eLearning and Instructional Support @ Lesley University

Resource of the Week - Tikatok

2010-08-27T14:21:00.004-04:00

Tikatok is a site where children can write, illustrate and publish their own storybooks. Children may create three types of stories: personalized stories (using their names and pictures), StorySparks (using writing prompts to spark ideas), or students may write their stories from scratch. All stories allow the writers to illustrate their books using pictures from the gallery or their own uploaded photos or drawings. Books may be created and shared for free and may be published (hardcover, paperback, or e-book format) for a fee.

Free teacher accounts are available with the Tikatok Classroom Program, allowing teachers to view and edit student work, encourage collaboration, and track each student's progress.

For more resources like this, please be sure to check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection.

Resource of the Week - Conservation Central

2010-07-02T13:34:00.006-04:00

Conservation Central is a habitat educational program designed to teach children in grades 5-8 about the temperate forest and biodiversity. The program features a middle school curriculum with lesson plans, alignments to national standards, and online activities designed to supplement the curriculum. The online activities, including, Design a Panda Habitat, Habitat Adventure: Panda Challenge, and A Walk in the Forest, may also be used as standalone activities.

In Design a Panda Habitat, students learn how to design a habitat that meets the needs of the pandas, zoo staff, and visitors. Students may choose trees/plants, water features, climate control, food, items for enrichment, and research/observation tools. Helpful tips are available and, upon completion, the pandas will explore their new habitat.

In Habitat Adventure: Panda Challenge, students learn how to protect giant pandas by protecting their habitat. Students accompany a researcher in a fictional Chinese nature preserve and learn about making observations, identifying core areas, the healthy balance between carnivores and herbivores, creating habitat corridors, and helping the local community.

A Walk in the Forest leads students on several virtual nature walks through a fictional Virginia forest. Available walks currently include Dirt Detectives: Trees & Soils, Forest Layers, I.D. a Tree, Observing Seasonal Changes, Mapping Forest Changes, and Using Amphibians as Indicators. Each walk teaches students about the temperate forest and encourages them to make observations using the same tools and methodologies that scientists use when monitoring biodiversity.

Additionally, Conservation Central features Family Learning Activities designed to help students and their families explore the world around them.

For more resources like this, be sure to check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection.

Resource of the Week - Wordia

2010-06-18T16:35:00.003-04:00

Wordia is an online dictionary that provides the spelling, meaning, and etymology of the word and encourages members of the community to make personal connections to the words through video. An example may be found below in Wordia's Word of the Day for June 18, 2010:

In addition to the public version of Wordia, a school version is available, providing a private destination for students and teachers. Wordia Schools allows students to explore vocabulary and contribute their own personal thoughts and reflections on the meaning of a word through video. Wordia Schools allows words to be broken down in to subject area, theme, and keywords; lesson plans and assessment tools are forthcoming.

All videos uploaded to Wordia Schools are moderated and are not published to the public Wordia site. Teachers may decide if their videos are to be shared with one class, the whole school, or the entire Wordia Schools network.

Resource of the Week - Admongo

2010-04-30T16:45:00.002-04:00

Admongo is an educational game designed to teach children how to recognize and understand advertisements. Students journey through a game world where they overcome obstacles, collect coins, and solve challenges designed to teach them about advertisement. Throughout the game students learn how to answer three important questions:

Who is responsible for the ad?
What is the ad actually saying?
What does the ad want me to do?

Additionally, a free advertising literacy curriculum designed for 5th and 6th grade classrooms is available. The curriculum contains lesson plans, worksheets, classroom resources, and handouts. Teacher training videos are forthcoming. Admongo also includes areas for both parents and teachers as well as a Text Version (containing all of the information learned in the game), a Glossary and an Ad Library.

Faculty Spotlight: Rick Schneider

2010-04-27T11:08:00.003-04:00

Sharing Student Projects Through Wikis
Illustration Survey, Fall 2009

Introduction

In Rick Schneider's traditional face-to-face art history course, students had little opportunity to share perspectives or engage in dialogue about artists. After learning about wikis, Rick set up this tool to enhance student engagement with the content. He created an environment where students could research and collaboratively profile artists to share with the class. By creating this space, Rick was able to engage the students in a lively discussion about the artists they were viewing.

Timeline

In June of 2009, Rick participated in the Online Course Development Seminar. Through that seminar and attendance at various other workshops, he began to see the value of a shared online environment, even in a face-to-face lecture class. Rick then decided to build a wiki for his illustration Survey course. After completing research on his own, he was able to figure out how to create one.

Equipment

Wikispaces (www.wikispaces.com)

Process

Rick set up a wiki with module pages for each of his course topics. In response to each module, students were required to create their own wiki page featuring an artist in that weeks' genre. The students created artist profiles, incorporating text, images and video. The students then commented on each others' pages with constructive feedback. In this way students were able to share what they were learning, and create a rich repository for the various artists explored throughout the course.

Outcome

In the wiki, students were able to view each others work in a way they hadn't before. This gave students exposure to more artists than they would have had time for in the classroom. According to Rick, "The students clearly benefited from the shared insight. They engaged in dialog about content, agreed or disagreed about conclusions, and read about topics outside their own required writing." In terms of assessment, the transparency of the activity in the wiki allowed Rick to easily see who was contributing.

Rick's Next Steps...

Rick continues to refine the instructions to be clear around what is expected. By providing better guidelines, Rick hopes to help students understand how to collaboratively write and edit one another's papers. Using what he has learned from developing the Illustration Survey wiki, Rick will create a fully online course for undergraduates called A History of Illustration.

You Can Create A Wiki Too!!

Keep an eye our for our Wiki Workshops - http://www.lesley.edu/elis/programs.html
Participate in a self-paced, online Wiki module in the eLearning Faculty Resource Center
Contact eLIS@lesley.edu for special one-on-one training sessions

Resource of the Week - 8 Wonders of the Solar System

2010-04-16T14:53:00.002-04:00

8 Wonders of the Solar System is an online interactive from Scientific American. 8 Wonders of the Solar System takes users on a journey to unique places within the solar system: Saturn's rings, Jupiter's red spot, Mars' Valles Marineris, Enceladus' geysers, Triton's geysers, the moon's Peaks of Eternal Light, Mimas' Herschel Crater, and Mercury's sunrise. The site features stunning artwork by Ron Miller, as well as information on the location and current and future space missions.

Be sure to visit the eLIS Digital Resources Collection for more resources like this.

Resource of the Week - ReadCoud

2010-04-09T14:56:00.003-04:00

ReadCloud is a social eReading platform designed for schools. It consists of social eReading software with built-in learning tools and a Digital Library Management system. Users may embed comments, videos, pictures, and sound bites to facilitate conversations and discussions. The video below provides an introduction to the tool and how it may be used:

ReadCloud features a Digital Library Management system of out-of-copyright classics, poems, plays, and creative commons books but also allows users to upload their own content. The program currently works on both Macintosh and Windows machines and mobile phone support is forthcoming.

Check out the eLIS Digital Resource Collection for more resources like this. This week we added the 700th resource to the collection! Resources are available for multiple subject areas, age ranges, and tool types.

Resource of the Week - Calculation Nation

2010-03-25T15:46:00.002-04:00

Calculation Nation features math strategy games aimed at upper elementary and middle school. Students register with the site to become citizens of Calculation Nation, where they may then play games by themselves or against other students worldwide. Games cover topics such as fractions, multiplication, multiples, factors, symmetry, area, perimeter, and more.

Calculation Nation is part of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Illuminations project, which features a wealth of interactive activities, lessons, standards, and more.

Be sure to visit the eLIS Digital Resources Collection to find more resources like this.

Resource of the Week - HSI: Historical Scene Investigation

2010-03-04T16:53:00.005-05:00

The Historical Scene Investigation Project guides students through consulting primary sources to decode the past, compare multiple points of view, and draw conclusions based upon the evidence. Current investigations include Jamestown Starving Time, Bacon's Rebellion, The Boston "Massacre", Constitution Controversy, Children in the Civil War, School Desegregation, march on Frankfort, and more.

