Issue #4, November 30, 2009
Talking about the MDE ...
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! Because of the holidays we are a bit late in posting, but it should be useful nonetheless.
The Fall semester is quickly coming to a close. If you haven't yet registered for the spring 2010 semester, I'm sure you are planning to do so soon. Please check for availability of courses through the MDE Hub. If you have any questions concerning your planning, don't hesitate to email Stella about it. Classes start January 28 and end April 25. This means that pre-week starts January 21 and that our Orientation workshop will be running between February 11 and 20th. Save the date!
The Fall semester is quickly coming to a close. If you haven't yet registered for the spring 2010 semester, I'm sure you are planning to do so soon. Please check for availability of courses through the MDE Hub. If you have any questions concerning your planning, don't hesitate to email Stella about it. Classes start January 28 and end April 25. This means that pre-week starts January 21 and that our Orientation workshop will be running between February 11 and 20th. Save the date!
Practitioner's Toolbox
cool tools you can use
PERRLA
http://www.perrla.com
About APA PERRLA: "Your APA Format Reference Resource (Windows only - not Mac) (Word 2000 and newer). APA PERRLA not only formats your papers, but it provides citations and references that are APA compatible. APA PERRLA correctly creates references and citations that conform to APA format. APA PERRLA will also take you through a simple, step-by-step PERRLA Wizard process. If you are not using APA PERRLA, you are wasting valuable time."
PERRLA works beautifully in Word 2007 and well worth the cost (approximately $30.00 US). PERRLA says you can install on as many computers as you need. As with all new applications, there is a small learning curve, but nothing terribly difficult. If you do get stuck, PERRLA has an excellent 'Help Center' for product support and general APA questions, including a nice set of video tutorials.
http://www.perrla.com
PERRLA works beautifully in Word 2007 and well worth the cost (approximately $30.00 US). PERRLA says you can install on as many computers as you need. As with all new applications, there is a small learning curve, but nothing terribly difficult. If you do get stuck, PERRLA has an excellent 'Help Center' for product support and general APA questions, including a nice set of video tutorials.
On the Horizon
upcoming conferences and calls for papers
USDLA 2010 National Conference Call for ProposalsUnited States Distance Learning Association
Deadline for proposals is December 4
Conference is in early May (a nice time between semesters at UMUC)
Great opportunity to network
The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for the 2010 Annual Conference. Proposals are now being accepted based on the 2010 theme, "Distance Learning: Diverse, Innovative, Efficient, and Sustainable." We invite your proposals and participation in this exciting and important event. There is also a new and unique opportunity this year to present your session in our virtual classroom setting. You will be able to note your interest in the call for proposal link below.
Conference Tracks
You are invited to submit proposals that address any of the conference topics outlined below. Please remember to incorporate the overall conference theme when possible.
Track 1: Advances and Research in eLearning
Track 1 focuses on sharing the latest research and validated innovations that are coming out of education, business, and the military as it relates to distance learning.
Track 2: Professional Development via Distance Learning
Track 2 focuses on the efficient training opportunities available to online professionals to help them become experts in their field. Sessions could answer the following questions: How does your organization train your instructors to become online facilitators? What types of professional development opportunities are available to support instructors once they have begun training? How do you introduce and support 21st century skills to professionals trained using 20th century models?
Track 3: Innovative Practices in Distance Teaching and Learning
The focus for Track 3 relates to validated practices and procedures, including globally, being used throughout K-12, Higher Education (private & public), military, government and corporate training/education entities, giving special attention to various approaches to teaching students. This should look at best practices and practical techniques that instructors of all areas can implement within their teaching and training.
Track 4: Sustainable Technology Innovation
Track 4 promotes the exchange of information among trainers/educators throughout K-12, Higher Education (private & public), military, government, and corporate entities that explores technology in advancing the practices and procedures of online learning.
Track 5: Diverse Strategies in Addressing Contemporary Distance Learning Issues
Track 5 encourages examples of how distance education is working to address contemporary issues relating to the current economic crisis. This should look at diverse and efficient strategies, including globally being used in business, education, government and military. For example, using distance education as it relates to "going green", increased online administrative requirements, communication alternatives, etc.
