Virtual fieldtrips can be incorporated into distance learning classes with a click of a mouse. NoodleTrip allows a member to search on any subject and it lists all the fieldtrips available on that subject. Some fieldtrips are free and some have a fee. An instructor would only have to insert a link into a class assignment and the student would be either visiting another university, visting the Grand Canyon, or looking at different animals at the St. Louis Zoo!
"A registered member can be a K-12 teacher, university professor, or any other individual interested in virtual field trips or distance learning courses. As a registered member of NoodleTrip you will be able to receive email updates from NoodleTrip and our registered content providers. You will be quickly informed of new service offerings from NoodleTrip, as well as new field trips, distance learning courses and company tours from content providers. "
I am still doing some research on NoodleTrip - but like what I have seen so far.
http://www.noodletrip.com/
NoodleTrip
Saturday, March 14, 2009
University Delivers Online Exams with the Highest Level of Academic Integrity
On February 5, 2009, the University of West Alabama partnered with the company, Software Secure, Inc., to secure online testing to UWA's 3,000 graduate and undergraduate students.
UWA's students can now take web-based tests anywhere and maintain the same integrity as in a proctered classroom. This educational testing software enables UWA to control the computer settings and authenticate the student's identity, while monitoring the exam environment.
"We have conducted a thorough study of the industry for a solution that will authenticate student identity, ensure that cheating does not occur during exams, and allow the ease of use our students and staff demand," said Dr. David M. Taylor, University of West Alabama Provost.
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS198939+05-Feb-2009+MW20090205
"Software Secure Helps the University of West Alabama Deliver Online Exams With the Highest Level of Academic Integrity"
iTunes University Study
Psychology students at the State University of New York Fredonia participated in a study, "iTunes University and the Classroom: Can Podcasts Replace Professors?" Some of the students attended a traditional classroom lecture and others watched a recorded lecture available online at iTunes.
The students that listened to the podcasts were able to listen to the lecture over and over. They notes that they took were examined by the study's lead researcher, Dani McKinney, and McKinney said it was clear that many students took advantage of the rewind buttons. The students could stop the podcast and take more accurate notes. Students in the classroom say the professors move to quickly through their lecture giving them little time to take notes. The students that listened to the podcast scored an average of 15 points higher than the students in the traditional classroom.
The study determined that podcast classes were best suited for introductory classes where classes that required a large amount of interaction were better suited for the traditional classroom with computer-based learning. The students in the study in both classes only averaged a "C" because they knew that they were not getting credit for the study and it did not count towards their grade point average. They did however, get a gift card from iTunes for participating in the study.
It seems that technology in the classroom is only as good as it is utilized.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=57612
"Podcast trumps lecture in one college study"
Mobile Learning
Some institutions are adopting mobile teaching and learning along with the normal fixed classroom instruction. Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, purchased tablet computers for all it's faculty and in the Fall 2007 all on-campus students enrolled at Fort Hays were required to use tablet computers so that they may take advantage of all learning opportunities presented by the University.
The University responded to the need to deliver inteligence to any location by making the campus completely wireless. The purchasing of tablet computers for faculty included training opportunities and demanded the need for a new technical support structure. Students were provided a select group of vendors to purchase their equipment but were not limited to these vendors. Students were also included in the basic training for several software applications.
This is an excellent way for an institution to keep students and faculty connected. They can create, access, process, and communicate no matter where they are on campus.
http://www.fhsu.edu/mobilecomputing/
"Mobile Teaching and Learning "
The University responded to the need to deliver inteligence to any location by making the campus completely wireless. The purchasing of tablet computers for faculty included training opportunities and demanded the need for a new technical support structure. Students were provided a select group of vendors to purchase their equipment but were not limited to these vendors. Students were also included in the basic training for several software applications.