Each investigation is presented like a case file and provides both a student view and a teacher view. The student view provides links to primary source documents and instructions for analyzing the sources. Students must determine who authored the documents and for what purpose, what the documents try to convey, where the points of view differ, etc. The teacher view provides background information, standards correlations, and implementation ideas.

Be sure to visit the eLIS Digital Resources Collection for more resources like this.

Upcoming Spring Workshops for Web 2.0 Tools

2010-02-24T12:58:00.000-05:00

Utilizing Web 2.0 Resources with myLesley

Spring is a time of renewal and awakening; the daffodils begin to bloom, the leaves return to the trees, and we enjoy the thaw from winter. As we anticipate the arrival of spring, this is an excellent time to freshen up your myLesley course sites. Perhaps you have been thinking about new tools or ideas you would like to try? Maybe you are experimenting with some new methods on your own and would like a little extra help? Whatever the case, the helpful staff in eLIS have a spring menu of workshops and online seminars and resources ready for you!

Below are highlights of some of our upcoming offerings. And remember, If you cannot make an event or an online seminar, you can always contact us directly at elis@lesley.edu to set up time to meet in person talk over the phone about your ideas.

Utilizing Web 2.0 Resources with myLesley

On-Campus Workshops
Introduction to VoiceThread, March 3rd, 11:15am -12:45pm Wolf 204. RSVP bchervin@lesley.edu

Blogging Workshop, March 22nd 2:30-4:00pm Wolf 204 RSVP bchervin@lesley.edu

Online Workshops
Podcasting Seminar, fully online, 2 weeks, March 29-April 11
Contact Kristina McElroy to register: Kmcelro3@lesley.edu

Wiki Seminar, April 19th-May 1, Fully Online, 2 weeks, 6 hours a week.
Please RSVP to Barbara Chervin at bchervin@lesley.edu

Full schedule of online seminars and on-campus events:
http://www.lesley.edu/elis/programs.html

eLearning Faculty Resource Center (eLFRC)
Our online community for faculty features a variety of resources and tools, including self-paced modules on using wikis, blogs and podcasts. If you are not a member of eLFRC yet email eLIS@lesley.edu

Additional Workshops in Atomic Learning
Our relationship with Atomic Learning provides more than just technical tutorials on software and common web tools. You can also view their Web 2.0 workshops and learn more about the ways you can use these tools in your teaching and learning. To find our Atomic Learning resources click on the myServices tab in myLesley.

We hope to see you soon!

Resource of the Week - The Science of the Olympic Winter Games

2010-02-18T15:50:00.002-05:00

The National Science Foundation and NBC Learn have teamed up to create The Science of the Olympic Winter Games, a 16-part video series exploring the science behind several Olympic events. The series includes Aerial Physics (Aerial Skiing), Slapshot Physics (Hockey), Internal Athlete (Cross-Country Skiing), Olympic Motion, Competition Suits, Mathletes, Science of the Skis, Science of Skates, Figuring Out Figure Skating, Safety Gear, Banking on Speed (Bobsled), Downhill Science (Alpine Skiing), Air Lift (Ski Jump), Science of Snowboarding, Science Friction (Curling), and Blade Runners (Short Track Speed Skating).

The series addresses various scientific topics, including the laws of physics, chemistry, biomechanics, and physiology. Complementary lesson plans for grades 6-9 are also available.

Check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection for more resources like this.

Resource of the Week - Shmoop

2010-02-05T15:30:00.002-05:00

Shmoop features learning guides and teaching resources for literature, poetry, bestsellers, United States history, civics, biography, and music. Designed to make these topics relevant, Shmoop uses everyday language, humor, and pop culture references to explain the topic, provide detailed analysis, and inspire discussion. A writing guide helps students through the writing process by assisting them in organizing ideas, finding quotes, and formulating the paper.

For more information, check out the detailed tour for teachers, librarians, and professors.

Looking for more resources? Visit the eLIS Digital Resources Collection.

Faculty Spotlight: Kathy Holmes and Mary Jo Larsen

2010-02-01T11:12:00.005-05:00

Providing Library Instruction Through Online Webinars
Research Seminar Investigations, Adult Learning Division

Introduction

Mary Jo Larsen teaches a research course on-site in Tacoma, WA. Her students extensively use the Library's online databases and resources. Mary Jo began working with Kathy Holmes, the Library's Assistant Director, to provide a specialized orientation to using library resources for research. Initially, Kathy flew to Tacoma for a face-to-face orientation. It was soon clear that the cost of providing a face-to-face orientation was not scalable. For the second orientation, Kathy delivered her content via a live phone conference while Mary Jo and her students participated from their Tacoma classroom. This approach was okay, but still lacked the strong connection to the visual elements they needed. Kathy then contacted eLIS to learn about Elluminate web conferencing software that could potentially provide the ideal situation for delivering Kathy's presentation.

Timeline

In January 2009, Kathy met with the Learning Technologies Designer in eLIS for a tour of Elluminate and to brainstorm plans for the event. Kathy then completed Elluminate's online moderator training. She and Mary Jo practiced using the Elluminate tools while sharing scripts for the event. In February, they gave their first Elluminate event.

Equipment

Elluminate vRoom (Free)
Headset microphone ($20-$30)

Process

Kathy and Mary Jo kept things simple for the event. Mary Jo plugged her laptop into the classroom's projector and sound system in her Tacoma classroom. She then logged into the Elluminate virtual classroom while Kathy logged in from her computer in Cambridge. The students could see and hear Kathy's demo on the projection screen. Mary Jo used the Raise Hand tool in Elluminate to let Kathy know when there were questions. Students then had hands on time to practice on their computers in Tacoma. They could still see the projection screen at the front of the classroom so Kathy put up tips or steps for the students to view while working. A few students used the voice feature to ask Kathy specific questions.

Outcome

The students felt they got the information they needed from the Elluminate event and that it was equivalent to face-to-face orientations they had received. It was a new experience for the students, but they were very accepting. Kathy and Mary Jo found that as long as they didn't get nervous about the technology, the students wouldn't either. The event also helped the off-campus students feel more connected to the University. They could now see the librarians as real people and the web conference allowed the library to provide just in time instructions to a whole group of students at once and answer common questions.

Next Steps...

Kathy and Mary Jo are refining their use of Elluminate for short Q&A sessions at the start of class. They hope to include video of Kathy to help build a stronger connection and to experiment with alternate microphone options so students have greater opportunity to talk directly with Kathy and guide her presentation with questions and comments.

You Can Elluminate Too!

Contact eLIS@lesley.edu for training and orientation
Get a free vRoom at http://www.elluminate.com/vroom

Resource of the Week - Prism

2010-01-28T15:10:00.002-05:00

Instead of opening multiple browser windows or tabs, Prism allows users to separate web applications from the browser and run them as independent applications. Prism applications may be run from the desktop, start menu, or dock and run independently of the web browser, reducing the likeliness of browser crashes.

Prism is available as both a standalone application or a Firefox extension and will run on both Windows, Macintosh, and Linux machines. The following videos show how to convert a web application to a Prism application with both versions of Prism:

Standalone Prism

Firefox Extension

Looking for more resources? Visit the eLIS Digital Resources Collection.

Resource of the Week - SecretBuilders

2009-12-23T16:09:00.002-05:00

SecretBuilders is a virtual world for children ages 5-14. Children are immersed in a virtual world where they learn about historical figures and literary characters through conversation, quizzes, games, and quests. Additionally, children are encouraged to build the site by submitting ideas about new lands, places, puzzles, activities, and more. SecretBuilders also features an online magazine, allowing children to publish their writing and comment on others' writings. Various contests (in art, writing, design, and more) are also featured.

A Teacher's Console is available, allowing teachers to set up student accounts and assign activities. Detailed information may be found in the Teachers section, including testimonials and ideas for using SecretBuilders in the classroom.

For more resources like this, please check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection.

