Marking done!

I've finished marking all your long essays at last. I'll post them back to you with comments via the platform and email (it's a trousers and suspenders thing) to you today. Some first impressions (rapid fire because I've got to go to a lecture in 5 minutes):

1. average mark is 62 which is quite high--particularly for a first effort. (American students refer to your Handbook if you haven't already familiarized with the differences between US and British marking systems. There's a marking table there which lays it all out plainly(!). As a rule of thumb add 20 percent.)
2. Thesis statement--as I've mentioned before I think this is the key to any essay. It's the essay's answer to the question and plan for proving it all rolled into one. It should be short, pointed, accurate, significant (ie., it shouldn't provoke me to ask 'so what?'), and engaging all at once. It should also be elegantly worded. Overall, I think more concentration on this is order in most cases. It's hard to get it perfect, admittedly.
3. Subsections and sign-posting--A few of you have employed subsections in order to break up your argument and make it more easy to follow. Good idea! It is sometimes hard to follow an argument not because what it says is inaccurate or uninteresting but because it is unclear why a point is being made here, in this manner and sequence and how it is contributing to the overall thrust of the paper. Usually the author has an understanding of that but sometimes it is unconscious or for whatever reason not evident to the reader. Try to signpost more effectively (withuot overdoing it!) by cross-referencing.
4. I'd like to see more use of journals! I note that a few of you have drawn on The Journal of Cold War History but there's much more available to you in the form of journal literature. Start using it too. Go to the Library website and browse the electronic journals there (you can search alphabetically--long but worthwhile-- or by subject area). Then look at the databases. Try using the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences to search for articles on a topic, for example. There are other tools to use but that's a good start. You MUST start exploring all the options available to you in terms of research. Books are wonderful things but they are not enough on their own. Do we need to have a discussion thread on this? I think so, perhaps. It's going to get more important in future. I'll start one on the platform.

I'll do a 'best of' compilation later. Must go teach non-digital students now!

Blogstorm 1

Hello all: we just finished a e-War staff meeting in which we discussed, among other things, the use of the blogs. Some of you participated in a questionnaire on the matter. I thuoght I might share with you the results of it along with my own thuoghts on the blogs also. First, my own thuoghts:

1. I like the blogs a lot. I find it easier to give generic advice here than in the Discussion Board's 'Housekeeping' section. It's easier to keep things organized and somehow I feel able to be more candid and informal on the blog than in the 'classroom'. I suppose I think of it as rather equivalent to conversations with students in the hallway after class.
2. I enjoy reading your blogs as well. I find the off-topic discussions in the comments section interesting and very worthwhile. It's certainly helped me to build a mental image of some of you to communicate in this manner--it's also more efficient than e-mail for that kind of discussion.
3. But, as is clear from the questionnaire--and was obvious even without that--most of you haven't the time or the inclination to update your own blogs regularly (or at all). I am fine with that--it's a tool in your toolbox, use it when and if you see a use for it. Or don't, it's your call entirely. I do have the impression, however, that you get some value out of my blog and since I like using it and find it convenient I shall continue to use it to deliver course relevant advice and comment. In other words, at the very least I suggest that you check my Blog regularly.
4. Having said that it occurs to me that possibly one reason beyond the constraint of time which has kept people from using blogs is that people are turned off by the idea of an on-line journal. Again, fine. It strikes me though that a very good way of using the blogs for us is to coordinate among unit presenters. I usually hear from presenters by email about how they plan to divvy up the work, what approach they intend to take and so on. Why not do this on your blog? It's much easier for me to comment on it that way, to provide direction and so on. It also makes it rather more straightforward for you to comment and brainstorm. No forwarding emails, managing replies and whatnot. The same holds for essay outlines which some of you have asked me to comment on (and I am happy to do). We've been doing this by email but why not on your blog? It's more efficient, for one thing (if less private--if that's an issue then, OK, email it to me). Moreover, I think that you will find this way of learning can be much more naturally collaborative that way. In other words, what I'm suggesting is that you think of your blog as the hallway outside class where a lot of student-student and student-teacher interaction takes place.

