Not much to say at the moment … I am actually relaxing and enjoying being off the grid. I am getting ready to do some travel in the coming weeks — I am heading back to Arizona to give a couple of talks back in the Maricopa system. I did one there last […]
2008
Week 1 Assignments and Some Thoughts
We will not be in class for week 1 … we’ll be doing some virtual stuff instead. It doesn’t mean you get a pass for the first week, we’re asking you to get familiar with some of the themes and with some of the technologies we’ll be using throughout the semester. It may feel like we’re throwing a lot at you, but if you just go down the list and check each item off you’ll be in good shape.
Personal Blog Introduction
The development of a virtual community takes time … we have an entire semester, but we’d like to get it started immediately. Even though this is a face to face course, one of our goals is for us all to connect well beyond the walls of the classroom. To that end, one of the first things we need you to do is to create a personal blog using the Blogs at Penn State toolset. It is really very easy and if you need help you can visit the PSU Blogger Community Hub.
This serves two important purposes for us … one is so we can meet each of you and learn a little about you. Really all we are asking you to do is create a short introduction on your own blogs. This assignment has a second purpose as well — it gets you all in the space and posting right away. All we are asking you to do is create a quick post that adresses the following:
- Your name
- Where you’re from
- What are your interests
- Why you are taking this class
- Anything interesting about you
- How would you describe your overall comfort level with the use of technology?
- Does technology interest you?
- Talk a little about how you see technology influencing teaching and learning.
C&I 597C: The Podcast
Let’s get started … our Introductory Podcast will give you some sense of what this whole course is all about. We’ve setup a space on iTunes U that we’ll use to share all of our course podcasts … during the semester we’ll ask you to create your own and share them with the class. Getting familiar with the iTunes U site will be a good first step. As a matter of fact, we’ll spend time talking about podcasting, iTunes U, and how all of this can be used to transform teaching a learning. At any rate, grab the podcast and leave us a comment. By the way, if you are familiar with RSS you can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes and then you can enjoy episodes as soon as they are ready.
Welcome to the Course
Hi and welcome to our course site … you’ve arrived at the blog for C&I 597C at Penn State. Our course, Disruptive Technologies for Teaching and Learning will hopefully be an exciting opportunity to engage in a long-term conversation about how we can create new learning opportunities related to emerging technologies and design. Take a look around … both Scott and I will be posting all sorts of things here throughout the semester.