I just read a post on the ProfHacker blog about the challenges of teaching multiple sections of the same course. This is not something I've had to do in some time, but I can definitely relate to the issues raised. Dr. Hara makes a number of great suggestions for addressing things like varying class size and dynamics, but instructional technology does not seem to come up at all. I wonder what sorts of technologies might help? What do you think? Also, if you were in her shoes (maybe some of you are) and you were using a learning management system, would you combine the sections into one course space? Or would you keep them separate? What are the pros and cons of each option?

A GarGANTTuan Discovery

In a previous post, I noted how UGA was investigating learning management systems. Now that the investigation process is over, I am turning my attentions to planning and implementation of our new system, Desire2Learn. Fortunately, I have an awesome team to work with, and many of us have been through this before. That means we can improve on processes and project management, starting with communication. We plan to use Google tools, including Docs, Spreadsheets, and Blogger. We are still thinking about whether or not to use Sites as well, particularly for collaboration within the team.

We will use Docs and Spreadsheets  to outline the project plan, and Blogger to inform the UGA user community on the progress of the project. I am very excited (in a nerdy way) about a Google Gadget that I found. It's a Spreadsheets Gantt chart tool, which takes each item in our project plan and plots it on a timeline. Super cool, and pretty easy to use. Watch a future post for more info, but in the meanwhile, you can see an example.Thank you, Mr. Gantt!

Breakfast and Blogs

The first thing I do when I sit down at my desk each morning is read my e-mail with a glass of cranberry juice. If I've been to the gym (doing pretty well so far this year!), then I'll have second breakfast, too. My inbox looks pretty much the same every morning, with deal mobs and groupon offers, the latest sales from my favorite shopping outlets, and higher ed news. The former are pretty easy to work through quickly - half off on cupcakes (must have - that's why I go to the gym), LL Bean is having a sale (what else is new?), etc. I try to take a little more time with the news. I follow The Chronicle of Higher Education Academe Today and Wired Campus, Inside Higher Ed, and LinkedIn Today. I also check Facebook and Twitter. All of this can get a little overwhelming at times, and my browsing may look something like little Billy running around in a Family Circus cartoon, but this is my routine. I have just started investigating Diigo and the "read later" feature. Not sure if I'll ever get back to those items I've marked, but it's worth a shot.

Do you have a similar routine?

Shopping for Technology

I hope you don't mind, but I am re-posting this entry from 2009, the first time I taught this class. It still applies, and I still like the shopping analogy!

photo by flickr user arbyreed

I have discovered that Sunday morning is the best time to grocery shop. Saturday night revelers have just gone to sleep, many families are in church or sharing breakfast together, and those of us at the store early on a Sunday just want to get it done in peace. Knowing what to buy when I am there is not so easy. I have my habitual purchases - milk, juice, cereal, chicken, and so on - but I am often easily distracted by new products and items on the end caps. I am also a snoop, curious at what others have in their carts. I think, "if that person likes store-rolled sushi, maybe I will too." Sometimes I have a little trouble with these unusual purchases when I get home, but I have a lot of fun experimenting with them. Sometimes, they turn out to be purchases I make more often, perhaps even sharing with friends at a party or potluck.

You're wondering what all of that has to do with our class, right? There is logic to it, I promise. In this class, we are shopping for instructional technology. There are some technologies that we use habitually - listserv, eLC, maybe blogging - but others are new. They are the latest and greatest, on the end caps or in someone else's cart. We may not know exactly what to do with them, but the good news about this class is that we can throw everything in the cart and try it out together. Facebook as classwork? Sure! Twitter assignments? Why not! And when class is over, we might have some new favorites that we use every time we teach.

Looking forward to shopping with you!
>>Sherry

Choosing a new LMS

Today in class, we talked about a variety of learning management system options. UGA is just beginning the process of evaluating our options for our next centrally-supported system. How will we choose? It is a lengthy process, so we are starting now. The first step is to assess how the current system is used and the needs of the user community. This involves doing as much as we can to get feedback from faculty, staff, and student users. Want to contribute? Go to the LMS Executive Committee Web site and click Participate! Community feedback, along with technical requirements from the system side, goes into a "requirements document." We will then compare the requirements to the systems available, and narrow the field of possibilities. From there, we will invite the user community do some testing and provide feedback about those tests. Using that information, along with cost information, we can write a recommendation to the administration. Stay tuned!

What's the "technology culture" in your department

I've learned in my time at UGA that every department has a "technology culture." Most departments have their fair share of innovators, early adopters, and laggards, but there are some that have more than their share in one of these categories. Those often set the tone for others in the department to follow. In the case of the departments with more innovators, those who tend to be laggards are more likely to try new things anyway. On the other hand, departments with more laggards can be frustrating places to be for those who like to try new things. What is the culture in your department? How has it affected you and the way you think about teaching with technology in your discipline?

Can't make the conference? Follow the tweets!

This week in DC, many of my colleagues will be gathering at the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative Annual Meeting. The theme this year is "Educating in the Open: Philosophies, Innovations, and Stories." Although I am unable to attend, I hope to learn a lot during the meeting via the #ELI2011 Twitter stream. Following tweets from a conference is a great way to get involved and get ideas, even if you are not physically there. What conferences are coming up in your field? Visit the conference Web site to see if there is a designated hashtag, and prepare to follow it!