As usual for me, I'm breaking away from an existing train of thought in these posts for something different.When you work with VLEs/LMSs you deal extensively with the text-based communication tools that exist in all systems. The 3 biggies are the discussion/forum tool, the blog/journal tool and the wiki tool. Explaining how each can be used to facilitate learning within learning activities is a key challenge for the Learning Technologist. What's really important is that you articulate clearly the subtle differences between these tools and what their pedagogical affordances are.
Discussion/forum tool
Use the asynchronous online discusssion tool for engaging students in a text-based dialogue:
- to facilitate a meaningful learning dialogue amongst students
- to develop students‘ written communication skills
- to allow time and space for tutors and students articulate clearly and thoughtfully when engaging in a dialogue
- to flexibly engage with students
Blog/journal tool
Use the blog/journal tool:
- to facilitate reflection amongst students
- to facilitate individual feedback from tutor to student through private journal/blog structures
- to develop students‘ written communication skills
- to allow time and space for students articulate clearly and thoughtfully when reflecting on their learning
- to flexibly engage with students
Use the wiki tool for co-construct text:
- to facilitate collaboration amongst students the editing and refining of eachothers words within a group project context
- to facilitate co-operation amongst students through the allocation of tasks within a group project context
- to allow time and space for students articulate clearly and thoughtfully when writing on a particular topic