This is an excellent way for an institution to keep students and faculty connected. They can create, access, process, and communicate no matter where they are on campus.
http://www.fhsu.edu/mobilecomputing/
"Mobile Teaching and Learning "
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Corporate Learning Communities
Incorporating distance education into the corporate setting efficiently can create new opportunities for businesses and save a tremendous amount of money. Online education can be an invaluable tool simply because employees do not have to leave their jobs, no travel expenses, no food expenses, or lodging reimbursement. Most distance education is just-in-time learning, delivered instantaneous to employees right at their desks, home, or a company classroom. The business world has been slow to incorporate distance education but has realized that its opportunities are limitless. Classes offered could further employee education, provide professional development, or job training to name only a few. This type of educational process shifts the focus from “teaching” to “learning.”
If a business offers professional development to its employees, the employees may be required to meet as a group and have discussions with a sister company in another city, have a guest speaker, etc. This provides the participants the opportunity to interact and collaborate in an efficient and effective manner. It allows for group activities, discussions, and independent learning. If the session is live and being recorded, employees would have the opportunity to review the class at any time. The recorded session can be archived and used for employees that were unable to attend or for other classes in the future.
Larger rather than smaller corporations may have a greater opportunity to participate and offer their employees distance education because equipment and network connection costs may be larger than the smaller businesses can afford. Some customers of businesses are now being asked to participate in the distance education process. Businesses no longer include owner’s manuals with some equipment that they sell. Links are set up on the company homepage to download the owner’s manual or offer directions on how to operate or use their products. This saves the business printing expense.
Some disadvantages of online classes for the employee in the corporate setting is the lack of direct interaction between the employee and the instructor, no immediate feedback, and difficulty with team work and the communication between the students. This would not be a problem if the classes were offered via videoconference. Disadvantages for the instructor include less contact with instructor increases for new classes because of the development process. Advantages continue to outweigh the disadvantages and save corporations money.
A 1998 article in Industry Week by Samuel Greengard quotes Brandon Hall, "Distance learning represents the future of corporate education, right now, it's only in its infancy, but it has already proven its value." Little did Mr. Hall know how far we would come in ten years.
Helpful websites:
E-Learning Concepts and Techniques is a collaborative e-book project by Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's Department of Instructional Technology students and guest authors.
SouthWest Training Institute
Interactive, Synchronous, Distance Learning
Going for Distance: As the Technology Advances, More and More Employees are Reaping the Benefits of Distance Learning, Industry Week,
Samuel Greengard
If a business offers professional development to its employees, the employees may be required to meet as a group and have discussions with a sister company in another city, have a guest speaker, etc. This provides the participants the opportunity to interact and collaborate in an efficient and effective manner. It allows for group activities, discussions, and independent learning. If the session is live and being recorded, employees would have the opportunity to review the class at any time. The recorded session can be archived and used for employees that were unable to attend or for other classes in the future.
Larger rather than smaller corporations may have a greater opportunity to participate and offer their employees distance education because equipment and network connection costs may be larger than the smaller businesses can afford. Some customers of businesses are now being asked to participate in the distance education process. Businesses no longer include owner’s manuals with some equipment that they sell. Links are set up on the company homepage to download the owner’s manual or offer directions on how to operate or use their products. This saves the business printing expense.
Some disadvantages of online classes for the employee in the corporate setting is the lack of direct interaction between the employee and the instructor, no immediate feedback, and difficulty with team work and the communication between the students. This would not be a problem if the classes were offered via videoconference. Disadvantages for the instructor include less contact with instructor increases for new classes because of the development process. Advantages continue to outweigh the disadvantages and save corporations money.
A 1998 article in Industry Week by Samuel Greengard quotes Brandon Hall, "Distance learning represents the future of corporate education, right now, it's only in its infancy, but it has already proven its value." Little did Mr. Hall know how far we would come in ten years.
Helpful websites:
E-Learning Concepts and Techniques is a collaborative e-book project by Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's Department of Instructional Technology students and guest authors.
SouthWest Training Institute
Interactive, Synchronous, Distance Learning
Going for Distance: As the Technology Advances, More and More Employees are Reaping the Benefits of Distance Learning, Industry Week,
Samuel Greengard
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