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
The Power of RSS Feeds
Tech Tip – Inserting Photos Inside Word Art
How do today’s tech-savvy teachers keep their teaching resources fresh and relevant with a minimum of effort? What are RSS feeds, how do they deliver information right to your desktop, and how can they enrich teaching and learning?
Setting Up RSS
The staff at Governors State University provides a succinct description of how to set up RSS feeds. Don’t miss the helpful viewlet demonstration link near the bottom of the page!
RSS Feeds: Making Your Favorite Websites Come to You
Andy Carvin provides a brief history of RSS feeds and describes how they can make an educator’s life easier.
RSS Ideas for Educators (pdf file)
Quentin d’Souza offers numerous ideas for educators just getting started with RSS.
Stephen’s Web: Edu_RSS
Stephen Downes is often considered to be the ed tech guru of educational uses of RSS. Click on the Today’s Edu_RSS link for a listing of the latest and best RSS feeds for educators.
Tech Tip – Inserting Photos Inside Word Art (MS Word 2003)
To personalize your Word Art lettering, you can create a photo fill for Word Art letters. Here’s how:
1. Go to Insert -Picture, and choose WordArt.
2. Select a plain style from the top row.
3. Type in your text. Click OK.
4. Open the Word Art toolbar by going to the View menu and selecting Toolbars, then Word Art.
5. On the Word Art toolbar, select the Format icon (paint can & brush).
6. Click on the Colors and Lines tab.
7. In the Fill section, click the arrow next to the color and select Fill Effects.
8. Click on the Picture tab and click on the Select Picture button.
9. Locate your picture and click Insert, then OK.
A portion of your photo is now filling the Word Art text.
Final Call for Courses Starting October 16, 2006
EDUC 744 946F - Professional Development Plan Design and Implementation
EDUC 744 930F - Web Design for Educators (Beginning)
EDUC 744 942F - Intermediate Web Design: Making Your Website a Learning Center
What Our Students Are Saying...
About the Web Design for Educators (Beginning) and the Intermediate Web Design online courses:
“Designing a Web page has been a goal of mine for over a year. I was lacking the knowledge to accomplish my goal but now have the knowledge and a finished project!”
~Media Specialist, Beech Grove, Indiana
“I have been thoroughly impressed with the format, organization, presentation, and relevance of the course content. The hours felt well-spent, the feedback from Jim was swift and thoughtful, and the pace conducive to people with full-time lives to conduct.”
~Middle School Counselor, Madison, Wisconsin
“The organization was phenomenal and everything was step-by-step. I have recommended this class to several of my colleagues."
~ Teacher, Camp Zama, Japan
Call University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development (715) 642-0209 if you have questions. UW-Stout is an "international-student- friendly" program.
Labels: RSS
posted by Karen Franker, Editor @ 10/08/2006 12:23:00 PM