Expanding School with Educational Technology

President Obama is recommending that American students spend more time in school - by expanding school into the traditional summer break of by having longer school days. Listen to President Obama's own words in this CBS video recording:


Arne Duncan, the United States Secretary of Education favors a longer school year too. Both Obama and Duncan argue that the US shorter school year puts our future generations "at a competitive disadvantage," because countries such as China, India, and Japan have their students in school more.

The idea for longer school days isn't new in the US, but is beginning to gain attention with Obama's focus. In 2005, The Boston Globe reported that at least 20 school districts were moving forward with plans to extend the school days. Yesterday, ABC's The View debated the idea. Proponents said that their children are "bored" when school is not in session; opponents argued "parents don't have enough time to hang with their kids now." You can watch the full 3 1/2 minute debate on The View's website:


I feel our current educational schedule of an 180-day, 6-hour school year schedule is so ingrained in our culture that it will be challenging for people to think of compromising alternatives of either extreme to de-polarize the issue. However, when our current educational schedule was formed, our technology was not.

Our class content, including educational technology and universal learning design, is challenging me to think of new ways to conceptualize an educational schedule that will allow more flexibility for teachers and families that engage our children more throughout the year. I think educational technology specialists could be utilized to develop flexible learning to happen at home or in the school, which could address concerns on both sides of the issue. Everyone has valid points, and everyone has an invested interest. At this time my thoughts aren't bounded by harsh realities we face. I'm pretend that education is a higher priority with our local and national funding; the recession isn't an issue; and we reach a consensus to engage our children in education more throughout the year. If you acknowledge that everyone has valid points, and you don't let "harsh realities" limit your thoughts - how do you imagine we could expand the school year with educational technology?

A New Found Appreciation!

Dr. Wilcox’s session experienced firsthand last week of what the online classroom can do with a technical issue. I personally have never used Elluminate and have only one previous experience with an online class, which made me never ever want to sign up for another one again. Due to the fact that I felt like a got nothing out of the experience, I didn’t learn much at all because I wasn’t be taught, and in the end I thought it was a waste of money.

The first week experiencing Elluminate did in some ways change my mind set towards online classes. Soon thereafter, experiencing this past week’s session I have come to a realization that there is nothing compared to being in the actual classroom. The interaction alone is what makes up part of the classroom experience for me. Now with the Elluminate session you can interact with one another but it’s hard when you can’t see your classmates or professor or have to wait your turn to use the mic. I like the fact that I am able to collaborate with my peers during class just in case I miss something or wasn’t following along exactly with the professor. Actually being in the classroom is so crucial, especially when you are having an issue where there is a need for assistance. I don’t ever really think I have ever really appreciated my experience in the classroom until Tuesday night when I found myself trying to figure out Sumo Paint having the worst time. I can say for the first time I was wishing (and a little bit of praying) to be in the classroom.

I know that Kelly talked about face to face vs. online class but I just wanted to get your experiences that you may have had with a online class, either positive or negative and some suggestions that you think will enhance the overall online experience.

Moodle In The Classroom

On October 12, for a county-wide-in-service day, I will be taking four, 50 minute mini-classes on Moodling. I am excited and concerned at the same time. My goal is to reach out to students in a new avenue and connect with them on their turf. Too, I want to offer a mode of learning that increases dramatically the amount of student participation. Moodle is a free software Course Management System download that is PC or Mac compatible that helps teachers create a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). If students retain 70% of what they do, then using a Moodle to heighten student learning could be just the ticket.

The Moodle web site is straightforward and easy to navigate. They even have a page directory especially for teachers. What I liked about the site was that they provide beginners with everything they need to begin, including a list of do's and do not's. The program is so user friendly that NCSU reported in July of 2009 that it switched from Blackboard Vista to Moodle, and that both UNC Charlotte and Ashevlille will be soon. We as JMU students, and faculty, can attest to frustrations with Blackboard and would most assuredly enjoy a user-friendlier VLE.

This leaves me at the highschool setting feeling a bit out-of-the-loop. With our countwide system closed to outside forums, chat rooms, and e-mail access, teachers have few tools at their disposal to connect with 21st Century students. I am excited about the opportunity. Of course, with each growing technological resource comes a huge learning curve and a revamping of my entire approach. I also fear the lack of available terminals on a regular basis. As I venture into Moodle, I will take their web site advice and start slow. How VLE's impact us as educators and students is yet to be understood completely. I for one, intend on being at the forefront, rather than waiting to catch up.

Emmett

Making Multimedia Work for EVERYONE!!! by Jessica Wade

So far in our journey through Multimedia, we have addressed those who put it together, how to handle it, fix it, color it, rearrange it, and so much more using authoring tools, etc. We have praised the Interfacers, Instructional designer, and many more for their diligence in working hard so that technology can not just be fun but a great learning experience. However, I have yet to know or learn about how people with auditory deficiencies, blindness, and other problems that somewhat effect those with ailment to be able to use multimedia functions.

