Coincidence I think not!

It has only been a few days since my last post but I thought that I better keep track of these postings a little better so here goes another one.

EDUCAUSE

·         Now that I have taken a few Instructional Technology courses I understand that a lot goes into developing a course online but I also understand that it takes a lot of effort to develop an on-campus course so the issue of compensation has been very strange indeed to follow on the thread the last few days.  So many IT voices are saying compensation is due when developing an online course that they will teach but I wonder is compensation given to those that teach on-campus courses or is online instructors paid less then on-campus instructors? 

·         Realize how very lucky we are to have Elearning here at the University along with our instructional design department.  Many other institutions are having to use publisher’s content or have to develop courses from scratch by themselves.  I do wonder though about how our system works in compensation since we have the instructional design department does the faculty only provide the material to be learned and then the department put it together?

ITFORUM

·         Unfortunately there was not much for me to comment on with ITFORUM this time around.  I do want to say that I have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy reading the post to the Forum.  I still have very limited terminology and have to rely on wikis to explain many of the concepts that are presenting on the forum.  After deciding this semester that IT is where I want to see myself in the next several years and moving into the IT program at the University I am very excited to have had this opportunity and feel very fortunate to have taken this course when I did.

Learning to understand not learning to know

As I am getting closer to the end of our course I have enjoyed reading through the email discussions and learning new concepts and terminology.  I am just a little more self confident in my ability to hold a conversation when it comes to interactive technology and look forward to one day actually providing some of the insightful information that is constantly posted on ITFORUM and EDUCAUSE but for now my reflections are providing a great way for me to learn and relate.  Here are my reflections since my last post:

EDUCAUSE

·         The topic of FACEBOOK- it’s almost like the elephant in the room when it comes to the dos and don’ts for Universities all over the country.  Legally do we post, unofficially do we post, or ignorantly do we post.  For the colleges that I work with on a day to day basis FACEBOOK is the red headed stepchild meaning we love FACEBOOK for connecting our students and providing a real sense of community when it comes to our events and social gathers but on the other end FACEBOOK is not private, it is not secure, and it is not an officially licensed program of the University so do we use it or not. My personal thoughts FACEBOOK can do no harm if you take the correct precautions to only associate it with social events and community.  IT is not a tool for advising, posting important announcements, or providing access to students or faculty’s personal lives.  The boundary therefore should be known or announced to students and faculty about what is proper FACEBOOK etiquette and when it is ok to comment, post, or tag and when it is not.

·         Who killed the video store- It was interesting to read about the conversation about online film courses having trouble with their students accessing films because video stores are almost obsolete now.  Making students sign up for a Netflix account when they sign up for the course seems a little bit wrong.  They would have to have a credit card and then pay another fee and then have another bill to pay.  Film is not an easy thing to stream but there has to be a better way to allow students to access films if you are to do this online.  In class these students would rely on the professor to show and acquire the film.  Sometimes I wonder if people just say hey let’s make this an online course and then not think about the logistics involved

ITFORUM

·         The discussion of teaching students how to learn rather than teaching them exactly what to learn because everything becomes out dated.  Liberal arts was constructed for that very purpose but our universities and colleges have become so specialized that we are turning out students like as the blog says “widgets out of a machine”.  I think that says a lot about a person, they might not know everything by heart but they have the resources to find it and figure it out.  Those are the type of people that companies want.

Technology is Effecting Us!

After a few weeks of blogging I do have to report that many of the concepts terminology is starting to connect on other aspects in my life.  I actually just read a study done by the University of Wisconsin system for EDUCAUSE on course management systems.

EDUCAUSE:

·         All has been very quite on the home front for Educause in fact from the beginning of October to now there was only 1 post

·         This one post however was very interesting to me!  The post was about a research study conducted by ECAR of undergraduate students and how information technology has effected them in their higher education career as well as personal development and life.  The report is over 120 pages. Highlights were that 98% of students owned their own computer with the majority of them being laptops that were 2 years old or less. Ninety four percent of students were using library websites and 9 out of 10 students reported using a CMS for learning. Another interesting thing was that 94 % of 18-24 year olds were using social networking while other age groups: 25-29, 30-39, 40-40, and 50+ have increased over 40% since 2007.

ITFORUM

·         Found the link Dr. Perkins put together for the IT Publications to be very helpful and a great resource to tuck away for later use

·         I liked the discussion about preparing for international audiences.  I am reminded often of the example Dr. Driscoll used in her texts about her graduate student who checked multiple answers on a multiple choice test because in his native country you could check all that apply not just one.  Many times we do think that they way things are done in America is the way it is done all over the world.  I see a lot of this with my husband’s company.  He provides vision software to hospital floors that help bed control.  Many times the first several weeks of communication involve adapting to how that country is currently doing things with technology and even though programming as they say is one language not everyone uses it the same way.

·         Another issue that struck my curiosity was the issue of plagiarism.  In so many other countries I have heard that the rules for plagiarism are very different and even not as strict at times.  How strict are we supposed to be on citing when participating in online discussion boards as well.  I will admit I have never been as diligent with citing sources in my online discussions because I believe the discussion takes the place of in class verbal discussions.

