The social software that I have reviewed and used is Myspace.com. It allows users to Send messages via blog comments, email or instant message withing the software (i.e. you can see whether your friends are currently online while you are logged in and can begin a chat session). MySpace also has a music and video element that allows users to share personal or favorite videos and songs. The registration is free and it is widely used and highly popular.
A small setback is that there are no applications within the site available to allow for recording or some type of video or sound editing. You basically post what you've done. The advantage, as it relates to learning is that is is easy to use, it can be customized and it is free. Instructors/Teachers can create a blog using myspace and post an audio or video lecture and prompt students to comment within the blog by posting their own audio response. Chat meetings can be set up or teachers can post their times of availablity and have students check the class blog to see if the teacher is logged on should they need feedback or have questions. Or students can be directed to POST their questions in a specific blog initated with a subject.
Review the presentation about MySpace
Review the my podcast comments about MySpace
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Raptivity Use
I used raptivity to create a quiz on perspective. It was surprisingly easy to use and I would definitely purchase it if I had a pressing need for it and the resources to afford it. I viewed the other interactivity examples and I see how useful it could be, not just for the online college instructor but for middle and high school teachers who have their individual class links on line for parents and students to access. A teacher could offer review of math terms or fun games to help students remember concepts, etc.
Raptivity appears to be quite useful.
Raptivity appears to be quite useful.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Marriage Survey via Survey Monkey
Click to try the Marriage Survey that I created
Least surprising so far: 100% say children spend most time with mom
Most surprising so far: 60% say they desire ZERO children
Least surprising so far: 100% say children spend most time with mom
Most surprising so far: 60% say they desire ZERO children
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Snag of DaFont.com
http://www.dafont.com/
Great site to download different kinds of fonts. Double check copyright if intended for commercial use, etc.
Great site to download different kinds of fonts. Double check copyright if intended for commercial use, etc.
Instruction Via Camtasia
Presentation for my Design class as an example of a powerpoint presentation. Click Here to view.
Instruction Via Impatica
Presentation I created for my design class. Based on a book by Robin Landa, "Thinking Creatively: new ways to unlock your visual imagination". Click Here to view.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
My Podcasting Experience
My podcasts were prompted by a class that I am taking in "Advanced Technologies in Distance Learning" with West Georgia State University. This was a bit new to me so here is a description of my experience:
Was it easy or challenging? YES!Podcasting via Odeo proved to be a challenge for me but this may not be due to the site itself but my computer. So my alternate PODCASTING SITE is MYPODCAST.COM (with the catch of having to plug their ad at the beginning or end of my recordings). I also struggled with "patience" as I recorded and DID NOT want to re-record. Looking back I probably should do my podcasts with bits of other audio and try to adjust the sound. What I could have done was playback the bit of sound from another place first until the audio level was good, THEN record. But again, my patience was a bit thin. Maybe I'll drink some Celestial Tea next time before I begin recording.
Did you try anything beyond the scope of the assignment?YES but NO. The fact that I was recording live then had to ease in to play media from my chosen RSS feeds or media player and not edit, was a good effort. But I really wanted to have a conversation with someone on the topic of learning language online. That takes scheduling and is not a good idea over the Labor Day weekend.
What did you learn? The question should be what didn't I learn. I honestly recorded the first part of the series based off of little knowledge of whether people used online tools for language. Then I set out to find the answers to my questions. On my journey I found a wealth of knowledge and resources for teaching and learning language online. I also learned other podcasting alternatives online and via MP3 players.
I am eager to listen in on podcasts from my current classmates on any topic related to learning online.
Was it easy or challenging? YES!Podcasting via Odeo proved to be a challenge for me but this may not be due to the site itself but my computer. So my alternate PODCASTING SITE is MYPODCAST.COM (with the catch of having to plug their ad at the beginning or end of my recordings). I also struggled with "patience" as I recorded and DID NOT want to re-record. Looking back I probably should do my podcasts with bits of other audio and try to adjust the sound. What I could have done was playback the bit of sound from another place first until the audio level was good, THEN record. But again, my patience was a bit thin. Maybe I'll drink some Celestial Tea next time before I begin recording.
Did you try anything beyond the scope of the assignment?YES but NO. The fact that I was recording live then had to ease in to play media from my chosen RSS feeds or media player and not edit, was a good effort. But I really wanted to have a conversation with someone on the topic of learning language online. That takes scheduling and is not a good idea over the Labor Day weekend.
What did you learn? The question should be what didn't I learn. I honestly recorded the first part of the series based off of little knowledge of whether people used online tools for language. Then I set out to find the answers to my questions. On my journey I found a wealth of knowledge and resources for teaching and learning language online. I also learned other podcasting alternatives online and via MP3 players.
I am eager to listen in on podcasts from my current classmates on any topic related to learning online.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Looking forward to audio
I would like to see how instructors manage classes online using such forward tools as audio and video. I'm curious on how much time this may take. Does it take longer to edit and revise audio than it takes to edit and revise, let's say, text on instructions you set out for a particular assignment?
I would pose to use audio for online courses as verification and identification for the students. What if all who signed up for an online course had to 1st provide an audio recording of a scripted sentence that would then be fed into a voice recognition tool. When students "sign-on" or "submit" work, they would have to tag it with audio and it would be time stamped. Whew!
