Navigate: Commercial versus Open Virtual Classrooms 2.1.3

2.1.3 Commercial versus Open Virtual Classrooms  

Synchronous learning on a consistent basis can result in increased engagement of learners throughout the course.  Synchronous learning also boosts the online presence of the instructor- a valuable characteristic that increases the students' level of confidence in the course and with the instructor.

There are dozens of synchronous applications available that are either commercial or open source.  Here is a link to an exhaustive listing of these resources along with some of the benefits and disadvantages for each:
Comparison_of_web_conferencing_software

My preference is for the Adobe Connect, and I was pleased to see it at the top of the list (ok, the list is alphabetized).  There are many more features with Adobe Connect than are present with other platforms, but the price tag may be too high for the user: $45/month on a yearly contract or $55/month, paid monthly.  (Note-  I found a really handy comparison app in PC magazine: Compare Videoconferencing Platforms )

Nevertheless, I am afraid that my budget won't allow for me to purchase this at this time. There are up to 9 hosts available at this plan rate for up to 25 online participants each.

At this time, I am reconsidering BigBlueButton and all it offers for the price of $0.00 and some space on my hard drive.

Open source software would be the preferance when funding is limited.

Navigate: Recorded Session 2.1.2

2.1.2 Recorded Session Quest

This was a very fruitful quest, although it was challenging.  I have already had experience with Blackboard, WIMBA, and Illuminate as a student or participant.   BigBlueButton is open source, but I really cannot install all of the drivers and programs to be able to use it due to my aging laptop and limited RAM.  I did searh and find sessions by other trainers that were published online (youtube).  Since BigBlueButton doesn't hold the session for more than 2 weeks, their users would have to have an alternative way to archive sessions.

Adobe Connect is the session I like best.  Unlike some platforms where the participants have to be registered, Adobe Connect allows participation for anyone with the link.  I'm excited about that because I won't have to register each of my students with a "free trial". As far as the interface, LOVE it,.  Everything is very intuitive, and unlike other Adobe products, is very easy to use. I will try it out with some volunteers next week.  Meanwhile, to show you what it looks like from the inside, I made a short screen cast: 

I already pay for subscriptions to use with my students to help them to incorporate web 2.0 as a part of their education, so adding a subscription to this may work out well for all.  As you can see, I have to update some of the chrome settings or plugins for the Adobe Connect to run seamlessly.  

It is easier to use than any other system I have experienced.  

Navigate: Delivery Methods and Synchronous Vendor Market 2.1.1

2.1.1 Delivery Methods and Synchronous Vendor Market 

Synchronous delivery systems in the world of digital learning can be used to great value, especially if the implementation increases student motivation, increases the instructor presence, facilitates immediate and appropriate feedback, and is used on a regular and reliable basis.  The preceding success points are instructor based and account for much of the success of any digital learning community.

However, the platform for synchronous delivery involves programming as well as the software and hardware required must be robust to ensure the seamless integration of student and teacher access and ability to participate in the real-time meeting. Several companies have been successful in creating such robust platforms.

One such company, Adobe Connect offers flash based web meetings, seminars, chat, and video conferencing.  A key benefit with Adobe is that their meetings are "persistent", meaning that they are available forever, unless deleted by the organizer.   All lectures can be recorded as well as class sessions and webinars.  The system includes a built in whiteboard function as well as file sharing and live mark-up sessions, which are all indispensable parts of f2f learning. What's more, the system is available on virtually any device.  While I don't have a Mac product with which to test this system (adobe flash doesn't work with Mac).

Other companies include:
Cisco - WebEx Product capabilities and comparisons  (vendor)

GoToMeeting homepage   (vendor)

Blackboard Corporation    (vendor)

         WIMBA / Elluminate  (which seems to now be a subsidiary under Blackboard)

BigBlueButton - the demo page   (open source)

Google + (google docs, hangouts, photos, circles, etc)  (open source- data collected by google marketing)


iNACOL has some guidelines for both vendor and open source solutions:

Vendor Solution

Open Source Solution

+   Professionally Developed +   Vendor is accountable for correct functioning of system +   Initial start-up may be easier +   Technical Support available from vendor, in some cases 24×7 support –   In some cases, technical support, especially 24×7 support has extra costs –   Ability to make changes to systems and content is more limited –   Ongoing licensing cost

+   Software is developed by a community with common needs +   Vendors may exist to provide technical support for open source solution (at a cost) +   Are able to customize and modify systems and content as desired +   Little or no cost to obtain system, low risk to trying out system –   May not have formal technical support available –   Sufficient technical expertise required to make modifications to systems and content –   Ongoing human resource cost to maintain and update

Navigate: Discussing the L.M.S. and C.M.S. 1.3.1

1.3.1 Discussing the L.M.S. and the C.M.S.

The LMS (Learning Management System) and the CMS (Course Management System) are two of three currently utilized methods of delivering online courses.  While they are both evolving to offer more flexibility and features to the customer, and likewise growing more similar in characteristics, they are still distinctly different in the way they are used.

