Just scribbling some thoughts...

I thought last week as a long week, but it just seems to have extended into this week. Last week Friday, I lost my wallet after I left it on the roof of the car- then we drove off. I found it Saturday morning after I spent an hour looking for it. Of course, it snowed Friday night so it was then snow covered Saturday morning. I was just so happy to find it! Then I went home to a broken washing machine. Apparently, washing machines will not cook Pasta Roni very much to the dismay of my toddler. We then left for Green Bay but rolled the truck prior to actually getting to Green Bay. Gotta love Wisconsin weather! The roads weren't much better driving home from Green Bay. About 45 minutes into our drive home (we split up our family and hitched rides home with other family members), I realized that I left my bag with my laptop and all of my school books in Green Bay. So, Sunday morning the kids and I drove back to Green Bay for it so that I could do my homework for Assessment in E-Learning and put together three PowerPoints for the classes I teach on Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday night after class my husband told me that his company would have layoffs coming in the near weeks due to low production (he's in manufacturing). Thursday afternoon he called on his way home, crying, to tell me that he had been layed off indefinately from his job of 18 years. It is the only job he's ever held in his field, as he worked there for half of his life. My heart is breaking for him, his loss, and the struggle he is going through coming from a predominately patriarchal family. Even though our week was tough, I know that it is nothing compared to what other families are going through. I thank God that we are all safe, healthy, and that I have a good job.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

A long week-in Wisconsin

Being an instructor and a learner simultaneously can be difficult but rewarding at the same time. This week I was introduced to a new Web 2.o technology: Go! Animate. Go Animate allows the user to construct a story line using animation. I found this technology particularly interesting and could see how it could be beneficial in the online environment for assessment for comprehension and application activities. In fact, I used it as an example in my Assessment for E-Learners class. I am hopeful that my classmates will provide feedback on my postings. This week I was particularly late in posting due to an automobile accident that we survived. Let's put it simply, I'm ready for the snow to melt and go away, and I pray that I will never, ever, roll inside a vehicle again. Progressive momentum is usually good... My module 5 assessment experience...

A higher level assessment activity could be to have students use Go! Animate to create a storyline that 1) defines ethics 2) defines libel and 3) provides defenses against libel suits. See the basic example I created: Go! Animate

The Jigsaw Midterm

This week I had the opportunity to complete the midterm evaluation using the Jigsaw method of assessment. For this group project, group members and I each selected a different assessment tool, researched the tool, and then put the findings together in a collaborative end result. Here is our final project.

I always think that one of the bonuses of researching something online is the side information that you are exposed to. For example, when I was researching Breeze, I found an extremely recent review of a new tool that is free and functions similar to Breeze: WiZiQ. During the discussion feedback portion of the course, a fellow student shared the software that they used to add video/audio to their project, Jing. Neat...one more resource for my toolbox to enhance my online classroom.

Jamaica 2009 Service Learning Trip

As part of this year's service learning trip to Jamaica, we will be documentating our daily adventures by blogging. Prior to leaving for the trip, I want you to get familar with the technology we will be using. First, you will need a Google account as we will be using Blogger by Google. Simply go to Google and register for a Google account. You will only need to have an e-mail address and a password to set this up. Once you have set up your Google account, you will see My Account in the upper right hand corner. Click on My Account and select Blogger. You will then be able to create your blog. This is your task prior to our next meeting. When you have finished your blog please e-mail me your url so that I may check out what you have begun.

Let me know if you need help!
Tammy

Concept Map for Week 3

My map is definately a work in progress, but Bubbl.us is very user friendly. I will be using it in the future and can see how it could be beneficial for students to use as a visual aide in learning.

Concept Maps

I learned this week about concept maps and how they help to connect outcomes with assessment. I didn't know know about either software we were able to use to design our concept maps: Bubbl.us or Inspiration. As we learned this week in the Bonk (2004) article, "Perfect E-Storm: emerging technology, enormous learner demand, enhanced pedagogy, and erased budgets" there are many different forms of technologies that one can use in an online course or integrate in the face-to-face class room. Bonk presented 30 emerging technologies and I bet I wasn't even aware of 50% of those listed. I completed the "Interactive inventory" by Langin & Gray, (2004). The language used within the inventory was new to me, as is most of the material presented in class that is common to those in education. We were also assigned to our small groups this week. Our small group will conduct our discussions in the group section of D2L. I think the Jigsaw concept of learning (which we will be using for our project) is time effective and a nice way to collaborate. I believe I have used this method before in the classroom, just that I did realize it had a name for the method.

I think I will really like to blog...

The creation of my blog was done with ease and in much less time than I anticipated. I believe blogging will really open a new door in the way I teach my classes. Human Services deals largely with written documentation. We constantly tell our students that it is important to write clearly and concisely. I could see how reflective blogging could help them learn how to do that. Can you imagine beginning a blog your first semester of college than comparing it two years later as you graduate? Wow! The journey it would cover. I was also excited this week to learn that blogging can be the way our students can document their Service Learning class in Jamaica. What a great assessment tool. I look forward to seeing what we will do next week in class. Learning is so much fun!