Is that happening already? We can extend that to video I'm sure. But we go back to how long it takes. Time is always a factor.
I would pose to use audio for online courses as verification and identification for the students. What if all who signed up for an online course had to 1st provide an audio recording of a scripted sentence that would then be fed into a voice recognition tool. When students "sign-on" or "submit" work, they would have to tag it with audio and it would be time stamped. Whew!
Is that happening already? We can extend that to video I'm sure. But we go back to how long it takes. Time is always a factor.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
"Students" on the Highway
I am still grappled by the notion that we can earn degrees and certificates online. I love that I get the opportunity but as I plan to become an online instructor at some point, I am weary about this "honor system" we seem to have online. Is your student "your student"? Can he/she not just have a friend join a conference or submit an online journal?
Yes on-ground students can have a friend do a paper and send in BUT the on-ground instructor has a reference in-class that is not afforded to the online instructor. I have my students write in-class, or work on design projects in-class so that I can monitor their skill and progress. This way, if they turn in any out-of-class work I have a reference to validate consistency of there aptitude to write or design. Is it written differently? Are there sentence structures and language not used by this student before? Is the particular design his/her style? Could the student demonstrate the technical aptitude in-class that I see performed on this out-of-class assignment? Well, I can check that on the spot and have them talk through their design to me.
At some point, as an on-ground instructor, I will be able to say, ahhh, THIS is MY student's work because I was able to see, touch and "smell" it. You can't do that online. So what can you do?
I am thinking of forming ideas for my dissertation (before I even get into my PhD program) around this subject and possibly one on cultural and social considerations for learning online. Any suggestions or resources would be helpful.
Yes on-ground students can have a friend do a paper and send in BUT the on-ground instructor has a reference in-class that is not afforded to the online instructor. I have my students write in-class, or work on design projects in-class so that I can monitor their skill and progress. This way, if they turn in any out-of-class work I have a reference to validate consistency of there aptitude to write or design. Is it written differently? Are there sentence structures and language not used by this student before? Is the particular design his/her style? Could the student demonstrate the technical aptitude in-class that I see performed on this out-of-class assignment? Well, I can check that on the spot and have them talk through their design to me.
At some point, as an on-ground instructor, I will be able to say, ahhh, THIS is MY student's work because I was able to see, touch and "smell" it. You can't do that online. So what can you do?
I am thinking of forming ideas for my dissertation (before I even get into my PhD program) around this subject and possibly one on cultural and social considerations for learning online. Any suggestions or resources would be helpful.
RSS feeds
I just read three fabulous articles on RSS feeds. I truly did not know what it was. Very helpful was
this article by Quentin D'Souza.
School Sites
I thought it a great idea, as he mentioned examples of RSS use, for schools to have websites as blogs instead so that each department could provide up-to-date information and it would automatically feed, plus notify any subscribers of changes. The downside, as I view it from an Information Design perspective, is consistency. The sites that I viewed seemed to become lost in navigation once you click on a staff weblog (example). Each staff should have a link pointing you BACK to the main school site if weblogs are used for schools. Traditionally, the faculty would have a site using the schools url.
this article by Quentin D'Souza.
School Sites
I thought it a great idea, as he mentioned examples of RSS use, for schools to have websites as blogs instead so that each department could provide up-to-date information and it would automatically feed, plus notify any subscribers of changes. The downside, as I view it from an Information Design perspective, is consistency. The sites that I viewed seemed to become lost in navigation once you click on a staff weblog (example). Each staff should have a link pointing you BACK to the main school site if weblogs are used for schools. Traditionally, the faculty would have a site using the schools url.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Credibility on the Highway
I remember searching for a PhD program and fell upon Capella University. I was excited to find EXACTLY what I was interested in: Instructional Design for Online Learning. I got as far as paying an application fee and reviewing courses I would take with a rep when I fell upon a site dedicated to trashing the school; with lists of instructors that don't have credible degrees or training, or have fake degrees.
Later that week I heard a discussion on the radio, I believe it was NPR but not sure, where an employer stated that she overlooks any candidate that comes from online schools. I recall that the discussion was about technical fields, etc.
I changed my mind that week and searched for traditional schools "just to be safe", especially with a PhD. I sent my application to GSU for Instructional Technology and sent an inquiry for West GA's Specialist program for Media and Instructional Technology. I've now pushed my start time back to 2008 so that I have time to research more.
BIG QUESTION? If someone told you they received their PhD online would you feel they were equally matched with someone that went through a traditional program (brick and mortar)? Does the subject matter? What about “certificates” for skills such as the one I have for Advanced Macromedia Flash?
Later that week I heard a discussion on the radio, I believe it was NPR but not sure, where an employer stated that she overlooks any candidate that comes from online schools. I recall that the discussion was about technical fields, etc.
I changed my mind that week and searched for traditional schools "just to be safe", especially with a PhD. I sent my application to GSU for Instructional Technology and sent an inquiry for West GA's Specialist program for Media and Instructional Technology. I've now pushed my start time back to 2008 so that I have time to research more.
BIG QUESTION? If someone told you they received their PhD online would you feel they were equally matched with someone that went through a traditional program (brick and mortar)? Does the subject matter? What about “certificates” for skills such as the one I have for Advanced Macromedia Flash?
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Learning on the Hwy
My blog is about the "Information Superhighway" and how we use it to learn. Join me from time to time and share your views.
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