University of Wisconsin Stout | Wisconsin's Polytechnic University

Measuring the Impact of the iPad in Education

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How has the iPad impacted teaching and learning since it was first introduced in 2010? This week's blog explores a variety of perspectives and recommendations from educators who have extensively integrated the iPad in their teaching and training.

What Do Students Think of Using iPads in Class?
Sam Gliksman reports on survey results from high school students who used the iPad in a four-month pilot program. Students reported an 83% preference for using e-books over paper textbooks.

One Year Later: Assessing the Impact of iPads on Education
Sam Gliksman provides a compelling case for why the iPad is demonstrating the capabilities of tablet computers to transform the delivery of learning.

The iPad in Education: The Professor's Perspective
Haydn Davis describes the results of pilot iPad projects in higher ed and provides examples of how instructors are successfully using iPads in a variety of subject areas.

Is the iPad Ready to Replace the Printed Textbook?
Dian Schaffhauser explores whether having regular access to an iPad improves student engagement and facilitates the reading of course materials, and why many campuses aren't yet ready to wholeheartedly adopt the iPad.

iPad 2 in the Humanities Classroom: Revolutionary Educational Technology?
Jim Caccamo describes how his initial six-week trial of the iPad had a positive impact on the teaching and learning environment in his classroom.

7 Reasons You Need iPad in Your Classroom and 10 Ways to Use Them
Barbara Schroeder lists seven reasons why an iPad is superior to a netbook, and provides ten examples of effective iPad activities in a variety of subject areas.

Five Ways Readers Are Using iPads in the Classroom
The eSchool News staff reports on five of the most popular uses of the iPad: intervention, enrichment, assistive technology, digital literacy, and organizing resources/reading.

62 Interesting Ways to Use an iPad in the Classroom (slide presentation)
Tom Barrett's slide presentation provides sixty-two creative ways to improve instruction with the iPad.

11 iPad Apps for Meetings and Presentations
Sharlyn Lauby provides screenshots of the best iPad apps to use for training presentations and group brainstorming activities.

Tech Tip: 54 Very Best iPad Tips You Should Know

50 Really Useful iPad2 Tips and Tricks
Greg Swanson provides some lesser-known "power user" tips for using the iPad.

4 Useful iPad Tricks You May Still Not Know About
Yaara Lancet reveals some hidden tips about screen rotation, accessing Street View, and adding PDF files to iBook.

Fall online classes are filling. Don't delay. Sign up soon!

List of courses that still have openings

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No payment due now.
Payment plan for fall: 10% due on September 20th, remaining 90% on October 20th

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School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by K. Franker on 7/22/2011

Best Rubrics For End-of-Year Projects

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This week's blog focuses on using rubrics designed to assist in grading student projects at the end of the academic year.  Explore a variety of rubric examples created by Karen Franker which can be adapted for use in primary, secondary and college classrooms.

Rubrics: Useful Assessment Tools
The University of Waterloo's rubric page concisely explains the why's and how's of effective use of rubrics in the classroom.

Collaboration/Teamwork Rubrics

Primary Grade Self-Evaluation (pdf file)
Features of a sandwich to graphically show when all teamwork criteria are met.

Upper Elementary/ Middle School
Six defined criteria for assessing team and individual responsibility.

High School and College
Six defined criteria for collaboration. 

Research Project and Critical Thinking Rubrics

Elementary
For use in grades 3-5 to assess planning, gathering, organizing and citing information.

Middle School
Assesses how middle school students perform on tasks associated with the research process.

College (pdf file)
Five defined criteria for assessing critical thinking skills.

Authentic Assessment Toolbox
Jon Mueller describes how to design rubrics with effective descriptors, and how to determine whether to use an analytic or a holistic rubric.

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators: Assessment & Rubric Information
Kathy Schrock has gathered an impressive collection of links to high-quality classroom rubrics.

Tech Tip: Shortcut For Saving MS Office Files To a Preferred Folder

To eliminate frequent browsing for the correct folder when saving Microsoft Office files, follow Veronica Mount's instructions for specifying a preferred folder in MS Office 2007 and 2010.

Summer online classes are filling. Don't delay. Sign up Soon!

Sign up today to reserve a spot!

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School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by K. Franker on 5/5/2011

Best Uses of Facebook in the Classroom

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This week's blog examines best practices for using Facebook to enhance collaboration and communication within the school or campus community.  Explore how to safely and creatively use Facebook to foster student engagement through authentic learning projects.

Facebook in the Classroom, Seriously
Kelly Walsh provides examples of how Facebook enhances K-16 classrooms through discussion groups, communication with parents, and effective learning communities.

How to Use Facebook Questions in the Classroom
The Edudemic staff describes how Facebook's Questions feature utilizes collective knowledge to help students answer questions via polling, tagging and posting photos.

Facebook in the Classroom
Michael Preston succinctly reviews the pros and cons of using Facebook and suggests how to decide if Facebook is the best tool to use for student engagement in your classroom.

Awesome Facebook Apps For Educators
Brian Jenkins describes ten top Facebook apps which create higher student achievement including: Quizlet, Study Groups, and To Do List.

11 Ways To Use Fake Facebook Applications To Enhance Student Learning
Mr. Kaiser explains how he uses web-based apps like Fakebook for effective class projects which stimulate critical thinking and creativity.

Facebook Friending 101 For Schools
Vicki Davis explains why it's important to be savvy about Facebook's friend feature, and why you shouldn't "friend" your students.

Professor Turns To Facebook as Collaborative Learning Tool For Students, Faculty
Mick Charney describes how Facebook made possible a collaborative learning community at Kansas State University.

