Week4 Final Project

References:

(2010). Epsilen environment. Retrieved September 13, 2010, from http://www.epsilen.com/LandingSite/index.aspx

Shirky, C. (2008). Institutions vs. collaboration. Retrieved September 13, 2010, from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/clay_shirky_on_institutions_versus_collaboration.html

Week4 Udutu Project

My Udutu lesson is on the Frog Life Cycle and it is geared towards lower elementary. In all honesty, at first I was not excited about using the Udutu because the format was foreign and challenging. But, I will say as I got started and played around with it I did enjoy myself. The best experience was Skyping with peers and asking each other questions and working through a portion of the workspace together. As a learner I do much better with instant hands-on direction. After Skyping it was much easier to navigate and understand the Udutu formats. Who knows I may even use Udutu in the future.

http://publish.myudutu.com/published/launcheval/23104/Course41659/Launch.html

Week4 Comment 3

The beginning of my experience with udutu was nothing but negative. Being used to many complicated programs that can allow many tasks at once, with customization at the fingertips, I was nothing but disappointed. The videos did not load (there is no loading bar to show progress). I had to have live consultation with my classmates. I discovered that they also struggled with many issues I had and were willing to share many great tips with me.Monika,

I love this Udutu and I can see it being used in the classroom. The videos are engaging, the content is academic, and the assessments are fun. I found myself wanting complete your entire project. Thanks for sharing.

Week4 Comment 2

This week we were to work on the Udutu project that was proposed in week 2. I found Udutu to be a great authoring tool that has some good templates to get a course designer started. The navigation and instructions could use some more development. Like a progress bar letting me know my media files are being uploaded and how much longer it will take. It would also be be nice not to have to type the word delete in all caps when I want to delete a page in the lesson I am creating. However for a free tool I think this works well and I really don't have a lot of issue with it.

Q,

I enjoyed your presentation. You have wonderful “stage” presences and the videos were quite enjoyable. The interactivity within your Udutu was fun and engaging. At the end for the assessment I choose wrong answers and the result of acknowledging that the answers were wrong and to try again was good feedback. Way to go, Q.

Week4 Comment 1

The UDUTU was not difficult to use but the media controls leave a lot to be desired. My project, a software tutorial created in Captivate 2.0, only publishes to a .swf file. From there I had to convert it to a .mov file, which is a format that is supposed to be supported by UDUTU, but will not load due to file size. As per the wetpaint wiki, I used the Adobe Encoder to convert the .mov files to .flv files, which then only took about 3 minutes to upload to UDUTU. UDUTU then further compresses and re-scaled the media files, resulting in very poor quality. NOT a tutorial that I would want to distribute to anyone with expectations of any learning to be achieved. Going back to my original Captivate file, I tried to rescale the project from the original source, but it would not reduce sufficiently without loosing a good bit of my screen capture and graphics. To get it the size down effectively, I would have had to re-create the project from scratch, which seemed to onerous a task just to learn how to use UDUTU.

Laura,

What a great idea to share about archiving. Your tutorial is informative and gives good reasons that would benefit a user to answer the question "why" to archive information. I liked the option to choose which video I was interested in watching rather than clicking to the next slide and going in a mandatory format. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Week3 Link to AR Blog for month 10

This is the link to my AR Blog for month 10:

http://web.me.com/colishizaki/AR_Website/Ishs_Blog/Entries/2010/9/19_LMO_month_10.html

Week3 Comment 2

In this weeks reading I decided to take a look at what the future may hold for LMS/CMS. The great part about this is we can speculate all we want. There are some great things to come based on the readings and some of the trends that researchers are looking.

Q,

This is an amazing time as a professional in education. I have found as a teacher of 5^th graders to embrace that they may know more about a Web 2.0 tool or a software program than I do. My job is to help my students expand their knowledge utilizing these tools. The advancement within Web 2.0 tools is changing quickly and it is my endeavor to be sure there is still human contact and interaction with student/teacher relationship. Some things cannot be taught by technology…successful human interaction is vital for happinessJ.

P.S. Love the visual, I know it is from Wall-E but it reminds me of a spaceship from Star Wars.

