Distance Education Evaluation

With so many methods and tools that could be used for distance education it is important to know what will work and what won't work. Seeking feedback from students is vital in this situation, but also challenging. After a year of taking distance education classes online, I must say that I am impressed at the willingness of the instructors to seek feedback from students. The instructors here at USU, seem to be very interested in what students have to say about classes, and are willing to make changes and adjustments as student needs direct them to. I have felt that the online evaluations have been an effective tool for gathering feedback. Since these are anonymous, students should feel comfortable to speak their minds about courses. USU's methods of obtaining feedback should serve as a model for the rest of us as we design or offer distance education courses. Up to this point, it has been very beneficial to see some of the concepts that we have learn, in live situations.

Developing an effective distance education course takes time, testing, experimentation, and above all feedback from those who use the course content and features.

Google Sites

I am amazed at the many tools that Google has created in the past few years. Many of these tools are useful, easy to use, and very innovative. One of these tools would be Google Sites. Google Sites is a simple and easy way for an individual to create a website without having to know HTML.

I think there are a number of uses for Google Sites in any industry. My wife and I are part of a group of citizens in our county who are trying to promote the idea of having an aquatic center to replace our existing run-down pool. To do our part, we decided that we would create a Blog about the proposed center. Since I am busy this summer going to school, my wife took the lead on this project and ended up creating a decent blog. However, in the process of doing so, she become frustrated with the lack of control that she had while using Blogger. She was limited to where she could place text and graphics. After all was said and done, she was able to create a nice blog, but I realized that Google Sites may have been the tool to use for this situation. Google site may have given her more flexibility in creating the layout that she wanted.

I think this is the beauty of these Google tools. There seems to be a tool that will work in most situations. I see these tools as being very useful to students and teachers in and out of the classroom. I would just how many of our students are aware of what these tools provide and what they can create using them.

Wikis

I enjoyed learning about wikis this week, and I see some great opportunities with wikis in education. Some of the wiki sites that schools have set up are pretty impressive. I would really enjoy doing something like this in my classes. However, I have a tendency to think that a wiki site would be enticing to younger students and opposed to high school students. When I think about the students I have, I see them thinking that creating a wiki would just be more work. This is something that I would like to implement in my class, but I just wonder how I could go about it in way that would get my students excited.

If anything, a wiki site would have some great applications in distance education. What a great way for students and teachers to work together when there is distance between them.

Finding the Proper Mix

During this semester, we have learned about so many great tools that we can use in our instruction and I am excited about the possibilities for the upcoming year. Along with that excitement is a little anxiety as I consider what tools I could use and how I can use them together. It is one thing to know about these tools and something completely different to know how to use them effectively as to enhance instruction rather than distract from it. In order to figure this out, I think a lot of it will have to be trial and error. I will just have to try different tools in different learning situations and see what works. As I do so, I think I can gain some invaluable insights through the eyes of my students. By asking for feedback from my students, I can hopefully get an idea as to what works and what doesn't.

Video Instruction

Last school year, I decided to try a different approach to how I deliver instruction. Instead of presenting material live, I decided to prerecord class instruction and have the students watch it on their computers. I thought this might allow me to spend more time working with students individually. I found this approach to be favorable among many of the students. Students liked this because they could work at their own pace, and review content as necessary.

The downside of this was that the videos took up precious screen space on student computers and I noticed that there began to be a lack of interaction and collaboration among my students. Because of this, I felt like my classroom was lacking personality and excitement, and I began feeling bored. I know that this shouldn't be about me, but if I was feeling this way, I wonder if my students were sensing a lack of excitement for learning.

I wonder if there are others who have tried this method of instruction and would be curious to hear about what their experience is and what challenges they faced in implementing a technology such as this. I think it can be promising, especially for my situation, but I think I need to develop a more effective way of using this technology so as to not take away from the personality of the classroom.

Blogs

So as I realize that I have yet to write an entry for my blog this week, I have thought about the purpose for writing in this blog each week and how it relates to what we are learning in class. I see this blog as a journal where I can write about my thoughts and insights as I continue my education in this program. I believe that this blog also gives me the opportunity to organize and process the information I am learning. If blogging about learning seems to be useful to me, what could it do for my students. Would they also see keeping a blog as an opportunity to record their thoughts and ideas as they learn. Would this be a learning technology that would enhance learning in my classroom?

YouTube

To me, YouTube is an enigma of sorts or what we might call a two edged sword. There are so many excellent video resources on YouTube that could be used to support instruction and students love accessing YouTube. In fact, many of my students will spend hours on YouTube if you let them. This would be the other edge of the sword.

