"The End is Near!"

The first session Friday morning of the conference didn’t disappoint. It was everything I expected---and more! 

As I walked into the room, the first thing I noticed was what the presenter had written on the big notepad at the front of the room: “IT’S OVER!!!” Then he proceeded to turn off the overhead projector and said, “There will not be a PowerPoint presentation.  PowerPoint is Evil!”

I knew I was in for a real presentation.

Video from the Conference

http://bit.ly/cxpJam

Above is a link to a video that The Chronicle of Higher Education filmed at the conference. Unfortunately, they didn’t want to film my handsome face, but the people on the video bring up some good points and questions about teaching online.

I'm whooped

Well, it’s been a marvelous conference! I did save the best for last, but you’ll have to tune in tomorrow to find out what went on---I just got back home and I’m whooped.

Until later, Allan

Great story

Great story from Dr. Allen, the keynote speaker---when he was first starting out, he helped setup the 1st Math computer lab in a Baltimore elementary school way back when this was still a new idea in education.

Well, when the school closed up for the night they naturally locked everything down, especially the computer lab with all it's new equipment. However, somebody driving by at night noticed the lab's lights were on almost every night. At first, they blamed the custodians for leaving them on, but the supervisor would always double check before he left. When the lights were on in the morning when the staff first showed up, they decided to post a security guard outside the door to the lab all night.

The first night he was there he heard noises coming from downstairs, so he decided to investigate. He found nothing, but when he returned to the lab he saw all the lights were on!

When he unlocked the door and went inside he discovered the students working on the computers! They had opened a vent grate to the outside, and had crawled in through the vent to the lab.

Of course, Dr. Allen loved this because it showed how the students wanted new ways to learn. There were no games on the computers, but just educational ones to help them with their math.

Naturally, he immediately received more funding for more learning labs.

Sent from my iPhone

I can't wait...

I can't wait for the first session tomorrow morning---"What do we want from writing in online learning?"

Talk about right up my alley...

Redefining online discussions

My last session of the day was “Redefining online discussions: A taxonomy to encourage in-depth interaction.” I enjoyed this one, even though I don’t think it will work in our sessions at Bryant and Stratton. Their model was for a 10-week class, and they even said it was not enough time to really use the techniques---it was better suited for a 15-week semester.

They used a model similar to Bloom’s taxonomy, but adapted for the online learner. The students are in groups and work together to learn the concepts being taught. The instructor acts as coach when they need guidance, but most of the work is done by the students, and in assuming responsibility for their own learning it becomes more meaningful for them.

"The 'Truth' about online learning communities"

Just attended a session called "The 'Truth' about online learning communities." Very interesting. They talked about putting the learning into the hands of the students and having them work together in groups to help them teach each from the concepts being presented in class. I especially liked the idea of using wikis.

Sent from my iPhone