Monthly Archives: May 2012

Reflection 05/21/12-05/25/12

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Accomplishments:

  • Summer ’12 courses running
    • Sent out a note to Summer ’12 faculty about ANGEL upgrade and public yammer group about Virtual Teaming
    • IST 210
      • provided IST Helpdesk with adds/drops on 5/24
    • IST 220
      • provided IST Helpdesk with adds/drops on 5/24/12
    • IST 301
      • Worked through issues with Voicethread
    • IST 302
      • Amy G had to step in to make sure that things are moving forward
    • IST 421
      • This is a video that I made and shared out last week about embedding videos for ANGEL course announcements: http://screenr.com/dRK8
    • Summer ’12 revisions/developments
      • IST 420 (Ocker)
        • Discussed how best to do the revision including using the drupal space for the course if necessary
      • IST 402 (Saab)
        • Met to continue discussion about the course
        • Turned into testing voicethread which I used to help with 301 this semester
    • Madison proposal
      • Received confirmation that I have been selected to present for the 28th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning in Madison, WI in the lightning session format. The session title is “An overview to providing accessible videos using free tools.”
      • Tentatively completed the summary on 4/18
      • Deadlines
        • May 4 – Upload required paper for Conference Proceedings and Resources publication Done 4/20
        • June 4 – Register for the conference (instructions will be sent)
        • July 4 – Upload session handout(s)
    • Here is a reflection on EGC Gameday
    • Fall ’12 Course Prep
      • IST 110
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
        • Sec 003
        • Sec 004 Pearson Pilot

      • IST 111S Followed up about which section to import/export from
        • Sec 001
      • IST 210
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 220
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 230
        • Sec 001
      • IST 240
        • Sec 001
      • IST 250
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 260W
        • Sec 001
      • IST 302
        • Sec 001
      • IST 331
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 402 SMO
        • Sec 001
      • IST 420
        • Sec 001
      • IST 440W
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 495 – Met with Zoe and Madhavi about using ANGEL to teach 295B and 495
        • Sec 001

    Ongoing Projects:

    • Updating google spreadsheet for Summer ’12 &  Fall ’12 
    • Created a new end of the semester survey for Spring ’12
    • Thinking about how to point out to places that will be updated from the syllabus
    • Working on Fall ’12 Courses listed above
    • IST 260W content added in drupal
      • I need to check it with the WC offering
        • Began the process but looks like there is a reference to an old textbook in the content

    Immediate Decisions / Issues:

    • Number of people being added to courses
    • What tool(s) will we use to make interactive learning objects (smartbuilder, raptivity, etc.)

    Back Burner:

    • Gaming, Simulations, and Virtual World Research Committee

    Something New I worked on this Week

    • See items about Voicethread above

    Days off / Conferences:

    • May 17 – 4 hours vacation in AM
    • May 22 – Game Day
    • May 24 – 4 hours vacation in PM
    • May 25 – 8 hours vacation
    • May 28 – 8 hours holiday
    • June 11 & 12 Web 2012 Conference
    • June 22, 25-29 vacation days
    • July 10 AM Sick time for Dental Appt
    • August 8-10 Madison Conference

    I finally got around to this on 5/31/12. Guess that means that I’m busy 😉

Alternate Reality Games (ARG)

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For the afternoon session at EGC Game Day, I chose Alternate Reality Games (ARG) by Brett Bixler. This session was based upon Jan McGonigal: http://www.slideshare.net/avantgame/alternate-realities-jane-mcgonigal-keynote-sxsw-2008

Brett did a great job of facilitating a discussion, and I enjoyed the collaborative environment to work on the following:

Game Name: Out of Knowwhere
Plot: Dissertation
1) Learn language
    -understand process
2) Food
    -publications
    -ch 2
3) Fire
    -IRB
    -data
4) Shelter
    -Overall framework

Actions “what”
1) Memory game
    -Read dissertation
    -Flowchart/Gannt
2) Go to the library
3) Interview subjects
    -Submit paperwork
4) Write up outline

Media – “how”
Scavenger Hunt w/ QR Codes
1) End of dissertation – clue to next step, Use learned language to pick up food-gathering tool(Guide, Disctionary)
2) (Food) Access code to open up LIAS included on certain items that are picked up
    -Gather food = searches performed, articles (relevant) downloaded
    -Research proposal (access code)
3) (Fire) Enter code unlocks a forum that has information, forms, Rough draft of IRB and data collection process
4) (Shelter) Access code opens
    -APA Style Template/Framework
    -Access code
        -opens site w/simple interface to build a shelter/party
        -Leaderboard for 1st done, etc.

