Today was fun! We started class a half hour early in order that Steve could fulfill a teaching commitment.
Sandie showed us the features of 'Captivate'-- a screen capturing software program. It seemed mind boggling to me. However, not so long ago, 'Word' scared the socks off me as I had been accustomed to using 'Word Perfect'. Therefore, it is just a matter of familiarizing myself with yet another tool to survive in the world of interactive communication.
Our first activity consisted of pairing up in teams of two. Steve and Jen were given a picture puzzle with no picture of its contents. Ben and I were given a picture puzzle with the picture but we were not allowed to communicate with each other and we could only work on it alternately in thirty second segments. Steve and Jen finished their puzzle before ours was halfway completed. After we had lost the competition, Ben and I started to communicate and work on the puzzle in tandem and Steve and Jen also gave us assistance. The outcome of this exercise could apply in Distance Education. When you do not have the whole picture or when you have the picture but have restrictions, sometimes you must step beyond the rules to get a satisfactory conclusion.
Next, Sandie reviewed in depth the requirements for our final paper which is due July 9, 2007 and what will be expected for the fall semester.
Mashups, remixes, and YouTube were explored. These various entities combine several different sources into one artifact. Some of them were very entertaining.
Creating a bumper sticker promoting Distance Education was the last activity of the day. We decided to use a logo with two people positioned on the top of the world globe with a bridge separating them with the inscription -- "Brigding the Gap -- Distance Education".
For me, the workshop has been most beneficial. It was a pleasant experience to work with the other members of the cohort who were friendly and considerate. I may never use many of the tools we explored, but it has given me a better understanding of what is available and I can converse with the younger generation on their terms!
Thank you all !!!
P.S. I wrote a much better reflection earlier, but just before I posted it, AOL knocked me off the internet. I loathe working at home because this happens all too often.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Third Day Reflections
The brain freeze continues. We covered so much today, I could not absorb it all. Nevertheless I have a cursory view of social networks and a better understanding of digital libraries and copyright issues because of our discussions.
Our morning started with a review of the subjects we covered yesterday. Digital libraries was our first topic of discussion. Pioneer, Ebsco, ERIC, and UEN were a few of the larger collections mentioned. In my reading, a statement in a paper by Professor Stephen P. Harter of Indiana University really caught my attention. He wrote, "As we build new digital libraries we add functionality--capabilities that have never been present in traditional libraries. At the same time, however, we are losing important properties of the traditional library. In our efforts to build new systems we rarely ask what aspects of traditional libraries are important to retain." Sandie asked what may be lost by digitizing libraries. As an example, I related my experience of handling the original parchment pages of the sailing logs written by my great grandfather in 1859 as he set sail from Lowestoft, England. No digital copies could have provided the sensation of feel, sight and even smell of those old documents.
Copyright concerns was the next topic of discussion. It was interesting to hear how the various teachers in the cohort had differing opinions of what was permissible to reproduce, distribute, or cite under the current regulations. Although the TEACH Act and the Fair Use concept of the Copyright Law of 1976 specify situations in which copyrighted materials may be used without express permission of the copyright holder, with the technology available today, it is very easy to abuse those provisions. A basic knowledge of copyright law is essential for any educator.
Development tools and learning management systems such as Moodle, WebCT, and WebCT Vista were reviewed as well as opencourseware.
To give us an idea of what our final project should encompass, Sandie displayed several submissions from last year. Kim Ziebarth's presentation had a professional look and feel that was most appealing.
After the lunch break we participated in a team building activity that produced surprising results. We were paired in teams of two, and one group was shown a picture for 60 seconds and then had to replicate it on a sheet of paper. Only one person on the other team was shown a picture for the same 60 seconds and then had to describe the picture in such a way that the other team member could replicate it. The only difference between the two groups was the fact that the team member who had to describe it to his/her teammate could return to look at the image where the other team could not. In analyzing the results, it was concluded that collaboration was mandatory for the success of the team where both participants had viewed the picture, whereas in the other situation, it was the narrative skill of the observer and the artistic skill of artist that determined the outcome.
We then relocated to the computer lab and Sandie demonstrated SKYPE. It was an awesome experience to receive calls via the internet. She further demonstrated the various features of My Space. Having only heard about the site, it was very interesting to explore its many features.
After a brief orientation of tomorrow's activities, we were dismissed for the day. However, I am sure my brain will be mulling over many of the new concepts until late in the evening.
Our morning started with a review of the subjects we covered yesterday. Digital libraries was our first topic of discussion. Pioneer, Ebsco, ERIC, and UEN were a few of the larger collections mentioned. In my reading, a statement in a paper by Professor Stephen P. Harter of Indiana University really caught my attention. He wrote, "As we build new digital libraries we add functionality--capabilities that have never been present in traditional libraries. At the same time, however, we are losing important properties of the traditional library. In our efforts to build new systems we rarely ask what aspects of traditional libraries are important to retain." Sandie asked what may be lost by digitizing libraries. As an example, I related my experience of handling the original parchment pages of the sailing logs written by my great grandfather in 1859 as he set sail from Lowestoft, England. No digital copies could have provided the sensation of feel, sight and even smell of those old documents.
