ELT Report for the Week of 31 January
Hi there and welcome to another week of Emerging Learning Technologies. I'm Ocotillo ELT Co-Chair Jim Patterson.
First off, this is a week of travel for me. I will be speaking at the ASTD TechKnowledge conference in Las Vegas later this week and will report on what I learn next weekend. You can read about the conference by going to http://www.astd.org/astd/Conferences/tk05/tk05_home.htm I will be speaking on "free or inexpensive tools you can use in elearning." ASTD is made up mostly of people involved in training in the private sector, although there are members from colleges, universities, government, and the military. I've spoken at ASTD functions before and they put on a first class conference.
PVCC's own Carol Myters is program committee chair for the Educause/Internet2 Security 2005 Conference April 3 to 5 in Washington, D.C. She would like to invite your attendance. This is the 3rd annual conference and it's gonna be big! Track sessions are
* Policy, Law, and Incident Response
* Awareness and Training
* Strategy and Planning
* Automated Network Policy Enforcement
* Advanced Technology Solutions
* Commercial Technology Solutions
There is a full day pre-conference seminar on ethical hacking and half-day seminars on IT security risk assessment, starting a security initiative and digital evidence considerations. Registration is limited this year due to facility considerations so I'm giving Maricopa folks a heads-up to get registered early.
Please see http://www.educause.edu/sec05 for more conference information. You can get more information from Carol by calling 602-787-7788
Tech Forum Highlights - Susan McLester, techLearning
The IBM Conference Center in Palisades, New York was the setting for this year's annual Fall Tech Forum event, where education thought leaders gathered for a rich, packed day of professional development sessions and networking with colleagues and industry experts. Topics included emerging technologies, ROI in education, 1:1 computing, data driven decision making, leadership, security, and more. With just over 200 attendees, the event encouraged intimate interaction among all-within breakout sessions, participatory workshops and roundtable discussions, over table top displays, and during luncheon and end-of-the-day receptions.
This time I visited C/Net's site for hot downloads. As was the case with the download page on PC World last week, the hot downloads are on spyware protection.
OK, that's it for this week.
Jim Patterson
Ocotillo ELT Co-Chair
This in from Larry Johnson of NMC -
The 2005 Horizon Report is completed and immediately available to NMC members as a downloadable Acrobat file. With the official release planned for tomorrow at the NLII annual meeting in New Orleans, we wanted to give the members of the NMC community the opportunity to have the Report in hand before its official release.
The second edition of the NMC’s annual Horizon Report describes the continued work of the NMC’s Horizon Project, a research-oriented effort that seeks to identify and describe emerging technologies likely to have a large impact on teaching, learning, or creative expression within higher education. The 2005 Horizon Report is a collaboration between the New Media Consortium (NMC) and the National Learning Infrastructure Initiative (NLII), an EDUCAUSE program, and benefited from the expertise of an outstanding Advisory Board.
Produced with the support of McGraw Hill Online Education, the report highlights six areas of emerging technology that the research suggests will become increasingly significant to higher education within three adoption horizons over the next one to five years.
The project draws on an ongoing discussion among knowledgeable individuals in business, industry, and education, as well as published resources, current research and practice, and the expertise of the NMC community itself.
The 2005 Horizon Report is a non-technical piece, designed to provide an overview of the promising technologies featured, and why they are worthy of attention. Links are provided to examples and resources for those looking for more detail. The Report can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format at no charge at http://www.nmc.org/horizon/ and is being released with a Creative Commons license to facilitate broad use of the piece. Please feel free to share the document with anyone that may find it of interest. We'd love to see it used broadly.
The 28-page file is not large, and is configured to download quickly for screen viewing. The Report has been formatted to print at very high quality, and so may print slowly on some printers, but we hope you will be pleased with the result.
Still to come: The NMC is developing a companion website for the 2005 Horizon Report which, once completed, will provide additional information about the more than 50 technologies examined as part of the process of producing the 2005 report. In addition, NLII has been piloting a special Virtual Community of Practice (VCOP) devoted to a further exploration of the technologies profiled in the Report. You can find more information on the Horizon VCOP at http://www.educause.edu/HorizonCommunity/1155
Hi there and welcome to another week of Emerging Learning Technologies. I'm Ocotillo ELT Co-Chair Jim Patterson.