Anyway, here's what the questionnaire analysis had to say (MY COMMENTS ARE INTERSPERSED IN UPPER CASE)

WiMW: Blogging and Communication tools
December 2005 survey
Returns: 22 out of 37 (59%)

Q1. How would you rate your confidence in using computers and technology?

Not at all confident
1
Somewhat confident
3
Fairly confident
12
Very confident
6
Total
22

The majority (82%) of students self assessed themselves as feeling confident in their IT skills (i.e. ‘fairly confident’ and above).


Q2. How often have you used your blog to post messages?

Never
4
Occasionally
15
Regularly
2
Frequently
1
Total
22


Q.3 Would you prefer you blog to be a private journal not accessible by others?

Yes - private blog preferred
6
No - public blog preferred
15
Total
21
Not answered: 1


Q.4 Do you find it easy or difficult to keep your blog up to date?

Major categories identified in using the blogging tool:

Time
· “Very difficult. It is hard enough to do the reading and posting to the discussions. I have no time to blog.”
· “Quite difficult. Finding the time is difficult with everything else going on.”
Purpose
· “No, It seems somewhat superflous to the studying element of the course.”
Help
· “I have given up trying to create one and don't really see the point of one.”
Low threshold
· “Easier than falling off a banana boat.”
Location
· “Do not find it difficult. However, view it as yet anither site that really plays second fiddle to main KCL site. Given time available the blog is not utilised to its full potential, if at all.”
Own tools
· “I write my own notes as I go through the course, mostly mind maps of either the course material or ideas.”


Q.5 How often do you read or check the blogs of the other participants?

Never
4
Occasionally
10
Regularly
4
Frequently
4
Total
22


Q.6 Do you have a preference for using either the discussion boards or your blog to post comments?

Prefer blog
0
Prefer discussion board
15
Both: no preference
7
Total
22

Comments:
· “Blog for useful though unrelated info e.g top tips etc. Discussion boards should be kept "on topic" otherwise it becomes a nightmare to navigate through.”
· “Discussion boards. It feels more part of the course, although I appreciate this is not exactly true as such.”
· “I prefer the discussion boards as it is easier to follow specific threads within them (as long as people title their entries). The blogs are, however, great for the "red herrings" and other interesting issues not directly related to the main discussion theme.”
· “Blog for useful though unrelated info e.g top tips etc. Discussion boards should be kept "on topic" otherwise it becomes a nightmare to navigate through.”

I THINK THAT ALL OF THESE ARE SALIENT POINTS. AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, HOWEVER, I THINK THE DISCUSSION BOARD CAN GET VERY CLUTTERED WITH OFF-TOPIC MATERIAL AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS. IF YOU'VE NOT A LOT OF TIME THEN I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE DISCUSSION IN THE 'CLASSROOM' VERY FOCUSSED AND STREAMLINED. BUT YOU, OR AT LEAST I, WOULDN'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON ALL THE OFFTOPIC STUFF WHICH IS OFTEN HIGHLY INTERESTING AND VERY USEFUL. I STILL SEE THAT AS A MAIN FUNCTION OF THE BLOG.

Q.7 Do you use the Bloglines aggregator to check other the blogs?

Yes
11
No
11
Total
22


Q.8 Would you like to have more help in using your blog?

Yes
11
No
11
Total
22


Q.9 Would you like more help in using the blog aggregator (Bloglines)?

Yes
12
No
10
Total
22


Q.10 Do you think the blogging is a useful tool? Please give your reasons?

Yes
9
No
6
Undecided
7
Total


Comments:
· “Absolutely, its the place where free discussion on topics outside of the course can be discussed and it allows more interaction between students”
· “yes because in the internet world it is hard to communicate directly, particularly in the class room because it's a bit more formal. the blog allows you to be more expressive and you see more personalities shine through”
· “NO. I haven't distilled the point of blogging yet with regard to this course.”
· “No, or at least not yet. It is hard enough keeping up with the course using the different elements of the VLE. Add to that the need to go into the KCL IMP webmail (with another 3 password portals) and it is time-consuming enough. Having then to check the tutor's blog in case you've missed an instruction or comment is massively over-complicated and strikes me as another example of using technology simply because it's there. We need one simple portal, with one simple access, so that there can be no confuson. Blogs add nothing for me thus far.”
· “I'm sure it is a useful tool if given greater guidance and more time I would undoubtedly benefit from its utility.”
· “Probably. I have not used it that much as yet and will most likely not be in a position to provide a proper reflective answer until much later in the course.”


