Comments on: Ethnography http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/ part of the MSc in E-learning at the University of Edinburgh Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:20:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Ania Rolińska http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-57 Ania Rolińska Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:01:03 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-57 I started with the prezi and was amused/intrigued to follow all the minisequences and stories forming a bigger landscape. It felt a bit like pub-crawling but Rheingold did liken the virtual community to a neighbourhood pub or coffee shop, going to various hangouts and eavesdrop on the conversations, from more serious rants to idle banter (I liked the cocktail-induced quasi-limericks most!). I think you showed and then explained well the bonds that have been established between the members of this community and the transformation they underwent: from purely common interest-oriented to more social ones and possibly beyond that. They seem like a close-knit group - how easy would it be to become one of 'them'? Would there be some strange initiation procedure? And I can sympathise with you re: the prezi making process! I spent hours putting mine together! I started with the prezi and was amused/intrigued to follow all the minisequences and stories forming a bigger landscape. It felt a bit like pub-crawling but Rheingold did liken the virtual community to a neighbourhood pub or coffee shop, going to various hangouts and eavesdrop on the conversations, from more serious rants to idle banter (I liked the cocktail-induced quasi-limericks most!). I think you showed and then explained well the bonds that have been established between the members of this community and the transformation they underwent: from purely common interest-oriented to more social ones and possibly beyond that. They seem like a close-knit group – how easy would it be to become one of ‘them’? Would there be some strange initiation procedure?

And I can sympathise with you re: the prezi making process! I spent hours putting mine together!

]]> By: Jeremy Keith Knox http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-47 Jeremy Keith Knox Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:05:45 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-47 I like the way you have structured some of this around research questions, it can really help to structure and focus subsequent research writing, as well as making it clear for the reader what you are trying to achieve. I also like how you have specified conventions in communication as a factor that portrays community. The ‘voice of reason’ would indeed seem an appropriate mode of communication for scientists! Kozinets (2010) mentions ‘interactional formats’, rituals and customs, but also a shared language in the definitions of community and culture. Like others have commented with regards to the different ‘sites’ you have looked at, it seems as if the language (identity?) defines the community more than one particular ‘space’. This seems particularly interesting when a lot of the actual material featured in your prezi was ‘social’ rather than ‘scientific’, as Austin highlighted. Does a kind of reasoned language permeate all discussions I wonder? Looking at the scientific community has got me thinking about ‘paradigms’, and the specific scientific use of the term, and I wonder whether it is useful to use the analogy with communities. Communities might be said to work within the boundaries of a shared theoretical foundation (as scientists might work with Newtonian physics), where exploration and conflict are fine, as long as the theoretical foundation within which they operate is not challenged. I suppose the difference might be the explicit nature of scientific theory, whereas communities may not acknowledge, be conscious of, or actually discuss the fundamental ideas that they share… Your analysis of the support is interesting, and I wonder how community assistance might relate to levels of participation, from newbie to insider. Community status would seem to be an interesting angle from which to look at this group, particularly as you mentioned how members describe themselves and their field work. I like the way you have structured some of this around research questions, it can really help to structure and focus subsequent research writing, as well as making it clear for the reader what you are trying to achieve.

I also like how you have specified conventions in communication as a factor that portrays community. The ‘voice of reason’ would indeed seem an appropriate mode of communication for scientists! Kozinets (2010) mentions ‘interactional formats’, rituals and customs, but also a shared language in the definitions of community and culture. Like others have commented with regards to the different ‘sites’ you have looked at, it seems as if the language (identity?) defines the community more than one particular ‘space’. This seems particularly interesting when a lot of the actual material featured in your prezi was ‘social’ rather than ‘scientific’, as Austin highlighted. Does a kind of reasoned language permeate all discussions I wonder?

Looking at the scientific community has got me thinking about ‘paradigms’, and the specific scientific use of the term, and I wonder whether it is useful to use the analogy with communities. Communities might be said to work within the boundaries of a shared theoretical foundation (as scientists might work with Newtonian physics), where exploration and conflict are fine, as long as the theoretical foundation within which they operate is not challenged. I suppose the difference might be the explicit nature of scientific theory, whereas communities may not acknowledge, be conscious of, or actually discuss the fundamental ideas that they share…

Your analysis of the support is interesting, and I wonder how community assistance might relate to levels of participation, from newbie to insider. Community status would seem to be an interesting angle from which to look at this group, particularly as you mentioned how members describe themselves and their field work.

