Week 2 Topic 2

Virtual VS Real Life Seminars

Navigation - When we are on these blogs and forums, I think the navigation around the sites are very easy. With titles that relate to a subject you might be looking into having a link to the page with the info, its one of today's fastest and easiest way to collect certain pieces of into. Even with the online forum we are using for this unit, it's very basic ansd simple to use. They dont have to be complicated or fancy, just display a conversation had by a group of people.

Expression - I would say that people's expressions are displayed in the same way as they would in a face to face seminar or group meeting. Just via a monitor. If anything it can be better as you can always go back to a discussion when ever and add a point, where as thats not really possible face to face.

Interaction - Although you always do loss the sense of people's physical reactions to points raised. You can never tell if a person is lying or just argreeing with you online, whereas in person you can read people's reactions and behaviour on the subject in hand.

Time - Probably one of the main high lights for me. With these activities taking place over 7 days, we are able to carry them out at any point within that week. Whereas in person you only have an hour in class. All points may not be covered and the discussion will feel rushed.

Authority and Identity - Another strength the online forums have is that everyone is treated the exact same. Everyone can write an opinion and it will be therefor all to see and read. However in a seminar there may be loud and quiet people of the group. So one person may have loads to say while others are left in the dark with only their personal opinions and experiences to themselves.

Speech/Writing - Speaking online seems to be simular as to it in person. With the forum having unique features which suggests things we only do in real life. An example I would say is the use of the X's (XXXXX), which suggests the start of a new paragraph or issue rasied. So these forum are becoming used more often.

So these forums can be for anyone I would summarise as. With myself and others only been using them for a week and getting use to them already, any shuck can post their comments on.