8 Real Ways Facebook Enriched Mrs. Schoening's First Grade Class
Lisa Nielsen describes how a first grade teacher uses Facebook to celebrate student success, share announcements, and publish student writing.

Tech Tip: Creating an Interactive ePortfolio With Google Sites

Google Sites is a free tool which many schools are successfully using for student ePortfolios. Here is an excellent tutorial to get you started:
Helen Barrett's tutorial
http://sites.google.com/site/eportfolioapps/online-tutorials-sites/sites-how-to

Summer online classes are filling. Don't delay. Sign up Soon!

Sign up today to reserve a spot!

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School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by K. Franker on 4/20/2011

Powerful New Ways to Use ePortfolios in the Classroom

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This week's blog features top resources and emerging uses of eportfolios in the classroom, including reflective practice and implementation challenges. Explore new ways of using digital portfolios to showcase, assess and deepen learning.

Making Learning Visible and Meaningful Through Electronic Portfolios
Terrell Rhodes provides examples of how several higher ed campuses use rubrics with eportfolios to provide multi-dimensional evidence of students' abilities.

ePortfolios with Google Apps
Helen Barrett's extensive experience with eportfolios is evident in her comprehensive guide to using Google Apps for ePortfolios.

Is the Future of ePortfolios in Your Pocket?
Helen Barrett challenges educators to consider how mobile learning tools can be used to capture learning "on the fly" for ongoing revision of eprtfolios.

The Learning Portfolio: Reflective Practice for Improving Student Learning (pdf - 19 pages)
John Zubizaretta describes key questions to consider when developing effective portfolios to support reflective learning. Included are sample questions to help students reflect on their learning.

ePortfolio Rubric
Joan Vandervelde's rubric can be used for assessment of student eportfolios.

A 10-Step Plan for Getting Started with ePortfolios
Nick Rate's slideshare presentation describes the thought processes behind the ten steps needed to implement a successful eportfolio program.

Electronic Portfolios for Student Learning?
Amy Cavendar offers five key questions for all educators to consider when implementing eportfolios.

ePortfolios, Finally!
Trent Batson describes how academia is now fully embracing eportfolios for their value in supporting reflective thinking, enabling meaningful assessment, and creating high-impact learning experiences.

Tech Tip: Google Docs Secrets: 21 Power Tips For the Productivity Suite

Keir Thomas provides some little-known tips about Google Docs features, such as: creating drawings within presentations, fixing pictures into position, and dragging images directly from the desktop in Firefox or Chrome.

Summer online classes are filling. Don't delay. Sign up Soon!

Sign up today to reserve a spot!

Request Information Online

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker on 3/27/2011

Best Uses of Concept Maps and Alternative Assessment Tools

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This week's blog features the most effective ways to use concept maps to engage students and assess learning. Explore how alternative assessments can provide a clearer picture of how well your students understand and apply core concepts.

Using Alternative Assessments
Bryan Bradley of Brigham Young University describes the advantages and disadvantages of using alternative assessments, and provides five excellent guidelines for constructing effective assessments.

Classroom Assessment Technique: Concept Maps
Dr. Karen Rohrbauck Stout describes her extensive positive experience with using concept maps to assess students' understanding of course material and to help students make better connections between course concepts.

Concept Maps: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
The staff at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has created a succinct list of the most important strategies for successful use of concept maps in any classroom.

Ten Takeaway Tips for Using Authentic Assessment in Your School
The Edutopia staff has created an excellent list of ways to use assessment to engage students and demonstrate mastery of content including: designing summative assessments first and tapping into students' interests.

Concept Mapping
Nina Lewis describes easy-to-implement ideas for using concept maps to enhance learning, including: in-class pre-assessments, small group activities, and free software options.

Online Assessment Resources For Teachers
UW-Stout's annotated list provides links to well-regarded authentic assessment resources including: performance assessment, rubrics, negotiable contracting, and electronic portfolios.

Whys and Hows of Assessment: Using Concept Maps
The Carnegie Mellon staff explores how concept maps can be used to gauge students' knowledge throughout the semester. Useful links to sample concept maps are included.

Classroom Assessment Techniques: Concept Mapping
Michael Zielik describes how the use of concept maps for instruction and assessment has transformed his course and given him a much clearer insight into his students' comprehension.

Tech Tip: How To Build a Mind Map in Microsoft Word
Writing for MakeUseOf.com,Saikat Basu provides step-by-step instructions for using Microsoft Word's Illustration tools to create a concept map.

Online Course Spotlight

EDUC 765 960 Trends and Issues in Instructional Design
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/instructionaldesigncert.cfm
May 9 – July 1, 2011
3 graduate credits
No travel to campus required. Payment plan available.

Explore learning theory, instructional design models, and the instructional design and development process. Study variables that affect adult learning, techniques for stimulating and sustaining learner motivation, and how to reinforce learning. Whether you are in health care, education, business, software development or any other industry, this online course will help you to analyze, design, and develop instruction.
This instructional design online course is open to students seeking professional development and is also one of the required courses for individuals pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design.

Register Early to Reserve a Spot in a Summer Online Course

http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/courses.cfm

Register online today!

Request Information Online

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin – Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker on 2/22/2011

Top 6 "Must See" Resources for Project-Based Learning

This week's blog features the most effective strategies and compelling reasons for using Project Based Learning (PBL) to raise achievement and develop deeper understanding in all subject areas. Explore how to transform your classroom by making small yet significant changes in how learning activities are structured.

10 Takeaway Tips For Project-Based Learning
Kathy Baron describes Maine secondary teachers' key points for developing effective PBL projects including: starting small, setting clear deadlines, creating rubrics and designing meaningful culminating projects.

