Another PLN Resource to Share!!!

This article discusses the basics of building a PLN, I figure it will help as we continue to build our own PLN's this week! It gave me a lot of good ideas and reminded me of aspects I originally wanted to include but hadn't looked at lately!

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/06/simple-comprehensive-guide-on-use-of.html

Blog Controversy!!!

This week, the reading from my Trends and Issues Course covered Professional Ethics and one of the application questions dealt with controversial blog postings and associated responsibility. This scenario had me consider my own blog, how could I have not considered what would happen if I wrote something other's viewed as inappropriate or how I would manage if my followers replies were.

My rationale:
The primary purpose of this blog was exploration, knowledge seeking, and learning. I was still learning my opinions on the topic and not sharing as an expert in the field. Although, as we more forward and continue to blog after this class we may post something that others don't agree with or that sparks a controversial conversation on our blog.

I found this article on posting a blog entry knowing that it will be controversial and found it very interesting. It is not centered on offensive/inappropriate entries like the scenario that sparked my interest  but rather discusses dealing with others that may not share your opinion.

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2013/07/12/how-to-deal-with-a-firestorm-of-controversy-on-your-blog-before-it-suffocates-you/

Experienced bloggers share your experiences...

How to Keep your Blog Going!!!

This week, as we are looking for new ways to move forward with the new technologies I found these articles for maintaining the life of a blog!

At the root, fresh content!!!

Article 1: “7 Ways to Keep Fresh Content Flowing on your Blog” by Darren Rowse

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/02/26/7-ways-to-keep-fresh-content-flowing-on-your-blog/

I think this article will speak to everyone a little differently about how to keep his or her blog going. Two ideas that I found most valuable are using different voices and guest writers. Previously, I thought that maintaining a similar style and tone would be a preferred method.

Article 2: “How to Keep Fresh Content on your Business Blog”

http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Fresh-Content-on-Your-Business-Blog

This article suggests the use of quest bloggers as well and it speaks of a different approach to using different voices. Suggesting “did you know” posts to mix up the formal blog posting, I think this idea could be used for informal blogs as well but have a weekly formal post to mix up the tone.

Wiki or Forum???

As I developed and planned out my Prod 2 Forum, I reviewed some of the Prod 2 from 2009 on the course wiki and wondered if a wiki would be a better format for my creation. After a little exploring I found this article that discusses 15 Productive Uses for Wikis....

http://gigaom.com/2007/07/13/15-productive-uses-for-a-wiki/

Do you agree with these 15? Are there any uses that would be more appropriate??? I found it interest that even though this was knowledge was written and available in 2007 I never used a Wiki in undergraduate studies (Graduated 2008).  

Interesting Article on Informal Learning!

Although I debated a lot on the topic for my Prod 2, I was very interested in creating a forum with several discussion items on a topic (an informal how to with solutions created from participates). While researching informal learning in the context of forums, I came across this interesting article by Mark Harrison (2006) called "13 Ways of Managing Informal Learning" (follow link to view). 

http://www.kineo.com/shop/reports/kineo_informal_learning.pdf

This article highlighted traditional informal learning platforms and explores new methods created through technology advancements including email, network, skype, podcast and online forums. I found it interesting that in 2006 these tools were already being explored as learning tools but curriculum to include these tools is still developing. I also thought the growth in the mediums available from seven years ago was a significant take away from this article. Skype and imessage are listed specifically whereas I think if the article was written it would be listed as a category, such as video/web conferencing, due to the number of competitors for the service.

Asana - Team and Time Management Tool!

This week I struggled to find tools that would work for my Prod 2 and that I liked enough to sign up or explore further. Then I received a very detailed email from my friend that is coming to visit filled with potential ideas and a schedule of events. I instantaneously teased her about the level of detail, which she defended as completely normal and turned me on to Asana, a tool she uses to plan and coordinate with her long distance boyfriend (who is also a "mega planner").

What is Asana? Asana is a tool used to manage team projects, organize and detail tasks. It has similar features to TeamBox but is designed as a Mobile App.

https://app.asana.com/0/7041407505279/7041407505279

As a learning tool, this application could be used to increase collaboration by enabling the group to stay up to date with the project, comment and edit tasks as the project progresses.

Another feature I liked about this tool is that I did not need to create a new account completely, as you can sign in under your google account.

Has anyone used Asana and TeamBox? If so, what were the pros and cons of each? I'm intrigued my the user friendly feel and plan to utilize this app on my phone in the future (since my coursework is almost over maybe I can used it to coordinate my next trip, possibly an FSU football game, with friends).

Week 5 Prompt!

Week 5

How do you judge the value of expertise on the Web? Does it differ from your notion of expertise in face-to-face settings? Why or why not?

For me the largest divide between expertise on the Web and expertise face-to-face is how you determine their credibility in the field their are discusses. Most lectures or instructions that are face-to-face the presenter provides a detail of their background or experiences to gain credibility for their experience. Additionally, the speaker is normally backed by an organization or university that has also vouched for their expertise in the matter.