Reader's and Listener's Digest
from the DE community
The Impact of Openness on Bridging Educational Digital Divides
The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning
by Andy Lane
The Open University, UK
Abstract: Openness has been a feature of higher education for many decades, particularly through the establishment of open universities, although there remain debates about what openness means in practice. Digital technologies, some based on open principles, and digital content, aided by open licences, have both contributed recently to an extension of what is deemed possible under the heading of openness. Nevertheless, while in principle there may be greater degrees of openness available in higher education it does not mean in practice that many people can still readily avail themselves of these new opportunities to learn, not just because they do not have access to digital technologies but personal circumstances mean they also lack the necessary skills and the confidence to use such technologies in general or for education in particular. In fact it can be argued that this new openness, characterised mainly through the open educational resources movement, may actually widen rather than bridge the digital and educational divides between groups, both within and across national boundaries, through the increasing sophistication in technologies and the competencies expected of learners. This paper reviews some of the evidence supporting these different areas of interest and attempts to provide a synthesis of them.
# # # #
e-Learning Stuff Podcast #028: The VLE is Dead
e-Learning Stuff
by James Clay
"A recording of the symposium run at ALT-C 2009 in which Steve Wheeler, Graham Attwell, James Clay and Nick Sharratt, with Josie Fraser in the Chair; discuss the if and how we should be using VLEs to enhance and enrich learning. This is the twenty eighth e-Learning Stuff Podcast, The VLE is Dead."
Direct link to audio recording: http://elearningstuff.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/elearningstuff028.mp3
The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning
by Andy Lane
The Open University, UK
Abstract: Openness has been a feature of higher education for many decades, particularly through the establishment of open universities, although there remain debates about what openness means in practice. Digital technologies, some based on open principles, and digital content, aided by open licences, have both contributed recently to an extension of what is deemed possible under the heading of openness. Nevertheless, while in principle there may be greater degrees of openness available in higher education it does not mean in practice that many people can still readily avail themselves of these new opportunities to learn, not just because they do not have access to digital technologies but personal circumstances mean they also lack the necessary skills and the confidence to use such technologies in general or for education in particular. In fact it can be argued that this new openness, characterised mainly through the open educational resources movement, may actually widen rather than bridge the digital and educational divides between groups, both within and across national boundaries, through the increasing sophistication in technologies and the competencies expected of learners. This paper reviews some of the evidence supporting these different areas of interest and attempts to provide a synthesis of them.
# # # #
e-Learning Stuff Podcast #028: The VLE is Dead
e-Learning Stuff
by James Clay
"A recording of the symposium run at ALT-C 2009 in which Steve Wheeler, Graham Attwell, James Clay and Nick Sharratt, with Josie Fraser in the Chair; discuss the if and how we should be using VLEs to enhance and enrich learning. This is the twenty eighth e-Learning Stuff Podcast, The VLE is Dead."
Direct link to audio recording: http://elearningstuff.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/elearningstuff028.mp3
In the News
excerpts from DE in the news
Globalization, technology helping kids learn
The Toronto Sun
by Thane Burnett
November 18, 2009
"'The Garden of the Illiterate' is no more.
They are about to see one of their children graduate with a law degree.
Education, from hand washing to clipping dirty fingernails, has cut down on the number of sick youngsters.
And Celine Dion, and the always-popular Facebook approved peace-sign throw-down poses in pictures, is a big hit with local teenage girls here.
Before 1998, when World Vision completed a modest bridge into this sub-village, Dongkalan was an isolated community.
Even today, while motorcycles can make their way in and locals routinely trek four kilometres out for school and health care, on this day, they are apparently seeing their first white man walk the dirt roads. Around the world, one of the biggest hurdles in development and foreign aid has been reaching children in remote communities.
But, thanks to globalization and technology, the Earth is opening up, far and wide. One Laptop Per Child, a global technology aid initiative, has shipped 1.5 million low-cost computers to children in places like Rwanda, Mali, Tanzania and Mozambique."