Social
Non-verbal only Drawings
Article sharing
“Discoverable” artifacts journals for people falling behind
System builds a review of individual’s process – can be shared

Break Out Session on Pedagogy

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Break out about Pedagogy

  • ppt for game (5-6 h to complete)
  • zombie branching – Choose your own adventure scenario
  • Active learning
  • Replay value
  • Even when you take a wrong choice u learn something
  • Having a team choice brings in an element of interactivity in a social sense

Examples of free and easy game creators

Analytics – user testing? learning from mistakes. Use google analytics to determine what is happening.

Pedagogy

  • Repetition to reinforce the concept

Reflection: Good session on how easy it can be to put together a branching scenario.

Lightning Talks

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Following the AM Panel, there were some elements shared via Lightning Talks

  • iEnsamble – iPads were a fun way to allow students to be creative in a Music class. Many created their own music videos that included music made with Garage Band
  • EconU – Worked on accessibility
  • Clickers – Way to begin thinking about interactivity in residence
  • Badges – Mozilla, Google providing badges
  • The Mineral Hunt – Jeff Rayl (EMS) based on Clue but avoids the need 2 physically send out minerals
  • Online Search Game for the Library Game to align with a standard of students being able to find materials effectively and efficiently – Card game; Made tweaks to improve the competition (varying point values, placing players in teams) Cards provide options, students suggest

Reflection: This was a well-organized and interesting piece that was more about trying different strategies than just focusing on games. I enjoyed learning more and am inspired to try different things.

Morning Panel

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For the morning panel, there were three faculty talking about different ways that they were integrating games into their courses.

Bart Pursel – Course on building games
IST 446 Introduction to Building Computer/Video Games

  • Bart finds that games as a way to connect to what students are familiar with
  • In his course, he talks about narrative, ascetics, and other aspects
  • HW is to play a certain games (5-8 h)
  • Games provide a common experience but different personal experiences
  • Interactivity is promoted by using games; allows instructors to move into the facilitator role, rather than lecturer
  • Games provide students a chance to fail in a safe environment
  • There are logistics for students to play the games
  • Reflection is important for learning
  • Possibly students get too engrossed in the activity
  • About 7 assessment
  • Team project
  • Advice: Try a current-generation game (3-5 h) before using games in a class

Mark Seguey – Out of the Box games
HPA 101

  • More diverse population (Sim Health) – experiencing how complex Health Policy is
  • Able to facilitate the global thinking about Healthcare Policy
  • Game was an application part of the course (not assessed) in the beginning
  • (Sim Health to Healthbound-CDC)
  • Now, the game is integrated into the curriculum
  • 50/50 about the game (10% hate the game) Why? Technology, audio, and graphics Not the learning preference of the students
  • Games allow for more discussion about alternative ways to form Healthcare policy
  • Improves student understanding that issues relating to healthcare are more complex than what is simply thought
  • Technology challenges with Sim Health, reason moved to Healthbound (browser-based)
  • Assessment: Final Report (rubric that assesses content and style)
  • Advice: Work incrementally; you will make mistakes; it’s a process

Jan Charlton – Course by Story
ASTRO 001
Want to play a game to make students go deeper
Way to develop philosophical elements that cannot do with lecture
Course is all through the game, but assessments are identical to the traditional approach
Game created by 5 on a team of faculty and students
Alien visitors take students on mini adventures
Various multimedia used
Game helps to provide students the chance to build and interact to help create learning
Many in the learning community have negative views towards games
WC push back in providing resources
Some student have certain learning practices that don’t fall within the gaming teaching and learning strategy
Games make learning more fun
Games are not the only strategy used

Accessibility is hasn’t been an issue yet, but they have some ideas

Reflection: This was a great panel! I appreciated many of the ideas presented. I especially liked Mark’s suggestion to take things in increments. It is easy to get overwhelmed when looking at project as a whole, but breaking it down into pieces makes things much more manageable.

