Comments for Exploring Social Media http://sawanttara.wordpress.com A Look at Sharing on the Web Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:00:13 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Exploring Social Media by Creating an audience « Random Thoughts http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/exploring-social-media/#comment-13 Creating an audience « Random Thoughts Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:00:13 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/exploring-social-media/#comment-13 [...] an audience Posted on January 22, 2008 by Nancy Reading a post on one of the blogs for the EVO session Social Media in English Language Teaching, I came across this: I have used [...] [...] an audience Posted on January 22, 2008 by Nancy Reading a post on one of the blogs for the EVO session Social Media in English Language Teaching, I came across this: I have used [...]

]]> Comment on Making Connections by Joao http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/making-connections/#comment-11 Joao Sun, 10 Feb 2008 11:18:48 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-11 I have two classes this year. Both are learning German as a foreign language. The older students who are about to leave school and enter university didn't like the idea of blogging but many of the students in the other class did. So it is a kind of consolation for me that these students are using their blogs with obvious advantages in the learning of the language. I have two classes this year. Both are learning German as a foreign language. The older students who are about to leave school and enter university didn’t like the idea of blogging but many of the students in the other class did. So it is a kind of consolation for me that these students are using their blogs with obvious advantages in the learning of the language.

]]> Comment on Making Connections by Patricia Glogowski http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/making-connections/#comment-10 Patricia Glogowski Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:41:06 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-10 I agree with Joao that reading everyone's comments on this blog and finding out about their experiences with their students is very useful and interesting. I guess that really shows you the power of blogging - you can encourage your students to blog by explaining what it has done to you (all of us here); how you met people and how you started interacting with them and how you started learning from them through this medium. I have also experienced a lot of ups and downs in terms of blogging with my students. Right now, for example, I don't have any access to the lab, so blogging is on hold for this session. However, I wanted to share with you what I discovered just this Monday. One of my students who was studying with me in November/December and who had gone back to his country decided to continue blogging to help him stay connected with English. He's been posting since his return and I was really happy to see it, so even if 30 of your students stop blogging, there will be 1 who will continue, and that's still very rewarding :) I agree with Joao that reading everyone’s comments on this blog and finding out about their experiences with their students is very useful and interesting. I guess that really shows you the power of blogging – you can encourage your students to blog by explaining what it has done to you (all of us here); how you met people and how you started interacting with them and how you started learning from them through this medium.

I have also experienced a lot of ups and downs in terms of blogging with my students. Right now, for example, I don’t have any access to the lab, so blogging is on hold for this session.

However, I wanted to share with you what I discovered just this Monday. One of my students who was studying with me in November/December and who had gone back to his country decided to continue blogging to help him stay connected with English. He’s been posting since his return and I was really happy to see it, so even if 30 of your students stop blogging, there will be 1 who will continue, and that’s still very rewarding :)

