Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, May 13, 2010
IAI Final Reflection
In the last 4 months (besides taking 8 credits at KSU, working full time +, and being a wife and mom) I have completed the following items for IAI class:
- 56 tweets
- 27 blogs
- hundreds of discussion posts (and not just 'I agree or good idea' type posts)
- facilitated a class discussion with summary of points posting.
- participated in a class wiki creation about technology. The collaborative final product is very well done.
- learned what a WebQuest is, how to set one up (went through 3 different tools
first) and created one....I can see benefits to using WebQuest for instruction.
- created a website (tried 3 different tools to find the right one) with all the criteria expected
- hours, days, weeks, and weekends reading, searching, trying, and applying the new information shared in our book, discussions, etc. We had a very active posting group in our class.
- enjoyed using Second Life again.
- created my very first Vodcast about using the new EMIS Redesign Data Collector system. I didn't realize how many 'retakes' it 'takes' to get content and voice 'just right'. The podcast would have been easier but not as useful for our custoemrs
- really enjoyed the Richardson book for the class, well written and an excellent resource for educators learning about technologies that can be used in education.
- learned about CMS/Moodle and setup up my very first online course, I could really get into this, yes we only had to create a shell version, I really tried all the options within the system to test out it's capability.
- still used a topic near and dear to my heart and career for all my assignments - EMIS. EMIS affects local, state, and federal data reporting and is the foundation for school funding and the data accountability system in Ohio.
Boy did this class require time management - there were several assignments going on at one time so learners really needed to stay focused and keep up with all the course expectations. I do believe it is important for learners to participate and volunteer early in the class activities. Learning and integrating 21st century skills are critical for our students. We discussed the importance of empowering students to have access and use technology 'early'.
I am proud to report that I did keep up with tweeting, blogging, discussions, and assignments, everything was turned in on time or early. Goal to be as focused for summer 2010! Watch out family...I'll be cranky for another semester ;-).
Keep reading, keep learning, keep current, and keep our children moving forward with 21st century skills.
- 56 tweets
- 27 blogs
- hundreds of discussion posts (and not just 'I agree or good idea' type posts)
- facilitated a class discussion with summary of points posting.
- participated in a class wiki creation about technology. The collaborative final product is very well done.
- learned what a WebQuest is, how to set one up (went through 3 different tools
first) and created one....I can see benefits to using WebQuest for instruction.
- created a website (tried 3 different tools to find the right one) with all the criteria expected
- hours, days, weeks, and weekends reading, searching, trying, and applying the new information shared in our book, discussions, etc. We had a very active posting group in our class.
- enjoyed using Second Life again.
- created my very first Vodcast about using the new EMIS Redesign Data Collector system. I didn't realize how many 'retakes' it 'takes' to get content and voice 'just right'. The podcast would have been easier but not as useful for our custoemrs
- really enjoyed the Richardson book for the class, well written and an excellent resource for educators learning about technologies that can be used in education.
- learned about CMS/Moodle and setup up my very first online course, I could really get into this, yes we only had to create a shell version, I really tried all the options within the system to test out it's capability.
- still used a topic near and dear to my heart and career for all my assignments - EMIS. EMIS affects local, state, and federal data reporting and is the foundation for school funding and the data accountability system in Ohio.
Boy did this class require time management - there were several assignments going on at one time so learners really needed to stay focused and keep up with all the course expectations. I do believe it is important for learners to participate and volunteer early in the class activities. Learning and integrating 21st century skills are critical for our students. We discussed the importance of empowering students to have access and use technology 'early'.
I am proud to report that I did keep up with tweeting, blogging, discussions, and assignments, everything was turned in on time or early. Goal to be as focused for summer 2010! Watch out family...I'll be cranky for another semester ;-).
Keep reading, keep learning, keep current, and keep our children moving forward with 21st century skills.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Moodle Reflection
Hi -
My Moodle reflection may seem childish, but it was a totally new area for me and one that I have never even worked with. I definitely have more respect for all the time it takes an instructor to setup an online course :-).
Moodle - I really liked the ability to view teacher/editing role versus student role so I could check my work as I went along. Facebook has this feature as well to view your FB as a particular person. This is helpful if a person is using FB groups.
In my Moodle I set the website, vodcast, and FAQ pages to open in new windows to make navigation easier for the adult learners. The learner should be able to see both the class content and the 'resource content' without loosing their information or being forced to use the back button to navigate around.
I can imagine the 'hide' option in Moodle being used to hide assignments for students until after a topic is discussed so not to overwhelm them. I believe this functionality is very helpful to teachers working on content but not ready to post/release to their learners yet. I'm sure for many in the IAI class, this is not a new concept, but since this is my first Moodle, I can see real benefits to this feature.
