Reflection on Concept Mapping Assignment

I found the concept mapping to be very interesting. I have used similar tools when developing computer programs, but the programming tools were not as colorful and diverse as the Inspiration tool. It was confusing at first, having so many options. By taking the project one step at a time, I was able to make decisions on how to present each part.

This tool would definitely be great for getting down on paper which individuals would be doing which parts in collaborative projects. This might help to more evenly distribute the workload in groups where normally you would have one or two strong personalities who end up doing the bulk of the work.

View my artifacts: Word Document Format, GIF Format, and Inspiration Format

Reflection on Groups Assignment

The assignment was to establish a Google group. Kristine was designated as the Group moderator for our small group. We were each to post a discussion question and respond to the other group members’ discussion questions. We were supposed to also post a page with links to items for a topic relating to something in the class. Finally we are to create a word document to be saved in Google Docs and posted to the Google group and then posted to our Blogfolio.

I have used Yahoo groups in the past and find them easier to use, but that may be due to being already familiar with them.

I didn’t have any trouble setting up a group in Google Groups, but trying to follow the postings was confusing to me. It seems to all run together. I couldn’t tell if a posting was for a discussion question, a response to a discussion question or the page/list of links we were required to post without opening the post. Perhaps if some guidelines had been established as to how to name the subjects of the posts it might have made things a little clearer for me.

I also get frustrated when I log in to try to respond to posts, but some of the students wait until the day of class to do their postings. I work and have to come straight to class from work and so am unable to access the websites prior to class. One of my co-workers is in an on-line class. They are required to make their initial posting within 3 days of the class and the responses must be posted within 5 days of the class. This allows everyone a couple of days to do the response and gives the instructor a couple of days to view them.

All in all, I am learning there is more than one way to accomplish some of these actions. There are tools available to anyone who is willing to spend some time figuring out how to use the. An investment of time up front may be rewarded with time saved later on. Knowledge of these tools will go a long way in allowing a teacher to come up with innovative ways of getting information to the students.

To view my artifact for this weeks reflection on Groups Assigment click here for the page of Ethics Links

Reflection on Lesson learned using online tools

This lesson covered using on line tools to create Rubrics, tests and URL Bookmarks. Rubrics are a new concept for me. Where  I work we use objectives to determine the subject and level of expectations for projects or what we call performance checks. An objective will have 3 parts. First will be the tools that will be provided, the second will be the task required to be performed and the third is the standard. For example: "Given a PC with the correct software/database and a set of source documents, input the training tasks with no more than 2 errors and 2 instructor assists." The student will either meet the objective or not. In other words, pass or fail. A Rubric is a scoring guide which allows degrees of success based on the amount of work or understanding the student demonstrates. Using the online tool to create the Rubric gaurentees the format will be correct and with the predetermined topics already having suggestions for criteria, the entire process will be much quicker than having to develop the grading tool from scratch.

I have written many multiple choice tests using guidelines such as spreading the letter choices close to even, ensuring the answers are top to bottom in length, chronologically or mathematically; ensuring all objectives are covered by the number of questions corresponding to the amount of time spent in discussion and many other criteria. I can see that using an automated tool would relieve some of the stress. You would not have to be as concerned with the format and would be able to concentrate on substance.

Creating on line bookmarks and placing them in a location that can be accessed from home, work or school is a good tool as well. It would enable the teacher to offer suggestions or limit the sources for research as needed. A student could also benefit from using this tool. Keeping track of all web sites used for their research, they would be able to easily document or backtrack from anywhere as well as share with classmates.

View my artifacts, Rubric, Test, Test Answers, Online Bookmark, Online Bookmark in Text Fromat.

Chapter 5 Reflection on how to use Wikis for collaboration for professional purposes as well as in the classroom.

Wiki is a Web 2.0 application on the Internet. The man credited as the creator, Ward Cunningham described it as "the simplest online database that could possibly work." It is a simple to use content management system. It is widely accepted. It can be used as an internal knowledge base, a collection of templates, reports and memos in a centralized resource. A Wiki can be used by professionals as an instant global communications tool, as a knowledge base that can help solve the most common problems. Synergy of ideas or brainstorming without having to be in the same room or even the same country can save time and money on projects. A Wiki can help organize and provide historical documentation for projects, creating a common source of information.

Wiki is also an excellent tool to be used in the classroom. The teacher can build a Wiki to use for collaborative projects for a classroom or they can reach outside of the classroom and include other classes or other schools. The teacher can load acceptable web sites or sources for research to control where the students can retrieve information. Examples of outlines, documentation and reports can be placed in the Wiki. Students can demonstrate their knowledge by participating. Students and teachers will be able to access the Wiki in class, at home or anywhere there is an Internet connection.

Chapter 3 Examine an open source title (such as Open Office) and list advantages and disadvantages of using the open source program.

Open source software licenses are offered free of charge which means students can be given copies of the software to use at home regardless of their financial situation at home. It is often able to be installed on older computers, because the open source programs normally use less computer resources, such as RAM and disk space. Open Office is a good example. The current free version requires 256 Mbytes of memory and 650 Mbytes of disk space. The regularly priced $149 Microsoft Office Suite for Students requires 1 GB of memory and 1.5 GB of disk space for all of the applications to work. Microsoft claims Open Office is "The flexible word processor, powerful spreadsheet, dynamic graphics, database access and more meet all requirements for an office software package." It runs on most major operating system platforms and upgrades are released several times a year, so it is easy to take advantage of new features quickly. It is quick and easy to install (reviewers claim 5 minutes.) As for disadvantages of using, I know of at least a few instances where documents created in the purchased Office were not able to be opened in the Open Office. It appeared the Open Office was not able to pull enough system resources. This would not be a problem in an environment where both students and instructors were using the same free Office. Another problem might be if tech support were required. Microsoft is not required to support the free software, whereas they have a warrantee period for the purchased products.

Chapter 1 Reflection on ways to manage the classroom during technology integration.

I work primarily with students recently out of high school. I have found that preparation and planning are crucial first steps in using technology in the classroom. The instructor must stay at least one step ahead of the students. The rules of engagement must be clearly stated up front. For instance, I have the students sign a network user's agreement before they are allowed to use the computers. I also state the objective of the lesson at the very beginning. I lecture and then demonstrate the lesson prior to sending the students to the computers to practice. I use a Smart Board to show them step by step what will be required. I also provide them with written instructions which include screen shots to guide them as much as possible for their practices. Having all of the steps of the process mapped and documented helps answer many questions before they are asked. The theory is the more answers they find on their own when the instructor is available, the more confidence they will have and the more productive they will be when they have to work without direct supervision. Sometimes not all of the computers are functioning. When this happens I have alternative work for the individuals waiting to use the computers. Review questions, quizzes and reading assignments are some the tools I use to keep them occupied. This helps to keep them from distracting the students working on the computers. The better prepared I am, the less stress for everyone.

First Post

My name is Jere' Funk. I am an instructor at Keesler AFB I prepare Airmen for their first assignment in their new career-field. I have worked with computers as a software programmer and database administrator. I started when you had to put your code on punch cards. For the past few years, I have focused on software installations. I am currently taking a class at USM. I am looking foward to learning more about using current applications. I am attending this class to learn more about using technology in developing course material. My ultimate goal is career progression.