Resource of the Week - iNudge

2009-12-10T16:39:00.002-05:00

iNudge is a music creation widget. Users select up to eight sound patterns and use the mouse to draw notes on each matrix, creating original music and allowing for experimentation with sounds and rhythms. The iNudge creation below is by eLIS' own Matt Griffin.

Each iNudge may be shared with others via email, embedding onto websites or blogs, or spread through online communities and social networks. Shared iNudges may be edited by others, allowing for collaboration.

For more resources like this, please visit the eLIS Digital Resources Collection.

Resource of the Week - Lure of the Labyrinth

2009-12-04T16:45:00.002-05:00

Lure of the Labyrinth is an educational game designed for middle school pre-algebra students. Students are on a mission to rescue a lost pet and must solve math-based logic puzzles in order to find their pet and defeat the monsters. The For Educators section features a wealth of information including a game handbook, correlations to standards, lesson plans, planning resources, and professional development videos.

Be sure to check out the Digital Resources Collection for more sites like this!

Resource of the Week - Prezi

2009-11-24T14:53:00.002-05:00

Prezi is a zooming presentation tool, designed to combine visualization and digital storytelling with presentation. Instead of using slides, Prezi provides a large canvas and zooms from point to point along the presenter's defined pathway. Prezis may contain combinations of text, images, videos, and PDF files.

In order to fully understand the program, it is recommended to view the interactive guide, which provides an amazing overview of the program and how it works. Additionally, the Learn section of the website contains interactive guides, a detailed Getting Started Manual, tutorial videos, and presentation videos.

A Prezi demonstration video may be found below:

Be sure to visit the eLIS Digital Resources Collection for more resources like this.

Resource of the Week - KompoZer

2009-11-06T15:03:00.002-05:00

KompoZer is a great tool for learning the basics of web design; it is a complete web authoring system combining web file management and WYSIWYG web page editing. KompoZer has many features found in higher-end programs, including WYSIWYG editing, integrated file management, the ability to tab between WYSIWYG and HTML, CSS editor, and more.

For more resources like this, be sure to visit the eLIS Digital Collection.

Resource of the Week - Eternal Egypt

2009-10-23T16:49:00.005-04:00

Eternal Egypt is a resource for learning about Egyptian history, art, people, places, mythology, and religions. An interactive map and timeline guides visitors through Egypt's cultural heritage and a 'context navigator' allows users to understand complex relationships between objects, places and personalities. Information is presented with text, images, animations, virtual environments, remote cameras, and three-dimensional models.

Eternal Egypt would serve as a great companion to middle, high school, and college courses or units about Egypt.

Be sure to check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection for more resources like this.

Faculty Spotlight: Amy Rutstein-Riley

2009-10-20T13:35:00.003-04:00

Collaborative Blogging
Sociology of the Family, Spring 2009

Introduction

In response to students who did not have time to meet in person, Amy decided to move her undergraduate group project online to provide more flexibility. She developed the class blog, The Changing Nature of the American Family, as a way for students to participate in collaborative research, develop leadership skills and engage in a dialogue with their peers.

Throughout the semester, students worked in teams to compose blog entries around various topics, utilizing text, images, and video from the web. By creating a week long discussion maintained by the students themselves, students were required to take more authority over the group work and facilitate an ongoing dialogue with classmates with minimal encouragement from Amy.

Timeline

At the beginning of the Spring 2009 semester, Amy sat with an Instructional Designer for a one-hour consultation on setting up a blog and structuring the assignment.

Equipment

Blogger (free)

Process

Students were divided into assigned teams and chose a theme related to the topic of the Changing American Family. Students then worked together to collect resources and write a concise blog entry around their theme. Each team was responsible for maintaining the blog for a specific week, by writing blog entries, posing questions to guide discussion, and posting a summary. Classmates were asked to post comments and questions in response to the blog posts.

Outcome

By the end of the semester, students had built a collection of posts on various topics of interest, including gender & family, aging & healthcare, adoption, war, media influences, and other current topics in family sociology. Students posted links to articles, short video clips, images, graphs and charts to enhance their well-researched blog entries. Students reported that they found it to be an interesting and engaging exercise. You can view the blog at http://sociologyofthefamily.blogspot.com.

Amy's Next Steps...

In the coming semester Amy will continue to use this blog as a tool for student research and collaboration. She will develop the blog as a part of the classroom that is primarily student led. While she will monitor it and facilitate questions, the blog is created with their voices, their work and their thoughts. Since some students required more technology instruction, she will spend more time at the beginning of the semester showing them how it works.

You Can Blog Too!

A self-paced Blogging Tutorial is available in the eLearning & Faculty Resources Community in myLesley. Contact eLIS@lesley.edu if you are not yet a member!
Contact eLIS@lesley.edu for a special one-on-one training session.

Resource of the Week - All About Explorers

2009-10-08T16:46:00.002-04:00

All About Explorers was designed by teachers as a way to teach students how to navigate the Internet and conduct research. The site provides detailed lesson plans designed to teach students how to find useful information and recognize inconsistencies.

The introductory lesson takes students on an Internet Treasure Hunt, where they look at two sites to find out about an explorer and answer questions. One set of information is factual while the other contains a mixture of facts and misinformation. Students learn that just because information is available, it is not always factual. Additional lessons teach students how to find factual information, use search engines, and determine the quality of a site.

For more sites like this, please be sure to check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection.

Faculty Spotlight: Susan McFarland

2009-10-02T13:12:00.002-04:00

Delivering Content Through Narrated PowerPoint Presentations
The Art and Science of Leadership, Spring 2009

Introduction
In the design of her first fully online course, Susan McFarland decided to incorporate narrated PowerPoint presentations in order to engage her students more wholeheartedly and appeal to the visual and auditory learners in her course.

Timeline
In the Fall of 2008, Susan enrolled in the Online Course Development Seminar as a starting point for developing her online course for the Undergraduate Management Program. During that time she sat down with a technologically savvy friend who walked her through the process of recording narration in PowerPoint. She described the process as a "simple technological venture."

Equipment

PowerPoint (standard on most computers)
Headset ($20-$30)

Process
Susan recorded her own narrations, illuminating the written material on the slides without being too verbose or losing her audience. She prepared notes and then recorded without a script as she wanted to sound as if she were in the classroom. Susan used her laptop with a built in microphone and PowerPoint 2007 to record eight 15-20 minute presentations. She then uploaded the presentations directly into myLesley with assistance from an Instructional Designer.

Outcome
The addition of narration allowed Susan to use PowerPoint in a manner similar to how she would use it in a face-to-face class - to explain concepts, provide examples and make connections. “I think the PowerPoint slides more fully captured my purpose to convey concepts for each week, highlighting the most important ideas from the readings and assignments. Otherwise the slides just seem like lists of ideas, not that useful in enhancing understanding. Students commented that they really enjoyed the narrated slides.”

Susan's Next Steps...
Susan plans on continuing to develop her presentations by adding more graphics and photos for visual enhancement. She will also continue to narrate the slides to add more interest to the presentation. She considers the project a work in progress, which she will continue to build upon based on student feedback and her own experience.

You Can Narrate PowerPoint Too!

Keep an eye out for our PowerPoint Workshops: http://www.lesley.edu/elis/programs.html
Review the documentation provided by Microsoft: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/CH063500681033.aspx
Contact elis@lesley.edu for a special one-on-one training session

Resource of the Week - GeoGebra

2009-09-30T11:13:00.002-04:00

GeoGebra is a dynamic software tool connecting arithmetic, geometry, algebra and calculus. The program offers multiple representations of objects in its graphics, algebra, and spreadsheet views that are all dynamically linked. GeoGebra is designed for all educational levels, from the primary grades through college.

Documentation is available, including a Quickstart, an Introduction to GeoGebra, and a User Manual. Additionally, the GeoGebra Wiki provides teaching materials, including lessons and worksheets, divided in to grade levels and subject areas.

Be sure to check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection for more resources like this.