I also liked the feature where you can jump from assignment to assignment - jump to. I can see for a course with multiple assignments how it could be tough for learners to move around in the Moodle. Nice feature.
I wondered how we were put into groups, although I do not like group assignments, in other KSU classes, and I found that feature in Moodle. I can see how Moodle is similar to Blackboard/Vista for KSU.
This was an interesting assignment. I can see how instructors are able to make there classes better and better each semester with practice, new content, and the learning of the new features of a CMS system.
Criteria for the assignment:
- I chose a different layout/theme from the original
- I structured by topics - 5 of them with labels
- I added a calendar with due dates for reporting data to the state
- I activated and placed in different locations (from when I started) the following...
- I activated course description
- I activated a calendar block
- I activated search block
- I activated participants
- I activated online users block
- I activated a chat
- I activated upcoming events
- I updated profile
- I uploaded picture for my profile
- I uploaded documents into Moodle folder
- I activated a vodcast
- I activated a website
- I setup FAQ in Moodle format
- At least 8 links, documents in Moodle, etc.
And a class description, class type, benefits of this course setup, and a password security (just wanted to try this)
My Moodle reflection may seem childish, but it was a totally new area for me and one that I have never even worked with. I definitely have more respect for all the time it takes an instructor to setup an online course :-).
Moodle - I really liked the ability to view teacher/editing role versus student role so I could check my work as I went along. Facebook has this feature as well to view your FB as a particular person. This is helpful if a person is using FB groups.
In my Moodle I set the website, vodcast, and FAQ pages to open in new windows to make navigation easier for the adult learners. The learner should be able to see both the class content and the 'resource content' without loosing their information or being forced to use the back button to navigate around.
I can imagine the 'hide' option in Moodle being used to hide assignments for students until after a topic is discussed so not to overwhelm them. I believe this functionality is very helpful to teachers working on content but not ready to post/release to their learners yet. I'm sure for many in the IAI class, this is not a new concept, but since this is my first Moodle, I can see real benefits to this feature.
I also liked the feature where you can jump from assignment to assignment - jump to. I can see for a course with multiple assignments how it could be tough for learners to move around in the Moodle. Nice feature.
I wondered how we were put into groups, although I do not like group assignments, in other KSU classes, and I found that feature in Moodle. I can see how Moodle is similar to Blackboard/Vista for KSU.
This was an interesting assignment. I can see how instructors are able to make there classes better and better each semester with practice, new content, and the learning of the new features of a CMS system.
Criteria for the assignment:
- I chose a different layout/theme from the original
- I structured by topics - 5 of them with labels
- I added a calendar with due dates for reporting data to the state
- I activated and placed in different locations (from when I started) the following...
- I activated course description
- I activated a calendar block
- I activated search block
- I activated participants
- I activated online users block
- I activated a chat
- I activated upcoming events
- I updated profile
- I uploaded picture for my profile
- I uploaded documents into Moodle folder
- I activated a vodcast
- I activated a website
- I setup FAQ in Moodle format
- At least 8 links, documents in Moodle, etc.
And a class description, class type, benefits of this course setup, and a password security (just wanted to try this)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Class Wiki
I enjoyed participating in the online class group wiki. I believe it will be a great final product.
One downside I found with the wiki experience is 'page locks'. Yes, I could have kicked others off and took control of the page, but that would rude and unprofessional.
During the final week, there were several days/hours that pages were repeatedly locked. Out of respect I didn't take over the page and begin my own updates. I could see this issue being problematic for a classroom setting OR a work session when the same students keep pages open in editing for hours at a time.
One may say, don't try to contribute the final week of the assignment, but in reality, in a true collaboration, there are often last minute updates needed by all in the class, group, or team.
I found the collaboration wiki experience enlightening. If I would use in a classroom or work setting I would reserve the final week to 'cosmetic stuff' and make the assignment content due the week before. This way formatting would not take away from content publishing.
Lesson learned....
One downside I found with the wiki experience is 'page locks'. Yes, I could have kicked others off and took control of the page, but that would rude and unprofessional.
During the final week, there were several days/hours that pages were repeatedly locked. Out of respect I didn't take over the page and begin my own updates. I could see this issue being problematic for a classroom setting OR a work session when the same students keep pages open in editing for hours at a time.
One may say, don't try to contribute the final week of the assignment, but in reality, in a true collaboration, there are often last minute updates needed by all in the class, group, or team.
I found the collaboration wiki experience enlightening. If I would use in a classroom or work setting I would reserve the final week to 'cosmetic stuff' and make the assignment content due the week before. This way formatting would not take away from content publishing.
