The Evolution of Collaborative Interaction
Open-source blogging has created a lot of experimentation in the blogging field and some innovative collaborative blogging models such as P2. It is “a collaborative blogging theme for WordPress that blurs the lines between posts, comments and updates”, (Wagner, 1977). The theme inspired by Twitter and microblogging takes advantage of more recent interaction design patterns like inline editing, front-end and mobile posting and rapid “push” updates to foster a more casual conversational interaction.
The collaborative blog format is an experiment in online group dynamics. Such experiments take place in many fields, including academia. While the blog format has been widely adopted by individual academics world-wide, many institutions have started adopting collaborative blogs that amplify, extend, and might one day even replace the role of their academic journal. These online experiments in new forms for academic publishing challenge the cultures of peer review, public vs. private debates, intellectual property, academic freedom and accreditation.
Some of these collaborative blogs have been used to extend the classroom experience too. Educators who incorporate collaborative blogs into their curriculum invite their students to create some of the content that will lead the class through the semester. These contributions can be anything from a single guest post to a full integration of blogging and commenting into class dynamics with multiple postings from students every day through the week.
Wagner (1997) suggested that the primary goal of interaction is a positive final outcome; not necessarily the agent upon which the educational experience was grounded. This author cited that "Interaction can serve as an outcome of clearly conceptualized, well-designed, and well-developed instruction" (p. 25). Twelve interaction strategies by this author included: participation, communication, feedback, elaboration, learner control, negotiation, team building, exploration, discovery, clarification, and closure. Below is an excellent table that highlights interaction strategies and planning decision towards engaging Distance Education diffusion.
Table 1. Summary of Planning Decisions and Interaction Strategies
PLANNING DECISION | INTERACTION STRATEGY |
Perform Instructional Analysis (i.e. valid learning outcomes for weekly units) | Learner Control Communication Motivation |
Develop Performance Measures (i.e. personal marketing plan and practice quizzes) | Elaboration Feedback |
Develop A Media Mix (i.e. computer conferencing with online and offline instructional resources) | Learner Control Communication Clarification Discovery |
Develop Forum Topics (i.e. a welcoming environment and thought-provoking forum questions) | Participation Communication Elaboration Negotiation |
Develop Principal Components Of Instruction (i.e. instructional methodology) | Communication Feedback |
Develop Instructional Resources (i.e. suggested alternative readings and website resources) | Elaboration Discovery |
Source: Case Study in Planning Online Interaction (2001)
To heighten interaction as part of an efficacious instructional strategy, the principal recommendation for online instructional designers and teachers is that certain planning decisions need to be carefully considered for possible effects on interaction.
References
http://learningthroughdigitalmedia.net/when-teaching-becomes-an-interaction-design-task-networking-the-classroom-with-collaborative-blogs
https://research.netacad.net/mod/oublog/view.php?id=5&tag=interaction+design-blog
Wagner, E. D. (1997). Interactivity: From agents to outcomes. In T. E. Cyrs (Ed.) Teaching and Learning at a Distance: What it takes to effectively design, deliver and evaluate programs: No. 71. New directions for teaching and learning. San Francisco , California
David,
ReplyDeleteYou clearly outlined what is necessary for educators to do in effectively designing and instructing using blogs. My school system created a class website for each teacher where classroom blog discussions can occur to enhance the students' learning experiences using technology. I still feel that many of the teachers do not use this tool or are unsuccessful using it because they have not had the proper training to plan and interact appropriately, for learning to be able to occur. I have not yet heard of P2. Could you expand on this tool?
Tiffany Harrell
Tiffany;
ReplyDeleteP2 is a theme for WordPress that transforms a mild-mannered blog into a super-blog with features like inline comments on the homepage, a posting form right on the homepage, inline editing of posts and comments, real-time updates so new posts and comments come in without reloading, and much more. Go to: http://p2theme.com/ for more info.
Best,
David
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your model on engaging distance education diffusion. I had the hardest time trying to post comments my first few weeks of classes. Tim, classmates, and my team members responded to all of my distressed e-mails. I was so upset until I just felt like quitting. :( With all of the positive feedback I felt like I could conquer the world. Then, my mother went into the hospital with heart problems. This is the first time I have been on since Wednesday. She had three blockages and the doctors put in two stints but they could not reach the last block so they are hoping medication will work. Thanks for all of the positive feedback. Do you think that online courses are more personable than face-to-face? With my online experience, I believe that you collaborate more than face-to-face? What are your thoughts?
BM,
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to follow you e-mail as well; hope you have gotten the post system worked out; I struggled as well; many benefits as well as frustrations to the collaborative concept; sorry about your mother's issues; know that I pray for you and her as well; on-line can be very impersonal, business-like and some find their comfort zone at a distance; I teach and attend both, so my preference is distance solely because of the convenience; I have such a busy schedule, time management conflicts, etc. that I would not be in the Phd. program without on-line; completed my BS, MAS, and of course the Walden plan on-line. The Residencies make up for the direct contact if applied appropriately.
My next is San Diego, You?
Best
David