Q.11 Do you have any suggestions or changes which might enhance your use of the blogs?

No
9
Yes (selected comments):
· “More prompting to use the blogs within the units (there have been a couple of occasions) might stimulate greater use, if this is desired.”
· “Get it into KCL...! 5MB space per student?.”
· “More enforced utility of the site especially with long discussions. Short answers on main site, example essays and long answers on the blog.”
· “Set them up and aggregate them for us so that they work from the start.”
· “Although the coursework is hectic at times especially with travel etc. The only way to incorporate the Blog format would be to make it a more designed part of the learning experience.”
· “I do not have any confidence that everyone is utilizing the Blogs as intended. The subscription levels on some blogs seem very low and the input is also low from certain areas. That said, there are those who clearly utilize the blogs frequently. I think that the use of the blogs (as in our Tutorial group) to communicate important information from our "leader" about the course is a good way of ensuring that all students access the blogs regularly.”

I'LL JUST SPEAK TO THE LAST OF THESE COMMENTS DIRECTLY, UTILIZING THE BLOGS 'AS INTENDED'. WHEN WE WERE PUTTING THE COURSE TOGETHER I CONFESS TO BEING SKEPTICAL OF THE BLOGS. I WASN'T SURE OF THEIR PURPOSE. I'D BEEN TURNED OFF BY AN EARLIER EXPERIMENT WITH A BLOGGING TOOL. I THUOGHT THE AGGREGATOR WAS A BIT CLUNKY. I STILL THINK THAT IT COULD BE STREAMLINED AND PERHAPS MORE INTUITIVE. I HATE HAVING TO REMEMBER ANOTHER LOGIN AND PASSWORD. I WOULD PREFER THAT THE TOOL WAS 'IN-HOUSE'. AND IF THE WORLD WERE PERFECT SOMEONE WOULD SET IT UP FOR ME. BASICALLY, I'M SAYING THAT I MYSELF DID NOT HAVE A FIRM IDEA OF WHAT WAS 'INTENDED'. I HAVE, HOWEVER, BECOME A BELIEVER. I THINK WE SHOULD, AND WILL, MAKE IT EASIER AND TIE IT MORE INTO COURSE CONTENT BUT I AM CONVINCED THAT OVER THE LONG TERM IT IS A USEFUL THING.


Q.12 Have you subscribed to other non-War in the Modern World blogs? If so please give examples?

No
10
Yes
Types: mainly news and political

10
Total
20
Not answered: 2

Comments:
· “KCL could provide advice on blogs relevant to the course.”
· “No can I do that???”
· “Yes. Some news: BBC News and Reuters; and a bit of entertainment: Dilbert and Quotes of the Day. I subscribed to a lot more to start with, but have cut down as they are too time consumming - I need to use my limited spare time to study after all.”

I DON'T. I HAVE MY OWN HABITS AND WAYS OF BROWSING FOR NEWS. I HAVE AN IDEA FOR HOW I CAN SHARE THAT WITH YOU. I JUST USE THE AGGREGATOR FOR THIS COURSE. I LOOK IN, SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING NEW AND LOG OUT. QUICK. EASY.

Q.13 What other forms of communication have you used within the course?

Email
100%
Skype
14%
Chat oom
32%
Telephone
45%

I'VE HEARD FROM SOME OF YOU BY PHONE OR ON SKYPE. FEEL FREE TO CALL ME MORE. SKYPE IS CHEAP (FREE) AND ACTUALLY HAS BETTER SOUND QUALITY MOST TIMES. IF YOU HAVE A QUICK QUESTION AND DON'T WANT TO TYPE THEN CALL!

