The forums are an online conversation in that a post is made and a response is expected from the person/people you are aiming it at. However i do not feel it can properly be classed as an online conversation as there are not always responses and if there are they can be after days; unlike MSN messenger in which if you are talking to someone online the responses most of the time happen there and then, and do take the form of a conversation. Furthermore on the forums some can be conscious of what they are writing therefore may write more formally or with more structure but on MSN the language is more informal and nuances of face to face communication take place, such as, smiling faces 'umms' and 'ahhs' allowing the feelings of the other to be understood better.
The interaction compared to that in face to face seminars is very different. In seminars the interaction can be more instant and perhaps less formal as the relationship builds between tutor and student, which can be harder to build online. However on the other hand the forums do allow those who do not like contributing their thoughts out loud to have their opinion as well. The nature of the seminars is the same, but the response and structure is very different to face to face. The instant thoughts that would sometimes be aired by students face to face which could spark further discussion and debate can't happen as online everything is more thought out.
The authority is more equal than in a face to face seminar, however i think it is still with the tutor as although the student can post what they like, i think most students will still be conscious that the tutor is reading their thoughts. I believe i am a user as i am managing to post and respond but do not feel i know enough or have the time to be an advanced user.
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Aaah to be able to really read my students thoughts - how good would that be?! Forums (fora?) though do differ from the one on this unit - why not have a look around on the net and find a selection? One I was researching last year had all the features you use on MSN - informal language, smileys etc. It also had quite passionate falling-outs when people said things that others disagreed with. But how could that be when there is time to think about what you write before writing it?
ReplyDeleteKeep it up Kerry!
RINCY
ReplyDeleteYes it is quite strange that there was such passionate emotion on something which people have time to think what they are writing. This is why i am not that much of a fan of forums as i think sometimes the thoughts are staged. People react maybe more emotional then they would face to face as they can (because the reaction is only written and no one can 'take the mick') and can dramatise thoughts to make them sound 'good' or something different perhaps. Like now even i have deleted and re-written parts to try and get my point across and stage it with more emotion than i would do during instant quick face to face communication.
ReplyDeletei completely agree with you kerry! in the past when i was at school i remember that some people used to say things to people over MSN and things like that when they would be scared to say it face-to-face. people can become stronger when saying things over the internet because then they wont become embarrased and things like that. But, i sometimes dislike the internet because you can't tell how people are writing things. for example, you can say ahh you b**** and mean it in a funny way, however they might take it personally (do you get me?) so sometimes i think you have to becareful with things like that.
ReplyDeletexx
I agree also that the forums can be staged, and set up, allowing a person to come across in a different way to what they are like in person.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think that sometimes the same can be said about instant messaging. Even though the replies are quick, responses are still considered and thought through before being sent.
As Hannah stated, sometimes a conversation can get taken the wrong way as there are no facial expressions and no body language to consider.
Potentially, relying on your impressions of someone virtually can be very dangerous, imagine meeting someone over an online chatroom, or instant messenger, and finding out they are someone completely different. It's scary when you think about how trusting people can be over the internet