PBL- Who IS in Charge? What Tools Can Help?
Peter Skillen describes technology tools which can help students scaffold knowledge and take charge of their learning in a PBL-based classroom.

Project-Based Learning - Explained
The well-known Commoncraft team has created a new delightfully simple, yet effective short video to explain why project-based learning is absolutely the best way to prepare our students for the future.

Planning and Preparing Project-Based Learning
The renowned Buck Institute for Education has an extensive Website full of pedagogically sound and practical ideas for successfully incorporating PBL one step at a time.

Project Based Learning Lesson Plans
Heidi Reina has gathered some of the best PBL Web resources, including a searchable lesson plan database and project planning template.

How Project-Based Learning Develops Drive and Mastery
Kathleen Cushman explores what it takes to motivate students to persist and achieve high levels of content mastery through "rich practice" with meaningful projects.

Tech Tip: How To Never Forget a Password Again

Thomas Umstattd offers three excellent tips on selecting and managing your online passwords.

Online Course Spotlight

EDUC 744 971
Curricular Integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
February 7 - April 8, 2011
3 graduate credits
No travel to campus required. Payment plan available.

Register Online Today

National and regional competitiveness in science and technology depend on attracting more students to STEM careers. Retaining student interest in these areas is the second step. This course provides practical, engaging instructional strategies for diverse learners in K-12 classrooms that focus on (1) academic collaboration; (2) hands-on approaches; and (3) the use of creativity and problem solving.

This eight-week course is designed for elementary, middle school, and high school classroom teachers who teach science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics courses, guidance counselors and school administrators.

There's still time to sign up for an online course that begins on January 31 or in early February.

Browse Online Courses For Spring 2011

Enroll in courses as a non-degree student for professional development, license renewal, and salary advancement. Sign up today to reserve a spot!

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker on 1/20/2011

 

Best Tips and Resources For Finding and Using Digital
Video in the Classroom

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This week’s blog features a wealth of practical information about the use of digital video in the classroom. Explore how to utilize digital video to increase real world relevancy experiences and a deeper connection to the curriculum.

Effective Uses of Video in the Classroom
John Orlando explains how to effectively locate the best online video resources to enhance any content area. Included are links to free video repositories and lessons.

Mass Video Courses May Free Professors for More Personalized Teaching
Marc Parry describes New York University’s plan for using video to free up instructors’ time for one-on-one learning and problem-solving activities rather than large lectures.

Online Delivery Options For Digital Video
The JISC Digital Media staff examines the strengths and weaknesses of common digital video options for online sharing, including: embedded video, direct links, streaming video and vodcasts.

Video Creation Resources
Richard Byrne has created a comprehensive resource page full of tutorials for using videos in the classroom, including a 26-page downloadable guide titled: Making Videos on the Web: A Guide for Teachers.

44 Interesting Ways To Use Your Pocket Video Camera in the Classroom
Tom Barrett has once again created a multimedia slideshow filled with practical and creative examples on how to effectively use video throughout the curriculum.

My Top Ten You Tube Channels for Education
Daniel Rezac shares an annotated list of his top ten choices for classroom YouTube channels. View Daniel's excellent tutorial on how to safely use YouTube with students: “You-tilizing YouTube in the Classroom.” 

Using Flip Videos in High School Math Class
Dave Sladkey provides three reasons to use flip video: accountability, fun and depth of understanding. He clearly describes his process for using flip videos to enhance group problem-solving.

Tech Tip: Add Captions to Your YouTube Videos

Adding captions to digital videos makes it possible for students with hearing and vision disabilities to access the same content as the rest of the class. Samuel Axon describes how to create caption files for your YouTube videos using a free online tool called Caption Tube.

For more information about captioning and transcripts read WebAIM's Web Captioning Overview. 

Online Course Spotlight

EDUC 744 967 January 19 – March 11, 2011
Strategies For Teaching Students With Autism
3 semester hours graduate credit

Learn strategies to address the social and academic needs of students with autism spectrum disorders; including ways to assist students with language deficits, sensory needs, repetitive behaviors, and a low frustration for change. Explore functional behavior assessment and learn how to implement a behavior intervention plan.

"I took this class to help with one of my students, and it has greatly affected all of my students! I see things much more clearly from the viewpoint of the ASD student and what I can do to assist with social and academic needs. I have become a new favorite to my student with ASD."

~ Brad, Sixth Grade Teacher, Minnesota

Browse Online Courses For Spring 2011

Enroll in courses as a non-degree student for professional development, license renewal, and salary advancement. Sign up today to reserve a spot!

Request Information Online
School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker on 1/6/2011

 

 

Top 8 Education Blogs To Inspire and Inform

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Tech Tip: Sort Email Clutter With Priority Inbox

K-12

The Innovative Educator
With her motivational posts, Lisa Nielsen excels at pushing educators to move beyond the limits of traditional pedagogy. Recent post: "Turn Texting Teens Into Published Novelists."

Stories From School: Practice Meets Policy
Eight National Board Certified teachers provide a forum for active dialogue about pressing educational issues such as collaboration, virtual schools, and parent involvement.

Higher Ed

MPB Reflections: 21St Century Teaching & Learning
Michelle Pacansky-Brock shares insights and new innovations in e-learning. The excellent Shared Resources area includes a guide for creating a 21st century syllabus.

A Millennial Professor's View of Higher Education
Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards' blog focuses on using communication technology to enhance teaching and learning. Recent post: "Google vs. Blackboard: Is It a Reality?"

