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Joy LaJeret

Differences between open and closed LMS - 4 views

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    The Blackboard Vista used by BC is a closed LMS. The Instructure Canvas is an open system.
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    My personal experience with open/free software is that support is always the catch. Although the company is offering this for free download, the question is what do that charge for new features or general service?
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    Even though this LMS is an open one, it seems on the surface to be quite useable. What I liked about it is that it is connected to Google.
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    Instructure can be open or closed. When you create a course, it gives you both licensing (copyright) and access options. Also, if a campus were to pay for a subscription and adopt it as their LMS, they could manage the access at an administrative level.
Jennifer Dalby

Instructure Canvas (LMS) - 2 views

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    I'm currently searching for an LMS solution for our project, and this is one I am exploring. You can check it out for free on this page.
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    I have registered for this LMS. I can't wait to start exploring it!
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    I quickly zipped up the files in our blackboard course and imported them here http://canvas.instructure.com/courses/27317
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    I signed up for the free look! Initially exploring the blank pages, I think it looks really clean and useable. When I become an online instructor, I think I would like to use this platform (if it is available where I'm employed, that is!).
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    I just looked at our blackboard course in Canvas--it's really nifty!
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    I uploaded a file in Instructive Canvas. It looks fairly wasy to use. I still prefer Wikispaces and Elluminate. The tech support in Canvas...seems to be excellent. However, I am going to need to put an actual course in the system and see how it goes. I really didn't see a place for discussions like there is in Blackboard and Diigo...altho it does link to google and Diigo.
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    Mary Ann and I are running close to each other...I just saw the mods in Balckboard listed in Canvas. There were a few missing and I was wondering how many mods it will hold Jennifer? Also, I did see a discussion area but I don't know if you uploaded it to canvas or if it belongs to canvas.
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    I think I hid some of the stuff in the site I set up, since I don't know how the program folks will feel about it being public. If you set up your own account, you can get a better idea of all the features.
Jennifer Dalby

EduGeek Journal » Blog Archive » If We Ditch The LMS, How Then Could We Chang... - 3 views

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    An interesting blog post about a change in how we manage online courses and research at an institution.
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    I like the way he reasoned that you have to change the assessment of these classes and this in turn changes the classes and the time frame as well.
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    I must admit that I don't really have a good definition of what LMS means to the author. He refers to learning environments and gives the "follow the teacher" example, so I'll assume he means personalized elearning, but I would have preferred that he provided a definition. Anyway, I agree to have to change the assessment, as well as the expectations for the teacher. It would be a challenge for the teacher to keep up with many students, but probably also provide him or her some additional insights to his/her work.
Joy LaJeret

Wikis: A platform for Innovation in the Classroom - 1 views

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    This weeks lesson on CMS or LMS includes the Wiki...which I just love. I am certain as I use this tool, there will be probs. Right now, I really like it. Coupled with Elluminate as a synchronous meeting area, it can by pass the older LMS systems. For example, a instructor at Shoreline is working on updating Elluminate to fit their needs for teaching completely from this system. Unfortunately, I may never see the end result.
Joy LaJeret