On the Web, articles or blogs are sometimes backed with a bio and references but it is in the hands of the reader to determine their credibility. Often,  I will come across an article and it will provide no background on the author but I can normally search the name and find out their experience in subject matter.

Additionally because the Web updates so frequently from such a large number of sources, statically data doesn't always align and how do you determine which one to go with. I have also found it is difficult to rely solely on Web sources for my Academic purposes due to credibility or validity of the source. This class has changed my perspective on that and I feel that the Web is making major strides to define credible online sources.

Whats your opinion? 

What is Learnist??

This week while exploring Learnist I found so many similiarities to Pinterest that I wanted to find out more about the connections and differences. Here are a few things I found:

Article: "New Social Site Learnist Aims to Become 'Pinterest for Educators' by Stephen Noonoo (2012)

This article discusses that like Pinterest, Learnist connects social media sites and resources organizing the context by pin boards, but with a focus on learning and lesson development.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2012/06/21/learnist-the-pinterest-for-learning.aspx

Then I explored what Pinterest had to say regarding Learnist and I found several boards on the topic (listed by title below):

What is Learnist?

Influencial People on Learnist

Learn Something New

Educators Using Learnist

Education on Learnist

Link to Learnist pinboards on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/learnist/

When I first started using Pinterest I found the site extremely difficult to navigate. I was able to find information quickly on a topic but had trouble access the associated information, sources, advice or directions (topic depending). I did not experience those issues with Learnist. The information is laid out in a similar fashion but the site is extremely user friendly. One of my favorite features was is clear distinction between interests and areas of expertise. I think this site has benefits for both formal and informal learning. 

Week 4 Prompt

How do issues such as authorship, copyright and open access impact your desire, ability and willingness to engage in produsage, both personally and professionally? 

After reading this prompt, I wondered is there a formal method to cite within a blog like the APA format used for papers and projects. Throughout this course I have linked several websites to my blog and referred to the articles on those links. I have also referenced several of the course reading material but not in a formal or particular format.

Has this been in error? This is what I found:

3 Blogging Rules:

http://weblogs.about.com/od/bloggingethics/tp/Top3BloggingRules.htm

APA Style Blog Guidelines:

http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/blog-guidelines.html

I found these links helpful and was surprised that I did not consider looking into them earlier. Does anyone have any conflicting advice?

As for the work I produce, I am not yet concerned with copyright or authorship because this is my first blog and most of my entries have been my exploration not new discoveries. Additionally, my interaction with twitter and pinterest has mostly been repining or retweeting others creation (which I have not worried about copyright because it seems like the function is built into the system). I have shared several photos or ideas for weddings on my pinterest from my wedding but because I am not in the wedding business I have not been concerned about my ideas being stolen. My conclusion is that if I were using these social networking tools for business I would feel concerned with open access but for now I am happy to share my ideas as they are more hobby based.  

Additional Research Networking Tools....

After exploring Academia.edu and Mendeley, I found a lot of similarities in the services each offer and decided to explore other applications in this market and compare and contrast these resources.

I found a forum on researchgate.com (another similar application) that compares Academia.edu vs. Mendeley vs.  ResearchGate

Link to the forum:

http://www.researchgate.net/post/What_are_your_impressions_on_ResearchGate_versus_Academiaedu_versus_Mendeley12

My takeaways from the Forum:

Research Gate

Collaborative
Networking
Interactive
Discovery
Large community

Academia.edu

Publication based
Article sharing

Large audience across fields
Statistics Tracking

Mendeley
Literature Research Source
Reference/Citation Management
Organization
Quick access library

If you have used these applications, does this assessment from the forum seem accurate? Leave your thoughts!!

Great tool! Academia.edu

This tool is one that really highlights the benefits of technology in the educational field. In my Inquiry and Measurement course last semester we were given a tutorial on the Florida State Library system and I was so impressed by how much the online library system had advanced since my undergraduate (five years ago). 

This tool expands research capabilities by incorporating all academic research papers and the pool of individuals who contribute to the site. I built my profile as a graduate student from Florida State and was about to find a few of the students in the Instructional Systems Program who had contributed to the site's data base. One of the individuals I found was out TA, Shuang Hao who contributed to one of Dr. Dennen's books which can be found at: http://fsu.academia.edu/ShuangHao/Papers

 

I found the following stats on the application's following and impact to the research community (http://www.academia.edu/about):

 3, 695, 525 academics

1. 635, 932 shared papers

I also found it interesting that this academic site was so linked to Facebook. First, there is a blog within the site specifically that can be followed via Facebook, the application can link you to your Facebook contacts and feedback on the application can be given via Facebook as well. 

Traveler Apps

Today, as I was sitting at the airport there was a news story on HLN called the Mobile Traveler and spoke to traveling via mobile apps from London to Rome. This sparked my curiosity; I searched but was not able to find the link for the clip but researched Mobile Apps for the traveler and this is what I found.