Resource of the Week - BibMe

2009-09-24T15:31:00.002-04:00

BibMe is a free automated bibliography maker, supporting MLA, APA, Chicago, and Turabian formats. BibMe supports several different source types, including books, magazines, newspapers, websites, journals, films, interviews, lectures, radio, television, encyclopedias, and photographs. Users may manually enter source information or take advantage of the AutoFill feature, which pulls bibliographical information from sources such as Amazon.

After registering with the site, bibliographies may be saved to the user's "My Bibliographies" page where they may be edited, shared, or downloaded. Users may also tag their citations with keywords that will help to identify them at a later time. A Citation Guide is also available, providing rules for in-text citations and bibliographical references.

Check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection to find more tools like this.

Resource of the Week - CAST UDL Book Builder

2009-09-16T16:00:00.002-04:00

The CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Book Builder is a site for creating, reading, and sharing digital UDL books. Books may be designed with text, images, and audio and may contain a linked glossary and "coaches" to help students along. Completed books should engage and support diverse learners.

Model books are available on the site, providing examples of well-designed UDL books. A detailed Tips & Resources section is also available, providing information on book ideas, CAST UDL Book Builder features, and information on Universal Design for Learning. Additional UDL information is available on the site, featuring videos, research, guidelines, and an activity.

Be sure to visit the eLIS Digital Resources Collection to find more tools like this.

Resource of the Week - Gliffy

2009-09-09T16:16:00.002-04:00

Gliffy allows users to create, share, and collaborate on diagrams online. Users may create a variety of diagrams including process flow diagrams, organization charts, floor plans, business processes, network diagrams, technical drawings, and more. A basic subscription is free and a premium version is available for a monthly subscription fee.

Be sure to visit the eLIS Digital Resources Collection for more tools like this.

Resource of the Week - History Animated

2009-09-02T16:29:00.002-04:00

History Animated consists of three companion sites: Civil War Animated, Revolutionary War Animated, and Pacific War Animated. Each site provides animations of key historical battles within the war, showing the movement of the armies on a map and captions describing their strategies and the outcomes of each battle.

Check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection for more resources like this.

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Resource of the Week - iSpeech

2009-08-26T15:31:00.002-04:00

This week marked a new milestone as we added the 500th title to the eLIS Digital Resources Collection. The collection is growing rapidly and new titles are added daily, so be sure to check in frequently.

And now for the Resource of the Week.

iSpeech is a tool for instantly converting text to audio files. Text may be entered manually on the iSpeech site, uploaded from a file, or uploaded from a URL. iSpeech then converts the text to natural-sounding audio. Users may listen to the audio files on the iSpeech site, download them to the computer, or convert them to a podcast.

The personal version of the program is free and premium services are available for either a subscription fee or a pay-as-you-go option.

iSpeech also features a free tool for bloggers, transforming blogs in to podcasts. Bloggers enter the blog URL or RSS feed and iSpeech converts the blog to audio, providing the blogger with a widget to embed on the blog.

Please be sure to subscribe to our blog to ensure that you get your weekly Resource of the Week updates.

Resource of the Week - The Great Flu

2009-08-19T16:52:00.004-04:00

The Great Flu is a simulation designed by Erasmus MC Medical Center Rotterdam to show how a pandemic spreads. As the leader of the fictitious "World Pandemic Control," players must try to control a flu pandemic and prevent a worldwide spread of the disease by selecting actions (i.e. distribute face masks, close markets, isolate infected people) and distributing research teams. The goal is to contain the virus before it becomes a worldwide pandemic and to minimize the number of people infected or killed by the virus.

Want to find more resources like this? Check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection.

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Resource of the Week: Allies and Aliens: A Mission in Critical Thinking

2009-08-12T14:31:00.002-04:00

Allies and Aliens: A Mission in Critical Thinking is an activity designed to help students recognize bias, prejudice, stereotyping, misinformation and propaganda both on the Internet and in other media. Students play the part of an agent on an intergalactic mission for earth and must visit sites on the "Galactic Web" in order to determine whether or not an alliance with the United Planetary Alliance is in Earth's best interest. On their journey they will learn about bias, prejudice, stereotyping, misinformation, propaganda and how it is used. A comprehensive Teacher Guide is available, providing background information on these topics as well as classroom activities and handouts.

Want to find more resources like this? Check out the eLIS Digital Resources Collection.

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Resource of the Week - The Blobz Guide to Electric Circuits

2009-08-04T15:30:00.003-04:00

The Blobs Guide to Electric Circuits is an interactive learning tool designed to teach 7-11 year-olds about electric circuits. Five sections are available, each containing information on the topic, an activity, and a quiz. Students will learn what makes circuits work, the function of conductors and insulators, how switches work, what happens when the circuits are changed, and how to create circuit diagrams. Upon successful completion, the student will receive a printable certificate.

Want to find more tools like this? Check out the eLIS Digital Resource Collection.

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New Blogging Tutorial Now Available

2009-07-29T11:00:00.005-04:00

eLIS is very excited to announce the launch of a new self-paced, online tutorial about blogging. Exploring Blogs as an Instructional & Scholarly Tool is available in the eLearning Faculty Resources Center, within in myLesley.

The tutorial was designed so that you can navigate through the content on your own - but we have also set up a Discussion Forum with multiple threads to start a conversation around using blogs in and out of the classroom. Feel free to start your own threads too as you think of them! The tutorial is brand new and we look forward to hearing what you think of it! Please email us if you have any questions or suggestions, or if you want to sit down with someone and set up a blog of your own!!!

If you are Lesley faculty, and have not joined our eLearning Resource Center, please send us an email today to sign up!

Elisabeth Gabriel, Rebecca Petersen & Kristen Bourgault

Resource of the Week - Lit2Go

2009-07-23T10:25:00.003-04:00

Lit2Go is a free online collection of audiobooks by the University of South Florida. The audiobooks are designed for grades K-12 and are searchable by author, title, keyword, or reading level. Lit2Go features a variety of works from traditional folk tales to works by Beatrix Potter, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allen Poe, Jane Austen, and more.

The files are in Mp3 format and may be downloaded to play directly from the computer, burned to CD or loaded onto any Mp3 player or iPod. Each audiobook also features a printable version as well as reading activities.

Want to find more tools like this? Check out the eLIS Digital Resource Collection.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog to ensure that you get your Resource of the Week updates!

Resource of the Week - Aviary

2009-07-17T14:32:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the first installment of Resource of the Week. Each week we will feature a different online software program, tool or resource geared towards K-12 or higher education.

This week, we would like to highlight Aviary.

Aviary is a suite of design tools including an image editor, effects editor, vector editor, image markup tool, and swatch editor. Each tool is cross-platform and works directly within a web browser. Comprehensive documentation and tutorials are available for each tool.

Users must register with the site in order to save their work. A basic subscription is free, allowing users to access all of the programs and many of the tutorials. A paid subscription is also available, allowing access to additional features. Both the free and paid subscription allows users to create, share, and collaborate with other users in the Aviary community of artists.

Want to find more tools like this? Check out the eLIS Digital Collection.

Be sure to subscribe to our blog (found to the right) to ensure you get your Resource of the Week updates!

eLIS Digital Resource Collection Is Now Available

2009-07-10T11:56:00.008-04:00

We are excited to announce the launch of our new online Digital Resources Collection! This collection consists of 400+ online software, tools, and resources for both higher education and k-12 classrooms. You can search by subject matter, by tool types (Web 2.0, drawing, animation, etc.) as well as audience. The majority of the tools are free and immediately available for you to download to your computer or use through your web browser.

Every week we add more tools and resources to the collection. Beginning next week, this blog will feature a Resource of the Week posting on Wednesdays. Be sure to subscribe to our blog (found to the right) to ensure you get your Resource of the Week updates!

Who Can Use the Collection?
One of the great things is that the Digital Resources Collection (DRC) is available to anyone affiliated with Lesley and is open to the public too! Simply click on the link provided below to arrive at the site. We invite you to share the link to the collection with friends and colleagues.

