The Web Innovation Module at GCU

Hello Web........As part of my degree course I have been forced to create and maintain a blog all about my views of the Web Innovation Module delivered by Alexis Barlow and Margaret McCann at Glasgow Caledonian University.  Having never been keen on "blogging" in the past, I anticipate that this will be somewhat arduous for me, so apologies to my "followers" as I am likely to rant and moan frequently, which on reflection could mean that I'm unlikely to have many followers so don't really need to apologise.............

Well the first "discussion" is about my opinion of the web innovation module.  What can I say?  It's interesting (cos I know you're reading this Alexis) or ............. I find it mind numbingly dull (cos my fellow students are reading this).  Which should I choose?  Maybe I should ask for votes and let my followers decide?................Nah, I've never been big on democracy so let's crack on and get it over with. 

The module isn't exactly what I thought it would be.  I was envisioning learning how to use the internet in extremely geeky new ways that I could impress all my non-techy friends with but so far I haven't actually came across anything that is particularly blowing me away.  The course content includes the following:

• Blogging
• Wikis
• Social media and podcasting
• Social networking
• Virtual worlds for business
• Software as a service/mashups/RSS
• Web 2.0
• Future of web innovations

Is it just me or are you thinking "Yeah, ok there's nothing there that I'm unaware of apart from maybe web 2.0?", or is that just me?  Well I've had web 2.0 explained to me and I still don't know what it is!  

It's clearly not the lecturer that is causing this mental deficiency as they've made the lectures themselves more interesting than they should be given it's hard to sit there and keep switched on when it's a subject that you feel you know about and don't need to hear any more on (think web applications).  

The inclusion of a discussion board (we have a forum on the GCU website for the non-students "followers") was something that I think was intended to be extremely educational and help the idiots like me sus out what they're talking about but the 1st task of discussing applications you use on the web only demonstrated that we all do the same things, more or less.  

It's possible that the discussion was meant to introduce students to "apps" that they didn't know and may like to try but quickly deteriorated in to a social space.  We all use social networking....SO BIG SURPRISE!!!!  

We all suddenly claimed to be these frighteningly academic people who used blackboard, google, wikepedia etc for University purposes......SAD GITS!!!!  How many of you lied your backsides off????  If it is true and you are all that sad then I'm seriously wasteing my time at Uni because I'VE GOT A LIFE!!!!

I have to admit that "blogging" wasn't on my expected list of activities that I need to incorporate into said life.  I say life and that makes it sound like I'm doing things that should invoke extreme jealousy but in reality we're talking about work, cleaning, shopping and studying.  Doesn't sound quite as exciting now does it?  

Anyway, having seen the statistics for corporate blogging (which really surprised me) I can totally accept that it is important for businesses to learn how to exploit the web for a relatively low input cost but clearly it's not necessary from a personal point of view.  I'm not that sad!

Actually, when I say I'm not that sad, I have already pitched my services to a multi-national company in Glasgow at the bargain price of a penny a word.  Will they take me up on this incredible bargain?  I'll let you know and in the meantime practice my skills on you poor unsuspecting lot. 

Writing a blog is something that I would never ever have done as I don't think that my life should be out there for everyone to scrutinise but I do accept that for some individuals they are a must.  

In my view unless you are someone incredibly interesting with an exceptionally exciting life "blogging" is boring.  I'd rather sit down with a good book.  God I sound ancient!!!!! I always thought I could write a book but I think the difference for me is that "blogging" is about your real life thoughts, feelings or experiences and if I wrote a book it would be complete and utter fiction.  Clearly not particularly good fiction but fiction none the less.

Don't let me put you off going out there and doing a blog of your own as it may be your "t'ing" but it ain't mine but just incase you don’t mind being bored out of your mind, feel free to visit again.  Read my blog, when I'll be talking to myself "bloggin" and leave me a comment.  Or, if like me you thought it was complete and utter tosh, I won’t be offended but don’t expect me to read yours!!!!