Copyright concerns was the next topic of discussion. It was interesting to hear how the various teachers in the cohort had differing opinions of what was permissible to reproduce, distribute, or cite under the current regulations. Although the TEACH Act and the Fair Use concept of the Copyright Law of 1976 specify situations in which copyrighted materials may be used without express permission of the copyright holder, with the technology available today, it is very easy to abuse those provisions. A basic knowledge of copyright law is essential for any educator.
Development tools and learning management systems such as Moodle, WebCT, and WebCT Vista were reviewed as well as opencourseware.
To give us an idea of what our final project should encompass, Sandie displayed several submissions from last year. Kim Ziebarth's presentation had a professional look and feel that was most appealing.
After the lunch break we participated in a team building activity that produced surprising results. We were paired in teams of two, and one group was shown a picture for 60 seconds and then had to replicate it on a sheet of paper. Only one person on the other team was shown a picture for the same 60 seconds and then had to describe the picture in such a way that the other team member could replicate it. The only difference between the two groups was the fact that the team member who had to describe it to his/her teammate could return to look at the image where the other team could not. In analyzing the results, it was concluded that collaboration was mandatory for the success of the team where both participants had viewed the picture, whereas in the other situation, it was the narrative skill of the observer and the artistic skill of artist that determined the outcome.
We then relocated to the computer lab and Sandie demonstrated SKYPE. It was an awesome experience to receive calls via the internet. She further demonstrated the various features of My Space. Having only heard about the site, it was very interesting to explore its many features.
After a brief orientation of tomorrow's activities, we were dismissed for the day. However, I am sure my brain will be mulling over many of the new concepts until late in the evening.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Second Day Reflections
The morning started with a brief team building activity. We were asked to create a headline about some feature of the person we interviewed on Monday. There were two headlines that came to mind concerning Jenifer. They were -- "Jenifer Riches, a USU graduate, teaches English in Brazil" and "Jenifer Riches' new Honda is sleek!"
Next our discussion was directed to the definition and function of social networks and learning communities. We explored the positive results that can emerge when a group of individuals, with common goals, share information to enrich the learning of each participant. It was concluded that sometimes a social network can emerge into a learning community.
Our last activity before lunch break was setting up a Hotmail account.
After lunch, we assembled in the classroom for a team building activity which entailed trying to piece together a solution when each student was given only a piece of the problem. Ultimately, when all participants collaborated, the correct answer to the problem was identified.
Simulation was our next topic of discussion. One person defined simulation as anything that takes the place of the real world to reduce the cost. Sandie played for us a simulation featuring the sea life and environment of a kelp forest in Monterey Bay. It was an attention-getter as well as an informative activity.
Back to the computer room, we learned about instant messaging and all the students participated in an online group discussion. For me, it was a bit confusing as I had never before explored the wonders of IM.
Our last activity of the day was a discussion of our final paper. Sandie outlined the content that should be included and reminded us that this assignment is due on the 9th of July.
By the time we finished, my brain was overloaded. However, it is invigorating to learn of the many tools that are becoming so commonplace in our society.
Next our discussion was directed to the definition and function of social networks and learning communities. We explored the positive results that can emerge when a group of individuals, with common goals, share information to enrich the learning of each participant. It was concluded that sometimes a social network can emerge into a learning community.
Our last activity before lunch break was setting up a Hotmail account.
After lunch, we assembled in the classroom for a team building activity which entailed trying to piece together a solution when each student was given only a piece of the problem. Ultimately, when all participants collaborated, the correct answer to the problem was identified.
Simulation was our next topic of discussion. One person defined simulation as anything that takes the place of the real world to reduce the cost. Sandie played for us a simulation featuring the sea life and environment of a kelp forest in Monterey Bay. It was an attention-getter as well as an informative activity.
Back to the computer room, we learned about instant messaging and all the students participated in an online group discussion. For me, it was a bit confusing as I had never before explored the wonders of IM.
Our last activity of the day was a discussion of our final paper. Sandie outlined the content that should be included and reminded us that this assignment is due on the 9th of July.
By the time we finished, my brain was overloaded. However, it is invigorating to learn of the many tools that are becoming so commonplace in our society.
Monday, June 25, 2007
First Day Reflection
Today we had a rather bumpy start to our INST 5520 instruction. One enrollee did not show and Ben drove to Logan and then back to Salt Lake because he misinterpreted where the class would be held. Nevertheless, he interacted with us over the EdNet system until the noon recess and then he drove to Logan again for the afternoon session.
After lunch, we were instructed about how to set up blogs and wikis and their various uses. These new concepts are quite confusing initially, but I keep on plugging until I get a grip on what is expected. Luckily, my cohorts are very patient and helpful. MB
After lunch, we were instructed about how to set up blogs and wikis and their various uses. These new concepts are quite confusing initially, but I keep on plugging until I get a grip on what is expected. Luckily, my cohorts are very patient and helpful. MB
INST 5520 - First Day
I am so confused. I have never used a blog before and it is stressing me out. I hope all of you will help me with this dilemma.
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