Week3 Comment 1

What you need to know about W3C Semantic Web

First what is a Semantic Web; this is a web that connects data. For example if you have photos stored on you computer, a list of contacts, and also keep a calendar. If a semantic web was at work you could look at a calendar view and see the pictures taken on a particular day, then look at you contact list and see photos related to each of your contacts. It establishes connections between vast stores of data so things would never need to be entered twice, or stored in multiple ways or places

Comment to Abby:

Semantic Web is a good way to overlap information without having to do so manually. But, as Monika stated what about losing the original piece of data and not being able to retrieve it? That does pose an issue although as all things through time I'm sure a user friendly system will be created to prevent this from happening. Through time we progress and so does technology.

Ishizaki_Collette_New CMS Directions

Due to technological advances learning platforms have and will continue to change in the education realm as well as the corporate world. Shirky (2008) states that “Tagging” through the Internet, his example of Flickr, replaces planning with coordination. This statement translates to coordinating thoughts/items within the Internet is easier and more cost effective than creating or planning an institution that has a limit to what can be accessed. There is more “bang for the buck” when cooperation can be created into the infrastructure so that people can obtain what they need. Therefore, the cost of running an institution outweighs the cost of an infrastructure platform.

A cutting edge LMS that is geared towards new e-learning development is the Epsilen Environment. The LMS Epsilen has a feature of being able to create global networking by bringing together many groups to meet and communicate . Epsilen offers a lifetime membership which allows an individual to access their own ePortfolios even after leaving a company. This LMS is not limited to only accessing grades but it also allows educators to create assessments that can be taken Online. This program proves to integrate a few functions that are not yet evident with other LMSs.

Some large corporations use a Semantic Web although the popularity is increasing on a daily basis. The overall concept of a Semantic Web is being able to intertwine data from various facets within each other. A Semantic Web will benefit an individual with his/her time and resources.

References:

(2010). Epsilen environment. Retrieved September 13, 2010, from http://www.epsilen.com/LandingSite/index.aspx

Herman, I. (2009). Semantic web. Retrieved September 13, 2010, from http://www.w3.org/RDF/FAQ

Shirky, C. (2008). Institutions vs. collaboration. Retrieved September 13, 2010, from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/clay_shirky_on_institutions_versus_collaboration.html

Week2 Comment2

Week 2-Cavazzi Aimee Training Professionals Gain Agility and Power from LCMS Technology

Many large corporations and agencies have invested in learning content management systems (LCMS) to train and educate their employees. Many of these buyers are mentioned in Bill Perry's article; the Canadian Air Force, the US Nuclear Power Industry, and the Challenger Corporation (has the largest online training library for clinical training) have implemented LCMS into their training repertoire.

Aimee,

You broke down the reading into a brief, descriptive summary good job. Your quote from Perry is right on the mark…making LCMS a weapon for employers. It is fruitful for companies to have hands on training and learning geared directly towards their employees.

Week2 Project Udutu Set-up

1. 1. Ishizaki, Collette

2. 2. Prior Project Selected: Lesson Title and Description: Frog Life Cycle created with Flash– starting from a tadpole to an adult frog

3. 3. EMDT class created in with date: Digital Media and Educational Applications – May 2010

4. 4 Initial appraisal of Uduto Scenario: My initial appraisal is to use the Self Directed Scenario template and slide sequencing. This scenario will fit well with slides running in a sequenced format for a lower Elementary student to use and follow.

5. 5. Location/URL:

Due to technological difficulties in Month 7 with my Mobile Me account my classmate, Q, has allowed me to house my flash project through his account.

http://web.me.com/aka_q/Flash/Ishizaki_Collette_DAE_Application3a.html

Ishizaki_Collette_Learning Systems: The Cost of Implementation

Course management systems (CMS) and learning management systems (LMS) have proven to be successful by organizations. What criteria determine if an organization should purchase or build these systems is analyzed from this week’s reading assignment.

To build a workable LMS system would take a year and a half and a minimum of $200,000 to half a million dollars. That cost is only for the creation of the system. After the system had been created then it would need to be maintained and updated, which would require a crew of paid personnel. This adds to the cost of the system. Kruse lays out a detailed format to use during the evaluation process of what is cost effective for a company when selecting a system (2004).

A CMS or LMS system could be purchased for a set price but would this be the most effective step? Companies and organizations first evaluate what functions they would need within a system. If the needs were less than what was offered within a CMS or LMS system then that company would evaluate the cost of the system compared to the functions that would be used. What it boils down to is a company’s research on what CMS or LMS systems are available and would these systems work for what a company wants to accomplish? If the answer is “no” then a company may choose to have a system created specifically for their use.

