In this session, presenters will share the benefits of podcasting and vidcasting for student learning and engagement, then explore ways to implement these technologies in the classroom. Tools demonstrated in the session include iPods, GarageBand, FlipVideo, and iMovie. Participants will make and post podcasts about what they learn in the session and how they might implement these ideas in their own courses. Read the rest of this entry »

The increasing ease and ubiquity of video has created a renewed interest to use video in many aspects of teaching. In this session we describe the uses and benefits of video annotation tools in teaching and learning, including professional development. We discuss available tools, and some future directions that we are exploring at BYU, and suggest criteria for selecting appropriate tools. The session includes hands on experiences using a variety of video annotation tools. Read the rest of this entry »

This 2-part session introduces participants to the popular Web 2.0 collaborative tool, the wiki. After we’ve discussed how wikis may be useful to educators, we’ll have a full hour of hands-on activity setting up your own free wiki, and learning to edit, cultivate, and maintain it.

Do the implications of digital media turn our educational institutions inside out? Can educators learn to stop worrying and love the remix?  Is originality overrated?  What’s the difference between reuse and plagiarism? Is openness our only hope? Where’s the RSS feed? What does “data literacy” look like? Are Web 2.0 companies a teacher’s best friend, or a bunch of creeps converting our work, our relationships and our private data into marketshare? Has the Web 2.0 bubble popped, and if so now what? How do we teach our students, our colleagues and ourselves to be technology strategists? How many copyright violations can be jammed into one presentation?

Brian Lamb’s presentation and discussion will review the opportunities and initiatives resulting from the convergence of open source, free culture, open access and open educational resources.

Presenter: Scott Leslie

The metaphor of “Teacher as DJ” isn’t that new – as Wiley noted (http://opencontent.org/blog/archives/227), ever since the phrase “Rip, Mix, Burn” entered the popular consciousness via Apple’s advertising campaign, it began to be applied to how educators might approach digital educational resources.

But with the ever increasing number of quality free open educational resources, the advent of ‘mashups’ as a widespread model of innovation both artistic and commerical, as well as the new breeds of online media tools and alternative interfaces, the “Educator as DJ” is fast moving from high level metaphor to practical art. This presentation will dig deeper into this metaphor (and indeed into the usefulness of metaphors in approaching our teaching practices) and attempt to demonstrate what the actual practice of the open educator as DJ might look like. So get ready to dance!

Learn how one small professional development program has taken advantage of free and low-cost Web 2.0 and text messaging technologies to keep in touch with our core participants, reach out to previously untapped audiences and expand our “viral marketing” efforts. Read the rest of this entry »

Short Description

We begin our presentation with an overview of Google Tools and the benefits of using them in your classroom. We will also discuss the pros and cons of using Google Tools. We will discuss methods to increase student access to information, decrease workloads, and create collaborative opportunities. The second part of this presentation will present a hands-on session that will help you work with the tools. We will cover Google Docs, Reader, Sites, and Calendar.

Purpose of presentation

With the current economic times, budgets are feeling the strain, as are teachers and faculty in both K-12 and Higher Education settings. With web 2.0 tools, specifically Google Tools, we are empowered to use the technology to decrease our budgets, create a paperless environment, and introduce collaborative learning environments into our curriculum.

The researchers work to empower teachers to embrace our digital natives and create a world of digital immigrants that are comfortable with the technologies and are given new opportunities to empower their students to reach new heights. Students often feel that they must ‘power-down’ when they enter the classroom. It is our desire and passion to help teachers and faculty feel comfortable with these learners. In order for our students to compete in the current job market, they must be cross-trained in all aspects of life and their curriculum with technology. Those who can meet the demands of the current job market will reach the highest levels of success. When we keep students away from technology, due to fear and lack of training, we take away opportunities that are readily available overseas.

Objectives of the presentation

Part 1 of this presentation works to:
•    empower faculty/teachers to take control of their classrooms
•    introduce collaborative learning environments into your curriculum
•    create collaborative communities of practice among cooperative teachers
•    create a paperless learning environment

Part 1 of this presentation is a theoretical introduction to Google Tools. We will share our classroom sites and other examples of practical uses of the technologies.  Attendees will leave this seminar/session with resources found on Google docs.

Part 2 of this presentation works to:
•    present Google Documents and gives pros and cons as compared to Microsoft Word
•    present Google Spreadsheets and gives pros and cons as compared to Microsoft Excel
•    present Google Presentations and gives pros and cons as compared to Microsoft PowerPoint
•    present blogging as a method of reflection for both students and faculty
•    present Google Reader as a method of managing blogs
•    present Google Calendar as a method of organizing classes and curriculum
•    present Google Sites as a wysiwyg method of creating websites

Part 2 of this presentation is a hands-on seminar that will allow attendees the opportunity to create accounts and begin the process of creating digital resources. Attendees will leave this seminar/session with working models of the aforementioned tools.

