Facebook Apps for eLearning

Facebook Apps for eLearning

UCO Walking Trails

After receiving a request from the UCO Healthy Campus Committee, Sean Gausman, CPDE student worker and all around superhero programmer, developed a fantastic and highly useful walking trails application. This ‘web application’ is designed to be used on smartphones and features all three of UCO’s official walking trail paths.

First, choose a trail based on your preference. Each trail is measured for distance.

    

After choosing a trail, you are presented with waypoints and directions to each. Once you have completed a lap,the application will tell you your lap time and average speed.

 

Each turn is spelled out so navigation is easy! The application asks to use your current location and places you at the closest point on the path.

 

Thank you Sean for providing a great tool to promote a healthy campus and support the UCO Wellness Center!

Make Blogging Easier with Windows Live Writer

Blogging is a fairly simple exercise, but even a little help in everyday tasks can be beneficial! Let me introduce you to Windows Live Writer! WLW is a desktop blog-publishing application that features WYSIWYG authoring, photo-publishing and map-publishing functionality, and is currently compatible with most blogging platforms.

It’s Offline

One major difference between using Windows Live Writer and simply editing your blog online is just that; It isn’t online. Windows Live Writer is a desktop program that allows you to edit blog posts offline. This way you can save drafts and work on postings when not connected – even say, on an airplane!

Insert Images and Videos with Style

Images are easily uploaded and hosted based on your hosting preferences. Windows Live Online albums are used by default for hosting images, but you can use Flickr, Picasa or Facebook photos by installing a plug-in (more about plug-ins below). For uploaded images, you can choose picture effects such as sharpen, blur, and other simple effects. You can also add drop shadows, borders and watermarks.

Videos can be embedded with an embed code, or uploaded from your computer to Youtube (by default). Other video services can be added via plug-ins.

Plug-Ins Increase Usefulness

With plugins, you can integrate the aforementioned video and photo hosting services, but there are so many more things that plug-ins can do! You can post automatically to other social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, add those little social networking buttons, add a feed reader button, include flash content, insert a media player, insert a table, or insert a Google map!

Windows Live Writer is a comfortable, high quality piece of software that does not disappoint. I highly recommend it to anyone that calls themselves a blogger!

Downloading Windows Live Writer

Download Windows Live Writer Here

Note: Windows Live Writer comes in the Windows Live Essentials suite. This collection includes seven other applications (that I currently do not use). When you install it, you have the option of deselecting the other applications. Of course, you are welcome to install it all, but I recommend just installing the Live Writer app.

That about covers it! Happy blogging!

Congratulations Tracy Fairless – New Assistant Director of Instructional Design

It is a privilege to announce the appointment of Tracy Fairless as the CPDE Assistant Director of Instructional Design.  Her servant-leadership style,  interpersonal skills, and teaching experience are very desirable as we move forward and continue to provide outstanding service to UCO.

Tracy Fairless has been with CPDE since the fall of 2007 as an Instructional Designer. Her friendly, helpful attitude and high level of competency has earned her a great deal of respect among CPDE staff as well as the faculty they serve. Prior to her time at CPDE, Tracy was an instructor in the Mass Communications department in addition to being the department’s Adjunct Coordinator.

Congratulations, Tracy! And good luck in your future career!

Technologists, Students Research Kinect for Distance Education

Recent advances in video game technology are providing a pathway to better interactivity in online education courses.

The Microsfot Kinect is a motion sensing input device by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 video game console and Windows PCs. Based around a webcam-style add-on peripheral for the Xbox 360 console, it enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller through a natural user interface using gestures and spoken commands. Students and technologists in the Instructional Technologies department of the Center for Professional and Distance Education are exploring new uses for this impressive new peripheral.

Some suggested uses involve applications in the following departments: kinesiology, molecular biology, physics, business communication, geometry, fashion marketing, criminal justice, and disability and special needs services.

The first demonstration of this research will be presented at the UCO eLearning Developers’ Community of Practice meeting on May 25th. Mark your calendar!!

eLearning@UCO

The debate has been ongoing since the inception of online learning: is the quality of student learning in distance education courses equal to that of face to face courses? While studies have shown that online learning can be as good as or even better than traditional classroom learning, many academic administrators and professors continue to be skeptical of this delivery method. How does the University of Central Oklahoma ensure high quality learning, regardless of delivery method?

In 2009, the US Department of Education released a meta-analysis of evidence based best practices in online learning. This report looked at four questions:  1) how effective is online learning as compared to traditional classroom learning; 2) is classroom learning enhanced through the use of online supplemental materials; 3) which online teaching practices are most effective; and, 4) are there conditions that influence effective online learning?  (Means, et al, 2009, pp. xi).