Communication & Higher Education: Life On The Tenure-Track At A Teaching Institution
Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason's "tell-it-like-it-is" postings provide amusing and insightful reflections on how to improve teaching and communication within the higher ed system.

Tech Tip: Sort Email Clutter With Priority Inbox

With the new Gmail Priority Inbox feature, you can sort out the subscription emails that clutter your inbox and get in the way of more important messages. You'll divide your inbox into "priority", "starred" and "everything else" emails. New incoming messages are analyzed to predict which ones are high priority, including how you've treated similar messages in the past; then they are automatically sent to the proper category. You can easily click back to regular Inbox view at any time.

Access Priority Inbox by clicking on the Settings link in the upper right corner, and then clicking on Priority Inbox on the next screen. For more information on how to set up Priority inbox, see this excellent article by Justin Pot.

New Online Course

Curricular Integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
EDUC 744 971 February 7 - April 8, 2010
3 semester hours graduate credit
Research based instructional strategies for engaging diverse learners, and career pathways in STEM-related fields. Analyze the profound gap between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills needed for current workforce development in STEM-related fields.

There's Still Time to Register for Online Classes Starting in January

Browse Online Courses For Spring 2011
Enroll in courses as a non-degree student for professional development, license renewal, and salary advancement. Sign up today to reserve a spot!

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker on 12/17/2010

 

Best Strategies for Cell Phones in the Classroom

10 Proven Strategies to Break the Ban and Build Opportunities For Student Learning With Cell Phones
George Engel and others present ten building blocks for learning with cell phones including: building relationships with key constituents, managing acceptable use, and providing access for all students.

5 Steps to Harnessing the Power of Cells in Education Today
Lisa Nielsen lists five steps using cell phones to enrich teaching and learning, even if phones are currently banned in your school.

Can You Hear Me Now?
Steve Kolowich writes about one college's experience with giving cell phones to all faculty and encouraging them to respond to calls or texts from students within 24 hours. Positive outcomes were reported for student retention and faculty productivity.

Cell Phones as Teaching Tools
William M. Ferriter describes three ways to get your school to embrace the instructional use of cell phones, including: making phones visible, demonstrating a convincing classroom application, and using phones in place of common supplies such as dictionaries.

Going Mobile: Debating and Using Cellphones in School
Sandhya Nankani and Holly Epstein Ojalvo provide a lesson plan to involve students in exploring how their phones can be used as learning tools. Includes subject-area ideas for incorporating cell phones into your instruction.

Survey Says: Local Teachers Experiment with Texting Answers in the Classroom
Patrick Hogan provides a glimpse into how cell phones can facilitate active student participation through the online survey tool called Poll Everywhere.

Handheld Learning Beyond the Classroom: QR Codes
What are QR codes and how can they add an exciting new twist to teaching with cell phones? Johannes Ahrenfelt and Neal Watkin explain how the use of QR codes can increase student participation and achievement by pulling students into a topic before class even starts.

Solving Algebra on Smartphones
Michelle R. Davis describes how a North Carolina project using cell phones as teaching tools had a measurable impact on student achievement in math.

Mobile Learning Lesson Plans
The staff at Scholastic created six lessons which model effective use of cell phones in biology, history, chemistry, math and English.
 

Tech Tip: Synch and Organize Mobile Files with Dropbox

Need to access a file that you created on your home computer but you're at a different location? Save your files in Dropbox which provides 2 GB of free online storage accessible from wireless mobile devices or another computer. Adam Dachis has some helpful tips on organizing your Dropbox files.

New Online Course - mLearning: Using Mobile Technology to Enhance Learning

EDUC 744 969
January 24 – March 25, 2011

The use of mobile, portable, and wireless devices is increasing and diversifying across every sector of education as an effective way to increase learner engagement and learning opportunities. Explore how to use an iPhone, smartphone, and handheld technologies such as iPods and iPads for curriculum integration, professional development, and on-the-job training.

Browse Online Professional Development Courses for Spring 2011

Sign up today to reserve a spot!

Request Information Online

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin – Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Top Teaching Ideas For Interactive Whiteboards and Clickers

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Interactive Whiteboards

Ten Disruptive Uses of Your IWB
Jackson Hall describes the potential of using the interactive whiteboard as less of a blackboard replacement, and more of an interface for your computer that allows direct interaction with visual data, including Google and Skype.

Interactive Whiteboard Redemption
Patrick Ledesma shares three simple steps to help instructors appreciate the capabilities of their interactive whiteboards, including: note-taking, collaboration, and creating whiteboard videos of difficult concepts.

Enhancing Your SMART Board Lessons (PDF file)
Christine Ruder has created a handout with appealing screen shots showing 30 ways to enhance SMART board lessons with drawing tools, print capture, page pinning and page cloning.

Teachers LOVE SMART Boards
This site created by Jim Hollis is frequently cited as having the most comprehensive K-12 SMART board tips and lessons on the Web.

SMART Board Goodies
SMART Board trainer and teacher Amber Cogginís blog is a terrific resource for K-5 interactive whiteboard activities.

Student Response Systems (Clickers)

Using Clickers to Facilitate Peer Review in a Writing Seminar
Derek Bruff describes his success in using clickers and rubrics to help students evaluate the quality of their writing.

Student Response Systems: Best Practices
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has a comprehensive site on best practices with clickers, including research on effective use, and sample interactive presentations from faculty.

Clicker Resource Guide (PDF)
The University of Colorado-Boulder and the University of British Columbia have teamed up to create a comprehensive user guide to help faculty write effective questions for integrating clickers with course content.

Clickers
The University of Central Florida Faculty Center staff has created an excellent one-page summary of effective pedagogy with clickers, including how to avoid the "instructor-centric" classroom.