This week, you all know how digital crazy I am. Well, I got an interesting flyer in the mail a few days ago and thought I'd share this with you. Digital Photo Solutions four hour seminar and trade show is coming to Phoenix the evening of Thursday 17 January. And, it is free. This might be a good show to go to to whet your appetite for Digital Days coming the end of May. Take a look at their website at http://www.digitalphotosolutions.net and register online. Don't forget to print out your admission ticket.
Life With a Handheld Computer: Confessions of a School Administrator - Douglas W. Green, THE Journal at http://www.thejournal.com/magazine/vault/A5188.cfm
The leading edge of technology is not the best place to be if you are running a school. Administrators need to be efficient if they wish to be effective. Once a technology has begun to mature, however, they should consider how it can help them....As a former district computer director and programming teacher, I have been riding the technology treadmill since the 1970s....Then in March 2003, I attended a New York Talks Conference sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which was aimed at helping administrators make better use of technology. As part of the deal for attending the conference, I was given a new Palm Tungsten T handheld. After a year and a half, I find that handheld technology has advanced to the point where it now has a place in my life at work and beyond.
OK, my turn. Hey, I love technology. I use technology. I teach technology. But... hmmm... well, sometimes I think not all technology works. I got a PDA a year ago, a Palm M130. Expensive at the time at around $200. I converted from a paper based schedule system to the PDA. I even bought my lovely bride Marni the same PDA. Guess what? After a year, I've converted back to using my PVCC student day planner. WHY??? Because THAT won't run out of battery power. The PDA has a battery that doesn't keep power very well. At the Ocotillo meeting I was at in December we were looking at dates for planning purposes and my PDA ran out of juice. I was stuck. It happened again. So, my experiment with that brand of technology is over. My point is that not all technology is needed or is useful. I'm also not one to have all the bells and whistles on a cell phone as I use it mostly for emergencies. If you need a cell phone for email and to check web pages, I'm sure it's a fine technology. OK, enough for my Luddite lecture.
Technology and Learning http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=55800210 reports that although students are becoming increasingly dependent on technology for information, they must also learn to use electronic resources honestly. Students must understand that when they plagiarize images, text, video clips, or music files they're actually stealing the work of others. Their actions are subject to serious legal and disciplinary consequences! But where should teachers draw the copyright line? Can teachers themselves use copyrighted materials, ostensibly protected from duplication without permission, in classroom lessons, presentations or professional development workshops without first contacting the owner or paying royalty fees? Can they post electronic images downloaded from the Internet on the school Web site for non-commercial use?
Apple unveils two bare-bones devices - Robert Brumfield, School News at http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=5460
At its Macworld Conference and Expo Jan. 11, Apple Computer announced two new products of possible interest to educators: a computer meant to compete with budget desktop PC providers and a less expensive version of the popular iPod music player. The iPod shuffle music player is already shipping, while the Mac mini CPU goes on sale in the U.S. on Jan. 22 and worldwide on Jan. 29. It's unclear how these lower priced Apple alternatives will affect budget decisions in education--but their release brings two new Apple products, traditionally more expensive than PCs, within range of the smaller school and university budgets.
5W/5E - Wanda Walters, techLearning at http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=55300867
The goal of this article is to illustrate that by combining the 5W's with the 5E's an instructional planning tool emerges that allows teachers to easily, seamlessly, and efficiently infuse technology into any instructional program. The strategies presented are appropriate for all grade levels and content areas. You may be wondering "Why yet another technology integration tool?" The CEO Forum, School Technology and Readiness Report, 2001, stated that Technology can have the greatest impact when integrated into the curriculum to achieve clear, measurable educational goals. Certainly, school districts have embraced this position, as evidenced by the infusion of instructional technological resources that are currently available. Somehow we expect schools to use word processing, spreadsheets, Email, database, multimedia, the Internet, CD Roms, templates, and more. These resources are all acquired with the implicit objective to further support student understanding and increase achievement of educational objectives.
PC World again has some nice free downloads. Last time I told you about the Microsoft anti spyware utility that I am using. It does work. You can find links to this and more utilities to help your computer run efficiently by going to http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/index/0,00.asp
That's enough reading for you this week. Next week I venture to ASTD's TechKnowledge 2005 conference in Las Vegas where I will be speaking on free and inexpensive tools for online learning. I will report back after the trip.
Have a good week,
Jim Patterson
PVCC Faculty
ELT Report for the Week of 17 January
Both Roger Yohe (Estrealla Mountain Community College) and myself (Jim Patterson, Paradise Valley Community College) welcome you to the Spring 2005 semester. We are co-chairs of the Emerging Learning Technologies portion of Ocotillo. Roger and I will both be at conferences this term and will report back to you. And of course, mark your calendars for the Ocotillo retreat planned for May 17 at South Mountain Community College. More on that in the future!
