Class Information for the week of Dec. 1st

Hi everyone!

Wow - just 2 weeks left in the semester!  I do want to talk about the final activities and schedule for our class.  I've been sending emails to everyone today with information but thought I would post on this blog as well.

• We will definitely meet in Centra this Thursday with Heather, Zakia, Carl, and Eric presenting.
  
• We will definitely meet in Centra next Thursday for the One Slide - One Minute presentations. 
  

So speaking of One Slide - One Minute, here is the specific information for this activity:

1. I would like for you to create one PowerPoint slide that is a summary of what you have created and learned in this class.  You may use any design and include any information you like.  During our last class on Thursday, Dec. 11th, each person will have one minute to talk about their one slide.
2. Please submit your one PowerPoint slide via Blackboard, in the Assignments area by Wednesday, Dec. 10th, at 8:00 pm.  (Yes, I really do mean Wednesday because I need some time to collect the slides and create the Agenda file for class on Thursday).
   

Now, about the Summary Paper.  Yes Virginia, there is a summary paper due!  Here is the information:

1. Basically I would like for you to respond to the statement:  What I learned about online teaching and what I would do differently next time".  This paper is truly a reflection of your experiences and what you have learned about online teaching - the technology, design, and implementation.  Please be specific citing examples and stories to support your thoughts and ideas.  And be sure to address both synchronous and asynchronous online teaching formats.
2. I would like for you to consider and address three areas as you write your final paper:
   

• Technology - What have you experienced and learned about the role, influence, and impact technology has on the success of an elearning environment?
  
• Design - What have you experiences and learned about writing and designing online materials?  What did you learn about creating and delivering synchronous presentations?  What is important when designing recorded presentations?  Be sure to address the design of the course or presentation framework, lessons, and interactive activities.
  
• Implementation - What have you experienced and learned about actually implementing an eLearning presentation and course?  What does it require in terms of communication, time management, record keeping, and scheduling?

Submit your Summary Paper via Blackboard in the Assignments area by Thursday, Dec. 11th, at 5:59:59 pm.

Looking forward to reading the papers and seeing the slides!

Talk to you all this Thursday!

Cheers, Dr. N

Class Activity for Chapter 8 of our Text

Hi everyone!

Since we ran out of time in class tonight, I'm sending via email a PP presentation that explains the class activity for Chapter 8 of our text.  Please read through the first several slides carefully, then find the set of decisions you are to work on.  Add your information to the appropriate slide and send it back to me via email by Wednesday, Nov. 12th.  I'll have the slides ready for our next class.

I'm looking forward to seeing your answers!  And yes, this is definitely an open book exercise, and even a collaborative exercise if you like.

Cheers, Dr. N

Good Monday morning to everyone!

Just a reminder that the L - W group should be posting this week, but if anyone finds something really great don't hesitate to post!

Kudo's to everyone for the Wiki's!  (we are almost developing our own eLearning language here).  I would like for each group to be ready to spend about 5 minutes talking about the wiki and the process you went through to create all the material and add it to the wiki.  When we meet in Centra on Thursday I'll bring up each Wiki site and let each group give us a guided tour.

Talk to you all on Thursday!

Cheers, Dr. N

Class Information for the Week of Oct. 26 to Nov. 1

Good Sunday Morning to everyone!!

Just a reminder that this is the week for A - K bloggers  (if your last name begins with A - K you post this week).

Also, everyone's wiki part is due to be completed by Saturday, Nov. 1st  (by midnight).  I know I have been a bit loose with my criteria for this project, but I wanted everyone to have as much flexibility as possible as you research and create your wiki pages.

There are some basic criteria for the wikis:

1.  Each wiki should have an "overview" page with a short overview of the topics presented and the group members listed.

2.  Each page in the wiki should be accessible from a link in the navigation panel on the left side of the screen.

3.  Each individual wiki page should have the author's name at the top of the page, and a brief summary of the specific topic.

4.  Each individual wiki page should have a "table of contents" of hot links to different sections of information on the page.

5.   Be sure all references to sources are included, and hot links to additional resources are included.

6.  Be sure your information is complete, thorough, and comprehensive.

I must say the wikis are looking very good, and I think you will be very impressed with the work everyone has done!  I'll be posting the links to all the wikis next week so you can share your work and information with each other.

Hope the week goes well for everyone and I'll be talking to you on Thursday evening in class.  You know, there have already been some rather mysterious and haunting sounds in the air - definitely Halloween week!

Cheers, Dr. N

 

News for Class

Good Sunday morning!

Just a reminder of our new "alternating weeks" approach for blog postings.  This week (Sunday to Saturday) only those people whose last name begins with K - W should post.  

And for everyone, keep reading and commenting on the new posts!

Cheers, Dr. N

Activities for the Week

Reading Assignments:

1. Read Chapter 1
   
2. Read 4 lessons in the "Intro to eLearning" section of Blackboard.
   

Homework and Projects:

1. Accept the invitation to this class blog (sent to your bloomu email)
   
2. Post on this class blog
   
3. Continue planning with your WIKI mates
   
4. Watch the Common Craft video on Wikis
5. http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english
6. Add to the "Getting to Know You" discussion in Blackboard

Greetings everyone, and welcome to our Online Course Design blog!

This blog will be the forum we will use for notices, announcements, information, and weekly blog postings.  I highly recommend you subscribe to the rss feed for this site, bookmark this site, and even set this site as your "home page" for your browser.  That way you will always know when there is new information posted for our class.

In preparation for the first week of class I would like for you to complete the following activities:

• Read through the syllabus carefully!
  
• Read the first chapter from our textbook.
  
• Click on the "Intro to eLearning" link on our Blackboard site and complete the Introductory Survey and read through the first 4 lessons.
  
• Click on the "Getting to Know You" link on our Blackboard site and post an entry on the discussion forum.
• Complete a PowerPoint slide with your name and some introductory information, and send it to me via email (mnichols@bloomu.edu) before Thursday, August 28th.
  
• Join me in Centra on Thursday, August 29th, at 6:00 pm.
  
• Email or call with any questions you might have!
  

Looking forward to meeting everyone, and to a great semester!

Cheers, Dr. Nicholson