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Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Peer-to-Peer Learning Through Linked Courses - Grad & Undergrad
Using Blackboard to support, structure, and link mutually beneficial activities in a graduate course and a closely related undergraduate course. More info...
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I'm preparing keynote "Frugal Innovations for Student Engagement: Collegial Sharing of TLT Improvements," for Teaching and Learning Technology Day, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, Friday, April 8, 2011 9:15-10:00AM
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Friday, April 01, 2011
Videorecording Lectures - Changes Teaching?
Student (re)watching class improves learning?
Teacher watching own class improves teaching?
Teacher watching own class improves teaching?
"Professor Shankar is working on his second semester of recorded videos, and says that the experience has improved his teaching. This time around, he is trying to liven up his lectures.... 'since any mistake would affect larger numbers of students listening online,' he says, he thinks harder about every topic he teaches in the classroom." Higher Education Reimagined With Online Courseware - Education Life - NYTimes.com: By KATIE HAFNER, Published: April 16, 2010
Session 1 - Course Introduction and Newtonian Mechanics — Open Yale Courses 2010? PHYS 200: Fundamentals of Physics, Ramamurti Shankar, John Randolph Huffman Professor of Physics, Yale University
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| Not clickable - link from image in NYT article |
"Think You'll Make Big Bucks in Online Ed? Not So Fast, Experts Say"
"“If you look back over time, and read anything about the major online initiatives that have failed,” he told the audience, “one of the things that’s characteristic of all of them is they went into business intending to make a lot of money on online learning and blended learning. It just doesn’t happen that way.”" - Joel Hartman, vice provost and chief information officer at the University of Central Florida, quoted in Think You'll Make Big Bucks in Online Ed? Not So Fast, Experts Say - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education
Join us today for intro to more realistic approach - targeting those who cannot afford higher ed at all: "Tuition-Free Univ. - U. of the People" Friday, April 1, 2011 2:00 pm (ET)
Friday Live! Registration More info...tlt.gs/UnivofPpl
Join us today for intro to more realistic approach - targeting those who cannot afford higher ed at all: "Tuition-Free Univ. - U. of the People" Friday, April 1, 2011 2:00 pm (ET)
Western Govs U (WGU) vs. Tuition-Free? Univ. of People
How many children of the founders of WGU have ever enrolled in WGU courses? How many have opted for any online alternatives to traditional college? I ask these questions when I'm feeling especially cynical. Not feeling so cynical about Univ. of the People
Below are some milder comments followed by excerpts from 2011, 1998, 1999. Let me know if you find any juicier clips of WGU's over-zealous claims which so dramatically exceeded its accomplishments.
Meanwhile, is WGU the real "phoenix" among universities? Re-rising when financial crisis meets burgeoning, unpredictable online options? Proving again that "necessity is the mother of self-deception"? NOTE: The new University of the People seems to be more modestly and reasonably addressing the growing educational needs of those whose alternative is no higher education at all. Join FridayLive today 4/1 to learn more about UoP. tlt.gs/UnivofPpl
Below are some milder comments followed by excerpts from 2011, 1998, 1999. Let me know if you find any juicier clips of WGU's over-zealous claims which so dramatically exceeded its accomplishments.
Meanwhile, is WGU the real "phoenix" among universities? Re-rising when financial crisis meets burgeoning, unpredictable online options? Proving again that "necessity is the mother of self-deception"? NOTE: The new University of the People seems to be more modestly and reasonably addressing the growing educational needs of those whose alternative is no higher education at all. Join FridayLive today 4/1 to learn more about UoP. tlt.gs/UnivofPpl
Thursday, March 31, 2011
13 X 7 is 28 - According to Abbott & Costello Video 3 mins
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| youtu.be/Lo4NCXOX0p8 |
Learned about this from Lucy MacDonald - our interviewee for "Helping Students Learn to Study: Why Meta is Betta" Friday, March 25, 2011 2:00 pm (ET)
Legal and Ethical Use of Software - "The EDUCOM Code" 1987
Statement of principle developed collaboratively by reps of industry, higher ed:
"Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution.
