – Does anyone else have that problem?

Cheers
Deb Thompson
P.s kete = flax bag

On 6/8/08 8:25 AM, "Derek Chirnside" <derek.c...@gmail.com> wrote:

Btw.  For anyone who haven't seen it, Joao has made an incredible job
of a making a netvibes site will all the blogs and information:http://

www.netvibes.com/joaoalves#FOC08 <http://www.netvibes.com/joaoalves#FOC08>

Just looked.
Wow.  Information tsunami, but so nicely arranged . . .

Well done Joao.

-Derek

Deb Thompson
Media Studies Facilitator
Team Solutions
partners in professional learning
te kahui akoranga ngaio

Faculty of Education
The University of Auckland
T: 09 623 8880 ext. 48271
M: 0274953496
F: 09 623 8881
E: deborah....@auckland.ac.nz
W: teamsolutions.ac.nz

TKI Media Studies Community Kete
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/media_studies/

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[Joao Alves]

Hi Deborah and Derek,

Thank you very much for the kind words. Of course you can use the netvibes page. Everyone can. The reason for it's existence is you all. So please, feel free to use it. I am glad it can be of use to more course participants besides me. I will add more blogs to it as soon as I know the URLs. If anyone's blog is not yet listed, please let me know.
Thank you.

Joao

2008/8/5 Deborah Thompson <deborah....@auckland.ac.nz>

[Leigh Blackall]

Alex,

If no one takes you up on your challenge regarding Facebook and privacy (thanks for offering it btw) I hope you will remember to push it again in week 11.

I think your challenge has something in it that could be used for this 2 week question however - what is an online community? Perhaps you could write or point us to writing that explores the notion of commercial entities, marketing initiatives and surveillance organisations taking advantage of a sense online community for reasons other than the shared purpose and understanding of those actually IN the community. I'm talking specifically about Facebook and their data collection methods and terms of service, not to mention darker conspiracy claims beyond that... I think the concerns that FB raised in critics last year can be extended to a consideration of online communities generally, and the platforms and technologies we use to facilitate them.

So, can you help us explore a critical aspect to online communities as well as the signs and signifiers of what such a thing is? Hope you take up on that challenge...

Regards
Leigh

--
--
Leigh Blackall
+64(0)21736539
skype - leigh_blackall
SL - Leroy Goalpost
http://learnonline.wordpress.com

[vcautin]

Hi all,
I have to say that the biggest problems I have had with integrating technology in my classes has been the quality of bandwidth and the availability of the computer lab or things like headphones and speakers. 
Well, I decided that I was going to use what's available and stop complaining.
What I do is to pay attention to what students do or use for personal networking online and I use that.  For example, students do not use blogs that much, they use fotologs, then I go with fotologs, now they are using facebook, we use facebook.  They use messenger for chatting, then I think of ways of  integrating messenger in my class. They specially love roleplaying and creating slideshows with the pictures they take.
I tried to use ning, but students got so enthusiastic (adding pictures, music, videos, slideshows, etc.)  that the site took toooo long to refresh.
And as Joao says, not all students like working wih computers. Last year I had some students that didn't even had emails.
That has been my experience... :)

2008/8/5 Joao Alves <j.al...@gmail.com>

[cristina costa]

Hi Russel,

that is indeed a good question.

Many educators have been including Social Networking as part of their teaching strategy as a way to engage students actively, to motivate them to learn within their own reality (students are using these tools outside school - so why not show it from the educational point of view), because it is fun and also because it stimulates collaboration and enables other learning opportunities which otherwise might be difficult if not impossible to provide the students with.

Then how you are going to approach Social networking and integrate it in your teaching depends on what you want to achieve. Crucial to the success of such approaches is that is becomes meaningful for all parties involved - that is to say - it goes with the leraning objectives and helps the learning outcomes.

I usually tell the staff here at the University they have to think about 3 things before deciding on the strategy they are going to use:

Who their students are;
What they want their students to learn
and how they want them to learn / to achieve the goals set forward.
Once they have this answers everything becomes easer.

I say that the best way to understand social networking is to join one - so you experiment it through the eyes of an insider/ a student.

I have bookmarked some key readings about socialnetworking here: http://groups.diigo.com/facilitating-online-communication-08/bookmark/tag/socialnetworking

A person that whose work is worth following is Paul Allison ( http://friendfeed.com/paulallison ) . He has been doing amazing stuff in this area with his students.

A video that I am also fond of is this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o&feature=related
It is related with how students learn today and how social media has an important role in their lives - it indirectly also hints at social networking. Of course, they report about an ideal world where all students have the same opportunities and habits, .  
But Social Networking is nothing new - People have always networked as part of our learning...our lives actually.  These social networks tools are just making it easier to establish a space where exchanges of ideas and construction of knowledge can take place and also be recognized as a meaningful part of the learning activity. 

Which subject area do you teach Russell. Can you see some potential in Social Networking as part of your teaching/ student engagement strategy?
 Best
cris

On Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 8:59 PM, Russ <rut...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for the info on all of this. I am personally challenged in this
area as it is all new to me. I am trying to come to terms with the
pedagogical uses of social networking this way.. any insights would be
helpful. Russell Thorp

[cristina costa]

Yes, it does sound familiar. I think sometimes teachers just get so keen, or so impressed with technology, they try to explore everything at once. I believe most times less is more.

When I taught EFL I used several approaches and several tools, but not all at the same time.
I only chose one to start with. If I saw that the students were comfortable with it and  would actually get more from it, then I would introduce other ways of communicating as well.

As I taught languages, the web became a very important tool for my classes - it was an open door to accessing the language and communicating with speakers from outside the classroom (even if it was just the classroom next door.)  As happened in a collaborative blog we had with another class.

I also know the feeling Violeta.Not all students (even teh younger ones)  aret that savvy about technology. My first classes of each term were always dedicated to solve such issues - we created emails (if they didn't have one), learned how to use blogs, or wikis, or podcasts - whichever approach we would have to experiement. The nicest thing about it is that all of a sudden students were helping students and that was really powerful! I always saw these classes as gaining time - because once they mastered the techy bit they could concentrate on the rest and they would have fun while doing so.
So for me what is important is that it becomes relevant to the students and that they are first provided with the support they need to feel confident when using such tools to learn. It's like teaching students how to write - first we need to teach them how to hold the pencil. It might look easy to do so, but at first it might not come natural to them!

just my 2 cents.
C

On Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 10:04 PM, Illya Arnet-Clark <illya...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Nellie
I have used only a bit of technology in my EFL classes, and one of the reasons for not trying out more is that they tend to be overwhelmed if I introduce too many at once (sound familiar?), and the other reason is that I don't want to try out more than one new tool on a class myself.
So far I've only used blogs and wikis, and my attempt at introducing skype has been largely ignored.

I'm wondering how you do it.