Tech Tip: CoSketch: Free Online Whiteboard Collaboration Tool

CoSketch is a multi-user online whiteboard which provides the ability to quickly share your ideas as images in real-time. Sketches can be saved to embed on forums, blogs, etc. Use Google maps as the background for your sketches to show directions or locations.

Program Spotlight: Reading Certification and Online Master's Degree

Reading Certification
Advance your teaching career! Earn graduate credits via online courses and meet your professional development goals for Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction (WI 316) Reading Teacher licensure requirements. All courses are 3 graduate credits and offered online. No travel to campus required.

Online Master's Degree
Apply now and begin in January!
Complete two online courses each term and graduate with a Master of Science in Education degree in two years.

Incorporate any of these special areas of study as your electives in the degree program:
E-learning and Online Teaching Certificate
Instructional Design Certificate
Reading Teacher Certification

Browse Online Professional Development Courses For Spring 2011

Enroll in courses as a non-degree student for professional development, license renewal, and salary advancement. Sign up today to reserve a spot!

Request Information Online

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker on 10/28/2010

Top New Twitter Tips For Educators

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Getting Started and Benefits

How To Start Tweeting and Why You Might Want To
Ryan Cordell provides some practical tips for building your Twitter network.

Our Favorite People to Follow on Twitter for Professional Development
Check this list to see who UW-Stout Online Professional Development instructors follow on Twitter.

Assessing Twitter Instructional Activities

Twitter Rubric
UW-Stout online instructor Karen Franker's new Twitter rubric provides clear-cut descriptors for assessing instructional uses of Twitter.

Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom

Practical Advice For Teaching With Twitter
Mark Sample describes six aspects of Twitter integration where it pays to do some advance planning: organization, access, frequency, substance, archiving, and assessment.

Top 5 Ways To Use Twitter in the Classroom
Amanda Kenuam describes how to use Twitter for exit quizzes, collaborative projects, class updates and more.

50 Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom
Samantha Miller lists numerous ways to easily integrate Twitter into the K-12 classroom.

Using Twitter for Your Professional Development

Cultivating Twitter
UW-Stout online instructors Kay Lehmann and Lisa Chamberlin explore criticisms of Twitter and how its benefits become fully evident when you take the time to cultivate your network.

A Primer on Personal Learning Networks
Cathleen Norris and Eliot Soloway describe how your Twitter is a terrific timesaving resource in locating answers to make informed decisions.

How to use Twitter for Social Learning
Want to know how to use hashtags or how to develop collaborative writing activities on Twitter? This site developed by the Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies is a comprehensive guide to using Twitter in the classroom.

Three Tools For Finding People and Topics on Twitter

Twitter Search
Want to find out what’s being talked about on Twitter? Use this tool to find others who are tweeting about things that interest you. It’s not updated in real time, but lets you know when there’s a new tweet that matches your interests.

Just Tweet It
This is the main directory for Twitter users. Organized by category, this tool helps you quickly find other Twitter users with the same interests.

Monitter
This is very useful for finding new people to follow on any topic that interests you. You can monitor several keywords at a time on the screen, and the results are updated in real-time as new tweets are posted.

Register Now for Spring Online Courses

Course Descriptions

Sign up today to reserve a spot!

Request Information Online

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker on 9/21/2010

Top Classroom Blogging Tips

 

Top Classroom Blogging Tips

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How Are You Going to Grade This? Evaluating Classroom Blogs
Jeff McClurken and Julie Meloni discuss strategies for grading blogs and offer three useful tips for improving the blogging experience for both instructors and students.

Teaching With Blogs
Lanny Arvan provides an insightful and honest reflection on his experience using blogs for the first time with an undergraduate class.

Blog Rubric
UW-Stout online instructor Karen Franker's new blog rubric provides clear-cut descriptors for assessing individual student blog entries, including comments on peers' blogs.

Blogs in the Classroom
Middle school teacher Molly DuBois shares four tips for a smooth implementation of blogs in any classroom.

Blog Ideas
Dawn Corley lists ways for educators to use their own blogs, ideas for incorporating blogs to enhance student learning, and ways to encourage students to be active blog participants.

Set Up Your Blogging Rules and Guidelines
Sue Waters describes how to set up blogging guidelines and provides numerous examples of blogging rules created by other educators.

Tech Tip: Wallwisher: Digital Bulletin Board and More!
Looking for a fun and creative new way to engage students and encourage collaboration? Wallwisher allows users to post short digital sticky note comments and is a terrific way to build connections between students and instructors. For ideas on how to incorporate this Web-based tool, view Mark Warner's slideshow 29 Interesting Ways to Use Wallwisher in the Classroom. Elizabeth also shares 5 fantastic ways to use Wallwisher for writing, brainstorming, and speaking activities.

 

New Online Course

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EDUC 744 969 Mobile Technology and Learning
The use of mobile, portable, and wireless devices is gradually increasing and diversifying across every sector of education. It can be used as a tool to increase learner engagement and learning opportunities. Explore how to use an iphone, smartphone, and handheld technologies such as ipods and ipads for curriculum integration, professional development, and on-the-job training.

Sign up today to reserve a spot!

Request Information Online

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker on 8/31/2010

 

Building a Successful Class Wiki: Tips, Projects, and Rubrics

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44 Benefits of Collaborative Learning
Looking for evidence to support the benefits of wiki collaboration? Ted Panitz has created an impressive list of positive outcomes of collaboration, including teaching students how to criticize ideas and not people.

Using Wikis to Promote Student Collaboration
The staff at Indiana University's Office of Instructional Computing describes some helpful tips on getting started with collaborative wiki activities, such as scavenger hunts, Webquests, and writing projects.

