Comments on: The True Value of Ning?

By: carlaarena

carlaarena — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:48:34 +0000

Harriet, so true. This discussion goes much beyond the potential of Ning in strengthening (or not) our networks. It certainly goes deeper into subjects of ownership, authorship, traditional learning/teaching practices mixed with web2.0 pedagogy (?)/literacy. And the list goes on, but certainly the edublogosphere is the perfect place to keep these conversations, and just by writing about it, it had had a tremendous reflective impact on me. Have you used Ning? What are your feelings about it?

By: harriet

harriet — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:00:24 +0000

Hi and thanks. It’s interesting as it reflects on an issue we are all facing and which cuts through all debate from e-portfolios to blogging. It’s good to see these dialouges starting in the education space too.
thanks

By: carlaarena

carlaarena — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:52:15 +0000

That’s exactly the point, Michele. My students are mainly highly-anxious-low-tech adults used to the traditional view of learning in which the teacher is the provider of content and is always “teaching”. Throughout the course, I try to show them that learning is a collective effort and I’m not an expert giving a lecture, but still their views on learning and teaching don’t change overnight. It takes time. I think that by the end of the six week period, they have a better understanding of what I mean, but still they expect me to lead them with a few exceptions, the ones who really understand that they are in charge of their learning process for real.And, in Jen’s words, I feel trapped, obliged to correspond to their expectations. It’s a matter of changing my own behavior there…

Also, what you mentioned about us being “the creator” of the network may give participants the wrong impression even if it happens in a subconscious level. This is even more true if you consider, for example, the blogging4educators ning group. We are a group of 9 co-moderators. However, it might cause the other co-moderators not to be so actively engaged because I am the one “in charge”, which is not true at all, as we’re a great team who have been collaborating constantly.

I also thoroughly enjoyed your post as it resonates with my own views. Let us keep exploring Ning and seeing where it adds value to the network.

By: Michele Martin

Michele Martin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:36:29 +0000

I wonder if your experiences aren’t also part of a larger issue I see going on with learning communities–most people still operate within this paradigm that learning is driven by teachers. That is, people will respond to a question you ask, but only a few will ask one of their own. They’ll do an assignment you make up, but won’t make up assignments for themselves.

I’ve also observed that because someone has to create the network and Ning plasters their name and face everywhere, it’s harder to create a sense of group ownership–whoever created the network is perceived as being “in charge,” and it’s difficult to get them to feel that it belongs to everyone.

Thanks for sharing your reflections here–very interesting stuff!

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:30:58 +0000

Great reflection on your own experiences! In terms of using it for a classroom, how do you feel about what happens with the content after the class is over? Do you feel it should still continue to exist? Who should moderate it, or should it just flow naturally until extinction?