West Coast Online Teaching

I am behind in the first few weeks, so this is my attempt to try and play catch-up.

I managed to embed the image of this majestic eagle onto my EDU BLOG. This was fairly easy for me, as I have used Flickr before, and with some success.

Ko and Rossen’s Cpt. 9 readings were a brief overview of what was available to us as teachers, that may exceed the offerings of whatever CMS we may be using currently or in the future.  Enhance, enhance, enhance.

Not by my own choice, I am using FELIX still (Fielding Grad Institute), and STILL think it is clumsy and UN-inventive, but I am managing to get through it, although it is very boring.

We must always be thinking of ways to keep our students engaged, and excited about what we are presenting.  This dwindles drop out rates and allows for creative and stimulating discourse amongst the students, their peers and teachers.

Greetings Classmates!

Week 1: This was my introduction! I was so excited about starting this class!  I still am excited (12/5) : )  I bought my textbook, pulled together my EduBlog and added the Pedagogy First feeds.  I then posted this post!  I then created a Diigo account and joined mccpot.

Experience

Week 1: This was a post telling a bit more about myself.  I still sound excited because I have not yet delved into the “frustrating” portion of the program (It got a bit crazy for me mid-way). Here I talk about how lucky I feel I am to have taken several online post grad certificate programs over the past 3 years.  I say this because I feel taking these programs allowed me to get a REAL hands-on feel for the world of online teaching.  I do have 20+ years as a teacher, but not no experience on-line instructor.  After starting this POT class, I hope to be able to teach online.  I also joined Facebook and Twitter as a POT Head.  I have been a personal user of both for quite a while, but did learn some Twitter hits that were appreciated.

Game Based Learning;

WHEW!!

Yet another GREAT article on technology in the classroom!

Week 2:   Three posts this week. Watched Couros’ video, and checked out some cool teaching blogs (green with envy). Played with some RSS Feeds, then set up my Google Reading account. Hallybone presentation regarding game based learning was pretty cool.  I learned a lot about how one might translate a fun “game” or two into a worthwhile learning experience. These can be introduced at any learning/age/grade level. I was on the fringe of frustration at this point about how fast the class was going.  I felt I was being left behind, and expressed that in the “WHEW” post (also, the ham in me wanted to share that funny picture).  I had fallen behind in the readings, and missed a study group in Facebook due to not being able to log on (can’t remember why now). Then I found this great article on technology in the classroom and shared it with everyone.

BORING!

Week 3: I started picking up steam here, and posted a rant about how bored I was working post graduate in FELIX.  It still is an incredibly boring system to work within, but the program is amazing (Integral Studies).  The more I began to learn in this program about how FUN online classes can be, the more I realized all that was missing in mine.  I felt, and still do feel, somewhat ripped off!  There were 2 videos to watch (Beginners Questionnaire & Getting Started), and the Chickering article to read.   I could have fleshed out this week’s assignments a bit better. My bad!

Creating The Creative Syllabus

Week 4 & 5: I combined these weeks (have no idea why) but I did.  I talk a little bit about how exciting online classes could be if all instructors were hip to the cool stuff there is out there to make the classes “more cool” and interesting.  The syllabus is a good place to start! I l attended Lisa and Jim’s Interactive Syllabus on Elluminate (1st time user) and really enjoyed it! I received a few responses to my post from classmates due to the mentioning of all the different ways Ss learn, which was nice because I think it is an issue that is not addressed enough in the classroom.

My First attempt using JING

Week 6: Played around with JING and Slideshare/Screencast and thought it was very cute!  I even made a little presentation, which was simple, but a first attempt for me.

Catching up…

Week 7: At this point I was behind 4 lessons and stressing big time! I plowed through and got them all finished.  The Ko & Rossen readings were the toughest for me (I have so much reading to do in my PhD program). I watched the video Building Community hosted by Pilar – great! also checked out Gcast, Audacity, Voice Thread, DimDim (sounds like Elluminate Live). I also mention again how taking on-line classes will help me through this cert program, and be a better teacher. I also checked out 6 Blogs but did not get to comment on them as the week was well past by the time I got around to to it.

MORE GREAT STUFF!!!!