The LMS are software or application platforms in which performance is tracked and content is delivered.  Inherent in any LMS is the ability to track participant data, participation, and results.  Also inherent is an organization system for past, present, and future courses and training modules.  Learners, through their logins, are tracked and data is compiled which assist in the evaluation of the learner as well as the instructor. The users and the data obtained from them are what make the LMS more valuable.

The CMS is a framework in which content is tagged for accessibility and visibility.  The CMS is the system that is used to create, edit, publish and track learning objects (content), and is ideally very user-friendly. This content is stored and displayed on the website to the participants at levels that vary depending on the categorization of their permissions.  A student sees less (in scope and detail) than an instructor, and an instructor sees less (in scope) than the Administrator.  Templates are provided to enable a more pleasant and organized learning (and teaching) experience. In this way, digital files, videos, images, and apps can be stored and utilized in a CMS.  The value of a CMS increases as its content grows in quantity, quality, and effectiveness.

While the LMS is geared towards performance and the CMS is geared toward content, they are often used together to compliment and enhance an online learning community.  As each system evolves to be inclusive of the benefits of the other system,  a new style of Learning and Course Management system is emerging:  the LCMS (Learning Content Management System), which will most likely be the benchmark for future digital learning systems.

Navigate: Describe Roles and Functions in Online Learning Environments 1.2.1

1.2.1 Describe Roles and Functions in Online Learning Environments

The online learning environment is comprised of several interactive roles structured to interact for the purpose of facilitating an efficient learning experience.  These role are grouped into two main sub sets based on software or app design:  SIS (Student Information System) and LMS (Learning Management System).  The quality of interaction within and between these two systems drives the learning process.

LMS-  The Learning Management System is first reviewed and structured by the LMS Administrators, who work to ensure a strong, yet flexible technical foundation to the system.  Next, Instructional Administration  determine what courses need to be taught based on both the demand from the students and the expectations set forth by local, state, and national agencies- often using information and data gathered via various needs assessments.  The LMS is then populated by the various Course Developers, who, in many cases, are also the instructors.  In time, the teachers are assigned to the courses and students are admitted to their classes while their parents or guardians, if applicable, are granted observational access- if appropriate.  

SIS-  The Student Information System is a powerful software tool that is adapted to each organization's particular needs.  In this part of the online learning environment, the Administrators function more like the administration at a brick and mortar school- by monitoring the learning environment and communicating with facilitators and teachers. the Facilitators in the SIS can be the same personnel as the Instructional Administrators in the LMS- as they perform similar functions by approving courses (and the pay for the courses), selecting and evaluating the personnel, and keeping an eye on the final grades and state assessment results. The Teachers work with the list of students they have been assigned and deliver the course materials in the most accessible way possible.  Teachers communicate regularly with students and are responsible for managing their final grades. 

Students  are who drive both LMS and SIS. Their needs to learn and society's need for educated professionals or skilled workers are balanced within the online learning environment through the skills and talents of the professionals who work within the digital structure.   It will be of great interest to see the development of online learning environments as students who grew up within them begin to take the leading roles within them!

Navigate: Delineation Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Content Delivery 1.1.1

1.1.1 Delineation Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Content Delivery

Amazingly, there are more similarities in the types of content delivery than dissimilarities.  Perhaps this is due to the unique ability of people skilled in the use of digital technology to convert synchronous delivery to asynchronous delivery.  For example, one teacher in my school regularly records her lectures to her first class in order to play them to her subsequent classes in order to maintain consistency in the message.  The ten-minute lectures cover a small amount of material in great detail, and she is able to upload them to her website for students to review.  By doing this, she is able to use 10 minutes in class for the subsequent classes to work individually with students who need such attention.

Via digital technologies, a video conference or a lecture can become a vodcast that is available as an archived artifact.  I have recorded students participating in a google doc Venn Diagram activity.  The event for the 4 people involved, was synchronous.  For the classes of students who watched the screencast that I made, it was asynchronous.