Reflection 05/14/12-05/18/12

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Accomplishments:

  • Summer ’12 courses running
    • IST 110
      • consulted about preparations for short screencast for the course as an overview for students
      • The results looked good. Here is an example: http://screenr.com/zdm8
    • IST 210
      • provided IST Helpdesk with adds for the labs on 5/14/12
      • sent in a helpdesk item for vlabs page updated by Adam
      • updated Getting Started Lab in all 3 sections and dev space based upon changes made by Adam
    • IST 220
      • provided IST Helpdesk with adds for the labs on 5/14/12
    • IST 240
      • Answered a few questions about VLABS and the course in general
      • Had to address the need to login twice again. Need to address this since it is a reoccurring problem
      • Talked to Tim L face-to-face about the course and assessment.
        • He appeared interested in rubrics
        • Sent him 2 samples
    • IST 301
      • consulted about how to add audio to ppts
        • 1st suggestion was to add audio to the slide using ppt
        • After consulting with Melissa, also mentioned thought about Voicethread
    • IST 302
      • Answering more questions about the course that have already been answered
    • IST 421
      • Still working to help with intro videos with accessibility in mind
      • Helped John H with student interested in Dreamspark
    • Summer ’12 revisions/developments
      • IST 420 (Ocker)
      • IST 402 (Saab)
        • Will discuss 1st 2 topics in detail on May 14
        • Talked about workflow today
        • He’s thinking of using many tools to accomplish the course
        • Contacted Shannon K about games and real emotions
        • Contacted Amy G about concept mapping
    • Madison proposal
      • Received confirmation that I have been selected to present for the 28th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning in Madison, WI in the lightning session format. The session title is “An overview to providing accessible videos using free tools.”
      • Tentatively completed the summary on 4/18
      • Deadlines
        • May 4 – Upload required paper for Conference Proceedings and Resources publication Done 4/20
        • June 4 – Register for the conference (instructions will be sent)
        • July 4 – Upload session handout(s)
    • Here is a reflection on a yammer thread started by Stevie on Games and Education:
    • Fall ’12 Course Prep
      • IST 110
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
        • Sec 003
        • Sec 004 Pearson Pilot

      • IST 111S Followed up about which section to import/export from
        • Sec 001
      • IST 210
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 220
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 230
        • Sec 001
      • IST 240
        • Sec 001
      • IST 250
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 260W
        • Sec 001
      • IST 302
        • Sec 001
      • IST 331
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 402 SMO
        • Sec 001
      • IST 420
        • Sec 001
      • IST 440W
        • Sec 001
        • Sec 002
      • IST 495
        • Sec 001
      • IST 495
        • Sec 001
      • Meet with Kent about what is going on for Fall ’12

    Ongoing Projects:

    • Updating google spreadsheet for Summer ’12 &  Fall ’12 
      • Received several notes from Karen M about info for WC system
    • Created a new end of the semester survey for Spring ’12
    • Thinking about how to point out to places that will be updated from the syllabus
    • Working on Fall ’12 Courses listed above
    • IST 260W content added in drupal
      • I need to check it with the WC offering
        • Began the process but looks like there is a reference to an old textbook in the content

    Immediate Decisions / Issues:

    • What tool(s) will we use to make interactive learning objects (smartbuilder, raptivity, etc.)

    Back Burner:

    • Gaming, Simulations, and Virtual World Research Committee

    Something New I worked on this Week

    • When completing the adds for the IST Helpdesk for 210 and 220, I found the following helpful:
    • Found out that there were issues in embedding youtube videos as discussion forum posts. It has something to do with <iframe>. When using <object> code, it is possible to embed. It is possible to change settings when viewing the embed code to find the <object> related code.
    • Found out how simple it is to wipe out folders in google. It is impossible to move items to folder unless they are in your drive. I moved all of the items from a shared folder to My Drive instead of the folder itself. Moving the items removes them from the folder, but moving the folder to My Drive still keeps items for all to see.

    Days off / Conferences:

    • May 17 – 4 hours vacation in AM
    • May 22 – Game Day
    • May 24 – 4 hours vacation in PM
    • May 25 – 8 hours vacation
    • May 28 – 8 hours holiday
    • June 11 & 12 Web 2012 Conference
    • June 22, 25-29 vacation days
    • July 10 AM Sick time for Dental Appt
    • August 8-10 Madison Conference

Reflection on Why Games Don’t Teach Article

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Shout out to Stevie Rocco who shared this out via Yammer!

My reflections on Why Games Don’t Teach by Ruth Colvin Clark

To preface my thoughts, I don’t think that any technique teaches by itself. As educators, we provide opportunities for students to learn by motivating and inspiring them. Well devised games are one way to enable students to have success. For some examples see the following article: https://learn.it.uts.edu.au/31002/Autumn04/support/learnfromgames.pdf.