Final Portfoilo #10 Blog Post Relecting on Learning - 16 views

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    Joy, Your posts are quite sobering, regarding your own experiences working towards completing your university education. I strongly agree with the following quote in your post: "In sum, it is time for educators to make college and higher learning relevant to their students. It is not about us, it is about them. We are the facilitators of their learning. We must prepare them for the world they will find themselves in when they leave the protected walls of our colleges and universities" I found the recent events in Cairo to be fascinating, where large numbers of people suddenly rose up against an authoritarian and out-of-touch government. This largely peaceful uprising was fueled by the same Web2.0 technologies that are underpinning this class. It's possible that many traditional schools will soon find themselves in a similar situation to the Egyptian government, where students pass them by in favor of lower cost and more relevant educational experiences - many of them available online. Bill Gates recently came under fire for making the statement that valid online college degrees may soon be available for $2000. He may have said this to exaggerate a point, but the evidence of a growing number of online low cost educational resources can't be ignored. One of them is the Khan Academy - run by an MIT graduate who has created a large free archive of mathematics courses that are used by students all over the world - many who claim they are better than their university courses. Colleges and universities ignore this development at their own peril. It's not clear yet how we'll make this transition to relevancy for students, but the next decade will be very interesting...
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    Hi Joy (and fellow classmates) - we were out-of-town for a week. Internet was available, but for a price $.75 per minute. I had planned on using some of our vacation time to work on this course without the hassle of juggling work commitments. At a price per minute, this idea didn't pan out. To get caught up, I checked out our Diigo communications and visited your blog. I like the way you insert YouTube videos to add dimension to your ideas! The two I looked at addressed the LMS system - Canvas. I was particularly fascinated with the young techy who ended his presentation, asking his audience about how they might define the role for SOCIAL MEDIA in both course structure and as a learning tool. Interesting how our course materials (and we) have also been pondering this same issue! Thanks for finding and sharing a very relevant presentation. I also enjoyed your thoughts as well.
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    Today our senior population is aging at a rapid rate. Is it possible we, as a society, are sending them to an early end of life dead line because of our attitudes and out moded beliefs regarding aging in America? Can we not help keep their minds alive and well by changing some of our society's institutions...of higher education?
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    Joy, I just finished reading your blog posts and viewing the videos. I agree with Bruce. . . they are quite sobering. I am angered that there is so much age discrimination out there, excited that Japan has such a unique way of addressing the needs of its aging population, and frustrated that a college degree does not necessarily translate into a job. My own daughter is in that position--she has a teaching degree earned two years ago and no prospects of a job anytime soon. Her income is earned through subbing in the Sultan School District and managing a horse stable. All of this translates into 7 days of work per week, a very minimal income and burnout. She is 37 years old (not quite a senior, but in line with the unemployed GWU grads shown in the video you posted). Your passion definitely comes through in all of the blog postings, Joy. What you say about assessment aligns with my beliefs as well. I have never been a proponent of grades--to me, they are just part of a hoop that must be jumped through in order to achieve a goal. With that in mind, I was overJOYed when authentic assessment came onto the education scene as it offered a way to monitor and guide students in their learning, not just give them a letter or number that was supposed to signify that they had "learned" the course content. In my experience, most students who memorize course content for tests within a given course, will not retain it once the tests have been taken. There is simply too much competition for good grades at all levels of education and not enough desire for a true understanding of ideas and concepts.
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    Thanks you for your comments Mary Ann...the bottom line reads, we may be killing off our aged population by sentencing them to give up and give in to old out-moded concepts!
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    Joy: I've been following your blog postings for some time now and have been meaning to let you know I always learn and find your postings valuable. Keep the information coming our way.
Joy LaJeret

Instructure Canvas 7 Cheers & 7 Critiques - 3 views

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    Thanks for sharing this!
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    Your welcome, Jen.
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    I liked that the platform is integrated in social networks that many students would be using. Also, Ruby on Rails - the underlying technology indicated in the article - is very powerful, but it is an open source product and would want to be sure about technology support works. That being said, this highlighted to me how complex and difficult chosing a LMS is.
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    They release the code open source, but this is a hosted, supported product with fees for service. I'm definitely going to spend more time checking it out.
Joy LaJeret

