:TeachTech

It’s Earth Day! There are loads of things you can do personally to help reduce your environmental footprint.

But, as we turn our thoughts to teaching, Google Maps jump into our minds as a great way to learn about the earth. If you use Google Maps in your teaching, you might want to check out these resources:

Map the 7 Wonders of the World: An impressive list of applets for Google Maps that you can add to your account so you can find such wonders as the 7 wonders of the world, 7 ancient wonders along with natural wonders, underwater wonders and wonders from countries ranging from the USA to Japan. Also, the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Simulate a Flood to see Damage: Earth Science, economics, SEAT. All kinds of applications!!

Send Smoke Signals or Write a Crop Circle: Well, perhaps less educationally oriented but still darn cool!

Image: ‘Released to Public: Earth, Image by Reto Stöckli (NASA)‘

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The more time I spend in this new version of D2L, the more exciting it is.  I am so excited, I just want to show it off before we even get the production server (our main server, where students are) upgraded.

Exciting Thing 1: Things have not changed that much so it will be a totally different environment when you log in. Basic navigation, tool names, etc are the same so you won’t feel lost.

Exciting Thing 2: There are lots of positive changes in the system…many of which will improve your efficiency in both setting up courses and teaching courses. Plus, many other features that just add much more usefulness to the environment.

Here is my plan, since I know everybody is busy with ending the semester, I am going to use Elluminate to make it easier for folks to attend if they want. If you need a headset, let me know.

For folks who are itching to see this thing as soon as possible:
This week, I will have some overview/getting started sessions via Elluminate (30-40 minutes)

For folks who want to know what is really going to be different:
Next week, I will dive into the tools with the most changes/enhancements for a closer look also via Elluminate (30-40 minutes)

For folks who want to work in a more hands-on environment :
In mid-May, after the production server has been upgraded, we will have more formal workshops in GN 232. I’ll announce more specific times later but the dates will be during the weeks of May 12 and May 19.

ELLUMINATE SCHEDULE:
(Visit http://elluminate.pstcc.edu to enter the session)

Overview/Getting Started
April 16  (Wednesday)
    10 am
    3 pm

April 17 (Thursday)
    10 am
    3 pm

April 18 (Friday)
    10 am
    3 pm

Specific Tools
April 21 (Monday)
10 am – Grades
12 noon- Content
2 pm – Discussions

April 22 (Tuesday)
10 am – Discussions
12 noon – Grades
2 pm  – Content

April 24 (Thursday)
10 am – Content
12 noon – Discussions
2 pm – Grades

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As the term winds to an end, our minds turn to Spring…and to the final grades column in D2L. Yesterday, we sent out a reminder about revisiting your grades settings. But, we also wanted to let you know that the Final Grades open lab is scheduled for the Faculty Multimedia Studion (GN 232) and in Elluminate:

Friday, April 25 from 1 pm – 3 pm

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When you hear this student’s story and her acceptance speech, I think you will know why as well.

Desire2Blog: e-Learning Student of the Year

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If you have been following this blog, you know all about the Desire2Learn vs. Blackboard patent lawsuit. And, if not, there is plenty of info in this blog for you to find out more, if you want!

The new version of Desire2Learn (version 8.3) is considered by D2L to be a non-infringing version and they have asked all of their clients to upgrade to it. We were going to upgrade to 8.2 for the summer and then look at 8.3 for the future but, instead, it is straight to 8.3 for all of TBR (and lots of other schools as well)

The timeline for the upgrade is this:

• Test server is already upgraded (happened in early April)
• Production server will be upgraded May 8-11 so we will have it for Summer 2008.

Key tools that have been changed:

• Content
• Discussions
• Grades
• Calendar

Check your Learning OnLine listserv for a comparison document as well as link to an overview movie. Training schedule will be announced soon here as well.

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