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The logistical work that goes into an on-line course is more complex that in-person classes. There are so many options and technology that needs to be lined up. My own experience over the past week or two, where I have been computer challenged and had a delay in class participation. I liked the method that Jennifer used by allowing extra time for the first assignment, so as to minimize her (the teacher's need) for interaction on the daily things that impact our lives.

Good choice. Some things I'd like to point out about this: 1. When you view a forum, check to make sure there are plenty of posts, so you know it's active. 2. Also check to see how recent the posts are. There are a lot of really old forums still up online, but no longer active. 3. Some communities will provide membership numbers, and that can help you get some idea of the size of the group. This isn't always true, but can be helpful when you see something really small.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gYhiSs1Ys7993MD9VnKg-c-Jv75gosaQm8mnlQ4J1ko/edit?hl=en - I started a collaborative document on guidelines and considerations in selecting and participating in online communities. I hadn't thought about applying standards, but its a good idea. It helps reason out what one would want and need. As for this forum - www.colonclub.com, it is a very active one and considered one of the mainstays in colon cancer support. I'm not sure the about the size and how relevant that is in this situation, but there are definitely enough participants to provide diversity.

I added some background to your document and passed the link on to others to see if we can get more opinions on what is important in searching for community.

This was a long video (of a lecture) and although many interesting points were made, the crux of the lecture was out of focus for me. The model of copyrighting in an effort that relies on sharing information - as he points out, such as education and science - does not seem to fit. So many people violate it. Yet, I do believe people should benefit from their creativity.

After watching about 15 minutes of this video, I believe the main point of the lecture was to bring the listeners to the point that Copy Right Law needs to be revised and a hybrid created. After all, he is a law professor. Precedents set in a court case or at the US Supreme Court level, means the law is slowly corrected or changed to accommodate new evidence; that it needs guidance from the US Constitution precepts, as determined by the US Supreme Court Justices. Or Copy Right Law changed by Congress and the introduction of new legislation guiding the issue, which in this case would be Copy Right Law and the enforcers of this law, whomever they may be.

Jennifer, Thanks for posting this terrific presentation from Lawrence Lessig! He's one of my personal heroes for bringing up concerns over the growing privatization of information - looking at ideas and creative work as strictly property to be bought and sold. It's interesting that Walt Disney, whose company became one of the staunchest and most powerful advocates for expanding and enforcing copyright law, benefited mightily from public domain stories - Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella, to name a few. It's doubtful that Disney would've survived without his release of the first cartoon with sound - Steamboat Willie (with Mickey Mouse). This cartoon took its premise freely from a movie made in the same year with Buster Keaton, called Steamboat Bill. That kind of informal use of other people's idea was common at the beginning of the 20th Century. Now a documentary film maker can be sued for accidentally including a Wendy's or McDonald's logo within a frame. The incredible complexity of copyright law makes it difficult to know what's legal and what's not under Fair Use. Lessig advocates the use of the new Creative Commons copyright designation (CC) - where creators/inventors can designate how their works can be used (non-commercial, commercial, credit, etc.). A great description of how Creative Commons works can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io3BrAQl3so I think it's extremely important that folks in the education fields stand firm in their insistence on continuing non-commercial access and use of a variety of media and information resources - it's the lifeblood of our profession - the open exchange and evaluation of ideas. Lessig is looking to build a future that moves us in that direction, while providing Creative Commons copyright protections. He also wants us to actively advocate for changes in the existing (broken) copyright regime and has posted a http://bawolcott.brinkster.net/educ251

Bruce - I tried going to the link at the end of your last post and got an error - page not found.

Ann, Thanks for spotting this glitch! The last line of the post should read as follows: He also wants us to actively advocate for changes in the existing (broken) copyright regime, and has posted a "Certificate of Entitlement" that give us official (tongue in cheek) permission to question the current copyright legal framework. Here's a link to the certificate...

That is very sad and that is why, maybe, we are having such problems in this country. I think what hapened to this teacher is ghastly!

I have a friend who worked in high tech and made the transition to teaching because of her interest. In addition to what was echoed here, her major issue has to do with the administration component of the job. Over the past 15 years, the percentage of administrators to teachers has risen and there has been an increase in mandatory reports, meetings, etc. I am not a full-time classroom teacher, but have substituted and what is very markedly different than when I was in school is how much social issues impact the classroom. Parental availability is tight and students come to school without the basic. If you add on that teachers are now also social workers, one can see how a teacher becomes overloaded. In the video about the experiment in India with the computer, he prefaces the experiment with his observation that students that are in higher risk areas seem to benefit more from technology introduction, but in practice it is often the reverse, with computers going to more affluent schools.

I love Glogs! I had to laugh inspite of myself at the comic video! all the more reason NOT to have one!

Well, yes, colonoscopies are a pain in butt, but for those unintiated - they give you drugs so you are out during the whole process.

Totally relate to the "studio takes". I liked your beginning "hook" of having some introduction youtubes and the clear explanations of the tools and modules for your course and the idea of a "group" project was a wrap-up is an effective close.

Thanks for your comments Ann. I still made a mistake when I stated Elluminate was asychronous instead of synchronous...I was not going to do it over again! I keep doing takes for several hours until I liked the tone of my voice and was so tired it had to be a "wrap!" I chose Jing and and have Jing Pro which allows me to seamlessly upload to You Tube and make video. I hope to use this tool in class for short instructive videos per module. The student can reach me by email, Skype, Elluminate or by cell ( whihc I hope to discourage a bit). I want to make certain they feel I am there and connected to them at all times. During our next class meeting on the 22nd, I want to make a camcordering of the class and upload it to jing and make a You Tube video for us to review and enjoy. I hope your willing!