The last hurrah!

Actually, just the last Issue. Browns=Epic Fail.

So I did Issue 7, than on to Issue 8. Issue 8 was fun because we had to take current issue and design a scenario for it. I choose to look at the gap between Physical Fitness and Technology. My undergrad in in Physical Education, and I have always been an active person. Now that I am doing more with computers, I find myself at a crossroads of not being active yet still learning. How do I combine the two? That was the issue that I looked at. I really liked the way my paper turned out because I found some outstanding resources that actually look at this problem. All of the health problems that can occur, and some remedies that technology provides. Good stuff.

So, this will probably be the last blog for this class. I must say, I have actually had a positive experience in this class because of the way it ran. I loved being able to research scenarios on my own. I learned so much more that way, and figuring out problems the best I could made me learn even more. Plus, the great thing about this class, is I felt less pressure to achieve a grade, and more opportunities to learn how to handle situations. Much more relaxed, much more beneficial. I look forward to other classes that are run in this way.

Matt Dockery

The Home Stretch

Browns....Blah! Wait till next year!

Heading down the home stretch with classes. I did Issue 7 and it was quite interesting. As I started reading through the different chapters trying to decide which one to do for my topic, none of them really caught my eye. I decided to write about Artificial Intelligence. The scenario in the book did not motivate me that much to find out more about AI, but as I started researching it and writing it became more and more interesting. They have concepts and ideas in the works that will just blow your mind. Really great ideas. I talked about some of them in my paper and on the discussion board as well.

It seems funny to think of a classroom with a "Star Wars" character such as R2D2 teaching the lesson, but in the near future, it could become a reality. Putting a man on the moon seemed like a ridiculous idea at one point in time. So anything is possible. AI in Education is still not at a self-sustaining point in technology that it can replace a human teacher, but it would work perfect in the classroom as a supplement to educational materials.

This week I will type Issue 8. I am going to take a look at Physical Fitness and Technology use. I have a few more things to finish up in my remaining classes and than a nice break! Until next week.

Another short week

Well, Browns are terrible, but the Buckeyes beat Michigan! 42-7 victory is great!

This upcoming week is a short week because of Thanksgiving, but it is going to busy. Issue 7 to write, which will probably be about Virtual Reality, I think. Plus, write a paper for another class, plan out issue 8, take a quiz AND take care of my teaching responsibilities. Fun, Fun, Fun.

I found an interesting topic that I back tracked a bit about free speech. On Justin.tv a guy committed suicide. Such a sad story that this sort of thing happened, but the website is not liable for negligence and no way to go after the people who watched. This is a whole new set of issues with technology online.

The class activity this past week with groups trying to hire the best candidate for the Tech position was great. Probably, the most entertaining topic I have had in an online discussion class. Future activities can be modified from everyone having their own role, to using their real life background. Many other options as well. I really enjoyed this and would look forward to doing more of this type of activity.

Issue 6 and different thoughts

Browns play Monday night, so hopefully they do well. The Cavs are playing well right now, but I bet they will be a typical Cleveland team later in the year! haha.

Issue 6 was a difficult issue to handle because of trying to figure out the best way to incorporate technology from the teacher into the classroom. Creating a needs assessment brought back some fond memories. But, it was structured well to get where I needed the project to go. My goal was to increase Math test scores. The current situation is teachers are not using technology available to find weaknesses in Math content areas before they take the OGT test. The ideal situation would be for students to have areas of weakness realized before the test, provide instruction on those areas, and stand a better chance to pass the test. I came up with some good ideas, good tools including a survey and checklist.

As for some other issues with other classes, I am having a HUGE problem in another class with the instructor not returning emails, having to email multiple times to get answers to questions. The latest delay is regarding some assignments that were emailed over 1 week ago. I got one answer and it was, I will look into it and get back to you soon. If you teach an online class you should aim to have responses in a couple hours or the next day. I can understand that things come up, but to have it happen all semester is unacceptable. I am highly upset with this particular class and the way it is run (NOT 'Current Issues' by the way). End of Rant.

Well, more projects to do this week, getting real busy! Oh well, I am learning a lot.

Issue 5 and 6

I feel like giving up on my Brownies after that loss to Denver, I won't, but I feel like it.

