Photo Credit
Flattening the Classroom
Tech Tip: Embed YouTube, Teacher Tube or Google Videos on Your Website
Seven Steps to a Flat Classroom
In this Slide share presentation, Vicki Davis describes and illustrates the seven essential principles for an effective flat classroom.
Flattening the World: How to Harness Web 2.0 Tools To Engage Learners Inside and Outside the Classroom
Doug Balsa’s Slide share presentation shows how educators can get started in creating a truly global classroom.
The Five Phases of Flattening a Classroom
Vicki Davis describes the tools and student competencies needed for each phase of evolving into a collaborative and global “classroom without walls”.
Flatten Your Classroom and Embrace 21st Century Learning (Slide Share presentation)
Julie Lindsay’s conference presentation provides an overview of how the flat classroom concept supports 21st century learning skills.
Flat Classroom Project Student Awards
Award-winning examples of student videos created as part of the Flat Classroom Project.
Tech Tip: Embed YouTube, Teacher Tube or Google Videos on Your Website
It is very useful to insert playable imported videos within your Web page or blog so that users have quick access. Here’s how to quickly embed video code from YouTube:
1. Locate the video on YouTube.
2. To the right of the area where the video displays (under the video description), you will see a field called Embed followed by HTML code.
3. Copy and paste all of that HTML code into the HTML View of your Website or blog post. Hint: Be sure to paste the code in the area of your page where you want the video to appear.
This trick will work on all popular video sites. Just look for the option that says Video Code, Embed Video or Put This Video on Your Page. Remember to include a citation with the title and creator of the video as well as a hyperlink to the original source.
Search/Browse 40 Online Courses Starting in September
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/courses.shtml
Fall courses will be offered including web design, poverty in schools, methods of teaching art, math, reading and writing, technology integration, classroom management, teaching English Language Learners, autism, differentiation, inclusion, assessment, instructional leadership, mentoring, bullying in schools, school library/media specialists, relearning and online teaching.
Participate from your home computer; no travel to campus is required. Select university billing, and no payment is due until early September. A payment plan option is available for fall semester
Labels: Online Teaching, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 8/08/2008 10:25:00 PM
• Teach online in a technical, community college, or higher education
• Work as a virtual school teacher in new K-12 environments
• Develop and deliver training for your district, business, government, health care,
or other nonprofit organizations
Bobby Hobgood provides an excellent overview on becoming an effective online instructor. He describes three critical phases of online course development: preparation, design and teaching.
Kyong-Jee Kim and Curtis J. Bonk explore the results of a survey of postsecondary administrators and instructors regarding future trends in online teaching and learning. Includes predictions about the changing roles of online instructors, student expectations, and projected technology use in online teaching and learning over the next few years.
Table 3 image used with permission from Educause Copyright © 2007 by EDUCAUSE
Keeping Pace with K-12 Online Education (PDF file)
John Watson and Jennifer Ryan report on the fast-paced growth of K-12 online schools and how successful online programs with quality outcomes are
being developed and delivered at many different levels, from national organizations to single-district, as well as state-led, multi-district, and consortium programs.
Promising Practices in Online Learning (PDF file)
John Watson gives examples of how blended learning combines the best elements of online and face-to-face learning, and is increasing educational opportunities for students all over the world.
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching (PDF file)
In February 2008 the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) released this report to provide states, districts, online programs, and other organizations with a set of quality guidelines and best practices for online teaching.
Tech Tip – Free Software Training Quick Reference Sheet
Here’s a wonderful time-saving resource for technology training. The CustomGuide Learn-on-Demand Web site has a selection of free printable “cheat sheet” software user guides for Macintosh and Windows. Each of the colorful PDF quick sheets is appealingly formatted with screen shots and keyboard shortcuts. Sheets can be shared with staff and students and posted on your school or organization’s Web site.
Titles include:
Microsoft Office 2007
Dreamweaver CS3
Photoshop CS3
Windows Vista
Mac OS X Tiger
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/courses.shtml
Participate from your home computer; no travel to campus is required. Select university billing, and no payment is due until summer session begins.
