How has this online forum worked for you in regards to dialouge?

In the open say section there are about 3 more threads for this.  But I'm going to answer your questions regarding the forum due to my paper being on that.  Maybe it'll be helpful for you as well. 

 I think using this online system is a great way to find out how other students feel about things going around campus. Its an easy way to connect and chat in a network. I love how you don't have to create another log in name and connects with the western name account. It'd be interesting to see how much this online base is going to grow within the next couple months.

I think that the online forum in a good way for everyone to connect with more people and it is interesting to read about the different opions that people have here on campus. I wasn't sure what to expect at first but it has been useful in keeping up to date with events and things that happen around campus and I think that it was appropriately named the Community Forum because it has a sense of a smaller community that I haven't really seen many other places here at Western.

Shannon

As a very general statement on the benefits of the Forum, I'd point to its role in the ongoing issue relating to the AS and the censorship allegations placed against it, as has been featured by Katherine Garvey's excellent coverage in the last few editions of the Western Front.

The thread that was started on here preceded all actions taken by the AS in responding to the allegations, including their "open forum", which was attended by more than thirty students. Without the benefit of a very visible medium with which to directly address the myriad number of issues that have surrounded the issue, I feel--on a completely personal level--that there would have been no additional efforts made by the AS to engage the performers and their critics, or to encourage the continued dialogue on what constitutes "controversial content" at Western. The fact that this forum is here and available for discussion among the student body precipitated a sense of interest, and the consequent urgency towards resolution, even if it was just due to the fact that it wound up with more thread views in a week than any other topic posted thus far. :D

I believe that the online forum is a good idea in theory. However, I often despise coming on here to engage in dialogue. I have never been one for interaction online, and would much rather interact face-to-face. With this said, I do believe that this forum does work in that it can bring a larger group of people together basically anytime that participants choose. While face-to-face meetings often require larger time commitments due to transportation and such. The community forum can be used while just sitting around at home, or any other place.

But again, I prefer face-to-face interaction, and believe that the venues like the TLA are a great place to do this.

1. Did you have any negative comunication experiences in Community online forum? If so, what?

No, Everyone seemed to be respectful of all ideas and thoughts. There have been a couple hot topics on the forum that could have easily excited some internet conflict but everything has been fine. I'm impressed with the level of tolerance for others' ideas.

2. How would you describve what its like to participate in forum

Frustrating, but effective. There are some problems with this forum, but overall it does what it is intended to do. It facilitates campus wide discussion, where anyone can say whatever is on their mind.

3. Characteristics on the online forum that help/ make it easier?

I like knowing when people have posted. If you catch a recent post, their is a chance to have some direct conversation instead of waiting till the next time you log on for responses.

4. How would you improve the process?

I would creat an open talk chat room. It would encourage a more dialogic environment through natural flowing conversation. I found that having to wait for responses can be both troublesome and annoying.

5. What were expectations when first stepping onto the online forum? Now?

I have used forums before, so I knew what it would basically be like. However, I did not expect the amount of people that have participated in it.

6. Whats been the result of choosing dialogue on the online forum?
 

I don't really consider the online forum to be dialogic in nature. There is too much of a delay in responses and no face to face contact. There is no focus on one particular topic and not much structure. I know dialogue is suppose to be free of guideline and rules but I don't see the online forum as truely effective dialogue