Q.14 What is your preferred method of communication? e.g. e-mail, telephone, blogging, discussion forum, chat.


First choice
Email
10
Discussion forum
9
Chat room
0
Telephone
2
No preference
1

Comments:
· “e-mail and discussion. I have enabled a Skype account and would use that.”


Q.15 Can you identify on which part(s) of the course you spend the majority of your time? e.g. reading, writing discussion posts etc.

Reading
13
Reading and discussion
9
Total
22

Comments:
· “Reading: by a long way. I wish there was more reading time.”
· “Split between reading and discussion posts.”
· “The reading is the most time-consuming part of the course. That said, in the early days, the writing of discussion posts also took a long time. In our group we agreed to cut down posts to a paragraph (or so) and this not only saved time but also focussed the discussions a bit more.”
· “Reading both the background material and other peole's postings.”

THE THIRD POINT ABOVE SHOULD BE ADOPTED BY OUR GROUP TOO. VERY SENSIBLE. AS FOR READING TIME, THAT'S WHAT AN MA IS: READING, READING and MORE READING.

Q.16 Do you feel you have enough time to participate in all aspects of the course?

Plenty of time
1
Enough time
2
Somewhat under time pressure
10
A lot of time pressure
9
Total
22

Probably as we might expect, most students perceive themselves as ‘somewhat under time pressure’ with nearly half (41%) reporting that they are under “a lot” of time pressure. Students must therefore have to prioritise their workload – it would be interesting to know what criteria they choose to make these decisions. From Q.15 it appears that reading is the major area that impacts upon their available study time.


Q.17 How would you rate the importance of the discussion boards to your study?

Not at all important
1
Moderately important
6
Important
4
Very important
11
Total
22


Q.18 How would you rate the importance of the blogs to your study?

Not at all important
14
Moderately important
5
Important
2
Very important
1
Total
22

This is interesting as 14 responses here rate the blogs as ‘not at all important’. This it does not match the responses to Q.10 where 9 students answered positively regarding the usefulness of the blogging tool and 6 remained undecided.


Q.19 How would you rate the importance of the e-mail to your study?

Not at all important
1
Moderately important
12
Important
3
Very important
6
Total
22


Q.20 Do you prefer studying alone or as part of a group?

Alone
18
Part of a group
4
Total
22

It will be interesting to see if these figures change over time and students become more closely associated with each other and perhaps open to group work at a later date.


Q.21 How closely associated do you feel with the other group members on the course?

Closely
3
Somewhat
11
Distant
6
Very distant
2
Total
22

8 students report that they feel either ‘distant’ or ‘very distant’ from the group. This seems a high figure?

I THINK IT SOUNDS HIGH. ANYWAY, I DO NOT LIKE IT. ANY IDEAS WHAT WE COULD DO BETTER?

Ready for units 6-10?

Looking at my blog I'm slightly horrified to see that I have not posted here in over a month! I must admit that the Group Activity took up most of my attention and after that I was determined to do very little eLearning while on my holiday. But it's 2006, a new term and a new year and time to begin the lst half of this course. I hope that you are reenergized as I am. Personally, my interests are more contemporary than historical and so I am keen to get going on these last five units which take us up to the end of the Cold War. There's a lot of interesting ground to cover.

In the meantime before we get started I must complete my mountain of marking. I remember when I was an MA student one of my professors grumbling about how difficult and stressful the job of marking was. He seemed to be implying that this was tougher than the actual writing. At the time, having just handed in a major paper which I had agonized over for weeks I didn't have a lot of sympathy for the man. In fact, what I felt was the distinct--thuogh slightly guilty--pleasure of schadenfreude. Having seen both sides now I can assure you that writing is more challenging--creating is always more difficult than critiquing. But marking is a lot less fun, for the most part which makes it all the more exciting when I read a really good, well-written and incisive paper.

I wonder if any of you would be prepared to post on your blog one of your marked essays? Some of them have been truly excellent and would be a good example for others. Besides, you'd get bragging rights.