1. George
1.1. As my entire group members have talked a lot about of “ICM 820 community”, it is hardly to find some more aspects to evaluate. However, it is always worthy to make a comparison when we evaluate something. I quite agree with what Tiffani mentioned in her evaluation. Our online community is quite impersonal. It is not surprised that nonverbal language sometimes plays more important role than verbal language in communication. We cannot get the information 100 percent if we just read the words while ignoring the bounded information behinds the words. As to our online blog, we can share words, links, even videos, but how to present our ideas efficiently, completely, and even vividly should be in our consideration. Anyway, written English is more or less formal than spoken English. The big advantage for this online course is that it allows us to have more flexible schedule. But it would be interesting if we have a special platform to discuss lively. The prompt interaction would trigger out more flashing thoughts.
1.1.1. Recommendations
1.1.1.1. 1. Can we make our online community more humanized rather than just write down some sentences or make some comments?
1.1.1.2. 2. Is it possible for us to have a certain time as instant discussion time?
2. Jingmeng
2.1. This class is the first online class I take; I think it is convenient and useful for me. I noticed that the professor tried different type of chat platform for us, so that we can feel the many new communication technologies in this class. To be honest, I got confused at the beginning about the large amount of information, but later on I can use them well. The core of this class is not theories but practice. I am happy that we can choose the book we like to write the book review; and it is also very good that most of the assignments each week are about the ongoing news in the world and highly concerned topics instead of some cliché. That really helped me a lot.
3. Jessica
3.1. This course itself has been a great example of community building and group interaction. Through our readings and blog posts, we have explored what it means to be a community, how communities develop, and the effects of digital media on the community structure. We have also seen how the borders between local, national, and global communities are quickly disintegrating in this globalized world of social media and instant communication. One of the best elements of our class is that the environment enables us to form a community without losing our individual identity. By allowing everyone to have a voice through individual blog posts, we are able to explore and build on others’ ideas that we may not have considered on our own. This not only opens our minds to new ideas, but exploring those ideas helps build our community. Within every community, each member has something unique to contribute, whether it is an idea or experience. Thus, community building, in any context, should not be based on conformity. Rather, community building must include the voices of all members in order to accurately represent everyone involved. Because communities are built on continuous communication, I think this class could benefit from a more discussion-based format. Instead of a simple post-read-short response format, it might be more effective to have discussions that we can continue to build on the idea throughout the week. This would still enable all members to contribute in a more engaging style. In addition, physical meetings and experiences can be extremely valuable to community building. For this course, a class community project or event where members can interact in person could be a fun and interesting learning experience that strengthens our ICM 820 community bond. However, this suggestion only works for our class because we are a localized community. Finally, we could examine how social networking tools are being used within business/workplace communities, which is relevant to all members of ICM 820.
3.1.1. Recommendations
3.1.1.1. 1. A class community project or event where members can interact in person could be a fun and interesting learning experience that strengthens our community.
3.1.1.2. 2. Instead of a simple post-read-short response format, it would be more engaging to have discussions that we can continue to build on throughout the week.
4. Sherisse
4.1. I have absolutely LOVED this course so far! In addition to being useful, I feel that the coursework has also been appropriate, yet not overdone. I thoroughly appreciate the variety in platforms and the encouragement to try new ones. Prior to this class I failed to see the point in trying new ways of sharing information but now I FIND REASONS to try new resources! (like mindmeister) Thank you!
4.1.1. Recommendations
4.1.1.1. 1. It would be nice to use Skype more often. In an online course, “face time” many times missing. Maybe we could incorporate Skype or video into one or two of our assignments…
4.1.1.2. 2. Perhaps we could attempt to increase the level of interaction within our online community. Something other than simply posting, and leaving.
5. Tiffani
5.1. This class has enabled us to take part in and build an online community in which we can express our thoughts, ideas, and opinions for each member to see. We all have a sense of purpose in this course/community and that it to learn and aid in our growth and development. I believe that this course I very successful in achieving this goal. We are able to listen and learn from each other and examine the feelings of our “community” members. In a way, it’s better than a classroom because we all get an opportunity to voice our opinions without interruption from someone else, as is the case in many classrooms.
5.1.1. Reccomendations
5.1.1.1. I feel, however, the online community makes it a bit more impersonal because it lacks a face. I cannot see our community members/classmates. You can’t see facial expressions, you can’t hear how they talk or sound, and you cannot embrace their presence. It would probably allow us to be more of a “community” if we meet with each other, though this may not be possible because of time differences, lack of time, location, etc.
5.1.1.2. I think it would be interesting if we focus and explore other social media outlets. It would give us a chance to learn more about social websites and how they can benefit us in several ways.
5.1.1.3. Another possible idea would be for us to explore other blogs or post. It would be great use wordpress to explore the opinions and idea of members from other communities as well. There are many interested blogs on the site. It’ll be great to explore.
6. Jiayue
6.1. This course is definitely an ideal example of learning community under the participation of our classmates. Based the type of online courses, different from traditional classes, this course is simply and flexible in time schedule. We are not tied down to the fixed time schedule any more. Long as we got Wi-Fi or other forms of Internet, we could access and join in our “learning community” anytime as we want. Also, because it is online, it makes me feel more comfortable when we discuss by typing to make our opinion than normally face to face, and without interruption from someone else when submitting our opinion. However, I have the same feeling with others teammates, which opinion is that this online learning community makes us hardly make friends by online communication. We could only basically see a name or even only a head picture of each own. I think it would be interesting if we could meet each other sometimes, no matter person to person or meet by Skype. Another suggestion is... if it is possible, if we could make an extra contribution based on what we are interested about the main topic - “community building”, and this contribution could be counted as 10% of our final grade if we would like to enhance it. In this case, we could learn more interesting and special from other people’s view beyond our regular class. It could be a presentation by Prezi, or even sharing an interesting story or joke when we Skype or discussing on Wordpress.com. In sum, I suggest to build an extra forum or others type of communication platform for us to discuss and share fresh ideas out of teaching and learning. I am not sure if it makes sense...
6.1.1. Recommendations
6.1.1.1. 1. Online class made us feel more comfortable on flexbile time schedule and asynchronous communication.
6.1.1.2. 2. It would be great if we could meet in person or on skype; and build extra forum for us to share extra information, and it could be counted as 10% of grade as bonus for each.
7. Vincent
7.1. ICM 820 without a doubt build a unique learning community. Every community has some type of leader or organizer. We can see as a prime example in our online community course needing a coordinator to provide this group's emails so we could easily communicate. No matter an actual or a virtual group some type of coordinator always exists in order to operate. We could have all met up in person to discuss this assignment, but it was easiest for us to do this over the internet. This project, like all others of this course can be done anywhere we want. Electronic learning and discussions are done whenever and wherever each of us desires (Wifi provided!). There are so many ways we could learn and teach each other over the web.
7.1.1. Recommendation
7.1.1.1. On that being said, some engaging ideas would be to experiment with as many social networking sites, platforms, applications and software as possible. Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, Flickr, Skype, Youtube, etc. all provide the aspect and idea of sharing; something that is at the core of an online community. Another idea, if it is even possible, would be to have one big group video chat. Each individual would be at their own location while connected on one server and each person seen and heard. Almost like we were in a classroom but just virtually. Possibly look something like this: http://entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com/files/2010/03/Brady-Bunch-Grid.jpg except not being the Brady Bunch...