Findings from this study show that, on average, students in online classes performed moderately better in learning material than did students in traditional courses.  The study also shows that students engaged in a blended learning approach, with some face to face learning and some online learning, performed better in learning material than students in either completely online or traditional courses (Means, et al, 2009, pp. xiv-xv).

Student demand for online learning continues to grow at about 10% per year, and distance learning is identified by many colleges as a critical success factor for sustained growth.  Despite the US DOE study and student interest, some academic administrators are still not convinced that online learning is sufficiently rigorous or of high quality as compared to traditional courses (The Babson Group, 2011).  

At the University of Central Oklahoma, online learning is scrutinized even more closely than that of traditional classroom courses.  Besides going through department, college and university curriculum reviews and approval, Academic Affairs requires that online courses be evaluated by a faculty committee to ensure the student experience is excellent (Office of Academic Affairs, 2012). Based upon the UCO online course quality evaluation rubric that was created by a committee of UCO faculty and academic administrators, faculty evaluators look for ease of navigation, the quantity and variety of assignments and activities, opportunities for student self-assessment, student to student engagement and collaborations, student to faculty communications and connections, and overall usability of the courses.  Only those courses that score 90% or higher on the evaluation are permitted to be offered through online delivery.

In addition to requiring this extra review of online courses, the Online Course Policy also requires UCO faculty members to complete an online course facilitation program (Office of Academic Affairs, 2012).  This online workshop provides faculty members the opportunity to experience online learning from a student’s perspective, and provides and models best practices in online teaching to help ensure a successful educational experience for both the students and the professors engaged in online learning.

The distance education team of CPDE offers training and support for faculty members engaged in eLearning at UCO.  In addition to the course facilitation certification, the distance education team offers course design workshops for both beginner and expert eLearning faculty.  Mini-workshops (usually one hour in length) are offered throughout the year, and focus on best practices in eLearning design and delivery.  All services, programs and workshops offered through the distance education department are free to all UCO full- and part-time faculty members.

For more information on eLearning at UCO, visit our website at http://www.uco.edu/cpde/ or call us at 405.974.2420, or stop in for a cup of coffee and a chat. The distance education team is located in the CPDE office, NUC 341. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Bibliography

Means, B., Toyama, Y., Murphy, R., Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2009). Evaluation of Evidence-Based      Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies. US Department of Education.

Office of Academic Affairs. (2012). Online Course Quality. Retrieved 2012, from UCO Academic Affairs: http://bit.ly/AEbhrh

The Babson Group. (2011). Going the Distance: Online Education in the United States. The Babson Group.

Where do you stand on online learning? Share your opinions here!

Counting Down to an eLearning Extravaganza!

The Heartland eLearning Conference is only 17 days away! 

 

In just a bit more than two weeks, Lee Crocket and Alex Couros, our eLearning "Super Heroes", will be on the UCO campus to deliver high-quality, entertaining, interactive, dynamic workshops and feature addresses.   

 

That's just the beginning!  We also have an amazing lineup of eLearning "sidekicks".  Here is a small sampling of the 52 breakout sessions available throughout the two day conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Fun, Free, Easy" Five Tools for Presenting in a New Way!

This “Fun, Free, Easy” seminar seeks to demonstrate presentation tools professors can use immediately in the classroom or for online instruction. Professors don’t struggle with gathering information to present. We do struggle finding ways to present that information in a way which engages students today. Bring a laptop for trying a few tools during the session, or come prepared to participate with your cell phone, or just watch and learn. Conference attendees with all ranges of technology experience are encouraged to attend. Ideas for both the novice and the experienced will be presented.

 

A Roadmap to LMS Selection

Pittsburg State University developed a successful strategy to facilitate the process of selecting a new LMS. Data collection and the inclusion of key users of our current LMS were vital in getting this process done in less than a year. This session will be beneficial for anyone considering adopting a new LMS or those curious to learn about the system PSU selected - Canvas by Instructure. A product assessment rubric will be shared.

 

 

Authentic Networking through Social Media

In this era where people are constantly branding themselves and over communicating how do we connect and network while being true to ourselves? This highly interactive session will focus on creating authentic networking relationships through social media such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google + plus. Common pitfalls of networking in the differing environments will be discussed and participants will walk away with practical knowledge they easily apply.

 

 

Breaking down the wall between IT and Academia

 

To be an effective eLearning institution we must first overcome the barriers that seem to be so prevalent in Higher Education. IT (Information Technology) brings us twitter, Google Apps, Cloud storage, streaming video and oh so much more. But what if we, in Academia, simply do not speak “geek?” “Geek” being that seemingly foreign language spoken by IT experts. 