Wiki Rubric
Use this new rubric created by UW-Stout faculty member Karen Franker to assess individual and group contributions to a wiki.

Creating Authentic Learning Work Products – Wikis in the Classroom
Keith Dennison describes how he used Wikispaces to create an authentic learning experience for his Ancient Western Civilization course, and provides 12 suggestions for successful Wiki implementation in any classroom.

Wiki Step By Step
The Teachers First site provides a wealth of information about using wikis, including: difference between wikis and blogs, ideas for specific subject areas, basic decisions, and getting administrator approval.

Online Communication and Collaboration with Wikis
Tony Vincent provides links to 11 successful class wiki examples that promote student collaboration.

12 Ways to Get Students Involved in Your Wikis
Kristine describes some ideas for encouraging active student participation in a class wiki, including group brainstorming, wiki pairs, and community problem-solving.

Social Media Guidelines for Schools
This collaborative wiki project has generated sample guidelines to provide direction for instructors, students, and administrators when using social media applications such as wikis.

Tech Tip: How to Add a Slideshow to Your Webpage, Wiki or Blog

Have you ever wanted to add a slideshow to your class or training wiki or Webpage? Diane Dahl provides instructions for using Google's Picasa Web Albums to organize your photos into uploadable albums that automatically update with new photos to keep your slideshow current throughout the school year.


Final Call: Instructional Design Certificate

Complete the certificate in eight months. Registration closes on August 27th.
Instructional Design Job Opportunities

Course Sequence
EDUC 765 Trends and Issues in Instructional Design
3 gr. credits September 7-October 29, 2010

EDUC 766 Instructional Strategies and Assessment Methods
3 gr. credits  November 1-December 23, 2010

EDUC 767 Designing Computer-Based Training (CBT)
3 gr. credits  January 3 - February 25, 2011

EDUC 768 Project Management for Instructional Development
3 gr. credits March 7-April 29, 2011

Choose from 44 Online Courses and Register Now for Fall 2010

Participate from your home computer; no travel to campus is required.

List of Online Courses for Fall 2010

Register Online

Request Information Online

School of Education Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253

Posted by Karen Franker 8/18/2010

iPod Touch in the Classroom

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Photo Credit

Tech Tip: iPod Touch Typing Shortcut: Quick Numbers & Symbols
 
12 Interesting Ways To Use an iPod Touch in the Classroom
Tom Barrett’s slide show presents eleven creative ways to use the iPod touch with K-12 students.

iPods and Educational Applications Have Minnesota Students Giddy About Learning
Julio Ojeda-Zapata describes how mini-labs of iPod Touches are being used to generate excitement about math and spelling in a Minnesota school district.

iPad, iPhone, iPod touch Issues for Schools
Tony Vincent explains some of the potential technical challenges of using iPods in the classroom, including Wi-FI, projection and printing issues.

Slide to Learn: Beginner’s Guide To the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad in Education
Jonathan Nalder has created an excellent “how to” guide on iPod Touch operating tips and effective pedagogical use in K-16 classrooms.

iPod and iPad User Group Wiki
Joe Morelock’s blog is a great way to stay up-to-date about how-to articles on effective use of the iPod and iPad and also share ideas with other educators.

iPods in the Classroom
This is an excellent Personal Learning Network to join, as there are many ideas here about effective use of iPods in teaching and learning.

Apple iPod Touch Apps For English and Language Arts Teachers
Jonathan Wylie lists popular iPod applications for K-16 English instructors.

iPhone, iPod, and iPod Touch Apps for Special Education
Eric Sailers has created a slideshow with suggestions for effective apps to use with special education students.

iEducation Apps Review
Looking for thorough reviews of K-16 educational apps for the iPod? Technology expert Scott Meech’s site lists reviews categorized by grade level, and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each application.

Tech Tip: iPod Touch Typing Shortcut: Quick Numbers & Symbols

Insert Accents and Symbols:
Pressing and holding down certain letter keys on the keyboard (such as “e”) will pop up the accents/symbols associated with those letters. Once the choices pop up, slide your finger over to the accent/symbol you like and it will be automatically inserted.

Insert Numbers:
To quickly insert a number while in the Alphabet keyboard view, hold down the numbers button in the lower left corner of the screen. When the number keyboard appears, slide your finger to the number or symbol you want, and release. It will take you back to the alphabet keyboard.

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253
Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter


Posted by Karen Franker; 6/2/2010

 

Best Screen Capture and Screencasting Resources

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Tech Tip: Free Screen Sharing in Skype

Comparing 12 Free Screencasting Tools
K. Walsh provides an overview of 12 popular screencasting tools, focusing on file format, sharing and editing capabilities.

30 Screen Capture Tools For Sharing Your View
Alyssa Gregory reviews the capabilities of popular tools which allow the capture of all or part of your computer screen to create tutorials and user guides.

15 Handy Tips For Recording Engaging Screencasts
Alyssa Gregory lists some helpful ways to produce professional-looking screencasts, including: clean up your computer desktop, reduce background noise, and use a high-quality microphone.

Giving Students Audio-Visual Feedback
Judy Brophy at Keene State College shares how she uses Jing to not only record audio comments on students’ electronically submitted papers but also to show exactly where in the paper a correction is needed.

Creating Brief Instructional Videos (and More) With Jing
K. Walsh describes how the user of Jing can improve learning outcomes by engaging visual and auditory learners.

How to Use Jing in Your Classroom
Here are tips from Elizabeth for effective student use of Jing for presentations and for posting problem-solving assignments on a class blog.