What is about Multimedia and it's function's that accomodate those who interact with technology everyday, but not in some of the same way as people who can see or hear? After reading Tom Wlodkowski's "Making CD-ROM's Multimedia Work for All Users", you will get a better understanding of how Multimedia helps those with deficiences make just as much use out of it as those who can see and hear just fine. You can also read an interview that was done with Orville Maxon, a highly intelligent producer who in fact works with Multimedia and is visually impaired.


After your reading, ask yourself: if what is done is good enough to accomodate those with hearing loss or blindness and what do you feel could be done better? What other problems can you think of that present an issue to people with disorders when it comes to using multimedia, power points, and other forms of technology? If you were a multimedia designer, what would you do in order to test and see if what adjustments you have made are effective?

Can video replace the written word?

By now, we have outlined key benefits of using multimedia to assist in learning. Videos are having increased use in the education process and here too, benefits are obvious. However, in recent years it seems that educators are turning to videos instead of the written word. I recall a time when it was a rare treat to learn a new topic via video. 'Schoolhouse Rock' and 'The Magic School Bus' were really beneficial in embedding the information first read about in a text book. Now it seems that video education is becoming a primary basis for learning. For example, consider the parent who turns on the newest 'Dora the Explorer' or 'Leap Frog' video in the place of reading a bedtime story. Also, consider the history teacher who shows 'Pearl Harbor' to teach the events of WWII. Furthermore, consider how deeply you understood your responsibility on the job by watching a training video in lieu of reading the manual. Do the 8 hrs of back-to-back videos shown in safe driving classes really teach much to those forced to attend?
There comes a point where we must ask ourselves are these methods alone enough to effectively educate people or are we overstretching the benefits of video education because it is perhaps easier and slightly more interesting than an hour spent reading a textbook. Can video replace the written word? Would this be an overall positive or negative thing? What would it say about our society if we were to turn to video education above reading?
Please view the following article for further insight into the use of videos in education: http://www.libraryvideo.com/articles/article13.asp .

Should Online Classes Replace Face-to-Face classes? -Kelly Workman

A big debate in Higher Education is whether online classes are a hindrance to student’s learning or helpful. It seems that there are many aspects to consider when determining whether or not online classes have the same or better affect on student’s learning. Another thing to consider is your own individual experiences of online learning. There are many different ways to conduct an online learning session.

Do you think that online classes should replace face-to-face classes? What aspects, such as a student’s learning style, are there to consider when determining whether an online class shouldreplace a face-to-face class? Also, feel free to add any other opinions you may have on the subject. To look at the argument in closer detail look at the following link:http://www.citejournal.org/vol4/iss2/general/article1.cfm

Blog Posted by: Kelly Workman

How Can Social Media Affect Your Organization

Social media can play a very important role in the success of a company if used properly. The article, The Building Blocks of Social Media for Business, discusses the issue of where companies should start with social media use. I would also suggest skimming through the eBook, Building a Social Media Team, to understand the connection between social media teams and Human Resources. The most recent social media phenomenon is Twitter. Believe it or not, this is a very controversial form of social media. While Twitter has jumped from 5 million to 20+ million users this summer, it still generates absolutely no revenue. Please watch this simple video: Twitter in Plain English to learn more about Twitter use.

After reviewing the article, eBook, and video, please discuss what impact you feel social media has on the success of a business. What does it take to properly implement a social media strategy? Have you ever worked for an organization who utilized social media, specifically Twitter, to promote their company? Can Twitter can be used effectively in an organization to promote products, raise brand awareness, or increase knowledge?

**For more information on Social Media, you can follow SocialMedia411 on Twitter or visit twitter.com/SocialMedia411

Cool Video

Hello Everyone!

I had to review a website for my graduate assistant position and this video was posted on the website. I thought it was something interesting to think about.

"Did you know?"

Happy Wednesday :)

Blog Posting Example

This is posted as an example (not necessarily in content, but in approach, #0f words, using links, etc).
Noon Day Project (This would actually be your Posting Title)

The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) sponsors an interactive project designed to have students measure the circumference of the earth using a method that was first used by Eratosthenes over 2000 years ago. Students at various sites around the world will measure shadows cast by a meter stick and compare their results. From this data students will be able to calculate the circumference of the earth. This is a wonderful example of creating virtual collaborative spaces for team work. The data collection is 'real world' and encourages students to collaborate with others. In fact, the project depends on data from others, thus creating a rich collaboration that could not have taken place without the use of technological tools.

I can remember how fascinated high school students were with the picture book titled "The Librarian Who Measured the Earth" -- and how interested they were in trying to do this. Having access to such a project is a great addition to the story.