1

So Many Tools - So Little Time

Helen Mongan-RallisDept. of Education, Univ. of MN Duluth

Presentation to the Academy ofDistinguished Teachers

October 6, 2007

or…Power Tools Are a Girl’sBest Friend

Helen Mongan-RallisDept. of Education, Univ. of MN Duluth

Presentation to the Academy ofDistinguished Teachers

October 6, 2007

Session objectives:

To provide a framework that will help you to:• Be aware of the types of educational

technology tools that are available and thepurposes of each

• Be able to make informed choices aboutwhich tool is appropriate to use in differentcontexts

2

Questions to ponder…

• How many of you typically:– Use a phone rather than going to colleague’s

office to ask a question in person?– Use a cordless phone rather than a cord one?– Use a digital camera rather than 35mm?– Use a white board rather than chalk board?– Use PowerPoint (or equivalent) rather than

overhead projector?– Show photos using a computer rather than a

slide projector?• Why?

More questions…

• Is it necessary to usetechnology to be an effectiveteacher?

• If we are already teachingeffectively, and achieving qualityresults, using the tools that havestood the test of time and withwhich we are comfortable andcompetent, why considerembracing the newtechnologies?

www.centuryuniversity.edu/application.html

?

Sharing your “techno-journey”

• How has your use of technology as atool to enhance teaching & learningevolved over the years? (what changeshave you made in your use oftechnology over time?)

• Why did you make these changes?• Have they improved your teaching &

your students’ learning?

3

Important considerations…• Changing demands: lead, follow, or get

out of the way…– Learners -- digital natives– Instructors -- increasing use,

expectation of colleagues– Education institutions– Employers– Market competition & collaboration– Global society

• Changing tools, ease of use, & supportcan now make it possible

www.centuryuniversity.edu/application.html

Criteria for Decision Making• Course objectives• Nature of the learners• Nature of the instructor

– “Tech-savy-ness”– Teaching skills– Beliefs about teaching & learning– What you enjoy about teaching

• Tech support available• Pros and cons of each tool

Some cautions…• It is important to have a balanced perspective

on both the oppressive and liberating aspectsof technology.

• In the rush to embrace any new technology,we always need to be aware of the danger ofhegemony of PowerPoint … or any othertechnological tools.

(Brookfield, 2006).

4

Some of the more recent tools

• SMART Boards• Personal Responders• Course management

systems (WebVista, Moodle)• Synchronous online

communication:– Chat/IM– Audio or video

conferencing• Asynchronous discussion

forums• Blogs• Wikis

• UMConnect (formerlyBreeze)

• Podcasting & video casting• RSS aggregators• Online testing• Online surveys• Photo sharing• Virtual worlds• Academic searches:

– Google Scholar– RefWorks– Furl

Moodle Course ManagementSystem

WebVista Course ManagementSystem

Source: http://webvista.umn.edu/version4/wv4_stu.jpg

5

UMConnect

Image source: https://umconnect.umn.edu/vistastudentorientation/

Asynchronous Discussion:Web Crossing

Image source:

Helen’s Educ 5413Su05 Teaching withTechnology Forum

Asynchronous Discussion: Moodle Forum

6

Synchronous Chat:Example

Wiki: Example

Image source: https://wiki.umn.edu/twiki/bin/view/HelensWiki/WebHome

Wiki: Example

Image source: http://middlej.pbwiki.com/

7

OfficeHoursWiki

e.g. Helen’sOffice Hours

TeachingBlog

Source: http://regionalgeography.org/101blog/?p=27

StudentBlog

8

RSS Aggregator - e.g. Bloglines

Audio Conferencing: Skype

For more information on Skype, visit: http://www.skype.com

Video Conferencing:Examples

iChat video conference

NetMeeting conferenceImage source: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/NetMeeting/default.ASP

9

Interactive Television (ITV)

Photo of one of UMD ITV labs

Podcasting (listening to) -iTunes

Podcasts - Creating

Source: http://podcast.d.umn.edu/weblog/mmullins/

10

You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q&mode=related&search=

Viewing or creating &uploading your ownvideos

Photo Sharing

Geography professor documenting his travelshttp://www.getjealous.com/drallis

Students & faculty can share photos

Online scholarly searching

11

Virtual Worlds e.g. Second Life

Given what we identified as mostimportant of AAHE learning

principles…1. [20 votes] Principle 3 - Active search for meaning2. [19 votes] Principle 1 - Make/maintain connections3. [13 votes] Principle 4 - Cumulative process4. [12 votes] Principle 10 - Self-monitoring/strategizing5. [12 votes] Principle 9 - Context/transfer/unlearning6. [11 votes] Principle 2 - Context of compelling situation

And now you are aware of themany tools…

• Which might you consider using to improveand extend student learning in your classes?

Remember:– Course objectives– Nature of the learners– Nature of the instructor– Tech support available– Pros and cons of each tool