I've been learning some more about creating websites. I really prefer to not have advertisements or popups on my website. As a result, I went looking to see who would have the best deal as far as acquiring space for a website. I learned that my Internet Service Provider (ISP) Earthlink provided 10 MB of space for individuals who subscribed with them. As a result, I have started to create my website.
As a part of the learning experience, I have started to work with new environments that I'm not familiar in the creation of webpages. First, I have learned how to create and operate webpages in a frames environment. In the past I have not particularly cared for frames. However, I like the way this environment is working in the creation of an electronic portfolio. I've also been learning how to use the computer software Fireworks to make rollover buttons. This is the first time that I've ever worked with Fireworks and rollovers. In my opinion, it makes the webpage a little more antimated and gives it some personality.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Higher Education and Technology
After reading through chapter 3 of both Michael Romano’s Empowering Teachers with Technology and Alan November’s Empowering Students with Technology, I recognized that I have several concerns and hopes for technology in higher education. As a librarian, I am always concerned about the role libraries will play in the future as technology increases. As librarians we have definitely noticed that the number of reference questions that we used to receive at the reference desk has gone down. In my opinion, I really do not believe that student’s research knowledge has increased. They are only relying on the Internet to find resources. I still recognize that most students do not know the difference between primary and secondary sources. One method that I am using to overcome this barrier is trying to increase the services we have available at the James G. Gee Library at Texas A&M University-Commerce. I’m in the process of starting a geographic information systems lab at Texas A&M University – Commerce. It will have the software necessary for individuals to conduct spatial research. Another concern that I have with the potential for additional technology in the classroom is whether the quality of education will improve. I have noticed that a lot of the students are still lacking in basic writing, mathematics, and research knowledge. I often question whether the introduction of more technology will decrease the emphasis on the basics. One method that could be used to overcome this barrier is creating partnerships with faculty to stress research skills. I’ve recognized that some faculty do not know what resources we have at the library. These partnerships will assist faculty in knowing what we have available and foster better research by students. My third concern for technology is whether students will be able to differentiate between different types of resources. Many student do not recognize scholarly resources. The general thought is that a web resource is scholarly or primary. Some of the web resources are great resources, however most are not. It is amazing to me how many students believe wikipedia is a great scholarly resource. I really believe that partnerships between librarians and faculty will assist in overcoming this obstacle. However, faculty will have to allow librarians some of their class time in order to educate students in how to conduct research and wean them from simply relying on the Internet.
I believe that increasing the use of technology in education will assist students in their learning according to their learning styles. Many students are audio visual learners. As a result, online videos on computers can be utilized. This will be a marked improvement over the traditional lecture format. I also believe that technology will increase educational opportunities for students. For example, Texas A&M University-Commerce does not offer any programs which support geographic information systems. The closest university which offers it is University of Texas at Dallas. Texas State University –San Marcos used to offer online courses. The availablity of online courses will allow for additional learning opportunities throughout the United States.
In Romano’s book, I generally agree with majority of the barriers that he states in his book. After working at three universities and attending four as a student, I really do not believe that higher education has a vision for the utilization of technology. Online courses are popular because of their flexibility, but faculty are still struggling to design classes that are meeting the educational needs of the students. I also believe that many departments in higher education are acting independently. As a result, ideas are not being shared which could improve the quality of educating students. I also believe that administration in higher education does not understand the potential of technology in the classroom also. They recognize the popularity and want more classes to be conducted through the online environments. However, educational standards need to be created to ensure that students are learning and teachers are using the technology to its fullest potential.
This class has addressed some of my concerns for technology in higher education. The main point that I’m getting out of this class is that we have to utilize technology to its fullest potential in the classroom. Educators have to inform all interested parties of what are the strengths and weaknesses of technology in the classroom. However, I think the basics in education like research, writing, math, grammar, should still be stressed. I think this class will address more of my concerns when we learn about how to create interactive Powerpoint presentations because it will allow creators to design educational materials in which students can interact with. This will appeal to the various learning styles of students.
I stongly believe that collaboration is essential in higher education because it fosters the improvement of education. I have gone to information literacy workshops and learned that one of the most important thoughts today is getting teachers away from being the “sage on the stage” and more the “guide on the side.” I generally believe that being a “guide on the side” fosters critical thinking. However, the “sage on the stage” serves an important fuction in higher education. In library instructions, I’ve tried to implement the “guide on the side” mentality. It works in some cases. However, there is a lot of material to cover in one hour. As a result, some instructions become more lecture focused. I do not much care for this method. However most faculty do not want to give up much of their classroom time for information literacy instruction.
I believe that increasing the use of technology in education will assist students in their learning according to their learning styles. Many students are audio visual learners. As a result, online videos on computers can be utilized. This will be a marked improvement over the traditional lecture format. I also believe that technology will increase educational opportunities for students. For example, Texas A&M University-Commerce does not offer any programs which support geographic information systems. The closest university which offers it is University of Texas at Dallas. Texas State University –San Marcos used to offer online courses. The availablity of online courses will allow for additional learning opportunities throughout the United States.
In Romano’s book, I generally agree with majority of the barriers that he states in his book. After working at three universities and attending four as a student, I really do not believe that higher education has a vision for the utilization of technology. Online courses are popular because of their flexibility, but faculty are still struggling to design classes that are meeting the educational needs of the students. I also believe that many departments in higher education are acting independently. As a result, ideas are not being shared which could improve the quality of educating students. I also believe that administration in higher education does not understand the potential of technology in the classroom also. They recognize the popularity and want more classes to be conducted through the online environments. However, educational standards need to be created to ensure that students are learning and teachers are using the technology to its fullest potential.
This class has addressed some of my concerns for technology in higher education. The main point that I’m getting out of this class is that we have to utilize technology to its fullest potential in the classroom. Educators have to inform all interested parties of what are the strengths and weaknesses of technology in the classroom. However, I think the basics in education like research, writing, math, grammar, should still be stressed. I think this class will address more of my concerns when we learn about how to create interactive Powerpoint presentations because it will allow creators to design educational materials in which students can interact with. This will appeal to the various learning styles of students.
I stongly believe that collaboration is essential in higher education because it fosters the improvement of education. I have gone to information literacy workshops and learned that one of the most important thoughts today is getting teachers away from being the “sage on the stage” and more the “guide on the side.” I generally believe that being a “guide on the side” fosters critical thinking. However, the “sage on the stage” serves an important fuction in higher education. In library instructions, I’ve tried to implement the “guide on the side” mentality. It works in some cases. However, there is a lot of material to cover in one hour. As a result, some instructions become more lecture focused. I do not much care for this method. However most faculty do not want to give up much of their classroom time for information literacy instruction.
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