Review of Week 3 Tools
I am still adjusting to blogger. I was given feedback that Tumblr does not allow people to comment, so I had to migrate all the posts in this course to Blogger, the next best alternative. I saw on the course blog that many of the classmates are using Blogger, so I guess it is the safest option. I had wanted to try Wix, but there is just no time to experiment. I didn't like Blogger because the interface is very old school, and the fonts are not visually appealing. Unlike Tumblr or Wix, the graphics that I embedded is not intuitively formatted and it just looks really odd. The entire experience is like typing on a Word Doc with an ill-formatted graphic.
I signed up for Teachers Connect, and was quite disappointed with the short courses. Firstly, it takes forever to load an 18-second video clip. The videos are roughly chopped up into sections and I do not see a possibility of further engaging with this website after my first visit.
I visited the Instructional Design Reddit page and most of the posts are amateur questions asking about advice regarding interview and further studies (at least that is my first impression). I went to visit the Singapore Reddit's page and I am not impressed with the posts either. Visually, the page looks unprofessional. I know it works like a forum for people to share views and advice, but I get put off by titles like this that didn't even make sense: 'Finishing off the work before the rains pour down'. I am definitely not clicking the link to read further.
I am attracted to Badgelist though. I see how this can be used to engage learners of a younger generation. Even in church, we are handing out challenges for bible reading plans, bible studies and so forth, and it really encourages people to engage more. What I didn't understand, even after watching Omer's video, is how do I get the badge for submitting my first Instagram post. There is no button to click to submit evidence, so I was just wondering how do I get my first badge.
I guess like what Dr. Dennen says, the tools don't work for everyone. But I am beginning to understand my own preferences and the reasons for them.
Hello! I appreciate that you switched to blogger so we can comment! Great to connect. I agree with you about some of the limitations of blogger visually. I also wanted to use Wix but decided not to take the time early on. I think it is great to focus on your preferences and the value, or lack of value, they bring to you. I am trying to do the same. I started building my professional portfolio in Wix but not sure I like the first version. Do you have a tool picked out yet?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you would like Wordpress. It's more sophisticated in terms of design (but that's a rabbit hole not everyone is prepared for, which is why I usually recommend blogger).
ReplyDeleteI agree that some people might feel more engaged and even become more active with the idea of badges. So you've watched that video? That's great. And I see a question here about the badges. In EME6414, we've different types of badges (peer awarded, easter egg aka hidden, challenge, mega, and level badges). Some of these badges require submission of evidence (e.g., blog comment challenge badge) and some badges will be awarded automatically. For instance, Instagram Monday Challenge didn't require any submission of evidence and the badges will be awarded automatically in the following Sunday or Monday. However, blog comment challenge required submission of evidence and meeting the badge requirements resulted in earning the badge. So, if you've participated in Instagram Monday Challenge, you'll be getting your badge the following Sunday or Monday. Finally, there may be some challenges that are bounded with specific date and time (e.g., Instagram Scavenger Hunt challenge) and you may wait a day or two to be awarded with the badge automatically. Look forward to reading your experiences with badges in this class as we issue more badges in upcoming weeks.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, what I like the best about all the tools is discovering them and having choices, more choices than what I ever imagined possible. I’m saving them all so that when I have more time, I’m going to explore each and every one of them, annotate the pluses and minuses, and where I might best use them in the future.
ReplyDeleteI too watched Omar’s video, am not really into badges, but when I got some, I was surprisingly pleased with myself.