Week 8: Played with Elluminate a bit more this week (have been attending the workshops and using it), Google+, and Voicethread.  LOVE Voicethread!  I thought it was very cool interacting with everyone from around the world and hearing all of the nifty accents!  This is a great tool, and one I can see myself using in the future!

SECOND LIFE as frustrating as first life!

Week 9: Second Life might be a great tool if it were not so confusing to use. It would take me forever to learn how to use it property, and may people I chat with do not understand it either. Maybe some day I will take a few hours and try and Master it! I did manage to get to Dublin (everyone there was so boring), and then into Bookhenge (few there) but found no way to join the group!  Just didn’t  know how : (  Got into MERLOT some, and put in my 6 sites for homework .  Cool site, for sure.  I will use this!

Out With the Old…

Week 10: Watched Lisa’s  Slidecast on Blogging, explored Widgets, FreeRaider/Google Reader, Micro Blogging, and FlowChart ; watched the Engrade demo (interesting tool. Loved the flashcards)), and made a mini Google welcome site.  FUN!!

Somewhat Embarassed!!

Week 11: Mid-Year Assessment – I need to work a little harder (apparently). Liked Lessig’s presentation and gave my thoughts on the Teach Act.  I read 2 articles about folks with disablities using the web.  I mean, who wouldn’t want this to be made easier for them?

The Love of a Good Book!

Week 12: It was exciting to  find these sites offering books!  A great advantage for referencing when writing papers! It would be great if all current text books were free!  They can be so expensive!  I want to know more about these sites.  I DIIGOd them all!!

          WEEK 12 – Ko and Rossen, Cpt. 8:

         Project Gutenburg: OMG, who wouldn’t like to read free books from         home???  Unfortunately, most of these sites are red herrings, and only allow you to order books to pick up at the library, or just give you a short synopsis of the story, and a link to Amazon – or another site- that simply wants more of your money.  I think Project Gutenburg is wonderful!  I love the fact that Ss can download to their Nooks, or Kindles, or computer, etc. From what I saw, many of the books were older titles (classics…but I LOVE classics) and not really best selling fiction, which makes sense, I suppose, if one is using it for educational purposes.  When I taught my last Lit class, I traipsed all over town trying to find 6th grade reading level classics (finally I did), but wouldn’t it have been cool to have simply selected those materials from Project Gutenburg?  YES…and a lot less work and perhaps even more selection!! Glad to know about this site…I consider it a Koo, even!

open textbook. This site seems to be a pretty cool.  I checked out a few books of interest, and it seemed I found access to some good, all around research materials (I wish I had known about this site while I was in school recently).  I will use this site for reference material in the future, and I think anyone in school should know about it.  Naturally, there will not be many (or any)  textbooks they are currently charging hundreds of dollars for elsewhere, (Amazon, Half.com, Textbooks.com, etc.) available, but good reference material to pull a quote or two from while compiling a reference/bibliography, none the less.

Internet Archive.  1000 books online a DAY! Wow! Impressive! Again, more of the same.  I like it, as well as Mira Costa’s resources. For many years I was in post-grad  and “forced” to use Medline, PEP Achieve, Psych Articles, PsychINFO, and EBSCO.  These were cumbersome, and one of the most confusing things I have ever had to do.  I had nightmares every time I had to write a research paper.  Knowing there are other options available might help other Ss in the future…hopefully mine!

Week 11 – Ko and Rossen Cpt. 8

The Mid-Year Assessment Test embarrassed me some.  I had a few EXCELLENTs, but need to be a bit more mindful of getting the readings done on time, and maybe figuring out how to embed video (my worst nightmare), maybe put in a few more links, too.  Being a PhD student (no excuse, I know) makes time constraints challenging, but I will take the holidays to read ahead in my Ko and Rossen text, and then I will be on the mark (I think/I hope) when we all pick up the torch once again.  Love the class! That is for sure (There is NO question about THAT!!)

