Voice Board Message Forwarded

It was interesting to learn how to forward Voice Board messages in emails. Before I attempted this, I had already read the emails from Dr. Wang and other students who had had problems. Because the missing "Forward" icon was resolved before my attempt to forward, it was an easy process for me. I included my group and Dr. Wang in the email recipient list and successfully forwarded the message. This is another way to use the Voice Board in WebCT. This allows students to hear a recorded message in email rather than being logged into the course site. For students with email capabilities on cell telephones, I wonder if they would also be able to hear the message.

Texting vs Talking

After spending almost a week with students at a conference, it was interesting to see the number of students (and teachers) constantly using cell phones and iPods. Students were walking to and from meetings and events either talking or texting. They had to be constantly reminded to turn off cell phones prior to entering a workshop or event.

I wonder if texting, emailing, IMs, etc., cause individuals to lose the ability to have meaningful face-to-face communication. Are we using this method to exchange information without learning the art of communicating by actually talking with someone? Do we spend more time texting than talking? Why do we have such a need to have cell phones turned on and ready to receive calls every moment during the day? What would happen if we turned off our cell phones for even half a day? Do all cell phone users know proper etiquette when using their phones?

Communication is accomplished using a variety of channels, including cell phones, but sometimes I wonder if we have become so chained to them that we lose opportunities for real-time conversations.

IT648/Group 1 - Project 2 Reflection

Another project under our belts! Every time our group works together, it seems that we've been focused and ready to accomplish the task assigned. It has been enjoyable getting to know Kala, Kandi, and Sonya. They are positive and energetic and agreeable. The Wimba Live Classroom has served it's purpose well for us by providing the opportunity for "face-to-face" collaboration. The time passed quickly, and before we knew it, we were saying goodnight.

My daughter and son are home for the summer; my daughter graduated in May from USM, and my son will be a sophomore at USA in the fall. They were present (across the room) during my group's last video conference and were impressed that we were in an online class yet using video chat to communicate in real time. Their mom was involved in a learning situation that was new to them. :-)

Now, to discuss what we actually accomplished for Project 2! I am now comfortable with using the Live Classroom, Voice Board, and Chat Room in WebCT. Before this project, I had never been exposed to the rich technology available in Blackboard/WebCT. These tools make interaction possible in online classes among the class members and with our instructor. By working in groups, we can produce more information more quickly and also learn the value of collaboration which is an invaluable lesson for career application. Studies have shown that more people lose jobs because of poor or lack of soft skills rather than lack of acquired skills for those specific jobs.

I plan to incorporate this technology into my online classes this fall and am already enhancing my course content to include different delivery options for my students. To learn and apply this knowledge will benefit all of my future students. I am excited to see how my own students respond to my online classes. It is my goal to use of video and audio clips for announcements and lesson segments in order to create more opportunities for learning.

Artifact: Group One's Project 2

IT648 Group 1/Project 1 Reflection

Group One’s Project 1 is almost ready to submit. Kala, Kandi, Sonya, and I met again last night in the WebCT Live Classroom for a video chat to add finishing touches to the project and to continue work on Projects 2 and 3. Final revisions for Project 1 are being agreed upon by each group member, and then it will be posted to the course site.

Initially, the instructions for Project 1, seemed overwhelming, but as soon as the group began work, it seemed as though everything began to fall into place. We discussed each part of the project and agreed on what to include in our findings. The technology that is available for use continues to amaze me. Video chat allows individuals to communicate regardless of the location as long as each person has a webcam and adequate internet connection. We have investigated numerous types of free technology that is available.

Gmail is getting easier to use as I continue to experiment with it. At first, I thought it would be impossible to set up the chat and video chat features, but eventually, we were successful in using those features. The applications to education are limitless, and I enjoyed learning how the other members of the group were already using certain types of technology in their classrooms and places of work.

Thank you, Dr. Wang, for having us create groups where we can work together. Even though we are learning at a distance from USM, I feel very connected to you and the other students because of all of our interactions. This has been a unique experience to be able to develop a bond without being physically present in a classroom setting.

Artifact: Group One's Project 1

Technology Lessons--WOW!!!!

Today was a red-letter day! Our group participated in video chat in the Live Classroom of WebCT. I continue to be amazed by the impact of technology on our lives. We could see each other and carry on a conversation, and it was FREE! I know the younger generation isn't nearly as impressed as us baby-boomers, but I remember $200+ long-distance phone bills from talking to parents and loved ones after I moved away from home. I remember when AOL chatting cost megabucks because subscribers paid by the minutes they were logged online.

This week is bound to just keep getting better and better. I will take some of my students to Anaheim (Friday through Wednesday) to a leadership conference and to compete in various skills competitions. Wish us safe travel and good luck! These are the extra-fun moments I am privileged to enjoy outside of the classroom. Tonight and most likely tomorrow night, I will be burning the midnight oil, trying to get assignments submitted early rather than later.

Blogging, I must admit, gets easier with each posting. Who knows, this may be the beginnings of a best-selling novel. :-)

First Time for Everything--even blogging!

Creating a blog and Gmail account has been a new learning experience for me. Once I became accustomed to the the site and began working to create the account and blog, it seemed less intimidating. At least I know I succeeded! My students sometimes feel intimidated by new content and technology, and if I can become comfortable working with new things, I can dispel the fears that my students may have.

One lesson that I have learned is that change is constant. For someone who doesn't even like to rearrange a room's furniture, my life has certainly faced some rearranging. This latest learning experience has helped me gain a new confidence and assures me that a person can learn if given the opportunity.

Through the next several weeks, new ideas and exciting opportunities will begin to surface, and I plan to include those here. Those of us beginning the study of telecommunications in education and how innovative ideas can enhance student learning will share ways to incorporate this into our work environments.

About Me . . .

I am a community college instructor and teach in the Medical Office Technology program in the Business and Office Department. Specifically, I train Billing and Coding Specialists and Medical Transcriptionists to work in healthcare. It is rewarding and exciting to watch my students enter the program knowing very little about the type of work involved and graduate from the program confident in their new training.

The mother of four children and grandmother of two (plus another on the way), I decided to return to school to enhance my skills and have already discovered that now I have another full time job. I love playing the piano, watching old movies, and being with my family. Although I am an avid reader, there isn’t much time for pleasure reading at the moment. I know the end result, however, will be worth the sacrifice.

The purpose of my blog is to satisfy the requirements of Dr. Wang's IT648 summer 2009 class by posting assignment summaries and reflections and finally a course reflection. Through these writings, I hope to journal my thoughts through this learning process.