How to use Jing to Make a Screen capture
Chris Yokum provides 8 steps to follow for creating your first Jing screen capture.

Tech Tip: Free Screen Sharing in Skype
Skype has recently added a screen-sharing feature which makes it easy to share what’s on your computer screen with someone miles away. The person with whom you are sharing your screen can see your screen in either full or partial screen view. You can continue talking via Skype while sharing your screen.
To share your Skype screen:
(Macintosh & Windows) During a Skype call, go to the Call menu in the Skype menu bar and select Share screen.
Screen sharing is available in Skype 2.8 for Mac and Skype 4.1 for Windows. If the person you are calling is on an older version of Skype, they can view your screen but can't share their own.

FINAL CALL FOR SUMMER ONLINE CLASSES

EDUC 744 911 Effective Classroom Management June 14 to July 16, 2010
EDUC 744 914 Methods of Teaching Middle School Math (Grades 4-8) June 14 - August 6, 2010
EDUC 744 920 PK-Elementary 6-Traits Writing Instruction June 21 - August 9, 2010
EDUC 744 909 Middle School Through Adult 6-Traits Writing Instruction June 21 - August 9, 2010
EDUC 744 925 Bullying in Schools June 14-July 23, 2010
EDUC 744 927 Innovations and Opportunities for Media Specialists June 14 - August 6, 2010
EDUC 744 928 Instructional Applications of Digital Photography June 14 - August 6, 2010
EDUC 744 929 Web Design for Educators (Beginning) June 14 - July 30, 2010
EDUC 744 930 Web Design for Educators (Beginning) July 6 - August 13, 2010
EDUC 744 939 Intermediate Web Design for Educators June 14 - July 30, 2010
EDUC 744 941 Mentoring Teachers June 14-August 13, 2010
EDUC 744 949 Assessment for Learning June 14-August 6, 2010
EDUC 744 951 Teaching Information Literacy with Primary Sources June 21 - August 13, 2010
EDUC 744 954 Instructional Leadership Skills June 14-August 13, 2010
EDUC 744 957 Differentiation in the Classroom June 14 - August 6, 2010
EDUC 744 962 Poverty in Schools June 14 - July 16, 2010
EDUC 744 966 Implementing Instructional Technology Innovations June 14 - August 6, 2010
EDUC 744 967 Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders June 14 - July 30, 2010
EDUC 760 962 E-learning for Educators June 14 - August 6, 2010
EDUC 763 960 Instructional Design for E-Learning June 14 - August 6, 2010
RDGED 701 960 Developmental Reading K-12 June 14 - August 23, 2010
RDGED 702 960 Reading in the Content Areas K-12 June 14 - August 20, 2010
RDGED 703 960 Children’s Literature in the Reading Program (grades K-5) June 14 - August 6, 2010
RDGED 704 960 Young Adult Literature in the Reading Program (grades 6-12) June 14 - August 6, 2010

Register Now For Classes Starting in June
Participate from your home computer; no travel to campus is required.
Sign up today to reserve a spot! 
No payment due until summer session begins.

• Registration
• List of Online Courses for Summer 2010 and Fall 2010

 
School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253


Posted by Karen Franker; 5/20/2010

 

Online Teaching: Best Practices and Job Opportunities

Photo Credit

Tech Tip: DocsPal: Free Online File Converter

Successful Techniques and Proven Strategies For Finding Online Teaching Work
Veteran UW-Stout online instructor Dennis O’Connor shares “insider” tips on how to successfully locate and apply for online teaching jobs.

Time Management Tips For Teaching Online
Experienced UW-Stout online instructor Kay Lehmann lists numerous tips to efficiently manage your online classes including: organizing email, handling deadlines, developing class policies, and “working smarter, not harder” at grading and feedback.

Designing Effective Online Assignments
Yale librarian and online instructor Todd Gilman provides detailed suggestions on how to design flawless online assignments that facilitate independent learning and critical thinking.

Teaching Online For the First Time – The Quick Guide
Dr. Judith Boettcher describes ten best practices for teaching online, including: be present, create a supportive community, share clear expectations, and seek frequent feedback.

Online Discussions: Tips For Instructors
The staff at the Centre for Teaching Excellence provide a useful summary of the most essential strategies to ensure successful online discussions.

Predictors of Success For Adult Online Learners
Elizabeth A. Gruenbaum examines trends and techniques in designing and teaching online courses to increase satisfaction and success for non-traditional online students.

Ten Things I’ve Learned About Teaching Online
Michelle Everson shares her “lessons learned” about online teaching, including: underestimating the time needed to complete assignments, and dealing effectively with unmotivated students.

Tech Tip: DocsPal – Free Online File Converter

In two short steps,DocsPal gives users the capability to upload and convert documents “on the fly” into common file formats, such as: MS Word –PowerPoint-Excel to PDF; GIF to JPEG, PDF to HTML, CSV to PDF, and Office 2003 to 2007. A 20 MB per file size limit applies. Converted files appear as clickable links that can be opened and saved.