An article titled “The 26 Travel Apps that will Change your Life,” which discusses apps for obtaining Wi-Fi, hotels, flights, flight trackers, free text messaging, weather information and currency converter. Two that I found interesting were an app designed specifically for changing your seat (seat guru app) and Flyers Rights that lets flyers know their rights regarding delays and cancelations.

http://www.cntraveler.com/technology/2012/09/best-travel-apps-android-iphone-ipad-perrin-report

Another article I found was “50 ultimate travel apps…so far” which highlights several of the other apps and mentions my favorite for flight options as number one, Kayak. Some different and interesting ones from this article included several translator apps, the UNESCO World Heritage -- Location guide, and  JetLag Genie.

http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/shop/50-ultimate-travel-apps-so-far-353352

This was an interesting topic for me because I knew about several of the restaurant finders and cheap flight apps but I was not aware of how large the market was for the other apps discussed in these articles and links.

These articles are both about a year old so I am sure there are newer travel apps not mentioned, does anyone have a favorite travel app listed in these articles or not?

I would say my most used travel apps are hotwire and kayak but I am going to start exploring my app market place. 

Week 3 Prompt

What uses might a collaborative wiki or blog have in your chosen (current or desired) work environment? How would they support learning and/or performance? What would be the design and implementation challenges if management tried to do this? What would be the design and implementation challenges of a user-initiated effort?

In the Coast Guard, I think there are several opportunities of wikis and blogs but due to security reasons might be more regulated than other work environments. Many units in the Coast Guard have a unit blog which is run by the unit Public Affairs officer and distributes information about what the unit is doing and valuable information for personnel reporting to the unit.

The Coast Guard actually has an official blog called The Coast Guard Compass: http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/

This blog focuses on connected the public to the Coast Guard’s missions and personnel.  This blog support learning and performance from a variety of angles as it educates the public on what is going on in the Coast Guard and also increases knowledge flow throughout the USCG personnel.

I also found guidance from the Coast Guard on how blogs should be implemented in the Coast Guard and was surprised to see that BLOGGER.COM (section 4.E of http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/alcoast/008-10_alcoast.tx) is the only approved site, which is what I chose for my class blog without realizing the connection. I think this article highlights some of the design and implementation challenges for using blogs in my workplace and I am sure other organizations have their own policy in regard to their uses.  Did anyone else find there present or past organization had guidance policies for implementing social media sites such as blogs?

I have never used a wiki in the Coast Guard before but from my coursework experience with Wiki it could be beneficial to team projects, setting up duty rotations, department work lists, or preparing for inspections and large events. All these things require input from several individuals, collaboration and coordination.

When I tried to find information of the Coast Guard’s use of wiki’s, I found this really great article on Social Media in the Coast Guard.

http://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/spring2010/articles/73_Migliorini,Day_SocialMedia.pdf

This article highlights Coast Guard involvement with several social media tools including YouTube, Flicker, Twitter, Facebook and several official blogs. Definitely an interesting read!

What is FourSquare???

             As I explored FourSquare this week, I thought what makes this application different from other social location apps as I had never heard of it but it seemed similar tools of other applications. This blog will describe and include a few articles I found on how to use this application, it’s features, and why it is important.

            In May 2012, Jon Mitchell, an editor and writer with a specialty in web-based tools and tech influence (specifically Google and apple), wrote an article titled, “What is the Point…Foursquare?”

http://readwrite.com/2012/05/03/what-is-the-point-of-foursquare#awesm=~obzXNX8RL8RkJ6

                  I liked this article because it suggests how to get the most out of this application (granted it is one person’s perspective but for a newbie like me exploring the app I found it very helpful and interesting). The article also discusses what makes the app different from Facebook, Yelp and Google, which it does share, similar functions with.

            After reading the article, I am interested to use the Radar function of FourSquare that uses your GPS position to recommend places of your preference without even taking your phone out of your bag.

            To incorporate one of our other Web 2.0 tools in my quest to uncover FourSquare, I found a YouTube Tutorials. This video really breaks down the tool and makes all the intricacies less intimidating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDLzpe3wMeo

            The last article I found helpful, which is really brief, sums up the basics of foursquare most of which is explained in the YouTube Tutorial.

http://ipod.about.com/od/ipodtouchapps/a/foursquare-app-definition.htm

Is anyone in the class a “super explorer” or “mayor” on FourSquare?

Online Book Club

            Today I explored a new tool recommended for this week called goodreads, a tool I was completely unfamiliar with. First, I was surprised to learn that this tool like others I have explored these last three weeks (LinkedIn/Twitter/Etc.) could be synced with Yahoo, Facebook, Hotmail, Twitter, Gmail to determine connects. There are also hundreds of book search engines linked into this application; including most well know providers (eBay, amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc)

            To me this tool is the Web 2.0 version of premise of a book club; I would go so far to call this application the modern day book club. The application allows users to view what their connections have read and their reviews on the books, rate their own reads and provides recommendations for future reads. By linking goodreads to Yahoo, Facebook, Hotmail, Twitter, or Gmail you are able to create a network and breakdown of the types of novels your connections are reading. I still have to build my network to be able to utilize all the potential tools of this application.

            Link to goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/

If you are a current user, please share your experience with this application by replying to my blog or add me to your network. My profile is listed under Molly Keyser.