In an earlier posting, I told you about my going to Michigan to attend computer security training. That was sponsored by CSSIA (http://www.cssia.org). This relates to my first topic, “The Case for IT Security in Academia” by Mary Ann Davidson (http://www.educause.edu/apps/er/erm05/erm0510.asp). Mary states that until recently security folks were like the Maytag repairman; now it is a bit different. I urge us all to be more security conscious. Read the index for the most recent Educause Review by going to http://www.educause.edu/apps/er/erm05/erm051.asp
TechLearning (http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=55300850) has an interesting article on how and why students take courses online. Online education, although dismissed by some, is not only an appropriate method of education for today, but also a method preferred by many types of students, especially the adult learner and the passive communicator. The desire for online learning often stems from the sense of control the student gains. As offered by Rudestam & Schoenholtz-Read (2002) the student in an online world is a free agent able to make choices and direct his/her learning in order to gain the most possible.
News from the University of Washington show maybe technology and religion do mix. Twenty-first century technology has deeply penetrated even strict, self-contained religious communities that try to shut it out, University of Washington researchers have found. Despite a ban by their leaders on private Internet use, ultra-Orthodox Israeli Jews who otherwise shun the modern world turn out to be avid and creative Web surfers, according to the study to be published in next month's The Information Society journal. Go to http://www.uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=7108 for the story.
Campus Technology magazine asked experts what is the future of the Internet? Read the surprising results at http://www.campus-technology.com/news_article.asp?id=10483&typeid=153 HINT: THINK SECURITY! I guess I am all hopped up on security lately since I took that course. You should be, too.
Can you use a Bluetooth wireless hat? That and more were on display at the Las Vegas consumer electronics show. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2005-01-07-ces-side_x.htm
More cyberterrorism? Spam? What’s the future to hold? Let Cringley tell you at http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20050107.html
According to the THE Journal, “Schools lag behind much of society in using technology, but students are seeing benefits and clamoring for more access to computers, the government says. Virtually all U.S. schools are connected to the Internet, with about one computer for every five students, according to an Education Department report on school technology.” http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/ 2005/01/07/us_schools_behind_in_use_of_technology/
Syllabus IT Trends, published every Thursday, covers news, trends, and products in higher education IT. You'll find thought-provoking opinion pieces by leading experts in their field, as well as product introductions, resources, case studies, and the latest deals and contracts in higher ed. Go to http://info.101com.com/default.asp?id=11744 for more information.
Now this is interesting. I read about this when I was in Michigan. Google is working with major universities to get their collections online. http://www.umich.edu/~urecord/0405/Dec13_04/lib_google.shtml
Did you or somebody you know get a new PC this Christmas? If so, let Fred Langa show you how to get the most out of it. Read http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=57701147
Look at this. Microsoft has a free anti spyware program. It is in beta but will probably be free in the future. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx to download. I just did and it works great!
That’s it for this week.
Jim Patterson
Ocotillo Emerging Learning Technologies Co-Chair
Emerging Learning Technologies Report for Fall 2004
Jim Patterson (PVCC) and Roger Yohe (EMCC), co-chairs.
There were 39 entries and reports in the Ocotillo Emerging Learning Technologies blog during the Fall semester. Jim started a weekly blog report of things having to do with Emerging Learning Technologies. Plus, events were also blogged.
Jim had ELT dialogues with faculty from Mesa, Rio Salado, the Digital Library Group, and PVCC during the Fall semester. Over 90 faculty participated in events across the district during the Fall that had to do with ELT.
The spring semester 2005 will have both Jim and Roger attend several events in other parts of the country. Jim will be a speaker at the 2005 TechKnowledge ASTD conference in Las Vegas in February. Then he will attend an emerging technologies conference in March. Then there is the NISOD conference in Austin, Texas in June. Jim will continue his weekly ELT blog report for the Spring semester. Roger and Jim are also thinking about a show and tell session with learning technologies sometime during this semester. We are also involved in planning for the Ocotillo retreat to be held in May of 2005.
Emerging Learning Technologies (Jim Patterson, co-chair) visited Paradise Valley Community College on Tuesday January 11, 2005 from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Those present:
Casey Durandet
Jeanne Franco
Chrystle Hall
Kurt Hill
Lynn Lalko
Jennifer Strickland
Diana Tomanek
Terry Simmons
Lily Fultz
Kent Shadburne
Jim used the ELT slideshow as a way of stimulating discussion. The entire event moved quickly and lasted about an hour. Attendees always thank me for keeping it under an hour.