]]> By: Daniel Griffin http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-46 Daniel Griffin Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:54:30 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-46 Me too, I really enjoyed this one. I read the text before the Prezi presentation and must admit that I didn't quite get the same sense of community at first. However seeing the user posts really cemented the idea for me. I'd agree with Jen that it's a great to see a community emerging from something that isn't formally created as with a single site, and you have really captured that well. Also didn't realize scientists love cocktails so much :-) Cheers!! Me too, I really enjoyed this one.
I read the text before the Prezi presentation and must admit that I didn’t quite get the same sense of community at first. However seeing the user posts really cemented the idea for me. I’d agree with Jen that it’s a great to see a community emerging from something that isn’t formally created as with a single site, and you have really captured that well. Also didn’t realize scientists love cocktails so much :-) Cheers!!

]]> By: Grace Elliott http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-45 Grace Elliott Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:30:58 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-45 Hi Neil, Thanks so much for your comments, I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's always a bit daunting about how others will perceive it when you start out. Like you, it was a case of 'publish and be damned' as I was running out of time. It was an enjoyable journey and the Aeron Haworth case certainly made me stop, think and reflect on what a powerful tool online communication is. Don't think Haworth is ever going to forget the lesson he learned. As for digital spaces, I find it fascinating that we tend to find uses that were never initially envisaged. Part of our creativity. :) And isn't it good that humour still shines through. Hi Neil,

Thanks so much for your comments, I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s always a bit daunting about how others will perceive it when you start out. Like you, it was a case of ‘publish and be damned’ as I was running out of time. It was an enjoyable journey and the Aeron Haworth case certainly made me stop, think and reflect on what a powerful tool online communication is. Don’t think Haworth is ever going to forget the lesson he learned. As for digital spaces, I find it fascinating that we tend to find uses that were never initially envisaged. Part of our creativity. :) And isn’t it good that humour still shines through.

]]> By: Neil David Buchanan http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-43 Neil David Buchanan Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:05:02 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-43 Hi Grace, I loved the quirkiness of the people forming this group. I think you've done an excellent job on illustrating how a collection of people, ostensibly brought together by one shared interest, expand into a group that discovers a myriad other connections! I think you've used Prezi well (like you, I'm a new user :)) and though it can induce roller coaster tummy, you've made it a fun and illuminating way to hit the different spots of the group. I liked the way you've brought out so effectively how these groups communicate and launch into other sites and digital spaces. I don't have my readings to hand but it was mentioned in a couple of them how these groups are concerned with flow and not merely space. You've shown that here, especially in the discussion regarding the press officer. And isn't it amazing how public he has become? To describe himself as a private person and then claim he acted as he did because of alcohol is demonstrative of that perception of digital exposure; he'd never do it to a room full of group members, I think, but he tells them all online! And the breastfeeding back and fro was funny. Really enjoyed this Grace! Hi Grace, I loved the quirkiness of the people forming this group. I think you’ve done an excellent job on illustrating how a collection of people, ostensibly brought together by one shared interest, expand into a group that discovers a myriad other connections! I think you’ve used Prezi well (like you, I’m a new user :) ) and though it can induce roller coaster tummy, you’ve made it a fun and illuminating way to hit the different spots of the group. I liked the way you’ve brought out so effectively how these groups communicate and launch into other sites and digital spaces. I don’t have my readings to hand but it was mentioned in a couple of them how these groups are concerned with flow and not merely space. You’ve shown that here, especially in the discussion regarding the press officer. And isn’t it amazing how public he has become? To describe himself as a private person and then claim he acted as he did because of alcohol is demonstrative of that perception of digital exposure; he’d never do it to a room full of group members, I think, but he tells them all online! And the breastfeeding back and fro was funny. Really enjoyed this Grace!

]]> By: Grace Elliott http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-42 Grace Elliott Sun, 06 Nov 2011 03:07:46 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-42 Hi Carol, Thanks for your comments. The vision in my head didn't quite transpire to 'the page' so to speak. Gathering the data, getting to grips with the application and the frustrations of uploading/downloading was more time-consuming than expected. I almost resorted to using powerpoint but felt this was an opportunity to try something new. I am so pleased to hear that it made sense to you and that you feel it represented a community. I know what you mean about Prezi, I get a little sea-sick too with it. Hi Carol,

Thanks for your comments. The vision in my head didn’t quite transpire to ‘the page’ so to speak. Gathering the data, getting to grips with the application and the frustrations of uploading/downloading was more time-consuming than expected. I almost resorted to using powerpoint but felt this was an opportunity to try something new. I am so pleased to hear that it made sense to you and that you feel it represented a community.

I know what you mean about Prezi, I get a little sea-sick too with it.