“… the type of graphic, the intended learning goal, and the prior knowledge of the learner must all be considered in defining the instructional value…”

Reflection: Good point. It is important to note that when we say games, we are talking about the good and the bad. We cannot create a game for a game’s sake. There must be an objective in mind that aligns with the teaching and learning goals of the course.

“Games encompass so many diverse potential learning environments that it makes no sense to make any general statements about them.”

Reflection: This is part of the reason that so many will have a problem with the title of the article. I’m sure that the title was carefully crafted to get readers. I completely agree that it’s important to find the correct type of game to fit the learning objective.

“The goal of the research was to compare learning efficiency and effectiveness from a narrative game to a slide presentation of the content.”

Reflection: It’s hard to know where to start here. I don’t know how many would say that learning by playing a game is efficient, but most would agree that because of motivation that many learners will spend the time to accomplish the goal. Slide presentations are one way of teaching, but I think that most would agree that we have found many ways to tap out their effectiveness.

“Students who played the Crystal Island game learned less and rated the lesson more difficult than students who viewed a slide presentation without any game narrative or hands on activities. “

Reflection: Without knowing much about the Crystal Island game, I wonder if there was any reflection or attempt after playing the game to check for understanding. Games, like any other type of learning activity, require instructors to facilitate and/or intervene when necessary.

“…for simple visual or auditory recognition tasks that benefit from drill and practice, a timed game may convert a boring flash card activity into a more engaging experience.”

Reflection: This is one way to incorporate games for students to at least have a better feeling about learning, but hopefully we can take a game to incorporate higher-order thinking as well.

“A game that displays signals and requires learners to click on the correct action (slow down, stop, etc) and scores learners based on both response accuracy and speed may prove to be an effective learning vehicle.”

Reflection: We need to adjust games to our purposes. Making adjustments like this are one way to solve a larger pedagogical problem. Solving any problem requires adjustments along the way.

“Despite the uncontested popularity of commercial games and a lot of hype in the training community, the reality is that there is scarce credible evidence on how and when to best use games to improve instructional outcomes and motivation.”

Reflection: We need more data and individuals within the educational community to take the risk of making games for education to study. But using a conservative approach will only keep things as is.

Reflection 05/07/12-05/11/12

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Accomplishments:

  • Spring ’12 revisions
    • IST 210 (Heberling)
      • Copied all materials in all 3 sections on May 7
      • Items outstanding
        • Initial Team Project Directions
        • Initial Team Project Template
        • Lab 6
        • Lab 7
        • Lab 8
    • IST 220 (Bertin)
      • Need to try the labs myself
    • IST 240 (Smith)
      • Received UML and Java assessments on 5/8 and placed in the lesson
      • Virtual meeting w/ Hal to discuss:

                  I.            Assessment parameters

          a.       Is this something that should be open for just the week that it is due? Open the week that they are due.

          b.      Do files submitted need to be Word or pdf? Can they be a text file, for instance? Leave in final

          c.       Are there any other items that you see as a part of the assessment parameters that I don’t see? – move uml and java assessments to the next week on the course schedule

                II.            Grading Scheme

          a.       Assignment – 60% (?)

                                                                         i.      1 (5)

                                                                       ii.      2 (10)

                                                                      iii.      3 (10)

                                                                     iv.      4 (10)

                                                                       v.      5 (10)

                                                                     vi.      6 (10)

          b.      Exam – 35% (?) (40, 40, 40)