 

Program Spotlight

E-Learning and Online Teaching Certificate
Meet your professional development goals to be certified as highly qualified in the area of e-learning instruction and online training in as little as 9 months! Our program features small, highly interactive classes, job placement assistance, and competitive tuition rates. (15 graduate credits)

Course Sequence:
EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators
This course meets the Wisconsin Department of Instruction professional development requirement for online teaching. “Beginning July 1, 2010, no person may teach an online course in a public school, including a charter school, unless he or she has completed at least 30 hours of professional development designed to prepare a teacher for online teaching.” [Wisconsin State Statute 118.19(13)]"
EDUC 762 Assessment in E-Learning
EDUC 763 Instructional Design for E-Learning
EDUC 761 Creating Collaborative Communities in E-Learning
EDUC 764 E-Learning Practicum

Register Now For Classes Starting in June
Participate from your home computer; no travel to campus is required.
Sign up today to reserve a spot! 
No payment due until summer session begins.

http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.cfm
List of Online Courses For Summer 2010
Request Information Online

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253
Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by
Karen Franker on 4/30/2010

Going Digital with Electronic Textbooks and E-Readers

Photo Credit

Tech Tip: Build Virtual Bookshelves in Google Books

How Useful Are Digital Textbooks?
Leigh Gossel describes the pros and cons of using digital textbooks, including: compactness, easy customization, hardware vulnerability, and Digital Rights Management (DRM) issues.

Survey Says Textbooks Going Digital, Ready or Not
Lindsay Kastner reports on a recent survey of educators which shows that 65% of them believe that print textbooks are on their way out, yet only 19% say that their school district is “totally prepared” for the digital age.

E-textbooks: The New Best-sellers
The Knowledge@Wharton staff examines recent trends in electronic book publishing and considers whether electronic books are economically sustainable.

Tablet May Help E-Textbook Market, Publishers Hope
Jeffrey R. Young examines the potential of the iPad in higher education, and whether or not it will prove to be a better educational tool than laptop computers.

7 Things You Should Know About E-Readers (PDF file; requires Acrobat Reader)
In this newest addition to Educause’s “7 Things” series, the potential educational impact of e-readers is examined, including how e-readers work, who is using them, and what are the disadvantages.

DPS To Make Textbooks All-Digital in Five Years
Marisa Schulz describes the Detroit Public Schools’ plan to digitalize all student learning to promote higher achievement.

NYU Ups Selection of Digital Textbooks
Anna Sanders describes New York University’s 2009-10 pilot program to give students the option to purchase CaféScribe digital textbooks.

Tech Tip: Build Virtual Bookshelves in Google Books
Google Books has recently adding a useful shelving option. The Free Technology for Teachers blog lists the four steps for creating virtual bookshelves that can be shared with students. The shelves can be organized by reading level, genre or reading interests and provide an excellent way to share recommended books online.

Online Course Spotlight

 EDUC 744 930 Trends in Instructional Design Starts May 3, 2010
First course in the Instructional Design Certificate program. Designed for professionals interested in switching careers, enhancing their career or developing focused competency in instructional design. Learn the skills necessary to develop self-paced e-learning products, print materials, computer-based training, courses, workshops, webinars, orientations and tutorials ... or redesign (improve) existing curriculum and instruction for just-in-time delivery and electronic performance support systems (EPSS).

Register Now For Classes Starting in May and June
Participate from your home computer; no travel to campus is required.
Sign up today to reserve a spot!
No payment due until summer session begins.
http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml
List of Online Courses For Summer 2010
Request Information Online

School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253
Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker on 3/25/2010

 

 

Our Favorite New Tech Resources and Publications

Tech Tip: 4 Useful Microsoft Word Tips

The Online Professional Development Program instructors at UW-Stout share their favorite tech tools and recent publications.

Susan Manning: Tech Tools: Jing and Screencast.com Both are terrific tools to create free screencasts for technology tutorials.   Book: Manning, Susan. Online Education for Dummies. “A helpful guide for new adult students who wonder what they're getting into when they register for an online course. “

Ann Bell:
Book: Bell, Ann. Exploring Web 2.0: Second Generation Interactive Tools
This book is designed to help the casual computer user, students, parents, and teachers understand the latest in free and inexpensive web tools and their power for research, collaboration, and communication.

Dennis O’Connor:
Tech Tools:
Diigo.com   “This social bookmarking system provides power tools for navigating and reading the Web. Mark up web pages, share bookmarks and resources, develop discussions, and automate bookmark-based slide shows and blog posts.”

Screenr.com   “A very flexible desktop video capture system tied to your Twitter account. It allows you to make up to a 5-minute video with narration. Send your video via Twitter, upload to YouTube, create a downloadable MP4, embed the video, or provide a direct URL to the video on the screenr.com server. Similar to Jing, but no download required.”

Mary Alice Anderson:
Article: "The Power of Primary Sources", Multimedia & Internet@ Schools, November/December 2009.
Professional Development Program: TPSDirect, the online professional development program for the Library of Congress.

Kay Lehmann and Lisa Chamberlin: Book: Lehmann, Kay and Chamberlin, Lisa. Making the Move to eLearning: Putting Your Course Online Making the Move to eLearning proposes a radical truth—that online education, when taught using the methodology perfected by successful veterans of distance learning—surpasses traditional face-to-face teaching and learning.

Tech Tip: 4 Useful Microsoft Word Tips
 4 Useful Microsoft Word Tips and Tricks You Should Know
Ryan Dube shares four handy-to-know Word 2003 tips, including: how to place images precisely so the text flows smoothly around them, how to get pages to re-number in different sections of a document, how to insert pop-up comments, and how to use Word’s built-in research library.

Online Course Spotlight
EDUC 744 966 Implementing Instructional Technology Innovations  
January 25-April 9, 2010
 Explore how to improve instruction using Web 2.0 technologies such as wikis, blogs, podcasts, photo sharing, virtual offices, simulation and digital game-based learning.

Register Now For Classes Starting in February
Participate from your home computer; no travel to campus is required.

List of Online Courses For Spring and Summer 2010
Request Information Online
Register Online now to reserve your spot!
School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Phone: (715) 232-2253
Archives - back issues in case you missed the most recent newsletter.

Posted by Karen Franker; 1/19/2010