Final Call for Courses Beginning on June 16 and June 23
EDUC 760 E-learning for Educators
RDGED 702 Reading in the Content Areas K-12
EDUC 744 909 Teaching Writing with the 6-Traits
EDUC 744 917 Inspiration and Kidspiration: K-12 Strategies to Build Study Skills and Comprehension
EDUC 744 914 Methods of Teaching Middle School Math (Grades 4-8)
EDUC 744 965 Issues and Problems in Teaching Primary Mathematics - K-3
EDUC 744 925 Bullying in Schools
EDUC 744 928 Instructional Applications of Digital Photography
EDUC 744 938 Digital Media and Visual Literacy
EDUC 744 941 Mentoring Teachers
EDUC 744 949 Assessment for Learning
EDUC 744 951 Teaching Information Literacy with Primary Sources
EDUC 744 954 Instructional Leadership Skills
EDUC 744 956 Building Better Instruction with Technology
EDUC 744 963 Teaching English Language Learners (ELL) in General Education
EDUC 744 964 Workforce Development: Every Teacher’s Responsibility
EDUC 744 929 Web Design for Educators
EDUC 744 937 Applications for iPods and Handheld Computers
EDUC 744 939 Intermediate Web Design
Register online
Labels: e-learning, Online Teaching, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 5/27/2008 09:04:00 PM
Experts’ Top Ten E-Learning Tools for Teaching & Professional DevelopmentTech Tip: 162 Tips and Tricks for Working with E-learning Tools
Photo Credit
Top 100 Tools for Learning 2007
In July 2007 Jane Hart, head of the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies in Somerset, England asked 64 e-learning experts to list their top 10 productivity and teaching tools. A free PDF download version lists the tools by type and gives key information about each one.
The top ten most frequently mentioned on 2008 lists by other teachers, instructional designers and online learning specialists are:
Skype – host IM chat, conference and international calls
Del.icio.us - store, tag and share bookmarks online, valuable resource for finding others’ favorite sites
GoogleDocs - write documents to share, store, present and access from anywhere via the web (no more emailing drafts); import docs from MS Office and Open Office
Google Reader - aggregate and read all your news and blog feeds in this free web-based reader
Audacity- record podcasts and edit audio files
Google Search – research topics with this highly-regarded and powerful Web searching tool
Camtasia - record your computer screen to create training videos or screencasts
Articulate – create tutorials and quizzes with three tools – Presenter converts PowerPoints to Flash tutorials with narration, Engage adds interactivity, and Quizmaker creates Flash-based tests and surveys
Captivate - create flash cards and interactive simulations for self-paced online learning
SnagIt - capture, edit and print screen images and make a video of on-screen actions
Tech Tip – 162 Tips and Tricks for Working with E-Learning Tools
The eLearning Guild provides an excellent free downloadable e-book of favorite tips for using e-learning software. Tips were compiled by surveying 122 eLearning Guild members in the areas of:
Rapid e-Learning tools
Simulation tools
Media tools
Combining and deploying authoring tools
Announcement:
Final Call for Courses Starting January 28-30
Sign up today to provide time for assigning your user name and university email account and ordering your textbook.
Courses Beginning on January 28
EDUC 744 958 Teaching Art for Non-Art Teachers
EDUC 744 957 Differentiation in the Classroom
EDUC 744 914 Methods of Teaching Middle School Math (Grades 4-8)
EDUC 744 920 Teaching Writing with the 6-Traits
EDUC 744 911 Effective Classroom Management
EDUC 744 925 Bullying in Schools
EDUC 744 928 Instructional Applications of Digital Photography
EDUC 744 938 Digital Media and Visual Literacy
EDUC 744 964 Workforce Development: Every Teacher’s Responsibility
EDUC 760 932 E-learning for Educators
Courses beginning on January 29
EDUC 744 963 Teaching English Language Learners (ELL) in General Education
EDUC 744 927 Innovations and Opportunities for Media Specialists
RDGED 705 Instructional Techniques for Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties
RDGED 702 Reading in the Content Areas K-12
EDUC 744 951 Teaching Information Literacy
EDUC 744 941 Mentoring Teachers
Courses Beginning on January 30
EDUC 761 Collaborative Communities in E-learning
RDGED 703 Children’s Literature in the Reading Program
RDGED 704 Young Adult Literature in the Reading Program
EDUC 744 917 Inspiration and Kidspiration: K-12 Strategies to Build Study Skills and Comprehension.