          c.       Participation (?) 2.5 % for an ungraded assessment participation 5%

              III.            Introduction Announcement

          a.       See announcement under the Resources tab

          b.      Some instructors do introduction videos

                                                                         i.      http://www.screenr.com/

                                                                       ii.      http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html

    • IST 402 (Cameron) – I’ll be assisting Melissa when needed
    • IST 402 (Saab)
      • Met via skype on May 7
      • Will discuss 1st 2 topics in detail on May 14
      • Talked about workflow today
      • He’s thinking of using many tools to accomplish the course
    • IST 421 (Hill)
      • This should be set now
  • Madison proposal
    • Received confirmation that I have been selected to present for the 28th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning in Madison, WI in the lightning session format. The session title is “An overview to providing accessible videos using free tools.”
    • Tentatively completed the summary on 4/18
    • Deadlines
      • May 4 – Upload required paper for Conference Proceedings and Resources publication Done 4/20
      • June 4 – Register for the conference (instructions will be sent)
      • July 4 – Upload session handout(s)
  • Here is a reflection on a blog entry that Donal Clark did on Mohammed:
  • Here is a reflection on the LD Community Meeting:
  • Summer ’12 Course Prep
    • IST 110
      • Sec 001
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
      • Sec 002
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
      • Sec 003
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
      • Sec 204 Pearson Pilot
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
      • Sec 901 CE
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
    • IST 111S Followed up about which section to import/export from
      • Sec 001
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
        • Plan to remove course schedule from the syllabus since she already places the course schedule under the Lessons tab in ANGEL; Completed 5/7/12
    • IST 210
      • Populated all 3 sections
      • Need following from Gary
        • Lab 6
        • Lab 7
        • Lab 8
        • Initial Team Progress Report Directions
        • Initial Team Progress Report Template
      • Set up of gradebook
      • Then copy from Master Course to complete
    • IST 220
      • Sec 001
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
      • Sec 002
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
      • Sec 003
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
        • Sent the following video to Mike to help with explaining how to sign up for Elluminate Live:
    • IST 230
      • Sec 001
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
    • IST 240
      • Sec 001 & 002
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
        • Need:
          • Assignment 4 specifics
          • Assignment 5 specifics
          • Exams
            • UML (after Lesson 7); added to drupal but still need to
              • add images to the server
              • update the html to make the images visable
              • hal needs to update instructions for the assessments
            • Java (after Lesson 13)
              • hal needs to update instructions for the assessments
            • Final exam (after the last lesson)
          • Gradebook plan
        • I need to create a 12-week and 15-week course schedule
    • IST 295B
      • Sec 001
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
    • IST 301
      • Sec 001
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
    • IST 421
      • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
      • Addressed an idea of opening course early
      • Made the following videos to help with setting up accessible course announcements:
    • IST 495
      • Sec 001
        • Completed all items for Summer ’12 opening
    • Met with Kent about what is going on for Summer ’12 on 5/11

Ongoing Projects:

  • Updating google spreadsheet for Summer ’12 &  Fall ’12
  • Working on Summer 2012 courses: 110, 111S, 210, 220, 230, 240, 295B, 301, 302, 420 EA (Melissa), 421, 495
  • IST 260W content added in drupal
    • I need to check it with the WC offering
      • Began the process but looks like there is a reference to an old textbook in the content
  • Submitted both March and April attendance records on May 1
  • Provided Mary Beth access to IST 331 development section
  • Met with Amy and Brenda regarding labs
  • Kent and I met to discuss next steps
    • I created a life cyle of a lab document to share with John, Amy, Lisa

Immediate Decisions / Issues:

  • None

Back Burner:

  • Gaming, Simulations, and Virtual World Research Committee

Something New I worked on this Week

  • Worked with the scanner on the hall

Days off / Conferences:

  • May 17 – 4 hours vacation in AM
  • May 24 – 4 hours vacation in PM
  • May 25 – 8 hours vacation
  • May 28 – 8 hours holiday
  • June 11 & 12 Web 2012 Conference
  • June 22, 25-29 vacation days
  • July 10 AM Sick time for Dental Appt
  • August 8-10 Madison Conference

LD Community Meeting – May 2012

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RToday’s meeting was about perception and how it applies to Instructional Design.

Here is the TED talk by Rory Sutherland “Perspective is Everything”

Idea from the discussion: Does Control=Happiness? According to the video, this is true. How does this relate to how we design courses?

Reflection:
To me it is important to use theory and experience to design courses. Analytics are becoming more and more a part of the discussion. But do students always know what’s best for them. I think that many times student do not realize how important ideas that they learn are until later.

Idea from the discussion: How many options are we providing? We should control options thoughtfully.

Reflection:
This is a great point made by Kent Matsueda. We cannot inundate students with every permutation possible. We need to widdle down choices for students so they can choice from options that make sense for leaning.

Idea from the discussion: Art vs. science – there is no difference

Reflection: Brian Young made a comment that made me think about the relationship between art and science. In education, we always try to break everything down into compartments. But do ideas actually exist that way. The idea of techne was brought up by Jeff refering to how we cannot separate art from science and that the dissection is more of a Western idea.

Idea from the discussion: It is possible to control instruction not the learning

Reflection: There was a discussion started by Stevie Rocco on yammer within the ID community that revolved around this. I tend to agree with this. It affects the way that I design in that I want to put students in a position to have success, but many of the factors that lead to learning are out of my control.

I enjoyed the meeting and the opportunity to think about Instructional Design and look forward to the continued discussion at the Learning Design Summer Camp 2012.