Life is Wonderful!
I have spent the last year or so exploring and playing with technologies that can be used to enhance learning. This is much more than
just using computers to email students and provide on-line assessments. I have been exploring ways that we can expand learning environments by "breaking down the walls."
Here a few of the things I have been doing:
Emerging Technologies - If you want to play, you need a playground. I opened my playground during the Fall, 2007 semester when I initiated our Emerging Instructional Technologies course at UNI. It was FANTASTIC! No textbook - students read, watched, listened to and did any number of resources and then reflected upon it using their blogs. we explored the world and reflected upon it. This class is in its 3rd iteration. The summer session that I taught in June, '07, was amazing. We began with 6 weeks of online interaction (video conferencing, chat, 2nd life, email) and then met for a 40-hour week (8 AM - 5 PM every day) where these educators experienced and created incredible things. We are beginning this again this Fall '08 semester. Looks like a creative and courageous group of students.
Once a year our statewide Instructional Technology organization, Iowa Technology and Education Connection (ITEC), has wonderful 3-day conference at the Marriott Hotel in Des Moines. This is a wonderful opportunity for educators across the state to get together to share what they have been doing and plan future events. I love coming down here.
Last year I posted a wiki to hold the resources for my workshop and sessions that I presented. I was amazed when someone who said that she would not be able to make my sessions tomorrow asked if I was doing that again. "Of course, I am," I replied. Here is the link to my ITEC 2007 wiki. You will find some interesting resources that go with the Google Tools and Web 2.0 Gizmos and Gadgets sessions that I presented.
Life continues to be active at the University of Northern Iowa. Our program in the Instructional Technology Division of the Curriculum and Instruction Department in the College of Education is as exciting as ever. We use WebCT 6 to provide on-line course support.
Our Educational Technology Minor is growing. Maybe it's right for you! |
