Games for the Classroom

Today's Millennial Generation students are gamers in every sense. Therefore, they expect those concepts to be transferred into the classroom as well. How can you harnass that "negative trait" (as us old school folks would call it) in a positive learning experience? Check out this cool website with games that also teach them about the course topic is: www.socialimpactgames.com.

For my summer sociology course, entitled Individual & Society (SOC125), I plan to have them play Darfur is Dying. There are cool facts and tidbits that they will learn regarding the genocide that is occurring in that particular region of Sudan.

There are also games for science, business, politics and religion.

Wiki for your course

There has been a lot of Wikipedia bashing the past year or so. But, Web 2.0 is all about interactivity as opposed to the static nature of Web 1.0. I know, any Harry, Billy, or Bob can add content that is totally false.

Well, what if you could let your Millennial Generation students create their own knowledge, but only they would have access instead of the entire world? And, you could monitor the postings? Well, of course you can through the Peanut Butter wiki website. Check out for yourself, it's free! www.pbwiki.com.

What's the difference between online instruction and face-to-face instruction?

Are you just starting out on your quest to become an online instructor? Here's a link to a good website called elearners.com. Click on the link entitled “When Online is Better than Face-to-Face Interaction by Susan Smith Nash, Ph.D." It will give you an idea of the differences between online instruction versus face-to-face instruction.

http://community.elearners.com/blogs/inside_elearning/archive/2007/02/06/_2200_Inside-e_2D00_Learning-by-Susan-Smith-Nash_2C00_-Ph.D_2E002200_-Podcasts-are-Available-for-Download.aspx

Toggl

Need a good way to keep track of the time you spend working on a project. Then check out this free website www.toggl.com. You can keep your time on numerous projects then develop a report for your higher-ups.

Web 2.0

For online instructors or professors who really enjoy incorporating new and exciting technologies into their courses, here is a must see website: http://www.readwriteweb.com/. This website gives you an update on various Web 2.0 websites and gives you a preview of what is on the horizon in terms of technology.

Online tools

I'm currently preparing for a sociology course that I will teach this summer at Reading Area Community College (PA). I plan to use a lot of visual aids and Web 2.0 stuff. If you are an online instructor, you must check out the Merlot website: http://www.merlot.org/merlot/index.htm
This is a site for online instructors to share their information, materials and tools. You'll find a lot of cool and useful there.

I just started my orientation course for the second time. I've added a couple of neat audio and video clips this time around. Hopefully, it will run smoother.

Until next time!

It's a little time!

It's been a while since I've added a new post, but I believe I read somewhere that a new blogger only posts once a month at best. So I guess I'm on target.

This is not a political blog, but did you hear Obama's speech yesterday. Woowww! He blew Hillary out of the water!

Anyway, day by day I'm learning new tricks to add to my online course. I recently recorded my first podcast, but I'm having trouble uploading it into my WebCT courseroom. I downloaded a free recording program called Audacity, you can get it at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. All you need is a pair of headphones with a mic and you're good to go. Thanks to Inez Whipple. I also recorded a video for my class and uploaded it to YouTube. Just go to the site and search "RACC Transfer Center." Lastly, I started a Facebook account, so soon you'll be able to catch me there also.

See you soon, (hopefully!)

First day

Hola folks,

This is my first official day as a blogger. I am an adjunct online instructor at a community college located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. I recently started my endeavor into the online universe and I am looking for other professionals who can offer advice with online teaching. I will list the things that have helped me in design and instruction and will also highlight my many gaffes. I am also an online learner at Capella University, which is an online institution. I love the medium and technology and look to grow with all you "mouse instructors" out there.