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Contents contributed and discussions participated by Dennis OConnor

Dennis OConnor

UW-Stout ELearning and Online Teaching Certificate (Facebook Program Page) - 7 views

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    Here's our new program page on Facebook.  I am updating this page regularly with information for anyone interested in e-learning and online teaching best practices.  You don't have to be a current or former student to take advantage of the information and connections found here.  I do ask you to 'Like' this page if you find it useful.   (Try it! You'll Like It!)
Dennis OConnor

E-Learning Graduate Certificate Program: Horizon Report 2011 E-Learning Relevent Research - 5 views

  • The 2011 Horizon Report is a collaboration between The New Media Consortium and the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative
  • Executive Summary Overview
Dennis OConnor

iNACOL - 19 views

  • his web site, you probably already know this. The information and resources provided here have been compiled and organized to help you feel less overwhelmed.
  • About this Website This website was created as a public resource to meet a growing need for information on starting online education programs in the United States. The website is sponsored by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) and was developed by a project team of experts in the K-12 online education field. Your Guide to K-12 Online Learning Starting an online program is a daunting task which often can be overwhelming. If you have come to t
  • The majority of content on this site is intended for program administrators — the people that are either investigating the possibility of creating an online learning program or have already been assigned this task. The site also contains useful information for policy makers — state legislators, staff members at the state department of education, and district administrators who wish to establish a positive policy environment for online learning.
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  • This website was created as a public resource to meet a growing need for information on starting online education programs in the United States. The website is sponsored by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) and was developed by a project team of experts in the K-12 online education field.
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    Starting your own online program. Advice annd resources from iNACOL
Dennis OConnor

Discussion Board Etiquette - 11 views

  • The Discussion Board is a vital part of communication in online learning. If all participants agree to follow a few principles of civility and professionalism, the discussion board can be a great opportunity to express opinions, share ideas, and receive feedback from peers who are engaged in the same learning objectives.
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    Excellent resource from UW-Stout Online
Dennis OConnor

E-Learning Graduate Certificate Program: Problem solving in an online constructivist cl... - 3 views

  • If you come across a question you can't answer, be honest. Don't bluff or portray yourself as an expert when you aren't. Instead model the collaborative skills you've developed and work together with the student to solve problems.
  • By sharing power you enhance the learning community. 
  • Here are some problem solving tips.
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  • 1. Wait time.
  • 2. Admit when you're uncertain.
  • 3. Practicum Interns should consult with your cooperating instructor on anything that might get sticky.
  • In an internship,  go to your cooperating cooperating instructor first.  
  • When you're teaching online for a company or university use the chain of command.
  • 4. Use your search skills.
  • Problem solving is an ongoing process. 
  • See our NEW Checklist for Online Instructors for a comprehensive guide to best practices in e-learning! 
Dennis OConnor

ALA | Interview with Keith Curry Lance - 1 views

  • A series of studies that have had a great deal of influence on the research and decision-making discussions concerning school library media programs have grown from the work of a team in Colorado—Keith Curry Lance, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell (2000).
  • Recent school library impact studies have also identified, and generated some evidence about, potential "interventions" that could be studied. The questions might at first appear rather familiar: How much, and how, are achievement and learning improved when . . . librarians collaborate more fully with other educators? libraries are more flexibly scheduled? administrators choose to support stronger library programs (in a specific way)? library spending (for something specific) increases?
  • high priority should be given to reaching teachers, administrators, and public officials as well as school librarians and school library advocates.
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  • Perhaps the most strategic option, albeit a long-term one, is to infiltrate schools and colleges of education. Most school administrators and teachers never had to take a course, or even part of a course, that introduced them to what constitutes a high-quality school library program.
  • Three factors are working against successful advocacy for school libraries: (1) the age demographic of librarians, (2) the lack of institutionalization of librarianship in K–12 schools, and (3) the lack of support from educators due to their lack of education or training about libraries and good experiences with libraries and librarians.
  • These vacant positions are highly vulnerable to being downgraded or eliminated in these times of tight budgets, not merely because there is less money to go around, but because superintendents, principals, teachers, and other education decision-makers do not understand the role a school librarian can and should play.
  • If we want the school library to be regarded as a central player in fostering academic success, we must do whatever we can to ensure that school library research is not marginalized by other interests.    
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    A great overview of Lance's research into the effectiveness of libraries.  He answers the question: Do school libraries or librarians make a difference?  His answer (A HUGE YES!) is back by 14 years of remarkable research.  The point is proved.  But this information remains unknown to many principals and superintendents.  Anyone interested in 21st century teaching and learning will find this interview fascinating.
Dennis OConnor

Engrade - Free Online Gradebook - 2 views

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    For those that don't work with an LMS, Engrade looks like a fine tool for educators.  It integrates some interesting power tools. Discussions, wikis, quizzes, messaging.  This might be an LMS substitute for those teachers looking for a free blended tech solution.  Worth investigating!
Dennis OConnor

Checklist for Online Instructors: Before the course begins - 15 views

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    This is a comprehensive checklist of best practices for online instruction.  The resource was build by Joan Vandervelde and Jim Erbe from the Online Professional Development program at the University of Wisconsin Stout.
Dennis OConnor

