Ning
Ning allows groups to create an online community with the creation of members and groups. Ning allows members to create groups which allow the members to focus on a topic or class. The members are able to create blogs and discussion groups. The site also allows you to upload pictures and videos to be viewed by their members as well as the ability to comment on them. Ning also has a chat room so all of the members can chat or just the groups. Since the site allows the integration and collection of blogs, discussion boards, chats, pictures, and video as well as the text, it is a great clearing house of the resources. I have found that Ning is easier to control than Moodle in adding and controlling the media. Moodle is a great CMS/LMS but I have found that Ning is more friendly to adding text and multimedia. The format is easier to view for the members and the links seem to flow better. As an instructor, I have more control over Moodle in where I place the text and links while Ning just places the information in the tabs. Ning does allow for one way communication utilizing blogs, discussion boards, email and comments and also has two way with the chat. When you comment, Ning sends you an email to let you know that someone has commented on your post. I would still use Moodle to teach my class but Ning would be a great resource to discuss the concepts and share ideas and resources. It is a shame that my district has blocked Ning because I could see this being used at our school in classes.
Another New Media tool could be considered Twitter. Twitter is an online site that allows people to link to homepages and blogs and post 140 character messages to people. One interesting way that I am seeing Twitter used by groups is creating hashtags of different topics that can be followed by readhers. You are able to reply to the tweet or retweet it to get the message out to other people. If you copy and paste a link, it automatically shortens the link and hyperlinks it. I am currently following people that discuss the new media technologies and how school could use them.
Another New Media tool could be considered Twitter. Twitter is an online site that allows people to link to homepages and blogs and post 140 character messages to people. One interesting way that I am seeing Twitter used by groups is creating hashtags of different topics that can be followed by readhers. You are able to reply to the tweet or retweet it to get the message out to other people. If you copy and paste a link, it automatically shortens the link and hyperlinks it. I am currently following people that discuss the new media technologies and how school could use them.
Last week I discussed the creation of document and presentation using Google Docs by 6th Graders. They would be using Google Docs to create and edit the projects between the partners using the collaboration tools. While the groups would be using Google Docs to edit and publish the page, Ning could be used to show the published sites and comment on what was done. What I had planned to do was have the students fill out a form that would have links to the document and presentation that would be shown as a spreadsheet that could be shared with everyone. Ning would allow the groups to publish the links on the discussion board and have different groups to comment and grade the projects. There could also be discussions about the appearance of the documents and presentation. So Ning could work if it was not blocked by the district.
Twitter would not work well in this instance. You would be able to share the links and comment on the different projects. I find that Twitter works too fast for a group to follow along and it does not allow for much discussion. I think the students would be frustrated using this tool. We also have the problem that districts block Twitter because of the access that people could have. 140 characters (even though it is like texting) is more of a toy than tool if used.
Twitter would not work well in this instance. You would be able to share the links and comment on the different projects. I find that Twitter works too fast for a group to follow along and it does not allow for much discussion. I think the students would be frustrated using this tool. We also have the problem that districts block Twitter because of the access that people could have. 140 characters (even though it is like texting) is more of a toy than tool if used.
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Hi Chris, Tweeter seems to me to demand too much attention for too little content. I know I write too much but really, what insights can people offer in 140 characters? It seems like it's geared for short, quick, shallow processing. Ning allows more time to think and respond thoughtfully to things - but if you're already on Facebook, what does Ning offer to add to that? I often feel overwhelmed by the number of new things out there. You seem to thrive on it! Really could be a generational issue.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Sue, Chris. I wish I had your experience and enthusiasm, qualities really necessary in a middle-school teacher! (That and the secret bottle of Ibuprofen for teachers in the Health office.) I have Moodle for another online class this quarter but we are not using it for much more than as a syllabus holder. BTW, I did join your Ning group even though I'm not a Master's candidate, because I'd like to investigate the technology further. Thanks for the invite!
ReplyDeleteSue I agree. Twitter is glorified texting. I spend a lot of time going back to read the tweets and there is too much going on. The people I follow are mostly linking to other web pages and that is where I get a lot of resources. But it is very shallow. I know people are looking at using Twitter in classes and I wonder why? For me Ning and Facebook are separate. It is hard to explain but Facebook is for my personal life and Ning is work related. I think Ning does a better job at connecting it all together. Facebook seems shallow for me. I guess I thrive on the technology because I can see where it is going. I see a time where classes will be online and there needs to be a way for students to read the content and interact with each other. I have taken online classes where that connection was not there and it was lonely.
ReplyDeleteRobert (shhh don't tell where the secret stash is :)) When I created a Moodle class last term I thought about how I can get my students to interact with Moodle and try to make it a clearinghouse for resources for them. I have a ways to go to understand all that it can do but I am learning as I go. I made some mistakes for the first class but the second will be better. I created the Ning for those of us going through the E Learning classes more than the Masters. I think the community idea is easier than going to all of the different blogs trying to remember all of the great resources. I plan on posting more stuff this weekend as well as the software that people are describing this week.
I appreciated the information that you shared in your blog about Ning. It looks like a great site to chat and share information. What do you create your videos in? I was investigating a free program called Jing through TechSmith that would probably work great with your program.
ReplyDeleteChristopher, I really like reading your blog because you are actually using the new media that we are discussing. Using Ning sounds very interesting and I am excited to hear how it comes about in your classroom. Your explanation of twitter is about what I see as the uses of twitter.
ReplyDeleteAh, I'm in pain! 140 characters too short? Brevity is the sole of wit!
ReplyDeleteI liked your review. Ning is an interesting site that I could see being used to facilitate online group work.