Portfolio #5 Blog with Instructive Canvas Videos - 8 views

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    This is the activity for Module 5. I really like this open learning system. If you go to my blog you will find that they ( Canvas) will work with you whether you buy their system or not. Please watch video #2 on my blog. (Note: I wrote the last two paragraphs on my blog here. Then I cut and pasted it to my blog because it took up too much space on Diigo.)
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    Joy, I really enjoyed the Instructure/Canvas review video, where the engineer describes Vista/Blackboard as remaining basically unchanged from the mid-1990's. He also mentioned that this CMS model has been adopted by other developers, and that Instructure is one of the few companies that is beginning to effectively implement new Web 2.0 technologies. Another plus - it's free for teachers!
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    Yes...that is a deal maker!
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    I think the model of offering the product to free for teacher's, with the objective of it becoming the standard in education. This "marketing" approach is similiar to how Facebook and even Google got their foothold. Its interesting to see how ecommerce works.
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    Free is never really free, but it's a good way to learn about how these systems work. I'm currently investigating it for a project, and should find out actually licensing costs soon. I've got some quotes on other systems and it just blows my mind how much we pay for this stuff.
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    Thanks for posting those two videos on your blog -- informative. I am in the process of looking at LMS to use at my workplace...thought Moodle looked good. I will now do a thorough review of Canvas. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Joy LaJeret

Overview of How Instructive Canvas works - 2 views

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    I have researched this LMS and think it is worth a second look!
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    I'm glad you had a chance to take a look. I've really enjoyed playing around with it.
Bruce Wolcott

Overview of existing online course structure - 3 views

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    I thought I'd try something a little bit different for Module 5, and do a CMS review of a current online course that I've been working on, called Visual Storytelling. It's a review of a Blackboard/Vista-based online class, but I'm also blending a couple of presentation technologies together to create this - SlideRocket and Camtasia. If you take a look at it, you'll want to make sure your audio is turned on - otherwise, it won't make much sense... It runs just under 10 minutes. This was a useful exercise for me, because I became aware of numerous changes I'd like to make for the next iteration of this class. These presentation tools are now very powerful and easier to use than in the past. SlideRocket has only been around for about 2 years, and it keeps getting better! You can also access this presentation by way of my Web2.0 Chronicle blog.
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    I enjoyed your presentation Bruce. Looks complicated!
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    Bruce, your work is amazing! Story Boards have long been a feature of teaching in the elementary and middle school grades with students creating original work or using the format for a book report, but to see this technique translated into an online format is thrilling. I can just imagine how much more engaged my former students would have been had I known how to use the digital tools you showcased. Will your course be offered during Spring Quarter? Please let me know.
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    P.S. to your post to me regarding my blog entry for Module 5--You referenced what I wrote about eLearning trends--that post was for my EDUC250 class. Did you have a chance to see the pictures I posted and read the entry for this week's module that referenced one of the activities on our class portfolio activities spreadsheet? What I spoke about is a very RUDIMENTARY story board (I realized this after viewing your post). Thanks, Bruce for YOUR "luminous presence" in EDUC251!!
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    This recording is an excellent example of what I'm looking for in your final project (only about half as long). I hope everyone gets a chance to view it. It's a great way to give a tour through a course and explain how to address the best practices. Great work! Would you be interested in taking over one of our office hours sessions to teach people how you used these tools?
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    Thanks Bruce for showing how you use Blackboard for one of your courses. I do agree that some of the mature LMS need to make it easier to use Web 2.0 tools. Jennifer's comments about being able to use these tools is so appropriate. All of these wonderful tools are available, the problem is learning when and how to use them in our online teaching.
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    Thanks everyone for your feedback and comments! Mary Ann, I did see your photos from the Galapagos, and it seems like they will make great material for an online class presentation especially with your underlying message - the importance of biodiversity to our long term survival. I'm really glad you're teaching this material... I wish we were more aware of these dire issues 50 years ago! The Visual Storytelling class will be offered again in Fall 2011. Susan... One useful application of online lectures/presentations is that they can free up classroom time for more exploratory dialog and hands-on activities, as appropriate. Students also like them, because they can stop and review material at their own pace. Jennifer - I'll be happy to give an overview some presentation media I use during your office hour on Thursday. This would be a good experience for me, since I've never taught a session using Elluminate. If you could give me some quick tips beforehand, that would be welcome. I can't do it this week, but Feb 24th or following Thursdays look open.
ann stephens

EDUC 251 2/15 Checkin - 20 views

The point for me is not the amount of time I spend in a class, but having a filter for what is important. Posts, for example, that come with a highlight of what the link about or some reaction to ...

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