Practical applications

Faculty can use the tools to create collaborative opportunities that previously were more difficult to set-up.  Students can collaborate with other students throughout the US and worldwide.  Students are given the opportunity to work in collaborative groups without regard to other team members’ schedules, opening up opportunities and engagement. Faculty can keep all resources digital and can carry their documents from computer to computer. Students and faculty enjoy access to documents from the web which leads to lighter backpacks, lower copy costs, reduces lost homework or hand-outs, and keeps parents informed with access to all curriculum materials.  Lesson plans are stored online and are easily accessible to substitutes and other faculty members. These tools give you immediate access from either the office or home, making grading portable and paperless.

Relationship to the conference theme

Web 2.0 tools increase the accessibility to collaborative opportunities leading to engaged students and a more involved parent support system. Everyone benefits from the use of Google tools. Students can work on projects with students at different locations across the world increasing engagement, collaboration, social connections, and cultural knowledge via new medias to which our students are native.

Information (data or theoretical base) to support what is advocated.

The researchers have integrated these resources into the classroom over a 5-year time period. The benefits of the tools and the pedagogy is well documented and tested with a great number of students, and with personal use in our curriculum.

Presenters

Sandie H Waters

Dr. Sandie Waters is an Assistant Professor in the Elementary Education Department at Utah Valley University, former Adjunct Faculty and Distance Learning Endorsement Coordinator in the Instructional Technology Department at Utah State University, and Program Coordinator of the Intern Program of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. She has previously taught and conducted research at Indiana University, Bloomington, Utah State University, and Utah Valley University.

Dr Waters’ research focuses on the integration of Web 2.0 technologies into schools and higher education, the impact of Web 2.0 technologies on collaboration and creativity, and socially responsible open education. She has taught Distance Education, Technology Integration, Computers in Education, Foundations of Education, Projects in Instructional Technology, Practicum in Distance Education, Web 2.0 Tools in Education, and Learning Theory. She is currently working on ‘backpack’ technologies and will begin working with schools, principals, tech coordinators, IT specialists, and teachers to empower them to bring 21st Century Technological Tools into Utah’s educational system in Summer 2009. She is currently writing a book regarding Web 2.0 and backpack technologies to be published by an open publisher.

Dr Waters’ personal interests include Karate (1st Degree Black Belt), Life Coaching, bicycling, hiking, blogging , facebooking, texting, IMing, and of course my friends.

Suzy Cox

Her personal interests including spending time with her family, running, reading, and exploring new technologies.

Utilizing Web 2.0+ and collaborative practices, this session will provide K-16 educators and trainers with the means to engage and motivate their “alternative” students – touching on all learning styles while remaining within curriculum guidelines. Read the rest of this entry »

This session will explore computer-based activities that appeal to all learners, but that use language that is simple enough for beginning or intermediate English as a Second Language (ESL) learners to enjoy or to create. Activities are designed to teach both English language and computer skills. We will cover skills developed through (1) accessible Web 2.0 tools, (2) serious gaming, and (3) computer applications, such as Word, Excel and Power Point. Read the rest of this entry »

This session is a full-day pre-conference workshop. Pre-registration is required.

Presenters

• Jared Stein http://flexknowlogy.learningfield.org
• Chris Lott http://chrislott.org
• Scott Leslie http://www.edtechpost.ca/wordpress/

Session Wiki

The session wiki stores participant’s blog and other social media accounts, and links to some useful services and examples: http://chrisl.wikispaces.com/ttix

Intro to PLE Slides

The slides used in the first hour of the workshop, which introduce Web 2.0 and PLEs, are available as PPT: Grow your PLE with Web 2.0
The increasing popularity of Web 2.0 social software and tools along with better understanding of the nature of networks has inspired a rethinking of “traditional” e-learning models. Full-fledged conceptualizations of “networked learning” and “e-learning 2.0″ are becoming reality in the form of Personal Learning Environments (PLE). Though difficult to pigeon-hole, PLEs are often embodied by collections of personally-chosen tools and practices that, when woven together, facilitate, grow, and integrate networks of people and information. PLEs may consist of many different tools and connections based on a diversity of learner preferences. And because they are distinct and independent from monolithic learning management systems, PLEs innately foster authenticity in learning and interactions, and allow teachers and students to make education an ongoing part of their daily lives.

Building Your PLE

Focusing on technologies and applications, this workshop helps educators open doorways to this new paradigm. Participants will break into facilitator-led groups to determine their own direction before engaging in the construction of individual PLEs that address:
• Personal content production
• Reading and research
• Weaving the social network
The rhythm of this workshop will be marked by hands-on, group-supported activity interspersed with reflection and discussion—a model of learning and exploration analogous to practices found in Web 2.0 communities.

Mapped PLEs

• Chris’s PLE
• Scott’s PLE
• Jared’s PLE (explanation)
• Other PLEs on Flickr