How Creativity is Being Strangled by the Law: Interesting 20 minutes from Lessig. I think is is great information for all educators to be aware of.   Lessig is amazing…very clever, and I enjoyed the presentation very much. I think this is a thoughtful issue; however, I have not done enough research on the subject to be able to talk too very logically about it.  I do think that both sides have good points (like so many “moral” issues), and I see this as a moral issue.  Largely, I feel a lot of individual blogging (passwording and public use restriction) students are being encouraged to use for education purposes, should be up to the student, over an accountable age, that is. The Teach Act:  I like the fact I can print this check list out for future use. I think that it covers everything, although there are some who may feel it is either a bit restrictive or somewhat liberal, depending.  I am certain this will be revised, and tweaked from time to time to suit the needs of both concerned parties. 110(2) applies to accredited nonprofit educational institutions only at this point.

I liked the article on how different disabilities affect Web use and scenarios of people with disabilities using the Web.

Week 10: Ko and Rossen, Cpt 7:

The Slidecast on Blogging refreshed my memory about how to pull together a GREAT Blog (Thanks Lisa!) .  I am hoping to someday find the time to devote to learning the art of embedding.  Things I had forgotten (or never learned well in the first place):
1. Widgets – how and why?  I need to beef these up on my Blog. Not too sure how to get them on there, but will take the time over holidays to do that, along with the dreaded embedding.
2. FeedRaider/Google Reader – Web based RSS Feeds:  Cool to be reminded of these!
3. Micro Blogging (Twitter) and how this can be useful as a teaching tool!
4. LOVE the Flow Chart in relationship to personal teaching skills and/or preference.

Also, over to the right on SlideShare, one can see all of Lisa’s “stuff” (Blogs, etc)  by clicking on “More by User“.

“Blogs give you place to be public…to engage with the world!” Jim’s Elluminate session on Blogging for this Friday was REALLY good.  Always learn so much from these. Thanks again, Jim!

ENGRADE: I watched the  demo video and clicked on some of the “12 reasons why”.  I think this is a GREAT idea, and a tool I would use, for certain! I really like the Flashcards!

Here is my Google Site Mini Web Site: (don’t know why it won’t let me insert a live link in here (????) but it won’t)

https://sites.google.com/site/cascadehomeschool/

Pilar’s tutorial on Google sites showed how to open the site manager and insert a couple of boxes, but nothing that could help much past that.  When time allows (hahahah) I will watch some of the tutorials for finishing my Google web site b/c I would like to use it!  I did a little bit of one, and think I could figure it out pretty easily if I ever were to get serious about it.  Looks pretty USER FRIENDLY! Yes, this c ould be a great tool for a WELCOME page, unless you decide to go with a Blog.  I think the two could work nicely together, or you could just go with one and make it really cool, like the POT Blog.

All for now…

WEEK 9 – KO & ROSSEN CPT. 7

I know it is Tuesday, but this is just CUTE!

Readings were good. I particularly enjoyed the section on the various learning styles.  As you know from some of my previous posts, I am a BIG proponent of this!! (Maybe b/c my MA degree is in Child and Adol Psychology). I am the teacher who ALWAYS tests my students, targeting strengths (learning style) and weaknesses before offering  up appropriate materials through selective assignments/lectures and presentations.

Hey…I signed into Second Life and went to Dublin!  It was pretty crazy trying to navigate my avatar, and it took me a long time to figure it all out (walking, running, stooping, jumping).  I must say, I was intrigued by it all – kept wanting to go back and “try, try, again”.  I was the only one in the entire city that day, it seemed, but eventually went into a Pub with about a half-dozen avatars standing around doing nothing.  Everyone said how bored they were, so I left and took a long walk, crossed a beautiful bridge, and wound up down at the water. Cool!  But was unsure what to do after that.   ANYWAY,   I got my feet wet on Second Life, which is what I wanted to do.  This allowed me to see the tremendous opportunities available for classroom meetings.  Pitfalls for students may be trying to figure it out (probably Ss over 35).  I logged onto Book Henge  in Second Life, as well, and thought it was very well done, although there were only 2 or 3 people there, and I did not have time to try and figure out how to “insert” myself into the festivities (I will go back and see if I can figure it out for next time). I want to continue going back to Second Life until I learn how to work it, because I really do like it; I can also make myself thin and beautiful again by choosing a sexy avatar, which is thrilling in and of itself!

MERLOT:  I didn’t know about Merlot, either, and after looking around, It seems like there is a lot of interesting things going on there!  Here are the 6 sites I chose for the animation assignment; I posted them in mccpot also using Diigo.