This "statement of principle about intellectual property and the legal and ethical use of software. This 'code'--intended for adaptation and use by individual colleges and universities--was developed by the EDUCOM Software Initiative." under the direction of Steven W. Gilbert.
From: "Using Software: A Guide to the Ethical and Legal Use of Software for Members of the Academic Community"
- first issued by EDUCOM and ADAPSO in 1987.
"Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution.
"Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community.
From: "Using Software: A Guide to the Ethical and Legal Use of Software for Members of the Academic Community"
- first issued by EDUCOM and ADAPSO in 1987.
Full text available December 21, 2010 at: http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/html/code.html
NOTE OF FULL DISCLOSURE: I was leading the EDUCOM Software Initiative in 1987 and thoroughly enjoyed working with more than 100 colleagues from many corporations, associations, colleges and universities to develop and publish the "Using Software" brochure in which the EDUCOM Code first officially appeared.
NOTE OF FULL DISCLOSURE: I was leading the EDUCOM Software Initiative in 1987 and thoroughly enjoyed working with more than 100 colleagues from many corporations, associations, colleges and universities to develop and publish the "Using Software" brochure in which the EDUCOM Code first officially appeared.
"My Class is the World" Online Degree by Mobile Phone
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| from youtu.be/RkauoJSLCP4 |
@Dinner table - on laptop - benefits, challenges, and misconceptions about online courses; laptop vs. cell phone; misconceptions, credibility
@Parked motorbike - doing assignments, a quiz by cell phone
@Driver's seat of parked car - checks course calendar, registers for course
- from "My Class is the World" Billy Sichone from Mpika Zambia "made this mini-movie using his mobile phone" - African Digital Diaries, University of the People.
Learned about this from Ilene Frank - our interviewee for "Tuition-Free Univ. - U. of the People" Friday, April 1, 2011 2:00 pm (ET)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
"Employees must hold hands before returning to work"
Only source I can find for attribution/citation: "... on to the printer to get quotes on her latest prank sign (she was responsible for the ubiquitous "Employees Must Hold Hands Before Returning to Work" signage that seemingly popped up at every bar and restaurant in town a year and a half ago). " - excerpt from article "Funny Girl" about Amy Krouse Rosenthal in "Chicago Reader"
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
'Balance of Life as Final Frontier' vs. Simulation/Reality Blur
Can college-aged online poker millionaires achieve a balanced life? How will they know when they find it?
"While heightened dexterity, comfort with snap decisions and the stamina gained from years spent sitting in front of a computer screen give the young online pro an edge over his older counterpart, the greatest benefit borne from a life spent playing video games lies somewhere in the strange, disconnected relationship between what is simulated and what is real. The armies of Command and Conquer do not suffer real casualties. An unsuccessful session of Minesweeper does not result in the loss of a leg. [Anyone read Ender's Game lately? And what happened to Second Life? - SWG]
"While heightened dexterity, comfort with snap decisions and the stamina gained from years spent sitting in front of a computer screen give the young online pro an edge over his older counterpart, the greatest benefit borne from a life spent playing video games lies somewhere in the strange, disconnected relationship between what is simulated and what is real. The armies of Command and Conquer do not suffer real casualties. An unsuccessful session of Minesweeper does not result in the loss of a leg. [Anyone read Ender's Game lately? And what happened to Second Life? - SWG]
...
"'Most of us young kids who play at nosebleed stakes don’t really have any clear idea about the actual value of the money we win or lose,' Cates says. 'Most of us see the money more as a points system. And because we’re all competitive, we want to have the highest score. But really, we don’t know what making $400,000 or losing $800,000 means, because we don’t have families or whatever. This blind spot gives us the freedom to always make the right move, regardless of the amount at stake, because our judgment isn’t clouded by any possible ramifications.'