Why Create a Digital Collection?
The DRC evolved from the previous Educational Software Preview Collection that was housed on the Cambridge, MA campus. Over the past couple of years the availability of quality online products and tools has grown dramatically, allowing us to share resources to our faculty and students who teach and learn in our off-campus and online programs. Additionally, many on-campus courses are becoming more reliant on online tools and resources making the creation of the DRC a natural step in the services eLIS provides. We are pleased to be able to share with Lesley students and faculty immediate access to a range of resources.

DRC Link:
At this point you might be saying: "Enough already. I get. Just give me that cool link!" Here it is:
http://www.lesley.edu/elis/elisdigitalcollection.html

Questions?
If you have any questions about content or resources you find in the DRC, or have a resource you would like to share with us, please email elisresources@lesley.edu.

Over the next couple of months we will continue to refine the DRC search terms, as well as add a submission form for individuals to share links for inclusion in the collection.

Happy browsing! Let us know what you think!

-Rebecca

Academic Technology Grants: Call for Proposals

2009-05-06T10:19:00.004-04:00

We are pleased to announce that the Academic Technology Grants program will be offered for the 2009-2010 academic year. The application deadline has been extended to give faculty an opportunity to reconsider submitting a proposal.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to develop proposals that forward their own professional development in using technology while strengthening student learning outcomes through making use of the new technologies that are becoming available on campus. Faculty who have never received technology funds and faculty wanting to collaborate with one another are especially encouraged to consider developing a project.

Please refer to the eLIS website for full details and requirements on submitting your proposals, including information on preparing a budget, supervisor approval, and policy on course releases and stipends. Proposals are reviewed by the technology liaisons.

Deadline for submission is Friday, May 29th at 5pm. Grants and supporting documents must be submitted by email to elis@lesley.edu.

If you have questions about developing a successful proposal or grant program requirements, please contact Rebecca Petersen, Director of eLearning Resources and Professional Development, at rpeterse@lesley.edu or 617-349-8973.

Faculty Spotlight: Carmin Karasic

2009-04-16T15:48:00.004-04:00

Getting to Know Your Classmates Through VoiceThread
Emerging Technologies, Spring 2009

Introduction
Carmin is an adjunct instructor in the online Technology in Education program who was faced with the challenge of creating a community of learners at a distance. To give her course a personal touch, Carmin had students introduce one another through a collaborative multimedia tool called VoiceThread. This tool, which uses images, video and audio, allows for an experience of bringing the online students to life.

Timeline
In the Summer of 2008, Carmin was discussing tools with a colleague when the conversation turned to a new multimedia tool called VoiceThread. She was able to create her first VoiceThread for free in just a few minutes! She then incorporated the tool into her online course for the Fall 2008 semester.

Equipment

VoiceThread (free)
Microphone (~$30)
WebCam [optional] (~30)

Process
Carmin set up a VoiceThread for the introductions for her course, and created a short video explaining the project to the students. She asked the students to view sample VoiceThreads and a "How-to" demo created by her teaching assistant, Jason Kries. Students visited the course VoiceThread, and added their own introductions. Students were encouraged to add a photograph and a video introduction. Those who could not record a video were allowed to add a brief audio clip, or even a text narrative for their introductions. The students were then able to view each other's introductions, all in one place!

Outcome
Carmin's VoiceThread project helped students get to know one another, creating a personal connection from the beginning. View Carmin's VoiceThread introductions: http://voicethread.com/share/327335

Carmin's Next Steps...
VoiceThread worked out so well that Carmin is now using it for an online debate - she created a page for students to post three "Pro" and three "Con" arguments. Students post audio comments, followed by their cited evidence as text. While Carmin has used online debates for many years, she found this one to be the most exciting yet - allowing students to experience the emotion, passion, and personality found in a live debate!

You Can Create a VoiceThread Too!

A one minute video on setting up a VoiceThread: http://voicethread.com/?#c28.b8381.i61448
How to Leave Comments on a VoiceThread, developed by Jason Kries: http://coderedsupport.com/demos/voicethread.htm
Contact eLearning and Instructional Support at elis@lesley.edu for a special one-on-one training session

The Open Education Movement

2009-04-09T09:37:00.008-04:00

On March 26, 2009, MacLearning.org and Apple sponsored a free conference at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge Mass. The focus of the AcademiX Conference was on how digital learning environments are shaping the ways in which we teach and learn in today's world.

The opening session was presented by Dr. Vijay Kumar of MIT, titled " 'Open': The New Deal for Education," where he discussed the concept of the open education movement. The idea of "open education" is that educational content should be made free and open for all to use and benefit from.

The importance of this movement is that it releases the knowledge taught in Universities and Colleges to advance education worldwide. The work being done by exemplary teachers in the classroom can be shared with the world, and also provide a model for others to follow. And with having the courses available for students to review, it can give them a glimpse of the type of education they will receive if they choose to attend that specific school.

Dr. Kumar used the MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) project as an example of this movement, a site where the full materials from MIT's courses are freely available to the public, the number currently at over 1,800 courses having been submitted on a completely voluntary basis by the MIT faculty. While there is the concern of having one's course materials freely available for anyone to view, Dr. Kumar made the point that simply because anyone has the ability to view the course content, it is not the same as getting an education from MIT. The OCW project and the content it contains serves as a model for other faculty and a supplement for the students or any self-learner. It is the task of the faculty to guide their students and to help them think critically about the content from these courses.

While MIT was the first school to take part in this movement, more and more schools are now following in their example. The OpenCourseWare Consortium is a collaboration of over 200 higher education institutions and organizations participating in this movement. Interested in learning more? Their website provides much more information and also gives visitors access to view some of the great educational materials being provided by participating schools from around the world.

Some additional related links about this topic:

MIT Faculty Adopt Open Access for Scholarly Articles, by David Nagel for Campus Technology, March 23 2009
Opening Up Education - The Remix, by Toru Iiyoshi and M.S. Vijay Kumar, March 17 2009
Open Content and the Emerging Global Meta-University, by Charles M. Vest (EDUCAUSE Review, vol. 41, no. 3 [May/June 2006]: 18-30)

Six Ways to Make Web 2.0 Work

2009-03-25T10:05:00.008-04:00

In February 2009, the McKinsey Quarterly released the results of a 2 year study looking at how 50 early adoptors of Web 2.0 technologies have been using these tools in their organizations. The article, "Six Ways to Make Web 2.0 Work," looks at 6 ways in which companies can best use these tools, with the most widely used tools being blogs, wikis, podcasts, information tagging, prediction markets and social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

While you do have to register to read the complete article, the site VizEdu has made a great visual representation showing and discussing the results of this survey, including references and links to specific case studies that were done as a part of this study:

Top 100 Tools for Learning

2009-03-05T09:19:00.003-05:00

The Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies is an eLearning consulting firm based in the UK. Each year they compile a list which they feel are the "best" tools and technology that can support a variety of learning formats and teaching styles . Below is their "Top 100 Tools for Learning" from 2008. This list was created based on feedback from 223 educators and eLearning professionals.

If you are interested in any of these tools, especially Skype, Audacity, Flickr, Google Earth, Slideshare, VoiceThread, and Facebook, eLIS staff are available to meet with you one-on-one to learn and explore the potential of these resources.

Top 100 Tools for Learning 2008

View more presentations from Jane Hart. (tags: tools learning)

Is there a tool that you are passionate about? Did they miss one for inclusion on their list? Good news! You can submit feedback for their 2009 list here http://c4lpt.co.uk/recommended/yours.html

Faculty Spotlight: Ned Rimer

2009-02-24T13:05:00.006-05:00

Sharing Student Videos on TeacherTube
Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction: Practicum
Spring 2008

Introduction
Ned Rimer has taught for the Lesley/Citizen Schools Out of School Time blended program since its inception. He was faced with a challenge; he wanted to see how his students were applying what they were learning to the out of school programs they worked in all over the country. The first semester, he had students mail him video-taped class sessions. While this allowed him to view his students applying their knowledge in practice, he felt that the students would benefit from being able to view one another's videos. In the Fall of 2007, Ned decided to transform this into a digital process, having students use digital cameras and upload their videos to TeacherTube.

