This is just the site to help bring understanding to the potential of podcasts:
Educational Podcast Network
Organization is a simple idea, but it can be so useful to our understanding of why and how things work... or can work. I wish I would have taken a picture of my upstairs work room to show you. It wasn't terrible, but there were stacks of CDs, piles of books, mounds of papers... get the picture? There was order, but the the order was too general. Paper was together, CDs were all together. This weekend I took some time to categorize my CDs into backups, software, learning, games, etc. Now, when I look at my CDs they make sense. I think podcasts are kind of like this. There are so many and we have so little time. NCQ Talk is one I try to listen to regularly (I still don't have an iPod or the sort so I can only listen at my computer) and they were responsible for sharing the link above. See if your content area has something interesting. I found one called Podcast Beijing!
1.30.2006
1.17.2006
MLK Jr Day + Online Learning
Yesterday was MLK Jr. Day. The college organizes an in-service day with educational presentations, food and more. I couldn’t help but dwell on some of the comments made and how they relate to online learning.
“…their quest for education”
The concept that education is indeed a quest interests me. Students who attack their education like Don Quixote chasing windmills, but maybe not as delusional, are going to succeed in ways unimaginable to those who merely receive their education. Unfortunately, many of our students are not sure what the goal of their quest might be. As instructors of online learning, it may be more difficult to engage students in spontaneous post-class advisory sessions. Look for ways to help students discover their quest. Encourage students who seem bored or lost, to speak with an advisor.
“…the perception of differences”
The keynote speaker stressed the concept that perceiving differences is not racism. Actually, the perception of our differences ought to be the fuel for our conversation. It’s what can be the most interesting. Everything I can learn from you is defined by our differences. The anonymity that online learning can provide works against this. Many school systems are now incorporating student photos into their LMSs. I believe this is a positive addition. I predict conversations will be more real and ultimately more meaningful.
“…Conversation is a process”
This is kind of a no-brainer, but it’s good to be reminded. There is no need to treat our interactions with students as Q&A. Have conversations instead. Encourage students to talk with each other and teach each other.
“…social-ability: 63.3%”
Incoming first year students reported that the social aspects of their college experience are rather important. If your online course doesn’t allow for social interaction, your students’ expectations and needs are being ignored. Add a discussion board that permits off-topic discussion, call your students, blog with your students, skype, podcast, IM….
The remaining thought I had yesterday doesn’t really relate to online learning: I will not be putting in a water garden any time soon! Just way too much work. Or maybe this does apply… show learners up front what is involved in a course and the outcome of their labors. I now know that even though the outcome of water garden can be spectacular, I would not enjoy the process or the maintenance.
“…their quest for education”
The concept that education is indeed a quest interests me. Students who attack their education like Don Quixote chasing windmills, but maybe not as delusional, are going to succeed in ways unimaginable to those who merely receive their education. Unfortunately, many of our students are not sure what the goal of their quest might be. As instructors of online learning, it may be more difficult to engage students in spontaneous post-class advisory sessions. Look for ways to help students discover their quest. Encourage students who seem bored or lost, to speak with an advisor.
“…the perception of differences”
The keynote speaker stressed the concept that perceiving differences is not racism. Actually, the perception of our differences ought to be the fuel for our conversation. It’s what can be the most interesting. Everything I can learn from you is defined by our differences. The anonymity that online learning can provide works against this. Many school systems are now incorporating student photos into their LMSs. I believe this is a positive addition. I predict conversations will be more real and ultimately more meaningful.
“…Conversation is a process”
This is kind of a no-brainer, but it’s good to be reminded. There is no need to treat our interactions with students as Q&A. Have conversations instead. Encourage students to talk with each other and teach each other.
“…social-ability: 63.3%”
Incoming first year students reported that the social aspects of their college experience are rather important. If your online course doesn’t allow for social interaction, your students’ expectations and needs are being ignored. Add a discussion board that permits off-topic discussion, call your students, blog with your students, skype, podcast, IM….
The remaining thought I had yesterday doesn’t really relate to online learning: I will not be putting in a water garden any time soon! Just way too much work. Or maybe this does apply… show learners up front what is involved in a course and the outcome of their labors. I now know that even though the outcome of water garden can be spectacular, I would not enjoy the process or the maintenance.
1.10.2006
Bloglines + Odeo
Bloglines: This site collects and organizes all your blog (or any RSS) feeds. And it's free. There are some potentially pedagogical applications that leap to mind: research - all the news comes to you; community - share your favorites and explore your students' collections; save time - if your students have their own blogs this one stop will save you a bunch of time...
Odeo: This site was cool when it only provided podcasting subscriptions, but now it can do so much more. Once you register (and it's free!), you can create your own audioblog without the need for any recording software. Granted, you won't be able to edit without some extra tools, but as there is no time limit, why bother editing?! You can even set up your account to record phone in messages that are then instantly blogged. And you can quickly make your channel public allowing anyone with interest subscription potential. This is very cool! Think about having your students record their oral reports, engage in debates, dramatic readings of poems, etc....
Odeo: This site was cool when it only provided podcasting subscriptions, but now it can do so much more. Once you register (and it's free!), you can create your own audioblog without the need for any recording software. Granted, you won't be able to edit without some extra tools, but as there is no time limit, why bother editing?! You can even set up your account to record phone in messages that are then instantly blogged. And you can quickly make your channel public allowing anyone with interest subscription potential. This is very cool! Think about having your students record their oral reports, engage in debates, dramatic readings of poems, etc....
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