...
"Ashton (theAshman103) Griffin, Cates’s roommate and online rival, also cites a balance of life as the final frontier for the young poker millionaire. In mid-2009, Griffin says he won $7 million in just three months but lost three-quarters of it in the following five months. He cites that swing as a turning point in his career. 'Back when I was jungleman’s age, I only saw money as a system of keeping points,' he says. 'But the swings caught up to me. I couldn’t stomach being in front of the computer for six, eight hours a day and having the result be that I lost $2, $3 million. So now my primary objective is to have a healthy balance of life.'"
Monday, March 28, 2011
Students Produce Critical Media Analysis Using Jing - Free
#tltlta see Printable Paper Bookmark PDF More intro & resource info
Advice (Briefest Summary)
Assign students to make structured critical analyses of brief media excerpts; and then to use Jing (simple, free, online tool) to produce "screencasts" that synchronize their critical comments with the media excerpt. Require each student to record his/her narration while delivering it orally to the full class. Both the instructor and the classmates provide immediate constructive feedback. This live recording session helps many students to produce higher quality narration - more vibrant tones, simpler and clearer language.
Students Produce Critical Media Analysis Summary on as Synchronized Narration Using Jing in Introductory Undergraduate Courses
Purpose and Context
Help faculty to enable each undergraduate student in an introductory media/communications course to:
Develop skills in using a structured approach for critical analysis of media.
Improve skills for producing recordings of high-quality narrated media, especially for synchronizing narration with an already available media excerpt.
Problem
Students arrive in the course with quite varied familiarity and competence for planning, producing narrated media and for using relevant online tools.
Advice (Briefest Summary)
Assign students to make structured critical analyses of brief media excerpts; and then to use Jing (simple, free, online tool) to produce "screencasts" that synchronize their critical comments with the media excerpt. Require each student to record his/her narration while delivering it orally to the full class. Both the instructor and the classmates provide immediate constructive feedback. This live recording session helps many students to produce higher quality narration - more vibrant tones, simpler and clearer language.
Students Produce Critical Media Analysis Summary on as Synchronized Narration Using Jing in Introductory Undergraduate Courses
Purpose and Context
Help faculty to enable each undergraduate student in an introductory media/communications course to:
Develop skills in using a structured approach for critical analysis of media.
Improve skills for producing recordings of high-quality narrated media, especially for synchronizing narration with an already available media excerpt.
Problem
Students arrive in the course with quite varied familiarity and competence for planning, producing narrated media and for using relevant online tools.
Ctrl Z = UNDO Useful tip or Shareworthy LTA?
#tltlta Launching Twitter hashtag for Low-Threshold Apps & Activities see tlt.gs/ltas
Part I - a tip Part II - Intro: Tip vs. "Shareworthy LTA"
I. Tip
Wish you could find an "Undo" button when you use Gmail? Google Docs? Other Google services? Other software?
Sometimes I can and sometimes I can't. Recently I found that pressing the <Control> or <Ctrl> key AT THE SAME TIME I press the "z" key often works to UNDO whatever just happened, and doesn't seem to do anything harmful.
II. Tip vs. Share-Worthy LTA
Is this "tip" an"LTA" [Low-Threshold Application/Activity ]? Is it "shareworthy"?
What might make it a shareworthy LTA?
How personal and subjective is the use of this label "share-worthy LTA"?
In our recent Frugal Innovation work, we've been trying to figure out how to INTENTIONALLY, ACTIVELY, VISIBLY enable and encourage "faculty sharing further," especially for LTAs that improve teaching and learning with technology. I suspect that a key factor is whether or not someone considers the LTA "share-worthy"; i.e., cares enough, values this LTA enough to feel some energy for sharing it with deserving colleagues. And, perhaps, "share-worthiness" is determined by an often unconscious comparison of several factors:
- Perceived usefulness
- Ease of learning and implementation
- Ease of sharing
- What else?