Timeline
Ned began planning this project in the Fall of 2007, and executed it with his class in the Spring of 2008.

In the Fall of 2007, Ned consulted with an Instructional Designer on the logistics of the process.
In January 2008, the class met face-to-face, where students received videotaping and editing instruction.
In March 2008, students began sharing their short videos on TeacherTube.

Equipment

Digital Camera ($100 or borrowed)
TeacherTube (Free)

Process
During the face-to-face portion of the course in January, the students attended a workshop on video recording and editing that was arranged by the Kresge Media Center in the Library. The students then went out into field placements all over the country. They continued to communicate and engage in their coursework at a distance through myLesley. Towards the end of the semester, students had the assignment to record themselves teaching a lesson they had designed. They uploaded those videos to a private group area in TeacherTube that only the instructor, teaching assistants, and classmates could view.

Outcome
Ned was able to log into TeacherTube and see all of the students' videos in one place. The students in the course were able to do the same - and provide critiques of one another's videos and teaching styles right on the TeacherTube site through the commenting feature.

You Can TeacherTube Too!

Visit TeacherTube to see what it's all about
Read the Guide to Getting Started with TeacherTube (PDF Document)
Contact eLearning and Instructional Support at eLIS@lesley.edu to set up a consultation with an Instructional Designer.

Free Online Tools and Resources

2009-02-18T08:39:00.011-05:00

Every week there are dozens of cool and new websites we review in eLIS. Below are some notable mentions that we hope you check out, and are also featured in our Brown Bag lunch discussion: "Our Favorite Free Online Tools and Resources."

Images and Drawing
Picnik http://www.picnik.com
Picnik is an easy to use site that allows you to quickly upload a photo or other image file to crop and resize for use in your course site, PowerPoint files, and other documents. You can also import images from your existing Flickr or Facebook accounts to work with. What is nice is that you do not need to create a user name and password to use this site; simply upload, resize, then download the new file to your desktop.

Sumo Paint (http://www.sumopaint.com). A completely web-based digital drawing and image suite, this tool combines elements of both Adobe Fireworks and Photoshop Elements. It has the ability to use layers, download work to local files and will also let you upload existing work. This tool runs completely in your web browser without downloading any software or creating a login account. This is a great tool for creating custom graphics and course banners.

TuxPaint (http://www.tuxpaint.org/) For folks used to working with KidPix and Pixie with their early childhood and elementary education students, Tux Paint is a free downloadable drawing tool for kids that provides a basic interface for drawing. Also available is a free stamp suite (clip art). While it does not have all of the bells in whistles of the full Kid Pix version, it is still a nice, lightweight option for students to be able to test and try.

Graphic Organizers and Project Planning
Webspriation (http://mywebspiration.com) If you are a fan of Inspiration software, you will enjoy the new web version called "Webspiration." Webspiration comes with similar clip art tools, and now also integrates social tools such as chat and the ability to share and collaborate on your document in real time with others. This site also features help documentation, tutorials, as well as suggestions on how to get started.

TimeGlider (http://timeglider.com/) TimeGlider is similar to the popular k-12 tool Timeliner. Like Webspiration above, TimeGlider integrates the ability to share timelines with multiple groups for comment. The application allows you to import images to further customize your timeline. Great for project planning and teaching sequences and events, this site also comes with helpful and easy to understand help documentation and tutorials.

Math Tools
Create a Graph (http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createAgraph/default.aspx) This is a web-based tool that allows you to create quick graphs, plots, etc. This tool allows you to print, save (download) or email your creations.

Seeing Math, Concord Consortium (http://seeingmath.concord.org/sms_interactives.html) Take advantage of this free and beautiful suite of advanced math tools for graphing algebra and geometric functions.

Science, Social Studies, Geography, etc
Google Earth - (http://earth.google.com/) Google earth is a downloadable application that allows you to explore not only the topography of the world, but also the solar system, ( including the Martian landscape), and so much more. From typing in an address as you would in Google maps, to viewing historical landscapes, or asking to see the most current weather complete with cloud formations and radar, Google Earth offers a comprehensive set of tools that can be used across the curriculum. Before getting started, we recommend viewing the quick video about Google Earth at http://earth.google.com/tour.html and its many features.

Visual Web Browsing
Cooliris (http://www.cooliris.com/) If you want a glimpse of what the future of the Internet might be like then check out Cooliris. Cooliris is a browser plugin that allows you to switch from the traditional text search mode to images and video. Can you imagine doing a keyword search in Google and only seeing the results as video and images? Once you click on an image, you are taken to the regular web site. A very different way of seeing the web, Cooliris is fun to try and allows you the ability toggle the visual view on and off so you are never more than a click away from your traditional web experience.

If you have a great resource you would like to share in an upcoming blog, please contact Rebecca Petersen.

Online Soan-C Workshops

2009-02-09T10:54:00.003-05:00

eLIS is pleased to offer paid registration for Lesley Faculty in upcoming Sloan-C workshops. Below are three workshops that will be starting in the next couple of weeks. Before registering, please contact Karen Muncaster for the necessary registration code.

All workshops are offered online for two weeks. Workshop participants will have access to workshop content for one year after they complete the workshop.

Using the Community of Inquiry Framework to Design and Assess Online Courses
Start: Feb 11 2009
End: Feb 20 2009

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework developed by Garrison, Anderson and Archer (2000) provides a theoretical model of online learning processes that has been used by many scholars and practitioners in the field of online education. CoI is a constructivist process model, assuming effective online learning requires the development of community.

Delivering Content, Fostering Student Interactivity, and Assessing Learning in Blended Courses
Start: Feb 15 2009
End: Mar 8 2009

Effective blended teaching requires significant rethinking and design. When designed effectively, blended courses can improve learning and offer more effective use of available resources. Additionally, the blended modality provides for less passive learning and more active learning.

Video Tools for Teaching and Learning
Start: Feb 25 2009
End: Mar 6 2009

Participants will:

Explore 5 digital video tools
Understand how video can enhance communication, teaching, and learning
Learn how to use video effectively to improve engagement and learning outcomes

Spring Opportunities & Events

2009-01-29T09:17:00.004-05:00

Thanks!
Before I launch into all of the cool and exciting workshops, events, and resources we've lined up for the spring semester, I want to take a moment to thank everyone for another successful Academic Technology Institute. This year we joined Faculty Development Day to offer a rich and diverse program featuring the amazing work of our faculty and how they are using technology across the curriculum. So thank you to the eLIS staff for all of your support, the Library for working with us on the drop-in clinic, and the Tech Liaisons and Faculty Development and Life Committees for your work on the program. And of course, thank you to all of the presenters for making the day possible.

New Resource Site
The eLearning Faculty Resources community is designed to facilitate conversations between experienced and novice faculty wishing to share ideas, access resources and view best practices in online/hybrid/web-enhanced learning. The community is meant to be cultivated by the faculty themselves. Faculty are invited to add resources and share what you have learned in your experiences when using technology in your teaching. A loose structure has been established as a starting point for this community and the eLIS staff will be stopping by to add resources, answer questions and offer further training.

This community is available in myLesley. For more information or to request enrollment in this organization, please contact elis@lesley.edu

Spring Training and Events
We have no shortage of things to try and learn about this semester. We are offering face-to-face workshops, one-on-one consultations, online courses and communities, as well as webinars planned later this spring. Below are just the highlights, so please be sure to check out our full calendar.

