Facebook? Moodle? Open? Closed?

Over at our Podzone site http://podzone.tafesa.edu.au/index.php?id=279 I asked whether TAFE should be using Facebook in a recent podcast. Russ Roach responded with some provocative comments arguing that we should not be using Facebook.

I am not a great fan of Facebook as I don’t like the fact that I have to log in to it to communicate with people, but I can see its appeal and strengths. One thing it does do is allow you to embed media (audio, images, movies) taken from other places on the web. It also allows you to use RSS to bring in or export content. And this is state of the art web. Have a look at this page http://protopage.com/tan_tafesa (not a Facebook page) to see how you can use RSS to manage content on the web and bring it in to a single individual or group portal.

Moodle is good but it isn't quite as porous in interacting with the wider web at the moment, but it will get better.

Russ also says that if TAFE students are allowed to use Facebook they won’t do any work. But what do you mean by students Russ? The average age of a TAFE student is late 30’s….and I have a Facebook account and I’m no slacker! But Russ seems to be saying that Facebook has no place in a course of study. Maybe. But some would argue that Facebook is also an ideal tool to use for your eportfolio. Thoughts anyone?

A blogging sandpit for staff

Cool Michael - a blogging sandpit!!!

This is a great idea, allowing staff to have a look around Blogger and perhaps even post something without having to go through the whole 'registering' for your own account exercise.

It might also be useful for staff to 'post' ideas and comments about e-learning or about what type of e-learning training they would like to see happen in TAFE SA.

It could also be a 'sounding board' where staff post questions and answers around the area of e-learning.

Well - it's purpose could be endless - so jump in - introduce yourself - tell us what you think about blogging and how you might be able to incorporate blogging into your training.

Allison Miller
e-Learning Mentor, Teaching & Learning
Allison.Miller@tafesa.edu.au

http://rajmmiller.blogspot.com

Welcome and Introduction

There is a lot of discussion lately about the role of social software tools in education. To that end this blog has been set up for TAN staff to share ideas about education, blogging, and generally explore how a blog works. Give it a go! Please contact Michael Coghlan at michaelc@chariot.net.au if you need any assistance using this blog.

To contribute to this blog you can either

1. use the comments feature below, or
2. log in via the Sign In button in the top right corner and submit your own entry.

Login details for this blog are

username: tanstaff08@gmail.com
password: education

Once you have logged in click on New Post and follow your nose. (It would be a good idea to sign your name to any posts otherwise you will show up as 'TANstaff'. Of course you are also free to remain anonymous. Might be more interesting that way :)
---------------------

To read something about how others in VET have used blogs in their teaching practice have a look at this short article.

- Michael Coghlan