·         I found it interesting that one contributor brought up the topic of leniency for cultural differences is translated to prejudicial favor.  I find when these statements are made it tends to be that they do not realize that without leniency and consideration the level of discrimination is much worse than the perception that they are getting prejudicial favor

·         I found the topic of online conferences and how they are shaping professional development.  I find the online conferences to be very flexible and helpful for those that are unable to travel but I am stills shocked at how expensive many of them are.  I also find that when attending conferences to familiarize yourself with new concepts and theories it is very hard to grasp those with an online non-face-to-face communication

·         The topic on ethics and technology was very interesting.  I do think that many participants in that discussion took the easy way out by saying that ethics is only developed individually and that ethics courses and technology are not influential in students’ ethical values.  I tended to think that what they were missing was that in a private room individuals act differently than they do in public- it goes back to the very basic concepts of Freud and with interactive technology humans have a shield behind them providing an opportunity to check those ethical values at the door

Question of the day:  Is ethical values being diluted by the behind the screen mentality of our social networking community?

So much to Learn!

As it has only been a few weeks since my last post I had less to read during that time.  I found the informaiton on Educause was sparce because of the conference.  Much of the emails both between Educause and ITFORUM were localized to just a few arguments so it was interesting to see how my viewpoints fit in with more experienced instructional technology specialist. Here are my thoughts:

Educause

·         Interesting to see that even though people are really interested in providing this distance learning, online formats, there is still the ever present trepidation of trust that your employees are working or the person on the other end of the wire is authentic.  I wonder how much better is distance learning really some times when the basic concerns are still not being met.

·         Interesting to learn about these programs that I didn’t know even existed!  Now these programs are expensive and time consuming on some part but still caption software is a very interesting and useful tool in so many applications.  What I find funny in all this though is that, ok I don’t know about these programs but that’s because I am definitely not in the know about some of these areas of interest but my CE friends and husband do not know about them as well and that tells me that there are so many programs out there now that computer engineers can’t even keep up.  Think about it 40 years ago there were maybe 5 if not 10 software programs out there and now there are hundreds, thousands, should I dare to say millions!

ITFORUM

·         People are still asking for resources.  Just a thought “man I wish there was a listserv for all my areas of interest!” Wonder if there is a blog for conflict resolution specialists and mediators that would be fantastic

·         Interesting to see that they use the email post for job postings.  It’s nice to get an idea of what one could do once they have finished with their degree.  It makes you feel better about being in school for so long!

·         Still feel lost what are Open Access Journals? So much to learn!

·         I liked the argument about citation analysis kudos to Reeve for speaking up.  I too believe that this type of measurement is only used because it is easy.  Research can impact so many different areas other than if it has been published.  Now I understand what Open Access Journals are!

·         I hate the pressure of publishing.  I know that’s part of the job but when does it become more time consuming to publish then to teach isn’t that why we are here to teach not to publish.  I understand the research I really do but when one starts taking precedent over the other then there needs to be a different system of tenure and promotion.

Heated Debate

My blog this time around will actually be shorter then my previous ones not because I found the information less interesting but because it was very interesting to see the heated debate that ensued on ITFORUM about education and funding.  I found it refreshing to have so many points of view but however found it a little dishearting that so many wonderful minds had an opinion but yet no real world solution that could be set out and used today! 

My thoughts on my Educause readings:

• More I hear about the conference I really want to sign up for it but I hate that all these conferences are so expensive.  I wonder who is actually able to go to them with the proration happening all over the US right now.
• Love seeing the new members ask for help and all the great support that is given.  It helps me as I am still just brushing the surface of some of these resources and topics.  I also love how the responses even though many focused on technology most actually focused on teaching techniques and learning processes.  These topics I definitely can relate to.  Finding the connections makes it all the new technology hype out there just seem a little less overwhelming and out of my reach
• Yeah I did another survey on “Seeking Evidence of Impact” my program is always trying to evaluate our distance learning format with the limited campus time and what we would do to be more effective.  Using this survey not only to start participating in the distance learning higher education administration community it helped me connect the dots with what I learn in class and what I do every day at work

My thoughts on ITFORUM readings:

• Learned that there is a smart phone app that allows you to see where planes are going in the sky as part of an augmented reality discussion.  Is anyone else weirded out by this?
• Dumpster Diving for school supplies- comment made about how teachers are using their own $ for supplies.  Our whole education system is a mess!  Personally I have 2 degrees and I make less at a 4 year institution then a science teacher with a bachelor’s degree at one of our area middle schools.  I tend to think we have priorities messed up here.  I furthermore was very inspired that many individuals are thinking along the same thought process as I am and that throwing money at a school is not going to fix the problem and not all the problems are solely the schools fault.
• It was interesting to learn how America’s school system developed with 8 grades.  I never thought about how our education system began in the sense that someone just decided this is how it will be and it stuck

 Question for the day:  Are we just throwing money at schools?  Is that America's solution to every problem?