Internet, Facebook, Twitter: Revolution - Cannot be Ignored
"Facebook’s growth had been so sudden that the censors had not yet placed any restrictions on it. Tunisia has the highest rate of Internet use of any Arab country."
...
"That changed on Jan. 14, ... Suddenly, reporters could tell the truth.
...
"That changed on Jan. 14, ... Suddenly, reporters could tell the truth.
...
"In Tunisia and then in Egypt and across the region, people who had complained only to friends and family felt the fear that their rulers depended upon dissipate like air from a pierced balloon. The wizards who commanded seemingly omnipresent secret police forces were revealed to be just old men behind a curtain, running state security operations that didn’t even know how to handle a virus of rebellious Facebook pages."
- excerpts from In Tunisia, act of one fruit vendor sparks wave of revolution through Arab world - The Washington Post by Marc Fisher, 3/27/2011
It is no longer reasonable to believe that Internet-based communications can or should be centrally controlled. What about in classrooms?
Steve Gilbert
President, TLT Group
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Who owns "T" and "L"? What can TLT Group do?
TLT=Teaching, Learning, and Technology
Should I be worrying about a lawsuit from Sesame Street? After all, who has claim to the alphabet?
Do critics of traditional grading systems have a new weapon? Can they get the Electric Company or Webster's dictionary to sue schools, colleges, and universities that still use letter grades?
We decided not to try to own "TLT" when we launched the TLT Group in 1998.
We're pleased when someone asks our permission to name something "TLT" or "TLTR," - we've almost always said "yes." We're almost as pleased when we discover someone has done so without asking.
But now I'm getting worried because I just read "When tech companies engage in legal squabbles about who gets to use our everyday words, what are ordinary speakers of the language to make of it all?"
"Facebook has been notorious in this regard, filing trademarks on an array of common four-letter words: like, 'wall,' 'poke' and, naturally, 'face' and 'book.' " - from The Great Language Land Grab - NYTimes.com by Ben Zimmer, NY Times 3/26/2011
Can you recommend a lawyer who can help us get the letters "T" and "L"? Should we limit our demands to those two letters and hope that our parsimony (only needing two letters for our three letter name) will increase our "appeal" (heh heh)? Or should we go all the way and grab "group" and "g," "r," "o," "u," and "p"?
Thanks for your help.
Steve Gilbert, P*******t
T*e T**ch*ng, L****ing, a*d **chno**gy Gr*up
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Fun Lyrics, Beautiful Images, Informative/Sarcastic Text - Morphogenesis Song!
"Not many songs have been written about the classical problem of morphogenesis (shape change in growing organs). However Flanders and Swann wrote one brilliant and amusing song, called 'Misalliance,' about the growth of twining plants.... (Note that the handedness of the vine is known to be genetic and not related to geography or Coriolis forces.)"
- Excerpted from From: Science Song of the Week | Sing About Science & Math Blog "Songs for Teaching, Learning, & Fun,"
Posted on March 24, 2011 by crowther "Thanks to Dr. Wendy Silk for providing this highly informative guest post!"
Learned about this from Lucy MacDonald - our interviewee for "Helping Students Learn to Study: Why Meta is Betta" Friday, March 25, 2011 2:00 pm (ET)
Photo of "honey bee on honeysuckle" by Aka Hige on Flickr.
Be there the first time beginners cross the threshold in online courses!