 

Still not convinced?  The entire package -- pre-conference workshops, full conference access, opening reception, networking opportunities, free parking, door prizes, great vendors, breakfast and lunch each day, all located on the beautiful UCO campus -- is only $260!   Don't miss your chance - register today!

SWOSU Site Visit

Distance education staff as well as interested faculty from Southwestern Oklahoma State University visited the CPDE offices yesterday for a tour and the opportunity to gather information on how to grow and improve the SWOSU eLearning program.

After a general overview presentation of eLearning operations at UCO, visitors and CPDE staff split into groups for more specialized discussions. Topics included instructional design, graphic design and content creation, student assessment, virtual worlds, as well as organizational structure and program funding.

SWOSU has a great many decisions to make about their eLearning program and we are humbled that their team opted to visit the UCO Center for Professional and Distance Education’s eLearning program as part of their research.

eLearning Superheroes!

The Heartland eLearning Conference is just a few weeks away! Here is a sneak peak at some of the break out sessions you can attend if you register for the conference.  Don't forget - two full days of internationally known keynote speakers, 42 presentations by practicing eLearning experts, fantastic entertainment, two breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner, and two pre-conference workshops can be yours for the low, low price of $200!  

Useful Apps for the Classroom and On the Go

This session focuses on readily available apps in iPad and android environments, including apps for reading, communication, creative writing, analysis, field exploration, studying and synchronous opportunities to work with other students. You will be invited to share your favorite apps in this interactive application session.  Suzanne Clinton and Robert Epstein, business professors at UCO, will be facilitating the session.

Connect to the Gulf of Mexico from your Classroom!

Join Adriana Reza to learn more about a fun, educational distance learning program through the Texas State Aquarium. Our distance learning program, called Aquavision, connects students of all ages to the Gulf of Mexico through live video feeds and educational programming. Funded through Flint Hills Resources, Aquavision has connected students with the Ocean for 4 years. Come learn how your classroom of students can benefit from this program with previews of programs and hands on components.

Utilizing @SocialNetworks to Assess Programs with the #TwitterGeneration

Are you looking for a new way to connect with your @students via #socialmedia? UCO Student Affairs staff members Courtney James and Jenna Lutz  will review how the University of Central Oklahoma Division of Student Affairs is utilizing social media to evaluate programs. In this presentation, we will review how the University of Central Oklahoma Division of Student Affairs collects and assesses information via information collected on social networks. Via trending topics and facebook posts, we are able to tell our story for our students through collecting various information that they post in the electronic community.

Academic Integrity on a Digital Campus

Academic cheating is on the rise in two of the largest state universities. . Have students become less honest compared to the 1990s when the internet was introduced? Or are educators better equipped to catch cheaters? In this presentation, Berlin Fang, of Oklahoma Christian University, will be discussing methods for faculty and administrators to handle what is perceived to be a growing issue on college campuses: academic dishonesty. Fang will discuss the causes to the increase of dishonest behavior, the types of cheating, and methods for faculty and administrators to handle the issue.

QR Codes in Training

Innovation involves looking at something new and asking not just, "What is it?" but more importantly, "What can I do with it?" In this highly interactive session, Larry Straining will help you use one of the hottest mobile tech trends to find information, learn in teams, and discover ways to incorporate this learning tool into any organization using QR Tagging to learn about mobile trends in the learning environment.

Welcome 2012!

2012 is finally here!  I am looking forward to a wonderful year of eLearning innovations, enhancements, and advancements.  Here's a sneak peak of what you can look forward to this year!

• The distance education team will be launching ONLEARN, a fresh and exciting eLearning journal.  Look for more information on how to submit articles and subscribe to the journal in February!
• UCO faculty and students will soon have the opportunity to apply for eLearning research grants sponsored by CPDE.  The research projects can be either discipline specific or focused on more general eLearning issues.  Information on grant guidelines and submission requirements will be released in a few weeks!
• Those UCO faculty interested in a more in intense and focused research experience may be interested in our eLearning faculty fellowship.  The faculty member selected for the fellowship will work to contribute evidence-based research findings to the eLearning body of knowledge, and work to develop innovative solutions to pressing problems in the fields of distance education, eLearning and instructional design.  Look for more information in early April!
• The Heartland eLearning Conference is just eight weeks away!  Plan to join us March 5 and 6, 2012, for informative and exciting sessions by Lee Crockett, Alec Courous, Wes Fryer and many more eLearning specialists.The conference is held on the UCO campus to give you maximum flexibility to teach classes and still attend conference sessions. If you want to attend the full conference but have content to cover, contact CPDE if you need help developing online alternatives! Hurry - early bird discounts end February 15.  For more information and to register, visit the conference website at http://www.uco.edu/heartlandconference/.  

  

 

Best wishes for a joyous and fulfilling year!