F2F vs. Discussion with group collaboration...

This past week I was asked some interesting questions: "What is it about f2f collaboration that makes it good? What features should we try to reproduce online? What can online environments do that f2f ones can't?"

What characteristics make f2f good? This is a difficult quesiton. I think it stems back to the idea that body language, tone of voice, and eye contact seem to be concepts that are difficult to replicate in an online atmosphere. On the flip side of the argument online collaboration has its own “body language,” “tones,” and “voice.” For example, emoticons are one way to express a feeling. I believe that visual literacy is also very important. The types of images used in Palace are a great way for students to express who they are and what they are about, which in some ways takes the place of body language. Speaking of the Palace I also think the visual environment is something to consider. I felt more relaxed in the rooms in the Palace verses the typical white backgroud of most chatrooms. (I never thought about it before this time.) Making students visually feel comfortable in the online visual environment is something to consider when dealing with online classes.

I also believe the word collaboration is important because it is easy to either sychronously communicate one to one or asychronousely communicate with a group. It is much more difficult to communicate in a group in an online environment to make collaboration happen. It is difficult to know who is going to speak or who is really wanting to speak but is timid. From this group experience f2f was nice because we were able to organize our project then it was very esay to communicate online. Once a main goal for the group was established and then assignments (or personal goals) were set the communication online was much easier. I have personally found that online collaboration is difficult because the main goal(s) are either not formatted or there miscommunication or misunderstanding about the the definition of the goal(s).
Marian Maxfield

Research projects - Group and individual - The process

I have to say that the blog has been useful as I am completing my individual research project. It has kept me on a definitive path as well as allowing others to comment and make suggestions that I can always go back and read over. It has allowed me to stay focused and yet think beyond.

The group projects have been interesting for me. There were times when frustration set in because there seemed to be little time to get together. However, in the past week the group has pulled together and we are working very well. The most difficult obstacle was not so much having to meet but just having a set organization and everyone having the same organization in mind. We also found it to this point to be very difficult to meet using CMC. We will have to see what the next research project brings...

Marian Maxfield

Research defining variables and wanting guidance

Greetings again! I not sure in what specific direction to go at this time. I know that some of you have responded to my last post. First, I am focusing on both Constructivism and Instructivism (Behavioralism as some refer to it in the articles and books.) For the constructivist assessments there are many different forms and I believe that I will focus on the idea of a final rubric to evaluate each product and possibly the process the students are going through during the learning. Still working on the rubric configuration.
Marian Maxfield