Online Workshop: A Taste of eLearning
Fully online, 2 weeks, Feb 2 -Feb 15th.
Curious about online learning? Have you heard about online courses, but never participated in one yourself? Perhaps you are interested in just a bite but are not ready to chow down on the entire semester-long course. eLIS is offering a short and engaging seminar that will help you to experience a small nibble of online learning. The two week seminar is offered completely online and will introduce you to the newest generation of students, the Millennials. You will also be exposed to the basic features of myLesley's eLearning environment. To register, please contact elis@lesley.edu or call 617-349-8960

myLesley Drop in Hours/Clinic
eLIS staff are available for drop in office hours/clinic time to help you with your specific myLesley questions and needs.
Feb 2, 10:30-12:30pm Library 403
Feb 4th, 10:30-12:30 Univ 3-084
Feb 17th 1-3pm, Library 401

Brown-Bag Lunch Series:
Our Favorite Free Online Software Tools and Resources
Feb 18th, 12:30-2:00pm Univ 3-089

Join Rebecca Petersen and Danielle Powell from eLIS to learn about free tools and resources that you can start using in your classes or for your own personal use today! Whether you are currently teaching courses that utilize specific software, or you have been curious about adding technology into your course, this brown bag talk is for you! We will introduce you to resources in the arts, sciences, math, language arts and social studies. We will show you how to paint online with Sumo paint, and how to create mind maps with Webspiration. Please RSVP to bchervin@lesley.edu or please call 617-349-8771.

Brown Bag Lunch Series:
Social Media, Social Learning: Understanding the Tools of Today's Learners
March 18th, 12:30-2:00pm, Univ 3-089.

Brenda Matthis, Division Director of STEM, and Rebecca Petersen from eLIS will be joined by Lesley College students as we explore the worlds of Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and other popular online tools for social networking and learning. During this talk, we will show you first hand how Facebook and Twitter works while hearing from students who rely on these tools for both their academic and social lives.

Wiki Workshop
February 26th, 10:30am-12:30 pm Library 401

Curious about wikis? Are you considering using a wiki in your course? Come to our workshop and try your hand at creating one. We will also discuss pedagogy of using wikis in education and look at some models of wiki usage.

Academic Technology Institute & Faculty Development Day

2009-01-15T14:13:00.003-05:00

Just a quick reminder that the Academic Technology Institute is only one week away! This year we are combining forces with the Faculty Life and Development Committee to offer a joint Faculty Development Day/Academic Technology Institute event. Some highlights of the day include:

Opening Remarks from President Joe Moore
Concurrent sessions focused on hybrid and online learning, digital photography, wikis, the pedagogy of online discussions, and digital repositories and content.
Poster sessions focused on the arts, multimedia, online teaching, and Library resources.
All day drop in clinic and help from the Library and eLearning and Instructional Support staff.

Please view our full event schedule and details at http://www.lesley.edu/ati.

Getting Ready For Spring 2009

2009-01-05T17:17:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year!

We hope that you are enjoying the break between terms and have enjoyed a restful and happy holiday season.

As always, the eLIS team is busy preparing new and exciting offerings for the Lesley Community. Please save the dates for the following events, and be on the lookout for announcements on some brand new offerings and new online professional development opportunities and classes for faculty this February.

13th Annual Academic Technology Institute/January Faculty Development Day

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

University Hall, 2nd Floor, 9am-4:30pm

eLIS is combining forces with the Faculty Development and Life committee to offer a joint program focused on the pedagogy of teaching and learning in the digital world. For the most up-to-date program information please visit the eLIS website at http://www.lesley.edu/elis

Free Sloan-C Workshops for Lesley Faculty

eLIS is excited to announce some free online workshops available during the month of January through our relationship with the SLOAN consortium. Many of our staff have found these workshops to be fun and informative. To view the upcoming schedule of workshops, please visit http://www.sloan-c.org/2009ws_schedule

If you are interested in enrolling in any of these, please contact eLIS directly to receive the SLOAN-C coupon code. You must have this code at the time of registration for free enrollment. elis@lesley.edu

Elluminate Live!

Interested in voice or audio conferencing? eLIS is piloting Elluminate web conferencing software with a small group of faculty and students during the spring 2009 semester to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology and support requirements for further implementation at the University. If you have tinkered with web conferencing, skype, or other audio and conference call software for teaching and learning, the Elluminate pilot may be for you. Please contact Rebecca Petersen or Kris McElroy to further explore the pilot requirements.

New Online Management Program

2008-11-20T12:41:00.011-05:00

New Online Program - Management
Launches in Spring of 2009
B.S. in Management: Online Degree Completion 42 Credits

Lesley is excited to announce the launch of its new online degree completion program in Management beginning in January 2009. This program is designed to prepare students to successfully lead private, public, and not-for-profit organizations by learning skills critical to managing effectively and efficiently, while also developing the ability to provide ethical and creative leadership in any organization, whatever its size or purpose. The program addresses the challenges managers face in today's dynamic and multicultural workplace. Participants learn how to work and adapt to individual needs, while also promoting collaboration to achieve organizational goals.

Students will find interactive assignments and content taken from today's business pages, linking theory to practice. Competencies stressed include communication, innovative problem-solving, and the use of technology, as well as an understanding of the social and psychological factors that influence professional development and organizational success. As a wholly online program, classes are asynchronous, so time zones and personal schedules should not interfere with class participation. Participants become part of a community of learners sharing their experiences and expertise.

To earn a B.S. in Management degree students must earn a total of 120 credits - 42 of which are in the core management area. Students must be able to transfer a minimum of 30 college credits up to a maximum of 88 credits. The program will also offer students the opportunity to earn up to 48 college credits for life experience through a Prior Learning Assessment class and portfolio.

To learn more, view the program of study, or to apply to the program, please visit our website at http://www.lesley.edu/online_learning/mgmt_index.html.

Understanding Mashups: Part II

2008-11-13T08:50:00.006-05:00

In Part I, we looked at the origin of the mashup and the diversity of mashups. So how do you make your own mashup, especially if you do not have the time or expertise in media and programming?

If you want to get started with music, the original mashup form, Splice Music is the place to start. Splice not only provides you with many music mashups to use, but also a free online sound mixer that allows you to bring in your sound files or use some pre-recorded tracks to work with.

If you are interested in a webpage or perhaps interactive game, probably the easiest and most straightforward approach is using Microsoft's new, (and for now free) online tool Popfly. Popfly promotes itself as the web's "only free online game and mashup creator." Like many new Web 2.0 tools, Popfly walks you through step-by-step on creating your product. Also, abundant documentation exists and Popfly is a much blogged about tools at the moment.

Making a mashup may not be for you or your students. The mashup is just another example of the evolution of content on the web. Our daily travels online involve interacting with many mashups that we are not even aware of. Understanding what we are using and interacting with online is just as important as building meaningful content for the online experience.

Happy Web Travels!
Rebecca

Understanding Mashups: Part I

2008-10-30T09:13:00.003-04:00

We've received a few inquires this fall about what mashups are and how they might be used in a course. The origin of the mashup is rooted in the music industry where people bring together instrumentation and vocal tracks from different songs to create a new song. Listen to an example of the classic Petula Clark song Downtown merged with the current Russian band t.A.T.u's Not Gonna Get Us to form the new song Not Gonna Get Us Downtown.

The technical definition of a mashup refers to a website that brings together features, functions, and content of different websites into one tool or page. So essentially, a mashup is something that has been created from many other existing things to form a new thing, usually a piece of media or website.

Still scratching your head? That's okay, so was I when I first started reading more about mashups. The terminology and definition can seem more cumbersome than actually experiencing a mashup. Once you see one, you begin to realize that mashups are all around us. Here are some examples:

Flicker Sudoku - http://flickrsudoku.com/

The perfect site for sudoku fans and Flicker users alike, this site allows you to play sudoku with other members of the Flicker site, while pulling in content and sudoku boards from other sites. You experience the site as a normal, single webpage. In actuality it's a site made of many sites and features.

Weather Bonk -http://www.weatherbonk.com/
Weather bonk is an interactive map pulling data from the National Weather Service, Google Maps, and other media sources. The site provides an interactive map of your region which gives you real-time weather, traffic, and sometime visual/image data. At same time, the site is very graphically busy and can be an example of the downside of the mashup.

