Although I am a fan of the blogging assignment and incorporating it in educational ventures, I have discovered a challenge as it relates to our discussion on the comparison with the typical message board. Each week as we dialog on our threaded message board, if a conversation inspires a new direction of relevant discussion, the student has the ability to start a new thread. All can see it and respond as inclined. With the blog, the conversations appear to be so separated that the flow of conversation from one topic to another is missing, which led me to create a new blog post in order to introduce a new thought. I think this reaction is more likely when all classmates are responding to the same question and therefore generating different, but related conversations on every blog. This may not be an issue if group members are blogging as a journal and posting thoughts about different topics. I wonder as my classmates comment on the group's blogs if they will come to a similar conclusion.
Many of my classmates have mentioned they are new to blogging and possibly reluctant with reasonable concerns. As adult learners, Knowles theory of andragogy explains that we need need to know why we should adopt new knowledge. How will it impact or become necessary to our lives? This line of thought reminded me of the Gartner Hype Circle introduced to me in Dr. K's class, Teaching Online.
Simply put, the Gartner Hype Circle examines emerging technologies and place them on a graph to illustrate the path of acceptance or human response to new technologies. Initially, there is an overenthusiasm, followed my some disillusionment to eventual understanding of the new technology. Eventually, those technologies that survive the process will be integrated into personal as well as industry life. Take E readers for example. When they first came out there were issues with them and they were expensive. People were suspicious and hesitant. Although many still are reluctant, E readers are more popular than ever, affordable, and people are finding more ways to adopt them in their lifestyle. E readers are here to stay.
Gartner Research explains their methodology much better than I do. My point is maybe it is helpful to see what technologies, blogging included, are accepted and incorporated and which of those technologies we personally have adopted. We have discussed the digital divide from various angles and the potential to be "left behind." If one were consider what Gartner says is imminent to mainstream, maybe it would provide a glimpse to which technologies one should apply effort to learn and adopt .
Here is a graphical explanation of the Hype Cycle
This is the Gartner Hype Cycle for 2012
This video explains the Hype Cycle in easy language in the first 4 minutes (the rest is an explanation of the instructor's assignment).
As I reviewed this information, I couldn't help but see myself on the Hype Cycle. First, I am intrigued and excited about something new, then I may experience some frustration and walk away from it for a while. But, eventually, if it is a worthwhile technology, it will surface again and I will better understand how it will help me. Finally, with practice, not only does it help me, but it also finds a way into my life that becomes integral. Please don't take my IPhone away!