]]> Comment on Making Connections by Joao http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/making-connections/#comment-9 Joao Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:49:38 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-9 Wow! I am happy that I visited Yvonne's blog to read these comments about blogging in education. This is exactly what I am most interested in at the moment, namely to read about other people's experiences in blogging with their students. Nancy referred an important point, that is, "keep in mind this is a journey. You don’t have to do it perfectly right from the start." With my little experience, I can confirm that this is right. As a matter of fact, this process is normal. It's normal that we learn from our mistakes and so refine our practice continuously. But it's also very important to learn with other people who have more experience and can tell us not only about the mistakes they made but also about ideas that can be motivating for the students. It's very interesting to read about Illya's experience. After giving us a good idea "The last class blog I started, I had each student leave a report on the lesson we had.", she goes on telling us about her experience and reveals what she's already learned "However, I found strategies to encourage them without making it a duty." or "...I showed them several times, made suggestions on what they could write (never obligatory) and had them begin with comments." This "never obligatory" is, according to my own experience, very important. I am absolutely sure that she's going to do even better the next time. So, people like me just need to be patient, persistent and try to be part of a "readership" like this smielt session or the webheads to get the necessary input. Wow! I am happy that I visited Yvonne’s blog to read these comments about blogging in education. This is exactly what I am most interested in at the moment, namely to read about other people’s experiences in blogging with their students. Nancy referred an important point, that is, “keep in mind this is a journey. You don’t have to do it perfectly right from the start.” With my little experience, I can confirm that this is right. As a matter of fact, this process is normal. It’s normal that we learn from our mistakes and so refine our practice continuously. But it’s also very important to learn with other people who have more experience and can tell us not only about the mistakes they made but also about ideas that can be motivating for the students. It’s very interesting to read about Illya’s experience. After giving us a good idea “The last class blog I started, I had each student leave a report on the lesson we had.”, she goes on telling us about her experience and reveals what she’s already learned “However, I found strategies to encourage them without making it a duty.” or “…I showed them several times, made suggestions on what they could write (never obligatory) and had them begin with comments.” This “never obligatory” is, according to my own experience, very important. I am absolutely sure that she’s going to do even better the next time. So, people like me just need to be patient, persistent and try to be part of a “readership” like this smielt session or the webheads to get the necessary input.

]]> Comment on Making Connections by illya arnet-clark http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/making-connections/#comment-8 illya arnet-clark Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:50:34 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-8 oops, just realized that I forgot www in the url. Sorry about that. oops, just realized that I forgot www in the url. Sorry about that.

]]> Comment on Making Connections by illya arnet-clark http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/making-connections/#comment-7 illya arnet-clark Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:49:41 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-7 You have certainly taken the first step in gaining a readership. Joining groups that have something in common (in this case the smielt session) has connected you to amyn people. Last year when I was a participant, I found myself following the blogs long after the session was ended because of the aggregator. I agree that blogging is difficult in education, mainly because we don't have many role models. We have to figure most things out for ourselves. I'm on my 4th class blog and only now feel like I've reached a stage where the students (all adults, all teachers themselves) have begun to interact. And I've certainly made my share of mistakes as well, and will continue to make them. You can have a look at my class blog here: http://yourcaeblog.blogspot.com The last class blog I started, I had each student leave a report on the lesson we had. While everyone had a chance to write on the blog, I had to force further posting. However, I found strategies to encourage them without making it a duty. Now in the yourcaeblog, I showed them several times, made suggestions on what they could write (never obligatory) and had them begin with comments. Now I am happy to see that they have begun posting and communicating there as well. I'm sure the next one will be even better. You have certainly taken the first step in gaining a readership. Joining groups that have something in common (in this case the smielt session) has connected you to amyn people. Last year when I was a participant, I found myself following the blogs long after the session was ended because of the aggregator.

I agree that blogging is difficult in education, mainly because we don’t have many role models. We have to figure most things out for ourselves. I’m on my 4th class blog and only now feel like I’ve reached a stage where the students (all adults, all teachers themselves) have begun to interact. And I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes as well, and will continue to make them.
You can have a look at my class blog here: http://yourcaeblog.blogspot.com

The last class blog I started, I had each student leave a report on the lesson we had. While everyone had a chance to write on the blog, I had to force further posting. However, I found strategies to encourage them without making it a duty. Now in the yourcaeblog, I showed them several times, made suggestions on what they could write (never obligatory) and had them begin with comments. Now I am happy to see that they have begun posting and communicating there as well.

I’m sure the next one will be even better.