Guardian Angel/Training Wheels Approach: Experienced online teacher offers to "hold your hand" during beginners' first online experience. Important to reduce anxiety about first use of essential online tools and increase likelihood first experience is comfortable and worthwhile. successful - Join our interview with experienced online teacher Lucy MacDonald "Helping Students Learn to Study: Why Meta is Betta" Friday, March 25, 2011 2:00 pm (ET)
Friday Live! Registration More info...tlt.gs/MetaBetta3
ATTRIBUTION FOR IMAGES ABOVE
Photo of Guardian Angel "Scarface, the angel" http://www.flickr.com/photos/e3000/3044177550/ taken by e³°°° / Eddy Van 3000 with CC Attribution ShareAlike License
Photo of small child riding bike with training wheels "Terror on Training Wheels"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/candiedwomanire/3397197237/ taken by Dawn Endico with CC Attribution ShareAlike License
ATTRIBUTION FOR IMAGES ABOVE
Photo of Guardian Angel "Scarface, the angel" http://www.flickr.com/photos/e3000/3044177550/ taken by e³°°° / Eddy Van 3000 with CC Attribution ShareAlike License
Photo of small child riding bike with training wheels "Terror on Training Wheels"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/candiedwomanire/3397197237/ taken by Dawn Endico with CC Attribution ShareAlike License
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Why Meta is Betta: Possible to help students learn math by reading textbook?
This Friday 3/25 - How to help students learn to study - even how to learn from reading math textbooks! Interview with experienced online teacher Lucy MacDonald - who worked with a math teacher to help students READ math. Observed that students did NOT read textbook at all. Helped teachers, students develop Textbook Reading Guides. Worked with students to WRITE instructions about how to read and study more effectively for students - intended for students who would take the same course next term. Subsequently other math teachers asked for copies of the handouts to use with other math textbooks - as model for helping students learn from math textbooks.
Join us for "Helping Students Learn to Study: Why Meta is Betta"
Interview: Lucy Tribble MacDonald "I'm an early adopter and i like to be pregnant"
Friday, March 25, 2011
2:00 pm (ET)
Friday Live! Registration More info...tlt.gs/MetaBetta3
The Nano Song - Using Music for Learning/Teaching
L. MacDonald will discuss, among other things, use of music. Join us for "Helping Students Learn to Study: Why Meta is Betta"
Interview: Lucy Tribble MacDonald Friday, March 25, 2011 2:00 pm (ET)
Friday Live! Registration More info...tlt.gs/MetaBetta3
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Calculus Xmas Carols - Really!
Derivatives, Derivatives (sung to the tune of O Christmas Tree [O Tannenbaum])
Derivatives, derivativesThey help us find the rate of change.
Derivatives, derivatives
They're not that hard, they're in our range.
The product rule is so much funIt's one prime two plus two prime one
Derivatives, derivatives
They help us find the rate of change.
And there's more!
"No one's saying that the air's a little thinner in Colorado, and maybe that's why Denise McCleary and her classes at Fairview High School enjoy singing math carols, but that's my suspicion. Can you spot her in the photo? I'll give you a hint: She holding something that rhymes with shmaccordian.
- excerpts from Calculus-Help.com: Survive calculus class! - Calculus Carols
ATTRIBUTION FOR IMAGES ABOVE
Picture of Christmas tree above from http://www.flickr.com/photos/therichardlife/4206351506/ taken by therichardlife / Stephanie Richard with CC Attribution ShareAlike License
Image of calculus derivative above "lutning4" from mattemagnus / Magnus Dahlström http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattemagnus/4267117100/ with CC Attribution ShareAlike License
- excerpts from Calculus-Help.com: Survive calculus class! - Calculus Carols
ATTRIBUTION FOR IMAGES ABOVE
Picture of Christmas tree above from http://www.flickr.com/photos/therichardlife/4206351506/ taken by therichardlife / Stephanie Richard with CC Attribution ShareAlike License
Image of calculus derivative above "lutning4" from mattemagnus / Magnus Dahlström http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattemagnus/4267117100/ with CC Attribution ShareAlike License
Share It Forward - Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License
"You may share, adapt, or 'remix' this work [description of item being licensed] if and only if you include attribution and this 'share it forward' licensing as shown next... "
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