Reference:

Kruse, K. (2004). Measuring the total cost of e-learning. Retrieved September 9, 2010, from http://www.e-learningguru.com/articles/art5_2.htm

Week2 Comment 1

This weeks reading - The cost of an LMS VS. CMS
As outlined in some of the reading and the mind map from last week it was outlined that an LMS is a Learning Management System and a CMS is a Course Management System. LMSs are used primarily in corporate organizations while CMS were developed and are used in academic environments (i.e. universities and high schools).

Q,

Thanks for breaking down the cost into a comparison; this makes it much easier to visualize the grand scheme of things. I would agree buy or build comes down to what is more feasible for the company and maintaining their choice. "Measuring the Total Cost of E-Learning" is helpful to thoroughly analysis cost.

Week 1 Project: LMO Overview

Distant learning has grown and progressed throughout the years. Pensky states, “Our students have changed radically. Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach” (2001, paragraph 1). Online Universities, classes, gaming, and communicating are tools that are widely used on a daily basis. As generations change so do their environments. With a wealth of users and systems in the technological realm this leads to the need of breaking down and organizing systems to best fit the needs of learners.

The Course Management Systems (CMS) is a tool used for tracking individual learners. At my school all families use RenWeb to check grades, Websites of teachers, homework, and general information in regards to what is happening and keeping in touch with upcoming events. The Learning Management Systems (LMS) are a way for communicating and sharing or collaborating on projects. Facebook is a well-known LMS used throughout the world for keeping connected through the miles. Google Documents is a system used for updating and writing text and sharing information across the miles. It is amazing to use an LMS when collaborating on projects for Full Sail University with my peers that live far away. I am in awe of how we have completed quality projects through our collaboration using an LMS.

According to Dr. Ian Gibson Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) originated for military use. Many large organizations use LCMS to train and prepare their employees as they reuse learning objects time and time again.

Personal Learning Environments have grown throughout the years and many users have gained a wealth of knowledge through the digital tools available. Distant learning will continue to grow and develop as digital natives navigate the digital tools available to them. The 21^st century is a time of rapid change and turn around with advanced technology.

Reference

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives digital immigrants. Retrieved December 3, 2009, from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf

Ishizaki_Collette_History of Virtual Learning Environments

Wikipedia provides factual information about subject matter. In turn it is reasonable to trace virtual learning environments’ history back in time to 1728. This Website is available to obtain facts and details in regards to the subject at hand. The information given is helpful in understanding the growth and progress of virtual learning environments.

The current era of computing does seem to begin with the Xerox Parc project. Wikipedia states in 1972 that, “Alan Kay advanced the idea of graphical user interface by inventing icons for folders, menus, and overlapping windows (2010).” Throughout time these components have progressed and are used in the present.

In the 1980s there were many key virtual learning environment events. On a broad spectrum following are a few examples: educational software, online educational programs, and video gaming. This was a decade where technology boomed and began to grow within the educational realm.

Distant education became popular in the 1990s. Following the 1980s and the technological tools available to learn through there was a time of technology growth. Computers were more feasible and available to the average citizen. This is turn created popularity within distance education.

Reference

Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia. (2010, September 2). History of virtual learning environments. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Retrieved September 4, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_virtual_learning_environments

Ishizaki_Collette_Week1_Comment2

Is it reasonable to trace this history so far back in time (1728)?

The reason for wikipedia to post VLE history as far back as 1728 is part of the nature of the site and service. Wikipedia is a resource for information of great magnitudes and at times can be thorough. If a person needs to find the detailed history of VLE's wikipedia offers an extensive source of information. The information is available if anyone would ever need to read facts and dates. A bookmark of this page will keep the information available for quick reference.

Eric,

The history of VLE has really grown through the years. Present day it is amazing to be a part of the quick turn around in technology. As you stated the affordable personal desktop/laptop computers has made the possibility of distance education popular. Thanks for sharing your insight.

Ishizaki_Collette_Week1_Comment1

For my first post I read the article "What is a Learning Management System" by Alexandra Toedt.

Basically a Learning Management System or LMS is used to not only present content in a virtual environment like the Internet, but is can be used to also create content. In addition to content creation and presentation an LMS can be used to assess learners as well as used as a communication devise between the learners and the instructor.

Q,

I am amazed at the many different ways LMS can be used. I agree with Jeinine that is seems like we are just scratching the surface in what we have been exposed to in the EMDT program. I am looking forward to spending more time utilizing my time to integrate more virtual learning in my classroom. Thanks for your interpretation of what LMS really is.