Normally YouTube is blocked at our school, but sometime last school year there was a period of time where our internet filters went down and our students had access to YouTube. My classroom is a computer lab and I teach computer classes, so naturally when word got out that the filter went down all YouTube hell broke loose. I had the darndest time keeping my students out of YouTube and on task! I even had the problem of some students accessing inappropriate videos promoting such things as gang violence,ultimate fighting, and all things bloody-gory-mess.

So I ask, "How do we harness this YouTube power for the educational good of mankind?" I have yet to come up with an answer.

Social Networking and Online Collaboration Sites: Benefits vs. Risks

In the workshop on Facebook this week, BJ talked about how his district has a policy that teachers are not allowed to have their students as friends on Facebook. A few other classmates also said that their district has a similar policy. At the college where I teach, we don't have any particular policies on that, but Facebook is blocked. Bj went on to demonstrate some great ways that Facebook could be used in the classroom such as a discussion board or office hours in the evenings so students can seek help when it is needed. Facebook would be a very useful tool for education and there are other sites out there that could also be great tools such as Second Life or Twitter. However, as an educational community we are still unsure as to whether it is safe and appropriate to use these resources. We don't want to cross the wrong lines and not knowing what results or implications may follow, we would rather be safe than sorry. This is a constant battle between the benefits and risks of these tools, and the risks seem to be winning. I wonder if we will ever find a resolution to this battle and find the perfect balance that will allow us to use some of these tools without reservation. I am guessing we won't until there are some online tools created with education in mind. Facebook and Second Life were not created as such nor were many of the other sites out there.

iTunes U

In one of my classes this semester I have to complete a research paper on one of the digital tools that we have learned about that could be used in our own classrooms. I have chosen to do mine on iTunes. As I think about iTunes in and educational setting, I realize that I personally haven't tapped into the power of iTunes and utilized it enough in my classroom. I know that iTunes U alone has some excellent resources. Also, I assume that many of my students are unaware of the many resources that iTunes offer. Many of these resources are in the form of podcasts and are free for anyone to download.

I have made a commitment to myself to take some time to look the content in iTunes U and see what is available in my subject areas and see what would work in my classroom and what might also benefit my students. I would also like to plan on spending some time with my students in the upcoming school year to show them that iTunes has more than just Apps and music. I would like for them to discover for themselves what is available for their own personal benefit.

Back In Session soon...

Even though I still have about six weeks of summer left before another school year breaks loose again, I already find myself thinking about what the new school year might bring. I am still trying to figure out how to design my curriculum and how to teach my students. I have spent the last few years trying different approaches and feel the need to come to some conclusions and develop and definite plan instead of continuing to fly by the seat of my pants. I am been contemplating some of the learning technologies that I have been learning about this semester and wondering what I can use in my classroom the enhance the learning experiences of my students. I am excited about the technology, but I think it will be important to find the right mix and determine the best way to use these tools. I want these tools to be helpful to the students and not a distraction.

I think I will need to take some time to brainstorm and come up with some solid ideas as to how these technologies will play out in my classroom.

The Future

Yesterday evening my wife gave birth to our third daughter. This morning I was thinking about our new baby girl and her future. As I thought about her I considered what it might be like for her when she enters school and what methods will be use to teach her. I also wondered what the future will hold for her education and what tools and methods could be used to give her the best quality education possible. There are so many tools that are available right now that can open up a world of knowledge to our students and these tools will only get better. Many of these tools are changing the way we communicate, collaborate, and learn. As teachers, we have the responsibility of staying current on these tools and discovering ways to use them in educational settings.

As teachers we often fill overwhelmed with our schedules, teaching students, and finding the right methods and tools to use to do our jobs effectively. In this Web 2.0 age, the challenge of having a lack of resources and tools is becoming less relevant. The challenge that is becoming more relevant is deciding what tools to use and how to use them in a manner that will improve student learning. This is at least a challenge that I am facing in my early years of teaching.

Distance Education Trends

As I learn more about providing distance education opportunities, I begin to realize that it takes more effort and thought than I even imagined. If distance education interaction is to ever equal the traditional classroom setting it must provide the proper mix of communication tools that are innovative, easy to use, and allow learners to share and communicate. I feel overwhelmed at all of the tools that are available to be incorporated in this mix. I am also excited about many of these tools and how they have the ability to transform distance learning. The freedoms of this country really do put the world at our fingertips and the possibilities are virtually endless, especially since there are so many tools out there that are free to access and use.