Video Mashups
Video mashups are abundant. YouTube features many of them, and they are popular creations on comedy shows like the Daily Show. In an election year the variety and numbers of video mashups are vast. Below is a clip produced by an individual that was posted on YouTube. Notice the variety of images and clips ranging from Hillary Clinton speaking, a Nike ad runner, infused with George Orwells 1984:

Part II: How do I create a Mashup?
Basic mashups do not require expensive computer equipment or software. The most important resource in mashup creation is creativity and to keep in mind to start simple and build from there. In next week's blog we will talk more about how to build a Mashup using basic tools like PowerPoint.

What is a Wiki?

2008-10-23T12:48:00.005-04:00

You’ve heard the term tossed around a lot lately, but what exactly is a Wiki??

The most basic way to think of a Wiki is as a website. Most websites you visit have been created by Web Authors, and those individuals push information out to you. A Wiki is a website where the readers can actually create their own content. Therefore the web pages become collaborative. Anyone can edit a Wiki, and once they edit it, that information becomes part of the website that everyone else sees.

So in other words, Wikis provide spaces for individuals and groups to quickly collaborate online. It provides a venue for easy web-publishing that does not require specialized training or experience in HTML or web design.

How Are Wikis Being Used at Lesley?

In the Science Online as well as Creative Arts, students use Wikis to create and share lesson plans
In the Adult Learning PhD, students collaborate on research projects in Wikis
In Elementary Ed, students create biographical sketches of psychologists in a “Theorists Salon”

Here’s a visual description of Wikis “In Plain English”

To learn more about wikis, sign up for our Wiki Workshop!

Introduction to Wikis
October 29, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Library 401
At the end of the workshop you will have: gained an understanding of Wikis including what they are and how they can be used, learnt about the potential of Wikis to support teaching, learning and research activities, discussed the prospect of Wikification and created a basic Wiki. Please RSVP to bchervin@lesley.edu or call 617-349-8771.

Additional Wiki Resources:

Create Your Own Wiki
http://www.lesley.edu/academic_centers/cat/docs/wiki.pdf

A List of Public Educational Wikis (good examples of use)
http://www.publicpbwikis.com/Educational/teacher_wikis/

Thoughts on Hybrid Course Discussion Boards, by Marianne Reiff

2008-10-15T09:20:00.007-04:00

As a newcomer to the hybrid teaching format, I was frankly surprised to find that the use of an online discussion board was an effective tool for teaching. When I was asked to write an entry for the new eLearning and Instructional Support blog, I considered what might have helped me as a new instructor and reflected on just why I found the discussion board tool so useful. If integrated within the course design, an effective discussion board (DB) can mitigate the “learning evaporation effect” that plagues any learning environment. In addition, a well structured DB supports re-alignment of the course power grid underlying participation in knowledge creation, accountability, and responsibility.

It has long frustrated me to notice that learning evaporation starts the moment students leave the classroom and re-focus on whatever comes into the foreground of their attention. A discussion board can extend the classroom learning by creating visual documentation of how students transfer learning into their own experience. Not only does it crystallize and document learning; it can also extend it. I have seen new ideas spark and ignite and grow into new learning right before my very eyes. The tactile process of having to write out a concise post or response demands attention to what is being said. My role in all this is to create the initial guiding question or scenario.

I use the term “power grid” to conceptualize who has the deliberative voice about what happens when in a class, what the power relationships are between teacher and students. I have experienced the agony of giving up a bit of professorial power as I “sit on my lips” and choose not to respond in discussion boards designed as dialogue between peers. Through experience, I have learned that what I may have to say is less valuable than what students can construct for themselves. Truth be told, a few times students climbed mountains I didn’t even know were there – and they took me with them. A strong DB supports learner self-evaluation, shifting the assessment power base from teacher to student. The technology of a DB provides students the ability to collect selected threads that capture an overview of their work. Students are able to assess and provide examples to support an evaluation of their own work. In my opinion, when this is used as part of collaborative evaluation, the power grid shifts ever so slightly toward evaluation as learning rather than as judgment.

Development of an effective discussion board is an art, and I don’t have it all figured out. I have, however, learned some things from experience that I will carry forward into new hybrid courses:

Don’t ask a question I already know the answer to: I needed to learn and read and study about how to ask open-ended questions worthy of a discussion board. This is where much of my work happens.

Set clear expectations. This is more efficiently done in a face-to-face environment where misconceptions can be clarified and jargon defined.

Make sure everyone has the tools to do the job: Participation in a DB can be a bummer if you don’t know how to get in, navigate, fix goof ups, or get your message in the right thread.

Be highly structured: Definite parameters about when and how much to post and respond actually clears away space for creativity.

Posting and Responding is not conversation: Set guidelines for posting and responding using a guide or rubric. I even role play during face-to-face in order to start with clear expectations that posting and responding is serious professional dialogue, not a new form of IM.

Attend to sequence and timing: Set the deadline for posting a few days prior to deadline for responding.

Less is more: Asking students to limit responses to a certain number of words demands synthesis and taps into a critical level of thinking.

Integrate the DB: As an instructor I need to be clear about why the DB is a good idea, and how it supports the course. If it is truly part of my course design, then I can use the rich ideas, resources, controversy, and input as fuel for the rest of the course.

Just because I think it, I don’t have to inject it into the DB. Yes, this is a version of sitting on my lips and letting learners create the dialogue. It also is a reminder that I will always have a voice in the course. If I feel something is important, there will be a place for me to include it.

I know I will continue to learn, and make mistakes, and learn things over again as I continue to teach hybrid courses. It is challenging and a bit uncomfortable to learn a new way of approaching learning. I have found that my core philosophical values about teaching are still in place – I’m exploring them in a new environment. The discussion board is a tool I’ll keep in my toolbox for sure. Within myself, I was debating writing this blog as I left work late one night. Classes had ended and trash cans were stuffed full with flip chart paper from the night’s work. I was stopped dead in my tracks by a sense of loss. I wanted to pull it all out and post it up and start a discussion board and keep the learning going. I wanted to mitigate the evaporation effect. Instead, I decided to write this piece.

--- Marianne Reiff is an Assistant Professor teaching in the School of Education at Lesley University

5 New and Cool Things for the Fall

2008-09-15T08:42:00.006-04:00

We are kicking off the fall 2008 semester with some quick ideas and cool tools to explore this semester. If you are interested in learning more about these, or have some you'd like to contribute, please contact eLIS at elis@lesley.edu or leave us a comment below. We will get in touch with you.

myLesley/Blackboard
Whoa, does that heading say myLesley? This is supposed to be the "what's new and cool list." While the myLesley portal is a staple in the teaching and learning diet, this summer it received an upgrade that featured a new gradebook function called the "Grade Center." There are many welcome changes including a spreadsheet look and feel, being able to weight grades as well as receiving and tracking student assignments easily. eLIS staff is offering a series of workshops focused on the Grade Center for the fall. Please review the new Grade Center guide to get started.

Atomic Learning
New, just-in-time training services are available through Atomic Learning. Lesley faculty, students, and staff have access to this great service via the myLesley portal. Atomic Learning provides hundreds of tutorials and help guides on a variety of applications and tools ranging from MS Office, Apple and Windows operating systems, Adobe products, even popular web sites like Flicker and Blogger. To access Atomic Learning login to myLesley and click on the myServices tab. From there, click on the Atomic Learning link in the Info Bulletin box and you will be in!

New Training Calendar

eLIS is pleased to offer a full calendar of workshops on a wide range of topics. Choose from Excel and PowerPoint Fundamentals, myLesley, as well as Wikis and Hybrid and Online learning brown-bag lunches. If you can't attend one of our events, please contact us to arrange a consultation or one-on-one session.

Curriki

Curriki is a web site where you can search and share lesson plans, learning objects and classroom resources. Curriki derives its name from the words curriculum and wiki, thus creating "curriki." Not only can you find resources to use, you can also find other people to collaborate with on a project. Read more about Curriki and its features here.

The Jing Project

Developed by Tech Smith, a software company that provides tools to develop animated tutorials, the Project is a free web-based resource that allows you to share screen shots and images from your computer for free with other people. Develop your own tutorials or guides, include voice and sound. The Jing Project makes it a snap to share and develop content.