Constructing a Streaming Video-Based Learning Forum for Collaborative Learning
An Article Review

There should be some way to allow distance learners to participate in video based collaborative learning strategies. That is the premise of the article ‘Constructing a Streaming Video-Based Learning Forum for Collaborative Learning’ by Chang, Chih-kai. Even though the article was written in 2004, the arguments are still valid, when discussing the use of videos in education today. Often videos are used to supplement activities that could not be duplicated in the classroom setting, rather than being interactive.

In addressing the issue of how to include distance learners in the collaborative learning strategies, the author introduced the concept of a screen camcorder. This allows learners to record their current activity on their computer as a video. Video is recorded in standard format that could me easily changed to streaming video. The experiment, conducted on 37 students, studying programming design in the Information Management Department during one semester. The conclusion was that most of the students thought the camcorder was useful, and easy to use. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using such devices in the classroom

Better Idea

I have some revisions for my project I think I will gear it more toward a first year class, instead of on an individual basis. I would like to see it in an Biology/Chem class of student who think they want to go into the field of medicine in some aspect. The students would be divided into groups for different shadowing experiences. During the shadowing experience they could text or twitter some of their more rewarding experiences. They would get together and discuss it later, then one "spokesperson" from each group could go explain what their shadow was like. This is one way to use handhelds and the jigsaw strategy. At the end of the project they would complete a video to be put on voice thread that would allow other to comment on different aspects of the experience. I am still working on the details. Let me know what you think.

Using Handhelds in a Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Environment

The premise for this article is that technology is changing rapidly, and educators need to assess their teaching strategies to adapt to these new technologies. Huge strides have been made in the hand held devices that most of us know as palm pilots or PDA’s. These small devices, that were originally supposed to be a personal organizer, now have the capability of laptop, or even tower computers. These devices provide an amazing opportunity to enhance cooperative learning both inside and outside the classroom. The article ‘Using Handhelds in a Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Environment’ followed an experiment that was conducted to study the effects of adult learners using hand held technology. The authors, C.-Y. Lai and C.-C. Wu conducted the study using two classes of nursing students in their fourth year, of a five year program. They followed these students in their learning process. They also address their attitudes and their interaction with other students and their professors.

Through this study they concluded the use of handheld devices has many benefits, but there are also many obstacles to overcome. They also concluded that at the present time hand held technology is not fully mature enough for educational uses. They decided that, at the time the article was written, this implementation would require a lot more work for the instructor and they would need a lot of support from a technology specialist. They also mentioned that students would have to be trained in this technology as well as the teacher. But they also said that with the advancement of technology these problems will be greatly reduced and then the benefits will be more obvious (Lai, C., & Wu, C., 2006).

Final Project Idea, Get a Job

My final project idea has to do with students discovering what their strengths and weaknesses are and how they will find careers that match their strengths. I am not sure how to go about it, but I would like students to take a web based interest and skills inventory, and then be able to identify where their interests are.
They could then take advantage of the professional career counselor we have on campus to evaluate their results and direct them to research careers of their choice. To do this, we would access computer based technology, web research, web access to professionals in the field. Hopefully it would lead to a shadowing day, that they would be able to document their shadowing experience in a video journal “a day in the life of…..” This would eventually lead to a huge data base that has been created by students to document many different careers.

Class Project "Food bank"

I have been thinking about the project that was mentioned in class about the food bank. I think that we could really do something good with this. I know they want it to be run like a store, so why not set up a “store front” on the web for the food bank. I am sure I don’t know how to do all this, but with help I think it will work.
Everyone who is now helped by that food bank must have an identifying number. If these patrons were given access to the food bank data base, and were given a “budget”, they would be able to see what is available and spend their “budget” on things that they want, vs getting things they really can’t use. Because they are given a budget, they would get experience with managing their money and meal planning as well. The store could actually be set up in isles like a real store, meat in one isle, fresh vegetables, canned goods on another isle etc. They could “shop” and then “check out”, sort of like you don on any web site where you can make purchases. As long as they have the funds in their “budget” the food will be picked and packed and they could actually pick it up the next day. There is a whole other component to this, and that is how the food that is donated gets set up in the data base, but that is just a process of data management. Like I said, this is just a thought. I would be interested in hearing what others think about this project.

So what is so great about PBL?

We have previously talked about some of the difference between conventional learning and project based learning.
Conventional has a Didactic Curriculum (sage on the stage)”stand and deliver method”
· Facts and memorization
· Technology is taught in specific time blocks
· Information source is the teacher, textbook, reference
· Method used is paper, pen, pencil
· Focus on specific disciplines
· Careful adherence to time schedule
PBL (guide on the side)\
· Questions, hypothesis, higher order thinking
· Technology is integrated in everything
· Information source also includes Web and the internet
· Also use calculators, computers, and software programs
· Interdisciplinary curriculum
· Time is flexible
PBL is also
· More complex
· Uses IT that even the teacher may not be familiar with
· Louder, less structure in the classroom
· More interesting to student

Time Bandit

Time Bandit
Has anyone ever had to turn in a project, or a paper and been struggling, at the last minute to get it done. That very thing happened to me last week. I have a yearly report to turn into my boss every year. Each year it is due by Sept. 15th. It seems like every year I am always struggling to make the deadline. Each year when it is done, I spear I will never let that happen again. Yet every year when Sept 10th rolls around I am in a crunch again.

This year, I looked back to analyze what happened. Am I that poor at managing my time? Am I really that inefficient? I don’t think that is the problem at all. I think what happens is that in general I don’t plan for the unexpected. When I planned, I know how much time it will take, I actually gave myself two more weeks to do it than it should take. Then, the unexpected happened. I didn’t plan to miss a week of work when I got sick. (Seriously, I have not been out a full week in fifteen years.) Right after that, I had to go to San Antonio to take care of a robbery at a house we have there. There went all my extra time. It was just stolen from me. I don’t think I am unique or jinxed either. I think it happens to most of us when we have something important due. Life just gets in the way. So how do we handle that? We have to plan for the unexpected? Mentally move up the deadline. We have to ask ourselves what if this happens. Next year, my solution will be to plan to be done one month early. Now at times we won’t have the luxury of one month, but try to plan for the unexpected.