When to use Web CT or a Blog?

When to use Web CT or a blog?

Why did we choose to use Web CT for a threaded discussion?

Isn’t Web CT more flexible? Its organizing it by subject.

In a blog the only order is chronological.

Blog is good for presenting additional information and get comments in a subsection.

Much more helpful in a real time discussion

In E College, you can open posts up at the same time.

You can compile, can’t respond to each in the compilation.

If you’re doing everything else with Web CT with your class, I’m looking for how I can use a blog as a supplement.

Teaching anatomy, ways of mobilizing a stiff shoulder—discussion on web ct.

Supplement the discussion with a mini lecture on a blog and answer questions.

Blogs are more polished, finished.

Web CT discussions are more process based, people don’t always know their ideas and can be developed by having people write and read one another so that they may reach a different understanding at the end. Many people need a lot of interaction.

What are my first steps?
Contact Thomas Tullio tulliot@fpc.edu

Want the whole framework of a course on Web CT students can move between items, think in terms of the whole package.

Needs to be an element in your course.

Can be used as check—having students post web ct notes, first page with thesis statement, rough draft—

Advice centered reviews—posted

Powerpoints can be posted online.

No carrying papers, students were motivated. Web CT is accessible from on or off campus.
Kids catching up on work can then post late work.

Calendar used for posting helpful ideas.

Put a percent grade for each step—could see what the revision was worth.

Kids knew exactly what they needed to pass the class.

Distance learning—asynchronous for different time zones.

If the discussion has died I’ll come back in on Tuesday or Wednesday to plant another prompt.

Viewing a video or article online, keeping it fresh and new is important.

Trying out class discussions
Asking a good question—art of asking question
Doesn’t lead to a single answer has multiple possible answers and figuring it out through dialogue.

Bean has templates for posing question.
Take a problem or question asking approach.
Giving students meaty things to chew on.

Have a good teacherly presence—illustrate what happens when you don’t ask a good question especially with a younger audience.

E-College—requiring responses: the first post must be done by Wednesday and the next two must be a discussion with other posters.

Review everything that’s been written and name the main ideas.

Talking about the quality and nature of discussion