eLearning Training--Desire2Learn Faculty Training

Completed two days of putting on workshops for faculty at Central Lakes College.
Day 1-for faculty wanting to or just getting started with eLearning technologies.
Day 2 for faculty that are experienced and wanting to expand on e-learning skills.
Each session had 16 in it and all had a computer for hands-on experiences.
It went great!
Here are some comments from attendees:
"I just wanted to thank you for the training session on D2L. I found it to be very helpful and since I am teaching my first online course this fall, I feel this new version of D2L will be much better for both my students and me. Thank you for this opportunity - I look forward to further training sessions."
"I just want to say that Michael and Pam did an outstanding job yesterday with the training. It is so important for faculty to have an opportunity to receive training and have a chance to collaborate with others in online teaching and learning discussions. I hope to have the opportunity to participate in many more of these!
Michael had us learning from the moment we walked in the door until we left the classroom! The training was very well-organize and helpful.
Thanks for these opportunities!"
"Thank you for another excellent workshop yesterday! As always, this workshop was so valuable in helping me get prepared for the new version of D2L and to learn about some new technologies that I can consider using in my future classes. One of the things I value most about workshops like this is the opportunity to learn from other faculty about tools they are using effectively and creatively in their classes. Having dedicated time with other faculty to discuss these things is so appreciated.
The workshop was well paced, well organized, and superbly led by Michael and Pam! Thanks so much for a great day!"

And one that I consider to be a very high compliment -
"Some of the examples from your classes made me believe in online learning for the first time... Thanks."

I Saw the Future of Teaching

I was an attendee at Minnesota e-Learning Summit 2008.

Dr. Michael Wesch from Kansas State University was the main speaker.

“A Portal to the Future of Education”

I attend many a conference and workshop about technology and teaching. Most everyone is saying the same thing: students are disenfranchised with the educational process, information is readily available, technology tools should be harnessed, etc. All are trying to make their way with these ideas myself included, Wesch's presentation was the first to really break through and harness the greater potential of technology in a complete way. The relevant, engaging, interactive learning that he is DOING made my hair stand on end. It is the type of teaching and learning that can change the world--it was learning CRANKED, (turned up on 10).

Can't go in to all of the details here in this blog post but will keep posting and expounding on it.

For a foundation connect with and acknowledge how information is Different now.

The following are the videos that launched Wesch to rockstar status on youtube.

The Machine is Us/ing Us

Information R/evolution

Music Mashups

I have always been one to enjoy a remix of a song. Hearing the variations and layers mixed in with the familiar song is a sure way to listening enjoyment.
A relatively new mix item called the mashup is king of the remix, blending two or sometimes more songs together. I first learned of this about 3 years ago (2005) from an instructor I had in grad school, from a blog post of his. Ted Gracyk teaches Philosophy for MSUM and does scholarly work related to art and music (yeah...cool) author of Listening to Music (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Led Zeppelin) and others.
(Check Ted's What I'm Listening To blog..always wished it had samples)
Since then the mash up has Taken off!
A couple of favorites:
Combine Star Wars music and DANCE music by DJ PartyBen



And Funky Goes to Hollywood by Dj Earworm

Outstanding Distance Learning Student (ITC)

Please take the time to click on the link below and watch this very moving presentation. I was privileged to be present at this award ceremony while attending the recent Instructional Technology Council International Conference. I will never forget it.
Pamela Himmel Accepts ITC Awards for Excellence in e-Learning, Outstanding Distance Learning Student, at e-Learning 2008 on Feb. 18, 2008
See her Video Acceptance Speech


"St. Petersburg College was honored by having one of our students chosen as the 'Online Student of the Year' at the recent international Instructional Technology Council meeting at the Tradewinds. Thanks to the good work of Jeremy Peplow, the college videographer, the nominating introduction by eCampus instructor Dr. Jennifer Lechner and Pamela Himmel's comments are captured in the enclosed video file. If you’re feeling a little tired and overwhelmed, spend the few minutes watching this video. It represents the best of what we are, and the core of what we’re about. We should all be very proud and humbled."- James Olliver, Provost, Seminole/eCampus, St. Petersburg College

Connected College

Wow! I found this exciting and inspiring-the future of college is now!
Abilene Christian U is CONNECTED. Freshmen will use an iPhone or iPod touch to receive homework alerts, answer in-class surveys and quizzes, get directions to their professors' offices, and check their meal and account balances - among more than 15 other useful web applications already developed, said ACU Chief Information Officer Kevin Roberts

Click Here

Part 2 of CONNECTED at College

Total Lunar Eclipse 2/20/2008

We had a very clear skies for an excellent view of the total lunar eclipse but the temps were very cold. Lucky that we could observe the eclipse well from the deck sliding door without having to go outside.

I had to do a training-teaching high school teachers how to teach online (say 5 times fast) and was rushing home to view the eclipse (but not speeding in the state issued vehicle). I was driving east and actually watched the progress of the eclipse from the road.

At home, we tried taking tons of photos but changing camera setting in the dark and the -10 temps make it challenging to get a good shot. Finally the EXIF (Exchangeable Image File) data on this photo indicates it was captured at 9:35 pm central. Which places it at full lunar eclipse according to the following NASA timeline.