Facilitating Communication for Online Collaborations

 http://123elearning.blogspot.com/2007/04/facilitating-communication-for-online.html

This blog is about using social software tools to facilitate online collaboration. I am also exploring ways to facilitate online communication around the world and I think it is all about what works best for the situation. Every day we learn of a new tool and I believe we just have to pick one that works best for the scenario. If you are thinking of communicating with developing countries you may face the problem of ‘digital divide’. Computers might not be as easily accessible as they are in the US. Since computer accessibility may be a problem for others living in other parts of the world and governed by a different cultures, such as language barriers, that might play a significant role in the determining the choice of social software to facilitate online communication.

Today, Skypecast seems to be very popular as well as Elluminate which allows active participation such as raising your hand, smiling and clapping. As was mentioned before, Individuals have to agree to modes of communication suitable to their circumstances and when their situation demands greater interaction, they should agree to try out another form of interactive media to see if it satisfies their needs. Always keeping up to date with the changes in technology would be a good attitude to facilitate online collaboration around the world. This makes you feel like you are in a clothing store looking for the latest fashion. You are constantly accessing the online store looking for the latest in technology, looking for that one piece that would approximate and make the equivalency of a face –to- face environment.

Costly attitude!

Celebrating Current Online Global Projects

Blog 2

 

http://123elearning.blogspot.com/2007/04/celebrating-current-online-global.html

 

Online global collaboration is rapidly becoming popular among teenagers. However, I think the greatest challenge is to keep using current and interesting interactive communication tools which would maintain the interests of teenagers around the world. International Teen Life would be very beneficial to those subject areas involving, social studies, geography, and politics. Online global collaboration is an effective way for students to learn first hand about other cultures and their people. Since the teenagers involved in the International Teen Project are not restricted by policies, students are allowed to interact freely and spontaneously come up with creative ideas. Also, I believe that there would be an increase in international teenage collaboration as teachers and students see the need to connect with students and teachers from different and diverse locations. International Teen Life (iTL) comprises teenagers from Columbia, USA, Canada and Malaysia, however, I am not sure how many teenagers, left alone, would be interested in establishing relationships with other teenagers around the world, with the primary purpose of learning about another culture. Also, I could foresee students being more interested in establishing relationship with teenagers from the more developed countries rather than teenagers from a poor country. iTL students work together to create wikis and videos on topics of their choice which seems like they have a little more freedom than the students in the iEarn project who are governed by organization policies and timetable.

Lessons learned from high school students enrolled in the Texas Virtual School

Blog 1

http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/05/16/lessons-learned-from-high-school-students-enrolled-in-the-texas-virtual-school/

I think a virtual high school would provide a great option for some students. Today, there is a greater need for online learning to become an integral part of any curriculum. Even if students are not going on to colleges they should be equipped with the basic computer skills that would enable them to fill out online applications, and effectively participate in online job training programs. Especially for students who would like to continue home schooling through high school, a virtual high school would offer a great opportunity for them and their parents. Since online courses require students to be more disciplined and take responsibility for their own learning a virtual high school may not be a good idea for at- risks students, although, it might seem as an easy way of purging the school system of troublesome kids. Most people do think of online learning as impersonal, however, if teachers and students could establish online trust to the point where students feel free to confide personal issues such as drug problems, as mentioned in the discussion, then that would support arguments for establishing virtual high schools. Most Corporations are now conducting staff training online, some third graders and fourth graders are already blogging, eventually most school would have to pass laws like Michigan and Maryland requiring all students to have an “online experience” before graduating from high school. Also, Course Management Systems designed for these virtual high schools should incorporate tools for interactive discussion and privacy of information. In summary, virtual high schools are a good idea but careful attention must be given to assessing the students who would qualify for this type of self-directed and independent learning.

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