REGISTER ONLINE
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml
Labels: e-learning, Online Teaching, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 1/12/2008 08:58:00 PM
Online Teaching: Interaction and Collaboration Activities
Tech Tip: RSS Feeds in Internet Explorer 7
Special Issue on Online Collaboration
The February 2006 issue of the Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks (JALN) contains eight articles which provide an excellent overview of effective methods for structuring online collaboration activities.
Relationships between Interactions and Learning in Online Environments (PDF)
Kathy Swan presents research findings on best practices in interactive learning and how they can guide effective course design and facilitation.
Online Learning Communities
Jan Engle and others describe how an effectively-designed online course can facilitate movement of a class through group development stages and deepen the learning experience. Key elements impacting student interaction include: the level of structure required, teamwork skills, discussion forums, and cooperative/collaborative learning exercises.
Understanding Interactions in Distance Education
Veronica Thurmond and Karen Wambach ask educators to consider if they are making optimum use of interaction and feedback, and describe four types of interactions commonly seen in online classes.
Tech Tip – RSS Feeds in Internet Explorer 7
The new Internet Explorer 7 for Windows makes it easy to set up RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Feeds for favorite Web sites so that you automatically receive personalized information updates. This can be a huge timesaver, as the updates are automatically sent to your Favorites Center, so you only have to look in one place. To set up an RSS feed:
1.First, check your favorite Websites to see if an RSS feed is available. To do this, open a Website and look for an orange and white striped icon in the toolbar (usually next to the Home icon), which means that RSS feed capability is available for this page. If there is no RSS feed for this page, the icon will be gray and white.
2. Next, click on the small black triangle next to this orange Feed icon to see which site items are available via RSS. Select an item from the list. A new window opens. In the new window, click on the Subscribe to This Feed text near the top of the screen.
3. To read your RSS feeds, go to the Favorites Center in Internet Explorer 7 (yellow star icon at left side of screen) and click on the Feeds button. A list of your selected feeds will appear. Select a site feed, and the content will open in a new window.
What Our Students Are Saying…
About the Online Classroom: Creating Collaborative Communities course:
"...the course design fostered a level of cohesive participant interaction that I have not experienced in many places. The instructors provided an effective model of online facilitation while teaching about online instruction. Every potential online instructor should take this class." ~ Paul Mugan , High school biology teacher, Waverly, Iowa
Sign up soon for the fall classes in the Elearning and Online Teaching Certificate program. For more information, contact Dennis O’Connor, program advisor at oconnord@uwstout.edu
Phone: (530) 318-1145
Register online at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml
Labels: Online Teaching, RSS, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 8/10/2007 11:17:00 AM
Writing for the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, Peggy A. Ertmer and others describe how peer feedback was used to promote higher-level thinking and higher-quality student postings in online classes.
Strategies for Providing Feedback
The Illinois Online Network staff provides fifteen effective feedback strategies to promote high-quality student participation in online classes.
Using Asynchronous Audio Feedback to Enhance Teaching Presence and Students’ Sense of Community
(Registration required -- be sure to register for this wonderful free resource!)
Philip Ice and others in the Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks report on the use of audio feedback to provide a more personalized communication with online students.
Effective Feedback
Paul Hammond lists the characteristics of useful feedback, and includes tips for providing effective feedback in a professional manner.
Tech Tip – Convert MS Word Documents to PDF Format
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a popular file format that is readable on Macs and PC’s. PDF’s are especially suited to documents with special formatting and graphics (such as classroom newsletters) which will be displayed on a Website. Converting to PDF format retains the formatting of the original document.
On OS X Macintosh computers there is a built-in PDF converter which is accessed by opening your document and choosing File – Print. In the Print window, click on the PDF button, and then pull down to select "Save as PDF..." which creates a PDF version of your file.
For Windows, there are two free options:
PrimoPDF or CutePDF Writer (both are free downloads).
When downloaded and installed on your computer, these applications can convert most documents into PDF format by going to File - Print, and ‘printing’ to the PrimoPDF or CutePDF printer which appears in the Print window. If you don’t wish to install PrimoPDF on your computer, you can use the new Primo Online converter which allows you to upload a document to the Primo site, convert it online, then download it as a PDF file.
What Our Students Are Saying…
About the E-Learning and Online Teaching Certificate Program:
Julie Fischer is a business and information technology instructor at Hayward and a candidate in UW-Stout’s online Master's in Education program. She selected the E-Learning Certificate courses to learn more about teaching online and how to “create an environment where students could have flexible learning and to provide options for students who may be home-schooled or enrolled in charter schools and taking courses from our high school which would help them learn to meet state technology standards.”