# # # #
A new education option for Cayman
Cay Compass News Online
by Basia Pioro McGuire
November 23, 2009
A new company soon launching in Cayman is offering a new way for residents to earn tertiary level qualifications.
Education for Advancement, a distance learning service provider that has been rapidly expanding throughout the Caribbean in recent years, will soon be opening an office in Grand Cayman.
The Fort Lauderdale based company coordinates enrolment and study towards Associates, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees offered by the University of Leicester and by Ashworth College, a US–based accredited online education provider.
“Distance education is proving really popular in the Caribbean, particularly in those jurisdictions where people are looking for more tertiary education options,” said EFA Cayman’s Director John Carey.
Commenting on the attraction of studying for a degree at a fraction of the cost of on–campus tuition, he noted the company has over 2,000 students enrolled in St. Lucia, and about 500 in St. Kitts.
# # # #
Mesalands to take part in new project
Quay County Sun
by QCS staff
November 24, 2009
Mesalands is one of six colleges in the state of New Mexico that was selected by the New Mexico Higher Education Department to participate in a Distance Education Learning Technology pilot project, said Amber McClure, Director of Educational Services at Mesalands.
Mesalands will receive the $15,000 for three years, to conduct the research and to develop this project.
"The pilot project will give Mesalands the opportunity to offer online (GED) courses," McClure said.
McClure said the course will be available to 50 people in Quay, Harding, and Union counties. There are currently no Adult Basic Education (ABE) services provided in Harding County.
The Toronto Sun
by Thane Burnett
November 18, 2009
"'The Garden of the Illiterate' is no more.
They are about to see one of their children graduate with a law degree.
Education, from hand washing to clipping dirty fingernails, has cut down on the number of sick youngsters.
And Celine Dion, and the always-popular Facebook approved peace-sign throw-down poses in pictures, is a big hit with local teenage girls here.
Before 1998, when World Vision completed a modest bridge into this sub-village, Dongkalan was an isolated community.
Even today, while motorcycles can make their way in and locals routinely trek four kilometres out for school and health care, on this day, they are apparently seeing their first white man walk the dirt roads. Around the world, one of the biggest hurdles in development and foreign aid has been reaching children in remote communities.
But, thanks to globalization and technology, the Earth is opening up, far and wide. One Laptop Per Child, a global technology aid initiative, has shipped 1.5 million low-cost computers to children in places like Rwanda, Mali, Tanzania and Mozambique."
# # # #
A new education option for Cayman
Cay Compass News Online
by Basia Pioro McGuire
November 23, 2009
A new company soon launching in Cayman is offering a new way for residents to earn tertiary level qualifications.
Education for Advancement, a distance learning service provider that has been rapidly expanding throughout the Caribbean in recent years, will soon be opening an office in Grand Cayman.
The Fort Lauderdale based company coordinates enrolment and study towards Associates, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees offered by the University of Leicester and by Ashworth College, a US–based accredited online education provider.
“Distance education is proving really popular in the Caribbean, particularly in those jurisdictions where people are looking for more tertiary education options,” said EFA Cayman’s Director John Carey.
Commenting on the attraction of studying for a degree at a fraction of the cost of on–campus tuition, he noted the company has over 2,000 students enrolled in St. Lucia, and about 500 in St. Kitts.
# # # #
Mesalands to take part in new project
Quay County Sun
by QCS staff
November 24, 2009
Mesalands is one of six colleges in the state of New Mexico that was selected by the New Mexico Higher Education Department to participate in a Distance Education Learning Technology pilot project, said Amber McClure, Director of Educational Services at Mesalands.
Mesalands will receive the $15,000 for three years, to conduct the research and to develop this project.
"The pilot project will give Mesalands the opportunity to offer online (GED) courses," McClure said.
McClure said the course will be available to 50 people in Quay, Harding, and Union counties. There are currently no Adult Basic Education (ABE) services provided in Harding County.
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