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Posts Tagged ‘professional development’

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Apr 15

New book chapter: Supporting technology integration in higher education

pen and doc I’m pleased to say that another book chapter in completed and onto the presses to be published. This one was with awesome collaborators, Dr. Drew Polly at University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Joanne Gikas (a doc student of mine), the Director of Online Programs at UofM. This chapter is on supporting technology integration in higher education. Together, the three of us offer two different cases of how technology integration has been handled at our respective institutions. We also offer some good lessons learned from both our experiences as well.

Official title?
Supporting Technology Integration in Higher Education: The Role of Professional Development.

Here’s the abstract:

As institutions of higher education increase access and support the use of educational technologies, there is a need to examine how to best support faculty’s integration of technology into their courses. In this chapter we discuss findings and issues related to supporting faculty’s integration of technology in university-level courses. We share data from two cases: a university-wide faculty professional development project and a professional development center designed to focus on supporting faculty’s integration of technology. Lastly, we provide implications related to faculty professional development.

Need a citation?
Polly, D., Grant, M.M., & Gikas, J. (in revision). Supporting technology integration in higher education: The role of professional development. In D. Surry, T. Stefurak, & R. Gray (eds.), Technology integration in higher education: Social and organizational aspects. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

How about the file?
Technology Integration in Higher Education

Feb 09

Bookmarks for January 31st through February 9th

These are my Jumptags for January 31st through February 9th:

Project Cartoon: How Projects Really Work (version 1.5) – How Projects Really Work (version 1.5) How Projects Really Work (version 1.5)
Malcontent Blogger | bLaugh – Source: ReviewMe Domain: MalcontentBlogger.com
<img class="comic" title="Malcontent Blogger" alt="Malcontent Blogger" …

The Whole Internet Truth | bLaugh – Source: Wikipedia Domain: WikisGoneWild.com
<img class="comic" title="Where is the Secret of Life?" alt="Where is…

Applying Mathematics To Web Design – Smashing Magazine – “Mathematics is beautiful.” This may sound absurd to people who wince at numbers and equations. But some of the most beautiful things in nature and our universe…
Here’s How to Add Personality to Your E-Learning Courses » The Rapid eLearning Blog – Tom Kuhlmann offers up advice on how to integrate script fonts into your elearning courses for personality.
Intel Teach Elements: Project-Based Approaches – Free, online teacher professional development on 21st century learning concepts: Project-Based Approaches from Intel Teach.
The Principle of Proximity in Web Design – Recently I picked up an old design book that I hadn't touched in a while, and it reminded me of a design principle that many of us put into practice probably
10 Tips for Better Print Style Sheets – Print style sheets have been somewhat forgotten, and yet they remain important all the same. Many people print out articles to read while traveling or when they
50 Free UI and Web Design Wireframing Kits, Resources and Source Files – Smashing Magazine – Planning and communication are two key elements in the development of any successful website or application. And that is exactly what the wireframing process offers:
Why E-Learning is So Effective » The Rapid eLearning Blog – Tom Kuhlmann offers up reasons why elearning is popular and effective.
Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge – A lecture on Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge for students in EDUC6751.

Jun 24

More fun and learning with Wichita State

What fun I had yesterday with the folks from Wichita State. We had a great discussion about organizing a course for online delivery, and I had some really interesting questions about experiences with thinner syllabi, video conferencing, and approaching new faculty. I’m a little concerned that I may have scared some folks, so I want to make sure during today’s conference that everyone is okay after they’ve had some time to digest and reflect. We’re definitely going to take some time to consider the topic from yesterday.

Today, we’re going to be tackling managing communications online. It can be a real bear sometimes when you teach online. It can seem like you’re always “on.” So, how do you create reasonable expectations with your students and not not seem unresponsive or distant? That just one of the topics we’re going to explore. I have some ideas about how to manage communications to make them more managable for the teacher when you’re teaching online.

I’m also going to share some tips I have for conducting chat sessions, discussion boards, and two-way audio and video. A couple of years ago, I conducted some research with a former student Dr. Jongpil Cheon (at Texas Tech University now) about two-way audio and video. So, it’s interesting to see what works and what students value. I’ll be incorporating some of these finding, as well as some “ah-hah” moments into the presentation.

The wiki pages we’ll be referring to today are:

If we have extra time, then we might can get to some tools that I recommend using:

Tools I recommend

And here’s the presentation I’ll be referring to as well.

