Comparing Weblogs to Threaded Discussion Tools

a most commonly asked question by teachers is “what’s the difference between blogs and discussion forums?”. this article addresses this question …

Abstract
Weblogs or blogs are being heralded as the �next big thing� in education. In this article we examine the advantages and disadvantages of this form of Internet-based interaction using the Community of Inquiry model with its focus on social, cognitive and teaching presences. We conclude that blogging has distinct advantages over more common threaded discussion in its support of style, ownership and identity, and its public nature may enhance resolution phases of cognitive presence. However, its lack of safety and the current inefficiencies of linking and threading messages present greater challenges than the more familiar threaded discussion or email list. Perhaps the blog�s greatest relative advantage is for non formal and open education that takes learning beyond the traditional course.

APA-styled reference
Cameron, D., & Anderson T. (2006). Comparing weblogs to threaded discussion tools. (Online) International Journal of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning, 2(11). Retrieved December 8, 2006, from http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Nov_06/article01.htm

A study on the perception of students towards educational weblogs

found this paper via my google alert:

A study on the perception of students towards educational weblogs


Abstract (part of):
“This paper investigates student perception towards the purposes of blogging. It reports an experience of introducing blogging tasks to third year computing students, and compares their perception with students not participating in the blogging tasks. A student perception model is proposed to explain the difference in the perception due to the experience in blogging. The paper concludes that mandatory use of weblogs in a course can gradually cultivate educationally sound perceptions in students despite of the observed misuse.”
Reference APA style:
Lui, A. K., Choy, S.-O., Cheung, Y. M. Y., & Li, S. C. (2006). A study on the perception of students towards educational weblogs (online). Informatics in Education, 5(2), 233-254. Retrieved December 05, 2006, from http://www.vtex.lt/informatics_in_education/pdf/INFE087.pdf

Presentation at APERA Conference 2006

As mentioned during the presentation, our slides for “Building a group blog for learning” can be downloaded here.
And Eddy and Shuhua have agreed to share their slides too:
Chong, E. From blogging to self-regulated learning in music [Paper] [Slides]
Sim, S.H. Blogging as a tool for learning communicative writing in Chinese (partial contents)
Thank you for attending our sharing at APERA and do feel free to get in touch if we may share more of our experience with you, cheers 🙂
[updated: 05 Dec 06]; read on for details of symposium

Continue reading “Presentation at APERA Conference 2006”

en route to APERA

am now at t1 gate c19, had a pre-marathon training 10 mins ago, walked to the furthest gate in t1 with less than 4 hrs of sleep behind me *yawn* boarding plane in 10-15 mins time, xiangust xm xxm xxxm.
gk will be arriving at 1215hr, have 2 hrs to explore hk airport while waiting for her, hopefully can sleep on plane and get recharged later 😛
let’s see when’s the next time i have access to internet …
… signing off from t1c19, free internet access terminal

APERA 2006 Conference

will be leaving for hong kong tomorrow to attend the Asia-Pacific Educational Research Association (APERA) Conference 2006 held at the HKIEd from 28 to 30 nov. gk has been so kind to put in a lot of her time to write the paper (99% of it) with me and to prepare the presentation slides (again 99% of it).
we’ll be departing on different flights (interesting story behind this arrangement). this is the first time i’m flying budget air; gk’s flying sq. but we’ll meet at the hk international airport and go to the hotel together 🙂
ok that’s all for now … my next entry will either be at changi airport tmr or … not sure if there’s (free) wireless access during my stay hk 😐