]]> Comment on Making Connections by Alicia Rey http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/making-connections/#comment-6 Alicia Rey Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:42:06 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-6 I believe Nancy's plan is the key to blogging interaction. I didn't so it myself and I somewhat regret it now. Anyway I put it down to experience. You live and learn they say...When I started the blogging journey about 3 years ago I very rarely wrote comments on sb else's blogs. My first impulse was to set up a blog myself , having read very few...not a nice idea seen from my present perspective. On the other hand , I learnt by doing. And my learning still continues. But I made another terrible mistake when I started blogging myself- just as if the one already mentioned wasn't enough- I didn't open any comments for potential readers!!!! Yes. I feel ashamed. But it's true. A blog without comments!!!! What was the use of it???? - Thank God the world wide web gives a second chance. The best chance I guess, the one that enhances learning. And I am trying to get the most out of it now. I believe Nancy’s plan is the key to blogging interaction. I didn’t so it myself and I somewhat regret it now. Anyway I put it down to experience. You live and learn they say…When I started the blogging journey about 3 years ago I very rarely wrote comments on sb else’s blogs. My first impulse was to set up a blog myself , having read very few…not a nice idea seen from my present perspective. On the other hand , I learnt by doing. And my learning still continues.

But I made another terrible mistake when I started blogging myself- just as if the one already mentioned wasn’t enough- I didn’t open any comments for potential readers!!!! Yes. I feel ashamed. But it’s true. A blog without comments!!!! What was the use of it???? – Thank God the world wide web gives a second chance. The best chance I guess, the one that enhances learning. And I am trying to get the most out of it now.

]]> Comment on Making Connections by Nancy http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/making-connections/#comment-5 Nancy Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:42:50 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/?p=6#comment-5 The thing to keep in mind is that this is a journey. You don't have to do it perfectly right from the start. Just keep refining what you do, and you will see progress. I think the idea of commenting is a real important one. So is reading blogs. The more you do it, the easier it will be to get your students to do it. And, as I said somewhere else recently, I am starting to think that I would introduce blogging by having student read blogs first. Then I would ask them to begin to comment. Then, I think, I would ask them to blog. I don't know if it would make a difference or not, but that is my next plan! The thing to keep in mind is that this is a journey. You don’t have to do it perfectly right from the start. Just keep refining what you do, and you will see progress.

I think the idea of commenting is a real important one. So is reading blogs. The more you do it, the easier it will be to get your students to do it. And, as I said somewhere else recently, I am starting to think that I would introduce blogging by having student read blogs first. Then I would ask them to begin to comment. Then, I think, I would ask them to blog. I don’t know if it would make a difference or not, but that is my next plan!

]]> Comment on Exploring Social Media by Joao http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/exploring-social-media/#comment-4 Joao Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:52:21 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/exploring-social-media/#comment-4 Hi Sawantara, Twitter can be great to get in touch with people. Through their quick messages you can find their blogs and then post there. I think Nancy is right. The more you comment on others' blogs the more chances you get to form a community around you and your interests. Do you have anything you particularly like and know about? I mean it can be a hobby. If you do, you could start a community around that topic. For example, I like photography. if I go flickr.com , I will find many people with the same interest as mine. Hi Sawantara,

Twitter can be great to get in touch with people. Through their quick messages you can find their blogs and then post there. I think Nancy is right. The more you comment on others’ blogs the more chances you get to form a community around you and your interests. Do you have anything you particularly like and know about? I mean it can be a hobby. If you do, you could start a community around that topic. For example, I like photography. if I go flickr.com , I will find many people with the same interest as mine.

]]> Comment on Exploring Social Media by Barbara Dieu http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/exploring-social-media/#comment-3 Barbara Dieu Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:45:28 +0000 http://sawanttara.wordpress.com/2008/01/19/exploring-social-media/#comment-3 Hi Sawanttara, Welcome to the SMiELT session. I hope you are enjoying it and manage to find some people to network with. All the tools we have suggested are based on tagging and aggregating, which help you network better and most allow you to export your data to other places (43Trio, Wordpress). Hi Sawanttara,
Welcome to the SMiELT session. I hope you are enjoying it and manage to find some people to network with.
All the tools we have suggested are based on tagging and aggregating, which help you network better and most allow you to export your data to other places (43Trio, WordPress).

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