Sign up soon for the fall classes in the Elearning and Online Teaching Certificate program.
For more information, contact Dennis O’Connor, program advisor at oconnord@uwstout.edu Phone: (530) 318-1145
Register online at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml
Labels: e-learning, Online Teaching, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 8/03/2007 06:30:00 PM
Facilitating Effective Online Discussions
Engaging Reluctant Students
Tech Tip: Manage Passwords Easily and Safely With RoboForm
Discussion Rubric for Online Class
Lynn Nielsen’s rubric provides an excellent, ready-to-use set of guidelines to assess the quality of online discussion participation.
Dialogue-Intensive Learning
Richard Dool describes how he manages some common student behavior problems, such as: the last-minute poster, the “I agree” person, the dominator, and the contrarian.
Lurking
UW-Stout online instructor Susan Manning and Dan Balzer, hosts of The Learning Times Green Room, have produced an excellent podcast about lurking. Should online instructors allow students to lurk on the edge of discussions? Are lurkers learning anything?
Top Tips for Moderators of Online Discussion Groups (pdf file)
William Spitzer and others describe the strategies used by effective online moderators, including: asking good questions, promoting reflective dialogue, and setting a motivational and positive tone.
Moderation, Response Rate, and Message Interactivity:Features of Online Communities and Their Effects on Intent to Participate
Kevin Wise and others explain the structural features of an online community which elicit the highest intent to participate, including: moderated discussions, response rate, message interactivity, and the length of time between posts.
Tech Tip – Manage Passwords Easily and Safely With RoboForm
Keeping track of all of the login passwords for every online account and making them secure can be a challenge. RoboForm keeps track of all your passwords, and generates new, hard-to-crack , encrypted passwords. All you have to remember is one master password, which gives you access to all of your stored passwords.
This free, award-winning software (for Windows only, including Vista) stores 30 passwords. To start using RoboForm, go to the RoboForm Web site and click on the Download button to download the software to your desktop and install it on your Web browser’s toolbar. For a visual, step-by-step guide on how to use RoboForm, click on the tutorials link on the home page.
Sign up soon for the fall classes in the Elearning and Online Teaching Certificate program. For more information, contact Dennis O’Connor, program advisor at oconnord@uwstout.edu Phone: (530) 318-1145
Register online at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml
Labels: e-learning, Online Teaching, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 7/26/2007 03:59:00 PM
Virtual High Schools
Today’s Topic:
Virtual High Schools
Tech Tip: Blinkx Searches Content Within Web Videos
Announcement: UW-Stout Launches New Online Certificate in E-Learning
More Students Across US Logging On to Online Classrooms
Seema Mehta describes how virtual schools are meeting students’ needs for flexible scheduling, specialized course offerings, and a customized educational experience.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction staff explains the benefits and challenges of delivering instruction online.
The staff of the North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) articulates a vision of how 21st century skills can be incorporated in virtual schools and improve learning outcomes for all students.
The Digital Bridges staff in Portland, Oregon provides an excellent overview of K-12 online learning, including demands on the learner, implications for the learner, special needs accommodations, and research findings on the effectiveness of online programs.
Millions of videos are now online, but most are only searchable by user-supplied titles or text descriptions in Google Video and others. Blinkx – the largest video search engine in the world--goes beyond text-based searches by locating audio and video content within videos. Its unique visual analysis and speech recognition capabilities make Blinkx a leader in multimedia searching capabilities.
By clicking on “advanced search” users can also search for videos by over 60 major producers, including ABC News, CNN, Discovery and YouTube. The handy “video wall” feature lets you quickly preview groups of thumbnail-sized videos matching your search criteria. A Safe Search feature can be set to block unsuitable content.
Announcements
2007 Toyota International Teacher Program
Applications are now available for the 2007 Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands. The program is open to U.S. secondary school teachers who teach full time. Twenty applicants will be selected in May. Apply online. Deadline is April 23, 2007.