“What Comes to Mind When Thinking of ELT?” Was the first question posed. Participants saw a number of examples of ELT’s without my commentary. Then participants began talking. Some answers – hologram projections were mentioned by many participants and star trek devices. Internet2 and its faster interface. Wireless “hot spots” for connectivity. Using wireless for education but security being an issue. Using live webcams from all over the world. Instant feedback on surveys using devices.
Next question: “What are the major learning challenges, barriers to higher education, or problems we face at Maricopa within the next ten years?” Some responses include - Money, we need money. Educating students and teachers on the technology. Resistance to embrace the new technology. Time to learn the new technologies. Uniformity with all campuses so we can talk and communicate better. Ease of use issue. Not all students know computers and some feel intimidated by them. Computer literacy is important. Use learning connections here to tell high school students what computer technology skills they will need for college. Shortage of support staff. Electronic security of equipment as well as networks.
The next question for discussion was, “What emerging learning technologies will impact your college in the next ten years?” Some answers – A DVD video indexing system that connects to the network and tapes and instructor so it can go out to a student later. Repair equipment online. More holograms. Collaborative learning and peer learning to teach the new technologies. Use technology by addressing the various ways students learn. Satellite conferencing to our north campus and connect multiples sites for classes and meetings. More international cooperation in classes using technology. Using a huge touchscreen for the front of a room and everybody having wireless tablets. Need to upgrade our network and need money so we can transmit video like other campuses are doing.
While most of you were sitting home and eating bon bons, I was taking computer security training in Ann Arbor (brrrrr!), Michigan during the holidays. It was sponsored by a National Science Foundation grant, so the workshop fee was free. The purpose is to train community college and university faculty so they can go back to their home institutions and offer security programs. What I found out was there are bad guys trying to get into our systems and if we aren't prepared all the wonderful technology we would like to use to help student learn will be for naught.
Here is my trip report I filed with my campus president. Keep in mind some of this is only of interest to PVCC, but I thought you might also get something out of the information I picked up.
Trip Report
PURPOSE: I attended computer security training from 3 Jan to 8 Jan 2005. This training was provided free under a grant from the National Science Foundation. It is designed to spread teaching materials and expertise to community colleges and universities in the United States. The organization responsible for the training is The Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (http://www.cssia.org)
TRAVELER: Jim Patterson, CIS faculty, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix, Arizona.
ITINERARY: The training occurred at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan from Monday 3 January through Saturday 8 January 2005.
DISCUSSION: James Lewis of Washtenaw Community College presented a day of security assurance training, tracking to a one unit course for all students, even non-CIS students. Then there was five days of a more advanced security course that tracks to the Comptia Security+ exam (http://www.comptia.org) Now that I have taken the training, PVCC and the Maricopa district is now a member of the Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance. We are now allowed to download any course materials for our use at their website.
RECOMMENDATIONS/FOLLOW-UP: While many colleges are experiencing a downturn in computer enrollments, Washtenaw C.C. and other partner colleges that belong to the CSSIA have reported security courses are strong and growing. I propose PVCC and the Business/I.T. Division offer a 1 unit “security awareness” course designed for any student who uses and owns computers for the Fall of 2005. This will also be a course that can help advertise our current Security+ course (CIS 270). This is a hot topic with a market if we do market it! Other colleges across the country are showing it can be done. In an ideal world, I would love to see the one unit course be a general education requirement. It is of such importance that all students should really have it. The second recommendation I have is to bring instructor James Lewis to PVCC this July to offer a weeks worth of training in “ethical hacking” for interested computer faculty and IRTS personnel. The cost to us would be his expenses. This bootcamp would normally cost about $4,000 in tuition alone.
APPENDICES:
1. Description of SA/Security+ course I attended (http://www.cssia.org/fac_coursesdisplay.cfm?id=1036)
2. Industry Impact (computer security training) (http://www.cssia.org/Industry.cfm)
3. Description of the Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (http://www.cssia.org/index.cfm)
4. Description of “ethical hacking” course (CSSIA – Course IA-II) (http://www.cssia.org/CUR_coursesdisplay.cfm?id=IA-II)
5. Comptia Security+ description (PVCC is a member) (http://www.comptia.org/certification/security/default.aspx)
Signed,
James Gordon Patterson