]]> By: Carol Jane Collins http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-41 Carol Jane Collins Sat, 05 Nov 2011 11:23:22 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-41 Hi Grace I too looked at the Prezi first and your report made sense of it. However, I liked not quite knowing what was going on on first viewing - and the references to the everyday....cocktails (well they are for some of us:)), pets etc - as it seemed to be representing a community without having a preformed view through a structure (if you see what I mean!). It can be frustrating getting to grips with a way of presenting ideas - I had more bother with deciding on a mode of presentation than the actual content. I found it difficult to find a presentation app that would allow me pictures, video, music and enough text option. I tried several and failed so went back to ppt which had its problems uploading. I've looked at Prezi and it seems quite complicated so well done on what you've put together....the only thing with viewing Prezi is it makes me feel a little nauseous as it swing from element to element! Hi Grace

I too looked at the Prezi first and your report made sense of it. However, I liked not quite knowing what was going on on first viewing – and the references to the everyday….cocktails (well they are for some of us:)), pets etc – as it seemed to be representing a community without having a preformed view through a structure (if you see what I mean!).

It can be frustrating getting to grips with a way of presenting ideas – I had more bother with deciding on a mode of presentation than the actual content. I found it difficult to find a presentation app that would allow me pictures, video, music and enough text option. I tried several and failed so went back to ppt which had its problems uploading. I’ve looked at Prezi and it seems quite complicated so well done on what you’ve put together….the only thing with viewing Prezi is it makes me feel a little nauseous as it swing from element to element!

]]> By: Grace Elliott http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-40 Grace Elliott Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:36:48 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-40 Hi Jen, Thanks for your comments. And I would say that 'voice of reason' is how the community police its boundaries, and I believe it works particularly because of the values they hold as a scientific community. They come across as a really interesting, caring, funny, group of people and it was very enjoyable getting to know them. The presentation didn't turn out exactly as I would have liked but I'm still finding my way round Prezi. See my comments to Austin on that score. Anyway, I probably spent way too much time on it and didn't leave enough time to pull it all together in my blog. Hi Jen,
Thanks for your comments. And I would say that ‘voice of reason’ is how the community police its boundaries, and I believe it works particularly because of the values they hold as a scientific community. They come across as a really interesting, caring, funny, group of people and it was very enjoyable getting to know them.

The presentation didn’t turn out exactly as I would have liked but I’m still finding my way round Prezi. See my comments to Austin on that score. Anyway, I probably spent way too much time on it and didn’t leave enough time to pull it all together in my blog.

]]> By: Grace Elliott http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-39 Grace Elliott Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:23:32 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-39 Hi Austin, Thanks for your comments. I did have a few science related articles under a heading 'Informing' but seemed to lose them (I'm still finding my way round Prezi.) Also it took forever to upload so I couldn't re-do them. It does seem an eclectic group of items but it was to bring in the diversity of the community, whether that's online or real life. The cocktails... it's Dr Becca's 'thing' and gives a flavour of her personality. Hi Austin,
Thanks for your comments. I did have a few science related articles under a heading ‘Informing’ but seemed to lose them (I’m still finding my way round Prezi.) Also it took forever to upload so I couldn’t re-do them. It does seem an eclectic group of items but it was to bring in the diversity of the community, whether that’s online or real life. The cocktails… it’s Dr Becca’s ‘thing’ and gives a flavour of her personality.

]]> By: Austin Tate http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/2011/11/04/ethnography/#comment-38 Austin Tate Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:24:33 +0000 http://edc11.education.ed.ac.uk/gracee/?p=712#comment-38 I did Prezi ahead of reading the report here too - but did not do it on your advice Jen or ity would definitely have been too late :-) Grace... really nice set of items in the Prezi presentation... almost none of it about science I note! What is al lthat about drinks, coktails and so on in a science blog? The breast feeding item and a related male activity comment was funny. And I liked the cat with fleas image at the end. I was left scratching my head after the Prezi presentation. Maybe I got it... the fleas that is. Your report did make a LOT more sense... great links to the readings and themes of teh course block. Helps reinforce my own attempts at understanding some of the work. I did Prezi ahead of reading the report here too – but did not do it on your advice Jen or ity would definitely have been too late :-)

Grace… really nice set of items in the Prezi presentation… almost none of it about science I note! What is al lthat about drinks, coktails and so on in a science blog? The breast feeding item and a related male activity comment was funny. And I liked the cat with fleas image at the end. I was left scratching my head after the Prezi presentation. Maybe I got it… the fleas that is.

Your report did make a LOT more sense… great links to the readings and themes of teh course block. Helps reinforce my own attempts at understanding some of the work.

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