For myself, I will need to find a set of tools that I feel will work in my teaching situation. I will need to become familiar with those tools and then develop and effective way to implement them into my own teaching situation.

Digital Tools and Student Motivation

I've been excited about some of the digital tools that we are learning about that could be used to produce distance learning resources. There are so many ways that these tools can be used to create innovative learning opportunities in distance learning. I also see many ways that these tools could be used in a live classroom. This can be especially true for teachers who are fortunate enough to have access to a high tech computer lab. I am fortunate enough to be able to teach in a computer lab on a daily basis. In fact, I have taken time in class to introduce some of these tools to my students in hopes that they will find innovative ways to complete school work and to stay organized. However, without trying to sound to negative, I really haven't been able to see many of my students get even the slightest spark of interest in these tools. There seems to be little motivation among students when we learn about these tools. I feel that my students don't really catch the vision of these tools and how they can use them for their own development and benefit.

I would think that my students would jump at the opportunity to complete an assignment or project in a new and exciting way. Are they so use to the traditional paper and pencil methods that they are afraid to try something new. I wonder if I am doing something wrong. Why is it that my students won't get excited about these tools? What can I do to help them see the vision of these tools?

Week 6-Open Education Resources

The new OER (Open Education Resources) that are becoming available will be a great boost to our educational system. These resources will provide some excellent opportunities for our students in and out of the classroom. I believe that these resources will also put a new spin on professional development which seems at times difficult for busy teachers like myself to find the time to participate in. Now, with the click of a button, we are able to access online website, learning modules, and podcasts. iTunes U alone is a great example of an OER and how powerful and convenient they can be. I can essentially take a class online while I am sitting on the bus traveling to work.

Needless to say, the readings in class this week sparked my interest. I am excited to take some time to explore some of these OERs and see what schools like MIT, Rice, USU have to offer for the public.

Week 5 # 2

For the past two days I have been attending the annual Business Education conference. This years theme is iTeach Business and Business Education Apps. Many of the conference workshops have presented various Web 2.0 tools and applications. I find it interesting how Web 2.0 is becoming a vital part of education. There are so many tools out there that are free for the taking and I am excited about the opportunities that these tools will create for us. Our students can have access to amazing learning resources and opportunities that could greatly enhance the way they learn. The keynote speaker at this conference stated that 80 percent of young learners are visual and hands-on learners. I feel that Web 2.0 tools are perfect tools for these type of learners. My hope is that our students will realize how powerful these tools are. Teenagers tend to view the Internet as an entertainment resource. If they can realize that there are tools out there that can help
them learn, be more productive, and prepare for the future.

Week 5

This week I have been thinking about distance learning and the tools we use to facilitate distance learning. There are some amazing tools and we often here about how these tools are revolutionizing education. We also talk about how distance learning is the wave of the future for education. However, I wonder if distance education will really ever be an equal or better alternative to the traditional classroom. As I have taken online classes in this program I have come to realize that I prefer the traditional classrom. I seem to get more out of a class if I am having direct interactions with
The teacher and other students. I imagine there are others out there who feel just as I do. With this in mind, I wonder if distance and online learning will ever get the point where it is innovative enough to equal the interaction that exists in a traditional classroom setting.

Web 2.0 2

In my last blog post, I summarized my thoughts on Web 2.0 and how it could enhance the way we learn. As this week has progressed, I have been wondering why we haven't seen a big transformation in education as these new internet technologies have emerged. It is obvious that teachers are now beginning to utilize some of these tools in the classroom, but Web 2.0 technologies have been around for a few years now and are continually evolving. Shouldn't we be seeing some major trends in the classroom such as more computer-based instruction? As teachers, when trying to implement these tools, what challenges are we facing that hold us back from revolutionizing our instruction?

Web 2.0 and its possiblities

Web 2.0 has changed the way we use the internet drastically! We can now communicate, share, and contribute knowledge with just about anyone with a few keystrokes and clicks. There is great power and possibilities with Web 2.0 in our personal lives and in the classroom. Specifically speaking about the classroom, our students can create and share content, post their opinions, collaborate, and communicate. Distance and time are no longer an issue. These technologies are a great upgrade and alternative to the traditional methods of instruction. When I consider the possibilities of instruction created by this new technology, I'm optimistic about the future of education. However, I'm still trying to understand how harness this technology and how to show students that Web 2.0 is more than just a way to be entertained or to chat with friends. I want my students to catch the vision of these technologies and to use them to learn more, penetrate the barriers of knowledge, and be more productive. I hope that over the next few years I can find ways to help them catch this vision, but for right now it seems to be a difficult task.