Jun 23

Video conferencing with Wichita State

Today, I have the pleasure of spending some time with adventurous faculty at Witchita State University. So, a “BIG Hello!” goes out to Amy, Darren, and Rick, along with all of the other guests who will be joining us. I’m excited because I get to spend two days with these faculty who are considering a transformation for their respective courses with a move to online teaching and learning. We will be video conferencing using a dedicated/stationary Polycom system, which includes screen sharing.

Today, we’ll be discussing effective online course design. So, I’ll be sharing some of my ideas about planning an online course and designing the parts of the course so they are most beneficial to the students and are more easily facilitated.

We will be referring to a number of pages from my professional development resource wiki in place of handouts. I’m also going to embed the overview presentation below, so that you will have access to all the materials in one place. (By the way, you can also use the link at the top of the page to go to my wiki and all the pages are linked there as well.)

Here’s a copy of the presentation, too.

Mar 25

Register to build a better blog

Darren Rowse over at ProBlogger is launching a series of posts for the month of April: 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. While it might sound like an April Fool’s joke to start on April 1st, it’s not. Each day, you’ll receive a new email with thoughts and tips. Darren says, he’s going to focus on doing this year.

Why should you trust him? Darren has got the goods and doesn’t mind sharing about them. If you’re interested in learning about vocational or recreational blogging, then ProBlogger and Darren is a great place to start. If you’re interested in learning how to sustain a blog, ProBlogger and Darren is the go-to guy. If you’re interested in techniques to prevent writer’s block and maintain content through a planned approach, yep, ProBlogger and Darren is a great resource.

I began reading ProBlogger about six weeks ago, and it’s really made me think differently about blogging and where it might could go — even for me. In particularly his point of view on guiding the direction of a blog with a plan and a content map resonates with me. I also like that this gives the capricious and meadering nature of blogging a focus without taking away the spontaneity. I have to admit that I didn’t really get the whole “let’s make money at blogging” beyond the flashing ads. I really have a different perspective on this, and Darren is one guy who has really changed this point view. I’ve never met the guy; never emailed him; and I’ve never received an email from him. (Maybe this post will change all of that.) But, his tone, perspective and thoughts have connected with me. If you’re at all interested in blogging, I encourage you to sign up.

Mar 07

Use it or lose it

Corey Johnson

Something must be done about the utilization of Web-based technology resources in schools. Too often I visit campuses where computer equipment sets idly collecting dust. While computers are the main gateways to Web-based resources, dusty equipment is a clear and obvious indication that barriers exist to the land of plenty we commonly refer to as the World Wide Web. Web-based applications and resources continue to emerge at rapid rates as the debate over technology utilization and student achievement cycles around conflicting reports and research findings. These factors lead me to believe that we are focusing on the wrong stages of technology implementation.

The U.S. Department of Education reported that 25 percent of district Title II, Part A funding was spent on professional development for teachers. At a minimum, this indicates that training is being offered in the initial stages of a professional development model. However, there are weak or missing links throughout many professional development programs that continue to prevent us from ultimately increasing student achievement through technology integration.
We must find ways to provide teachers with on-going training and support. Richard DuFour provided a study guide for the Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement that utilizes Personal Learning Communities. Personal Learning Communities offer both support and training by connecting professionals who are dedicated to increasing student achievement. PLCs are a great way to collaborate with other professionals around the world and make use of equipment that is currently underutilized. Web-based technologies provide an atmosphere that fosters mutual learning and continuous development. PLCs may reinforce knowledge gained during professional development workshops, increasing the odds of teachers using skills rather than losing them.

Guest Blogger: Corey is an Instructional Development Specialist with Federal Express Flight Training. Prior to joining FedEx, Mr. Johnson worked as an Instructional Trainer at the West Memphis School District. Corey holds a M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology from Mississippi State University and is currently completing research residency requirements towards his Educational Doctorate Degree in Instructional Design and Technology from the University of Memphis.

Feb 20

Effective online courses workshop

Discussion (icon for workshops) Today, I’m presenting a workshop with Drs. Lee Allen and Kay Reeves on creating effective online courses. There’s a tremendous push currently in our college (and university) to move more coursework online. So, beyond the technical aspects of using our course management system (Desire2Learn), we are also discussing pedagogy and course design for online teaching and learning. We’re looking forward to a great discussion and some important conversations about facilitating learning online.