InfoLit: Home Page - 16 views

  • Tools for Teaching Information Literacy
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    Here's a great example of how Librarians are using the information fluency / literacy games from 21cif.com.
Dennis OConnor

Time Management Tips for Teaching Online and E-Learning - UW Stout, Wisconsin's Polytec... - 7 views

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    A great page of advice on how to manage your time. If you are an online instructor, or an online student, you'll find valuable resources here. Now if you only had the time to follow this link right? Try it, you'll like it!
Dennis OConnor

The Rapid eLearning Blog - 8 views

  • The way it seems to work is that organizations restructure and somewhere in the process the training people are usually the first to go.
  • So if I were to offer any advice, it would be to provide the most value that you can.
  • The challenge in all of this is that rapid elearning has to bring real value and isn’t just a bunch of PowerPoint files converted to Flash and then put online. 
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  • Assess your learners on what they need to do.  The original quiz questions are based on the product.  I changed the focus from the product to answering customer questions.  I still cover the same information, but am better off putting it in context to how the learner would use it.
  • By creating rapid elearning courses, you bring value to your organization because you can drive down the cost of production. However, no software replaces the need for sound instructional design.
  • I was on the phone with someone who had problems with her elearning course.  It seemed that nothing was working right.  As I dug a little deeper, it turned out that she was deleting some of her files.  She told me she did so to keep her files organized.  Apparently the folders were looking a bit messy.  What she didn’t realize was that all of those files she was moving and deleting ...
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    The rapid e-learning blog always has interesting articles. As always, this blog has so many useful resources and articles it boggles of the mind. I've used the Articulate Engage software extensively. Worth the price (and I'm a penny pincher)!
Dennis OConnor

Online Learning (Rowman & Littlefield Education) - 8 views

  • "Online education programs at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels represent one of the fastest growing trends in education today. However, online classes are completely different from any other educational endeavor and require a new set of skills. Bowman, who currently teaches online undergraduate and graduate courses, and her fellow contributors provide an excellent down-to-earth guide for anyone who is thinking about or participating in an online education program. This well-written and understandable book covers some theories of learning styles but focuses on the nuts-and-bolts skills needed to be successful. Each chapter explores a particular aspect of learning online and gives practical advice about how to participate successfully in an online learning environment. Verdict: Bowman and the other contributors have several years' experience helping students learn online, and their perspectives make this a practical and helpful guide to a prevalent and growing practice."— June 2010, Library Journal Starred Review
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    I've known Leslie Bowman for over a decade. She's a great online teacher. Her book is filled with the wisdom of experience. Check it out! ~ Dennis "Online education programs at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels represent one of the fastest growing trends in education today. However, online classes are completely different from any other educational endeavor and require a new set of skills. Bowman, who currently teaches online undergraduate and graduate courses, and her fellow contributors provide an excellent down-to-earth guide for anyone who is thinking about or participating in an online education program. This well-written and understandable book covers some theories of learning styles but focuses on the nuts-and-bolts skills needed to be successful. Each chapter explores a particular aspect of learning online and gives practical advice about how to participate successfully in an online learning environment. Verdict: Bowman and the other contributors have several years' experience helping students learn online, and their perspectives make this a practical and helpful guide to a prevalent and growing practice."- June 2010, Library Journal Starred Review "
Dennis OConnor

Information Fluency Newsletter - 6 views

  • Subscribe to our email newsletter and receive periodic updates about 21CIF including professional development opportunities and new resources.
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    "Information Fluency Newsletter! Subscribe to our email newsletter and receive periodic updates about 21CIF including professional development opportunities and new resources."
Dennis OConnor

Kermit the Frog - 10 views

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    Search game, find Kermit's picture
Dennis OConnor

Internet Search Challenge - 6 views

  • The paradoxical thing about information and searching is that the more of it there is, the less of it we will see. The results we retrieve will be a smaller and smaller sample of what's actually available. And I don't see how this trend can be reversed.
  • I don't speak Spanish, but can usually figure out the meaning of traveler's information printed in a couple of languages. My insufficiency became evident when searching online for information on La Posada, a Mexican Christmas tradition.
  • I wanted to know if there was traditional music for this Mexican celebration. I think I would have found it right away if there weren't other meanings and spellings for 'la posada.'
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    Carl Heine's brilliant blog on Internet Search skills. A must read.
Dennis OConnor

The Screenr Blog - 5 views

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    This blog supports Screenr, a desktop video system tied to your twitter account. After capturing the video (max length 5 minutes) you have the choice of tweeting the video url, posting the video to YouTube, downloading the video as an MP4, or using an embed code for webpages. Screenr is similar to Jing in many ways. However, it does not live on your computer, it's completely online or 'in the cloud' if you prefer. Also, screenr gives you functionality you'll have to pay for with Jing. This blog will show you a lot of things that Screenr will go. If you have a need for desktop video, give Screenr a try!
Dennis OConnor

Google Wave Use Cases: Education - 20 views

  • Google Wave is a much hyped new Internet-based communications and collaboration platform. It was announced at the end of May, released as a 'Preview' product shortly after tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/google_wave_use_cases_education.php'; tweetmeme_source = 'rww'; and 100,000 more invites were made available at the end of September.
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