UW-Stout Launches Online Certificate Program in E-Learning
Graduate Certificate in E-Learning and Online Courses begins in June, 2007
Do you want to learn how to:
- Motivate online learners to succeed
- Use questioning skills to deepen understanding
- Use multiple assessments to measure online learning
- Take advantage of free Web 2.0 technologies for instruction
- Facilitate discussion to foster higher order thinking skills
- Create an efficient flow of instruction using a course management system
- Blend online learning with classroom instruction
“Our new E-Learning Certificate program will benefit K-12 instructors, curriculum consultants, and administrators, as well as instructors in technical and community colleges who are interested in the essential knowledge and skills to effectively teach or train online. Clearly, having this skill set will help prepare educators to become leaders in their school’s distance learning initiatives,” said Dennis O’Connor, course author and program advisor.
What Our Students Are Saying…
About the
"The courses were an eye-opening, growing experience and provided a strong foundation for teaching online classes. The expertise of the responsive and supportive instructors was excellent. Online learning made it possible for me to complete a course from my home computer without traveling to campus."
~ K-12 Staff Development Trainer
"I loved the format. I also enjoyed the ability to try and test new tools that I had never even heard of. I liked the feedback and challenges provided by Dennis and his positive supporting nature. This class was amazing!"
~ Corporate Manager
"I have benefited most from the challenge of the 'hands-on' aspect of the course. The readings and activities have been practical and thought-provoking."
~ High School Drama Teacher
Call
Labels: e-learning, Online Teaching, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 3/12/2007 08:41:00 PM
Online Learning Grows at UW-Stout
How is online learning impacting professional development for today’s educators? What are the benefits of learning online? Is the quality of online instruction equivalent to that of on-campus classes?
Enrollment Numbers at UW-Stout Continue to Climb
The number of students registered in Online Professional Development courses at UW-Stout in 2005-2006 increased 36% over the number registered in 2004-2005.
What’s It Like to Take an Online Class?
Writing for Multimedia & Internet @ Schools, UW-Stout instructor Mary Alice Anderson explains how e-learning is becoming widely-accepted as a viable way to earn graduate credits.
Why Do Students Like Online Learning?
Stephanie Coleman explains the compelling reasons to consider taking an online class, including accessible instructors and the flexibility to participate according to work and child care schedules.
Teaching and Learning Online
Linda Starr describes the characteristics of effective online learners, and shares the online teaching and learning experiences of a group of K-12 educators.
Tech Tip – Store Your Favorite Web Bookmarks Online
When using multiple computers between home and school, it can be a challenge to access Web sites saved on individual computers. Several well-known Web services provide easy online storage and organization of your bookmarks so they can be accessed at any computer. Two good sites to try are: http://www.backflip.com/ and http://del.icio.us/
What’s New for Fall 06
EDUC 744 958F
Teaching Art for Non-Art Teachers
Discover how classroom teachers can create engaging lessons that integrate
art, literature and masterpieces with K-8 curriculum.
RDGED 705
Instructional Techniques For Assisting Students with Reading Difficulties
Explore a variety of practical suggestions for integrating reading, writing and spelling into an effective program for struggling readers and special populations.
EDUC 744 955F
Online Classroom: Creating Collaborative Communities
Experience first-hand how to create and facilitate vibrant online learning communities which encourage motivated, independent learners.
EDUC 744 937F
Learning Applications for the iPod® and Handheld Computers
Energize your teaching by exploring effective instructional practices using podcasts, eBooks, eAudio, and eVideo to meet technology and content standards.
EDUC 744 949F
Instructional Role of Assessment and Data Analysis
Enhance your students' achievements by becoming "assessment-literate" -- learn to make sense of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data, avoid common data pitfalls, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
Additional online courses begin in September and October
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/courses.shtml
What Our Students Are Saying...
About the E-Learning for Educators online course:
"Dennis was a patient facilitator who cares about his students. This class has been an eye-opening growing experience and a foundation for teaching online classes."
~ Corporate Trainer, Franchise Restaurant Company
"I liked the interaction with my classmates from all over the world. What a great experience. That is something from online learning that I did not expect. I had taken other classes online before, but that all involved people from Wisconsin. Some great ideas, information, and perspectives were shared."
~ Technology Coordinator, Pittsville, Wisconsin
"If not for this course, I would never have tried Moodle, blog, wiki, or the survey/quiz programs. Having teammates to work with on assignments made it a lot less threatening."
~ Library Media Specialist, Syracuse, New York
Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715) 642-0209 if you have questions.
UW-Stout is an "international-student- friendly" program.
Labels: e-learning, Online Teaching, Tech Tips
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 8/15/2006 10:59:00 PM