Lesson learned....
Literacy discussion
WOW - it was interesting facilitating a discussion for class while trying to participate in all the other discussions :-). I encourage the discussions to flow, I'm not one to answer 'each' post with generic comments of "good thought" or "I agree" but to enable to group to actively interact, much like I would a classroom. I am encouraged when the adult learners actively discuss thoughts regarding a topic and I just keep the discussions moving forward. Great job class!
Below is my summary that was posted:
This topic was chosen to raise awareness about Information Literacy and to create a forum for discussion. Kudos to all who took the November Literacy Test and shared their thoughts about their experience!
Some in the class have actually met or spoke with Alan November. Although some of his information may seem clear to some, for many his information was worth a read/test.
The question was posed about Information Literacy versus Website Literacy. Because information is posted on websites, I believe he is attempting to address both. As educators it is our responsibility to learn and teach our students (and our children) to be critical consumers and thinkers. Critical readers with critical reflection.
The question was posed about at age should we begin teaching information literacy. There was quite a discussion about 'when', from womb to HS shop class, but the important thing is that we all recognized the importance of engagement, adult functioning skills, life-long learning, and that information literacy should begin the sooner than later. The more informed the better.
“Information is the seed for an idea, and only grows when it's watered.” Heinz V. Bergen
Below is my summary that was posted:
This topic was chosen to raise awareness about Information Literacy and to create a forum for discussion. Kudos to all who took the November Literacy Test and shared their thoughts about their experience!
Some in the class have actually met or spoke with Alan November. Although some of his information may seem clear to some, for many his information was worth a read/test.
The question was posed about Information Literacy versus Website Literacy. Because information is posted on websites, I believe he is attempting to address both. As educators it is our responsibility to learn and teach our students (and our children) to be critical consumers and thinkers. Critical readers with critical reflection.
The question was posed about at age should we begin teaching information literacy. There was quite a discussion about 'when', from womb to HS shop class, but the important thing is that we all recognized the importance of engagement, adult functioning skills, life-long learning, and that information literacy should begin the sooner than later. The more informed the better.
“Information is the seed for an idea, and only grows when it's watered.” Heinz V. Bergen
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Information W's - Kathy Schrock
WHO
Who wrote the pages and are they an expert?
Is a biography of the author included?
How can you find out more about the author?
WHAT
What does the author say is the purpose of the site?
What else might the author have in mind for the site?
What makes the site easy to use?
WHEN
When was the site created?
When was the site last updated?
WHERE
Where does the information come from?
Where can I look to find out more about the producer/
sponsor?
WHY
Why is this information useful for my purpose?
Why should I use this information?
Why is this page better than another?
©2001-2003 by Kathy Schrock - permission granted to reproduce
Who wrote the pages and are they an expert?
Is a biography of the author included?
How can you find out more about the author?
WHAT
What does the author say is the purpose of the site?
What else might the author have in mind for the site?
What makes the site easy to use?
WHEN
When was the site created?
When was the site last updated?
WHERE
Where does the information come from?
Where can I look to find out more about the producer/
sponsor?
WHY
Why is this information useful for my purpose?
Why should I use this information?
Why is this page better than another?
©2001-2003 by Kathy Schrock - permission granted to reproduce
Vodcast Experience
Well, I did my first podcast, several times, and realized that a podcast would not be helpful to my learners/customers. I switched to a vodcast, again several times, because my experience with my learners is that they are visual learners first, then auditory learners.
The vodcast was little more challenging, mainly because I had not done one before. Getting the music and text in was a little overwhelming because I needed to learn an editor. I enjoyed the overall experience and think I may create some for our customers. My topic is on the EMIS Redesign project, which requires the state reportable data (EMIS data) for the Department of Education (ODE)to be processed and submitted via a SIF (school interoperability framework) solution.
Practice makes perfect, I think I can redo it in my sleep :-). I hope Dr. Ingram likes it. It's a dry subject - but it is critical for school districts in Ohio to report through this new EMIS R vehicle for both funding and accountability state requirements (plus federal requirements).
The vodcast was little more challenging, mainly because I had not done one before. Getting the music and text in was a little overwhelming because I needed to learn an editor. I enjoyed the overall experience and think I may create some for our customers. My topic is on the EMIS Redesign project, which requires the state reportable data (EMIS data) for the Department of Education (ODE)to be processed and submitted via a SIF (school interoperability framework) solution.
Practice makes perfect, I think I can redo it in my sleep :-). I hope Dr. Ingram likes it. It's a dry subject - but it is critical for school districts in Ohio to report through this new EMIS R vehicle for both funding and accountability state requirements (plus federal requirements).
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