Issue 5 was a really fun topic to write about. I choose to write about Moodle. It may seem like an easy way out to pick Moodle as my main subject matter, but in actuality, I have used it before and never really knew what I was using. This is my second class that I have had with Dr. Ingram in Moodle, but I just go through and use the discussion board, occassionally the wiki and read postings of assignments. Little did I know that Moodle is completely FREE to use and set-up. It is used world wide by over 25 million users. There are so many plug-ins to use and the creators will work with you to help modify plug-ins as needed. How great!

I also looked at other open source learning, such as WebCT, Blackboard and Angel. They come with a cost. I know they come with more protection than Moodle, but how can you beat FREE. I have been mentally preparing how I would run classes with Moodle. Specifically, quizzes. My mind spins with questions like, how can a quiz be designed for all 9th grade students, but some of them are Special Ed. and need modified tests. I am sure it could be done, but it makes you think.

On to Issue 6 as well. A needs assessment needs to be done about a general problem. I am going to look at improving Math scores. Teaching the teachers to use a district wide math software system, Orchard Math. Also, teaching the teachers how to properly teach the students the content using the software. Should be interesting, I am organizing my thoughts now.

Another busy week ahead!

Many topics!

Browns blow it...enough said. Beautiful weather outside, too bad I spent Saturday cleaning the yard from all the leaves.

This past week there were many topics that were introduced. Hypemedia, CMC's, How to teach teachers, Technology vs. Effectiveness, and what teachers need to know. Lots of stuff to think about!

It seems like every topic can be tied to motivation in some way, shape or form. If the learner is presented the material in a way that they can relate to and are actively engaged in, they will learn that material. Same with presenting it to the students, make it motivating and they will become interested. Plus, it also seems to come back to a constructivst approach to teaching.

The majority of my writing and ideas is posted on the Moodle website. I also researched Moodle and it's capabilities for my issue 5 topic. Yes, I know I have used Moodle for this class, but never knew the benefits or capabilities of it. Compared to other sites that are similar, how could you not want to use Moodle in the classroom. I have tried to brainstorm of how I could use it to teach a class, and I am definitely going to use Moodle when I begin teaching computers.

Catch up week

Sports update...Browns win, Buckeyes lose.

This was a catch-up week in all my classes. The projects that were given were able to continue this past week. It seems I am doing ok in my classes. Nothing concrete yet as to grades. With grades, I have always gone with the motto "Expect the worst, hope for the best". This will be a busy upcoming week with a paper, test and two other projects to do.

In Current Issues we are starting on digital media, and CMC topics. Interesting because of the progression we have made in this technology in the last few years. I can still remember my first year of college in 1996. Walking into each class being told we would receive notifications by this strange thing called "email". In my orientation class, we even had a quiz on how to use it, and what email stood for. Seems so simplistic now, but than it was such a new innovative way of communicating, everyone had to do it. My how times have changed. The idea of email and using it for my generation can be in the same category as in the 50's with families who got black and white televisions. Such a great thing that revolutionized everyday life.

And the beat goes on....

Sports update.....Browns gave me false hope that they would turn the corner after winning Monday night. Than they played Sunday against the Redskins and looked terrible. Ho hum, such as life as a Cleveland sports fan!

A lot of great talk continuing about Free Speech online as well as the copyright issues. People are providing some good resources that I like reading. Free speech online is even more difficult to regulate because websites that are run overseas, such as China, do not have the same laws as here in the US. This is kind of like the Wild West in that there are no law. I guess we have moved to an age where we need a cyber-Wyatt Earp!

One last note. I had another group project in another class, and this was by far the worst one yet. I basically did most of the work. Three other people were in the group. One did a good job contributing as well. The other did two contributions, one was quality. The last person basically did nothing. So they made out great, probably getting an A/B on the project for doing nothing. The ITEC program at KSU seriously needs to consider a moratorium on group projects in online classes. I doubt it will change, but I am expressing my Freedom of Speech right online. (Great way to tie in a current issue, huh?)

Copyright

Hopefully the Browns do well on Monday night. OSU was lethargic, but a win is a win!

The topic for this past week was copyright. What an interesting topic this was to me. I brought up the quote "It is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission" That holds so true with copyright issues. Especially if you can justify the materials that you are using as educational. I wrote a lot on the discussion board about this, I also covered it in my paper as well.