1) http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=337456  This was fun! You get to make your own little movie with your personal script!  I was successful in making one, and thought it was adorable!

2) http://www.doink.com/  This looks a little labor intensive, and I cannot draw but thought it cute for those who have a longer attention span than I do (say…over 3 minutes!)

3) http://scratch.mit.edu/  This you have to download, but it looks like it could be fun, particularly for younger students.

4) http://voicethread.com/  This is the BEST!  Lots of fun, and a great way to bring everyone together in one place without going to too much trouble!

5) http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/biology.html  This is great for Science teachers.  It will hole the Ss attention with good graphics and great vocals.

6) http://inanimatealice.com/  This is funky, but fun!  Good for history lessons!

WEEK 8:  Ko & Rossen Cpt. 6

Setting up communications, quiz makers and grade books, student tracking, student lounge

I just got through “playing” with Elluminate.  I have a pretty good handle on this, as I use it often with my cohort group PhD program.  I like it, although if the prof is not familiar enough with it, he/she can talk for a very long time before realizing the sound is off, or his/her video, off as well.  We, the POT Heads, use it often and I always enjoy the sessions.  I also set up a Google+ hangout and must recheck to see if anyone other than Lisa and Todd have joined (Hi Lisa!  Hi Todd!).  These are the only 2 I have in my circle, so far.  If anyone else has joined please add me to your circle – BRIANNA HAVER.

Voicethread:
I had a BALL recording my message!! This is a very cool tool.  I am happy to know of it.  Now I am going around and listening to everyone’s posts! Communities are so important (see my post week 7), but I also realize that we have to work very hard to make this a successful goal. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN WING – which I have always thought I was very good at (GRIN).   I resonated with Trisha regarding the “students in neat rows” comment.  I have always enjoyed setting up Reading Circles when teaching my Eng. Lit classes.  The kids love moving the chairs around, choosing who to sit next to,  and helping make a more intimate learning experience within the existing community. Nice presentation mix up, Norm!!  Did not know we could do all of that with this tool.  Very cool to see everyone and hear their voices after all this time!  I LOVE ALL OF THE UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL ACCENTS!

Ko & Rossen – Week 7:  I am behind…by about 4 lessons, AND hurrying to play catch up. This post will be a comment on Lesson 7, which I am working on completing as we speak.  I signed up on Facebook (as a POT Head) at the beginning of the course, and also Twitter for Micro-Blogging (the poor man’s FB), even though I have not found the apparently fine art of posting.  I need to take some time out to watch some tutorials.  I can follow and read TWITTER postings but can’t figure out how to respond (and a few other little annoying techi things).  I also liked Pilar’s vid.  I think she is a wonderful teacher, firm but courteous, and I envy her apparent Spanish speaking abilities. I taught ESL in Guadalajara in the 70s.  Prior to that, I spoke near fluent Spanish learned while living on our 100 acre horse breeding farm along the CA/Mexico border for years, and attending a 1 room schoolhouse where 75% of the students were Mexican American.  What a great opportunity those years were for me!  I took notes from Pilar’s vid because I think she has the right idea concerning community, in general, and the relationship between learning in the real world and online.  While we read and hear everywhere that online teaching is much more than simply bringing, or transferring,  the classroom into the online realm, Pilar demonstrates that actually there are many, many similarities between the two modes of teaching.  She shows us how to successfully integrate, and how to “mix and match” real world learning and the online academic experience.  The readings (Cpt. 6) bring it all together in a formal and systematic way, giving some great ideas about how to “pull it all together”, including the art of timing and pacing, which is so important for holding attention, and keeping Ss engaged (and NOT dropping out).  I have been learning online for almost 3 years now, and have had some varied experiences.  I feel in many ways, learning online is the #1 way to “get good” at teaching online.  Nothing like the experience of a boring CMS or two, and a prof who is asleep at the switch, to make one realize that as an online instructor it behooves us learn to be creative, even if it does not come naturally – enter wonderful Cert. courses like this one!  Pilar/Ko & Rossen mentioned a few things I want to check out, such as Gcast, Audacity, Voice Thread, DimDim (sounds like Elluminate Live, which I use with great success each week in another on-line class I take), Ding (sounds fun), and Wimba.  Cheers!