Who knew that digital technologies would be so useful in linking people and purposes despite the inability to gather at the same time?

Participate: Digital Health 4.1.3

4.1.3 Digital Health

After gaining 15 pounds since the beginning of my graduate school online program, I realized that the long hours spent at my computer was having several detrimental effects on me.

1. My eyes were beginning to suffer from symptoms similar with "snow blindness".
2. My weight gain put me over the line with regards to BMI.
3. My inactivity was causing my feet to go numb.
4. My memory and focus began to degrade.
5. My heart started to have some stress-related problems.
6. My family/friends complained of my inattentiveness.
7. My back, neck, wrists, and head often suffered dull aches.
8. My productivity dropped as I experienced constant fatigue.
9. My outlook on life shifted toward the negative.
10. My online time increased as my productivity dropped.

Beginning in the summer, I started taking steps to address each of the problems, with varying degrees of success:

1. My eyes were beginning to suffer from symptoms similar with "snow blindness".

I purchased a pair of GammaRay glasses to wear while working on "white space" whil on the computer. White space is pretty much anything like word processing, reading digital books, or even working on this blog.  Here is a link to them: http://www.amazon.com/GR003-C1-Ergonomic-Protection-Resistant-53-16-140/dp/B00BQ7KBV4
The glasses helped, but I wish I had purchased some with a small amount of magnification!

2. My weight gain put me over the line with regards to BMI.
I stopped eating any gluten products and lost 10 pounds over 3 weeks.  I also increased my amount of exercise, which I will detail in the next "step."

3. My inactivity was causing my feet to go numb.
My son, who is an exercise physiology major, installed an app called, "Walking mate", that tracks my every step throughout the day.  My goal is 10,000 steps per day.  I meet my goal at least 3 days each week.
Walking Mate APP Google Play Store

I use a timer, and every hour I get up, go down 1 flight of stairs, drink 6 ounces of water, go down another flight of stairs, stretch, use the restroom, and climb back up two flights of stairs.  This takes 5 minutes- but it has helped me to meet my step goal and my water intake goal.  I end up back at the top floor- less breathless now than when I started this two weeks ago- and am ready to move forward on whatever task I am about.

4. My memory and focus began to degrade.
Vitamin supplements like Fish oil, CoQ10 and Ginko Biloba and SAM-E were suggested by my health practitioner, and I have added them to my daily regimen.  Increasing water intake has also helped.  Many teachers develop poor hydration habits due to the fact that restroom breaks are often 3 - 4 hours apart, and drinking water only causes more stress on the bladder.

5. My heart started to have some stress-related problems.
A mild heart attack in October made me reassess everything about my lifestyle, and I dropped some of my tutoring jobs as well as one of the clubs that I was helping to run.

6. My family/friends complained of my inattentiveness.
I beg them forgiveness and try to schedule time on the weekend, even if it is just a couple of hours.  I try to get active time together- that way I can work on my health issues while catching up in conversation.

7. My back, neck, wrists, and head often suffered dull aches.
I bought a wrist pad for the computer, an inversion chair, a back roller, and a massage chair!

8. My productivity dropped as I experienced constant fatigue.
I go to bed by 10 on weekdays and about 11 on weekends. Exercise and a healthier diet has been helping.  The snow days helped me to get well from a virus that lasted over 10 days.

9. My outlook on life shifted toward the negative.
My prayer group actively prays for me. I listen to motivational messages when I drive to work and when I drive home every day.  Prayer and meditation, on a regular basis, help to keep me centered and focused. Every time I start to think that I can't do it all, I remind myself to "just keep swimming" or to focus on positive thoughts and keep working.

10. My online time increased as my productivity dropped.
A vicious cycle has started, and the first 9 steps are fully implemented in my life to reverse this cycle.  It is helping.  I am glad to be taking some steps to get my health back!

Advice:
1. Plan time to work and time to rest and time to play.
2. Tell friends and relatives ahead of time when you take on a big life change such as a graduate program.
3. You will need to disconnect some.
4. Drop unecessary activities ahead of time- you will need twice as much time as you think you do, so make room is your schedule.
5. Start during the breaks between semesters- a head start means everything when you have technology snafus and other issues to contend with during class.
6. Exercise every hour during your seat-time.  (Do not skip this step!)
7. Drink every hour.
8. Eat healthy foods, and do not spend your recreation time online with Facebook or other social media-  you need a break from the sitting position.
9. Stretch often and remember to breathe.
10. Recreate by being active- try to combine social time with physical activities.

Best of luck to you!