I really wonder if there will be any concrete laws that are passed anytime soon that specifies copyright. It seems like this will be such a complex issue to legislate. With the information that is available today, regulating it is very difficult. Makes you think.

Not much to talk about this week. A very busy week ahead with all of the work to do in my other classes. Friday is NEOEA day, so I get a day off. Spend that whole day doing school work. I really hope to put a huge dent in my assignment load. My goal is to have everything done by Friday night for a relaxing Saturday and Sunday!

Defending the Lab

Well, what an easy sports week. Browns do not play and the Buckeyes won a close one Saturday night. I was able to get some work done!

This past week was spent writing issue 3 for class and I choose to take the side of the lab for computers. The scenario was the elementary school had acquired 20 new computers and what would be the best way to distribute them. I felt that changing the routine of a student, a set lab use schedule, having a centralized facility, and providing teacher training can help both students and staff feel comfortable with technology in the lab. I really feel strongly that the best benefit to the student would be the lab setting. I found a lot of great sources talking about lab set-up, state standards and ways to acquire new technologies. I even was able to refer to a book that I am using in another class because it had a great reference! Hopefully, I was able to defend the side of lab use for those computers well.

This week will be on to Issue 4 and it looks like copyright issues. Oh fun.

Group projects

Almost forgot to do the blog this week! Glad to see the Browns won, finally! Ohio State as well. Indians finish the year 81-81, could have been better.

This past week I have spent a TON of time trying to work on and complete issue 2, the first group project of the year. This is the fourth group project that I have been involved in for an online class. Quite frankly, I do not like them at all. Most people, myself included are taking online classes for the flexibility they provide. Since most of us are working professionals, we have such busy schedules the chance to work on the school work at our time is a premium. Doing group work, my schedule may not match up with their schedule because of committments. Trying to communicate online is sometimes difficult as well.

Now, this has nothing to do with grades, because I have done well on the projects in the past. It also has nothing to do with the people I work with on these projects. It has more to do with the application of group work conflicting with the premise of online classes.

Just my thoughts on that topic.

Grading and Constructivism

This has been on my mind as well, in the last week, and that is grading as it relates to constructivism.

If the process is just as important as the final result, evaluating that process may be in certain terms a bit subjective. It would be hard for a teacher to evaluate all that goes on in the different groups, unless there is a record of it (wiki, group discussion). That may not be workable in a setting such as a school. If you had each student evaluate each other, that could be disastrous in that you will not get a true evaluation because of social issues.

I thought of this topic because I am concerned that I see teachers take off points in a student's grade if they misbehave, for forgetting the date, writing in pen instead of pencil, not formatting it correctly. I saw a student get a B+ on a paper, instead of an A- because they forgot to date the paper. To me it is not measuring their congnitive abilities and the teacher could find a better way to take care of that problem. It is something that just bugs me.

ETA and Constructivism

Time for my second post. First, what a bad weekend for being an Ohio Sports fan. The Indians get pounded by the lowly Royals. The OSU Buckeyes get embarrassed by USC. Finally, The Browns lay an egg versus the Steelers. Ho-hum, such is life as an Ohio sports fan! I am able to post now because school was cancelled today from all of the power outages.

Now back to the topic. It has been bugging me for over a week since Constructivism was introduced as a topic in this class. It bugged me because it seemed SO familiar from my undergraduate at KSU. I FINALLY remembered it and it is similar to the "Ecological Task Analysis" which is an approach used in teaching Physical Education classes. Here is a link to the book and it just gives a brief description of the ETA. I took a few classes from Dr. Davis at KSU.

http://www.humankinetics.com/products/showproduct.cfm?isbn=9780736051859

Now, the definitions may be a bit different between Constuctivism and the ETA approach, but the application of each is very similar. Students find their own way to meet the goal. Hence, the process is just as important as the end result. I found this very unique and have drawn comparisons between the two. I actually feel comfortable with Constructivism because I have been involved in it previously.

Ok....this is my first blog post. I have created this blog as part of my class for "Current Issues in Instructional Technology". Today we are discussing Constructivism. Interesting because this is a type of philosophy of learning. To me it is giving students open ended problems with a variety of possible answers. Communication and working together to solve the problem is a huge factor involved in this. A lot of hands on learning.

Since this is my first blog posting, I will keep it short and sweet.