The nice thing about internet forums is the flexibility in usage. Though they don't run like a traditional chatroom environment, they still provide the opportunity to have several people together at the same time to communicate and share ideas.
In an asynchronous method of use, individual posters can start new threads that share general ideas, or pose questions to the population of the forum. Others can log in when they have available time and compose a message in response to the original poster, or other individuals who have commented on that thread.
To use forums in a more synchronous manner, several individuals can plan to be logged on and using the forum at a specific times, and they can communicate via posts.
What I like about forums is the hybrid that can be created because it is traditionally an asynchronous technology, but it can be used in a somewhat synchronous way. This provides the nearly "real time" communication opportunity, but still allows for an individual to compose and think out their responses to others, which is why I prefer asynchronous communication.
Forums also act as storage, holding all of the conversations that have occurred to go back and check as an informative resource- either for individuals who were part of the conversation, or those who may have missed it. That is one of the advantages it has over a chat room. If an individual isn't there, they do not have access to that information unless it's copied by one of the chat participants.
Has anyone had experience using an internet forum, either as an educational tool, or in a more recreational capacity?
Week One: Spending Time with John Keller
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Hello fellow IDE 736 Classmates!
This week’s required readings got us off to a roaring start by plunging us
headfirst into the work of John M. Keller, a no...
13 years ago
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Amber - I have used forums extensively for many years for technical information (Mac stuff, CSS or HTML code usage), recommendations, and tech support.
One of the best that I have seen is Creative Cow - a comprehensive collection of forums for the creative profession. One of the features I like best is that each forum has its panel of experts who regularly respond to postings - and they are VERY knowledgeable in the ones I have used (CC is linked on my tutorial blog).
Another feature I like is that some forums, like Apple's pro-apps Discussion forums, have ratings for certain responders so that every time they help resolve an issue or answer a problem, they earn points. Then you can follow a certain user and see all of the posts they have made across ALL topics, not just your one interest.
As an instructor, I have had to deal with the issue of where I choose to end the instruction and suggest to the client that they refer to the manual or consult the forums on certain topics. I think the one thing that is not mentioned in the process of delivering instruction is urging students to become citizens of their craft, meaning to immerse themselves outside of the classroom. I have yet to do that with ID, though I think it is because I want to know a little more about what I'm talking about first. I suppose all students feel this way too, but they must be encouraged to "subscribe" anyway.
Maybe the "S" for "Subscribe" should be added to ADDIE!
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