Cloud Computing: Learning and Assessment Communities in Distance Learning > TCEA 2011

Dr. Kay Abernathy, Lamar University

What is cloud computing? Why is your digitial footprint becoming a part of the administrative conversation?

Glen: it’s about access; virtual hard drive; collaboration
Ellen: the are different levels; capability to do things free, online, accessible to everyone
Panelist 3: Being able to do things that you wouldn’t be able to do where you are; skype; dropbox

24/7, on demand, shared resources, elastic, distributing computing

How is cloud computing used in education and assessment?
Panelists has similar responses, many gave everyday examples like banking or smart phones. The idea of being globally competitive was brought up as well.

3 of the 4 participants shared their digital portfolio, each was similar but has unique attributes. Nice showcase of all the work they did.

How are your kids using e-portfolios? Responses were varied based upon the grade level of the kids. Sounds like some used technology as a hook, its how they connect with their kids.

Need to move from teacher led, student facilitated to a situation where it is student led, teacher facilitated.

*it was nice to hear them talk about their experience, clearly gratifying for them. I’m still looking for that ‘wow’ session. Nice conversation but I didn’t encounter the unknown this morning…yet.

 

Educational Social Networking for Professional Development > TCEA 2011

Steve Hargadon, Elluminate

The tools of social networking are uniquely valuable in education. Do active bloggers resent social networks? Do the big dogs of blogging look at social/educational networks with disdain? Have we really harnessed the power of social networks as educators?

Egypt may be tipping the balance. Not sure what twitter was used for, but it’s ‘working’ in Egypt right now.

I’m talking, who’s listening? How do I know who to listen to and who to talk at?

First came blogs. Why did people stop? Time? Lack of Purpose?
Then came wikis. Are they intuitive?

Social networking is an aggregation of participative web tools that facilitate creation, conversation, and sharing.

Your profile page is, in a sense, you professional portfolio.

The use of sustained conversations through asynchronous discussions on educational social networks. Facebook conversations are short, very comment oriented, responding to others.

Authentic, peer driven learning/PD
Emotional support, reduces isolation
Visibility of practice
Networked learning
Fosters creativity and perspective
Engagement, participation and action
Reenergize personal learning
Increase global connectivity
Draws us in to humanity’s ‘great conversations’

Internal vs external reform – are we changing because we see the need and value or are we trying to be like others who have seemingly solved the problem?

Lessons…
1. It’s all about the users – the old way participation came last, now it comes first; the user is more likely to know what is needed next
2. Facilitate the process, not the outcome – Social networks are parks, not cafeterias…here is the space, you decide when and how to use it.
3. Be authentic
4. Start with educators and admin first
5. Support and promote early adopters
6. Allow for failure as you look for real needs
7. Build your culture and recognize the value of interpersonal skills

Great perspective from a guy with experience, not sure it fully applies to what I’m working towards. I’m not looking to create the network per se, more of working with teachers as they interact on them. I’m not sure which is the network to use, but I feel strongly we need one to connect teachers in a district as big as mine. Valid points, enjoyed the session.