Sunday, November 29, 2009

Web Conference Nov. 28, 2009

Post Thanksgiving day and immediately following Black Friday, on a brisk Saturday morning at 10 am, a web conference for EDLD 5364 was held to answer questions, collaborate, network and meet old and new friends along our journey to a master's degree in Educational Technology Leadership.

I must again declare my fondness for web conferencing as it allows for faces, voices and personalities to come forth and be known. I feel more of a connection to people I have not meet face to face than ever in a conventional class that I have attended in the past. The participants were in different regions of Texas and one in a different time zone. Our Professor was sitting on the floor with a house full of guest in Louisiana and thankfully everyone was still asleep.

By attending the web conference I gained insightful information to the course.

For week 2, the google site should started and then be completed by the 5th week. Each member should edit the site as the weeks progress and the site should be a culmination of the work in the project. The brainstorming activity should be a google document and could contain each member answering the guiding questions to help with the brainstorming portion of the project.

Week 3 is the bulk of the course work with 4 major assignments. Each member needs to make a UDL lesson that will take part for the entire project. The team should choose a grade level and topic or concept. Each person designs or creates a lesson or activity to submit for the project. Documentation should be included on the brainstorming and collaboration of the groups work.

One participant shared a collaboration tool in which her team web conferences. www.tokbox.com

The syllabus for the course is on the first page of the gocourseware. If anyone is having trouble viewing the syllabus or cannot locate it, contact your coach or the course professors.

A major piece of information gleaned from the conference was the fact that the course will end on December the 18th instead of the 20th. More information will be placed in the announcement section of the courseware. Also, more information concerning the two day grace period is forthcoming.

Another wonderful web conference will take place Saturday, December 5th at 10 am. I would advise attending this one as questions concerning week 3 assignment will be answered. I will again be on the road as it is the final for the First Lego League Robotics competition in Pearland where my son's team will compete.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Sychronized Web Conference #4

The web conferences just keep getting better and better. When you finally get to see faces and connect names you have been chatting with, it makes you feel like you have come home for the holidays.

The information you attain if very valuable as you listen to others questions that help you clarify assignments, activities, and procedures. Listening to the professor in a live situation makes the class seem more personable.

My classmates have become a mini family. We care for each other and want each to do our very best. We watch out for each other and help one another through those very busy times in our lives. I can't imagine completing the courses without them.

A suggestion on doubling up on some classes was made, and we immediately said, we want to graduate together. So if most wish to double up, even though it will be trying I am sure we will all double up.

I, personally enjoy the conferences. I seem to be in a car somewhere in the world when the conferences are going on. Without the use and aide of technology, I would not be able to participate in many activities that I have been a part of. While at Disney this summer I along with 3 other group members collaborated and created a movie for our final project. I have conferenced traveling along I-10 from Lousianna to Florida. And conferenced outside of Disney World while looking for a parking space. The two latest conferences were held while my family attended Wings over Houston (airplane show) and competed in the First Lego League (Jr. Robotics Competition). Our team placed 2nd in the Lego competition and will compete in the finals in Pearland in December.

I can't imagine experiencing and sharing my experiences in a static classroom where you are confined by four walls.