Freedom to ask

It has been a few weeks since my last post and I wanted to update you on adventures in reading my two email lists that I have joined

Educause

•    One of the first emails that I read this time was about how to make distance learners feel more a part of the intellectual community that was the college or university that provide the distance course.  I found this very hearting because so many times being isolated and very individualized we forget what we are apart of and do not take pride in being a part of a certain community.  These discussions were all about drawing them in, connecting them to the university.
• There was still alot of concern about some face-to-face connection even though ti was limited there was still the need for that social interaction that provides the sense of community
• The phrase "Ed talk comes first tech talk comes second" was brought up by a very enthusiastic IT director.  She was responding to a previous post on how to use a new technology in their department.  The director insisted that before jumping in and planning on how to use technology in courses one should first see if that technology would even benefit the course objectives and learning outcomes.  I would like you to know that I actually chimed in on this conversation and posted my own response cheering on the Director for bringing it back to education!  Go me I contributed to an email list!
• One thing I was so excited to see was a lot of "help me questions".  I love it all those different perspectives available to give you suggestions when you are stuck and really could use another opinion.
• Overall I am enjoying my readings through Educause's listserv although I still have no clue most of the time what they are talking about, by the way does anyone know what DragMath is?  Oh well I suppose I could always google it.

ITFORM

• I particpated in a survey, how about that!  It involved what did I think a University was.
• I really like the free thinking attitutdes in this listserv expecially the paper discussion weeks.  There is room for erros, or simple questions which when you think about it so many times when you discuss research the questions are even more complext then the research itself so those trying to begin learning on a topic are lost even before they begin.
• Dr. Herman van der Merwe response about including students, faculty, and ID's in seeing how mobile technoogy would impackt teaching and learning was inspiring.  So many times i see programs and projects developed without consuliting all the people affected.
• Goo point brought up about Mobile Learning- "Regional cultural, language, and traditions explained to a broader global audience".  To many times there is a barrier between my bosses and myself because of our cultural and language differences.  One being from England and the other being from New York.  I of course being raised in teh south tend to use a lot of phrases that are indigenous to Alabama and the southern US.  If mobile learning as it was asked "shrink the world"  I wold think that wold be a big score up for communication and learning!- On a side note- really mobile learning?- ITunes U look out!
• Question brought up in AIL 604 about Kindles, eBook, readers, Nooks, and iPADS.  I wondered how they would start to be effectively incorporated into the classroom other then repalcing the hard texts.  Laptops have jsut started replacing pen and paper for the majority of our undergraduate classes here at the University.

Question of the Day: If technology is at our fingertips, and learning is now at our fingertips, what role does the educator play in today's high tech world?

Just the beginning

My impressions of ITFORUM:


I have received emails pertaining to job posting notices, asking for research tips, and how to find specific articles. I have learned why multitasking is bad and how to effectively use my computer. Seriously this email list has everything. I got to read a great article about 3D television for the naked eye (my husband was very excited) and learn that several people have not yet mastered the art of the "Out of Office Assistant" on Outlook.



Do you know why multitasking is bad, well let me tell you. Apparently when we multitask we use certain brain systems that differ from when we focus task causing us to be less effective when we learn. Now of course I also got to read an opposing argument from someone who thought multitasking and focus tasking were all social conditions and had nothing to do with the neurological psychology. All of this emailing back in forth was a flashback to my earlier college days sitting around a dining table at the Ferg. listening to my husband and his classmates argue over Linux vs. Microsoft or worse why Steve Jobs hates flash.



Have I become smarter by reading all these emails? I could argue I have become smarter by a fraction or so the majority of the time I have no idea what these people are talking about but hey I am getting the impression many of them have no clue either. I was however very excited when someone asked for articles for an introductory instructional technology course they were teaching. Yes, I will be reading those articles here in the near future. I would like to note how excited I was seeing my very own classmate Carmen's name come across the email system, it’s like the first day of class and actually recognizing someone you know!



My impressions of EDUCAUSE

After finally figuring out how to navigate a small portion of Educause's website (this thing is big, very big) I finally found out how to sign up for discussion boards galore! I have registered with their blended and online instruction learning discussion board to see if I can learn anything that might help this Nurse Educator program I seem to be committed too (why is it we always become so attached to our jobs). After surfing through the blogs for the past 2 weeks I have come to the realization that everyone is just overwhelmed and consumed by their Annual conference in CA in October. Much of the conference will be online and there looks to be some very interesting sessions. Maybe I can talk someone into letting me attend online during the working day. On another note what is cloud computing? I keep seeing cloud computing this and cloud computing that all over this website and haven't a clue as to what it is. As you should be able to tell by now I am so very new to much of this technology jargon even with a computer engineer as a husband. All I can tell you is thank god for Wikipedia sometimes because I might completely be lost. Oh if you are still reading and what to know what cloud computing is it has something to do with internet based software and resources. I have a feeling it means that no longer do people need their own in house servers or mainframes they can now outsource all of it to the internet.



Question for the day: Here is a question I keep seeing all over Educause: Is the internet making us dumber?