Embedded Task 6 - My Own Perspectives on Online Collaboration

Hi all,

Throughout this course (EDSE 12024 - Digital Pedagogies in Secondary Schools) , I have learnt a lot about how to effectively use digital tools in the classroom. in this blog posting, I will reflect on my participation, both positive and negative in this blogging experience.

Before this course, I had never blogged before, or even contemplated doing such a thing. I never felt the need to post my feelings online, as I don't  really like total strangers reading and commenting on my work, I find it a bit invasive. However,  through participating in this course I was able to use the feedback given to me effectively. I was also able to give others feedback as well. By doing this I have also been able to communicate with other people studying in the same areas as me, Physical Education and Geography. This online collaboration has allowed me to form a greater understanding of some of the uses for digital technology in an educational context specific to my discipline areas.

However, I have felt that one of the negative aspects of this online collaboration through blogging is the small number of comments that are being posted on other peoples blogs. I too am guilty of this as I have not commented and engaged as much as I should have, and it makes it hard to collaborate online without doing so.

On a positive note, when you open up your blog, it is quite nice to see when you read the comments on your blog, and that people enjoy what they read and take something out of it. Constructive feedback is also great as it might give you some fresh ideas and further your knowledge on the particular topic. This is what online collaboration and learning is about in my opinion.

Overall, my experiences in this course have furthered my outlook and understanding on different strategies used to incorporate the use of technology into my teaching. I have also found all the different programs that have been discussed over the course of the term quite useful as well. Particularly, in this weeks course materials have further pointed out to me the number of ways that technology can be used in learning.

James Smith