Fall 1997
Vol 6 Issue 1
IN THIS ISSUE...
Who's Doing What with Technology
Who's
Doing What at the Colleges
The Next Generation of Ocotillo
SEE ALSO...
The Forum
Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction
Who's Doing What at the Colleges
Note: What follows is just a sample of the ways in which students, faculty, and staff at the Maricopa Community Colleges are integrating technology with their learning. We've collected information by sending electronic mail requests, touring the different college web-sites, and good old-fashioned word of mouth.
Who's Doing What @ SMCC
Ann Cason tells us that in the Early Childhood Development Center, children
use learning games to help familiarize them with the computer and keyboard.
They also use Polaroid cameras for taking pictures of items or people
which interest them, and the staff use the camera for documentation, portfolios,
special events, bulletin boards, and fund raisers.
Peter Facciola recently published an article, "Building an Effective Computer Learning Environment in the Dynamic Learning Classroom" in the September 1997 issue of Syllabus magazine.
J.D. Mildrew and Terry Fender are using camcorders, a VCR, and CBL (Computer Based Laboratory) along with a graphing calculator to study linear and rotary motion in Physics classes.
To deal with the wide range of skills for first-year Spanish students, Laurita Moore de Diaz has shifted the teaching of her Spanish classes from primarily lecture to competency-based computer labs. Students can practice their skills with language software and complete their work by take-home exams.
Who's Doing What @ SCC
James Vicich uses MAPLE, an Algebraic Symbolic/Numeric Manipulator, to
create computer labs that promote deeper understanding of the concepts
of first-semester calculus. The labs also provide students with an opportunity
to develop their writing skills as they interpret and explain their mathematical
results.
Karen Biglin created the SCC Library Web-site.
In his MHL 153 (Rock Music and Culture) class, Steve Meredith uses PowerPoint presentations with musical samples to help students analyze the musical examples studied in class.
Since August 1996, Charles Pflanz has been using Adobe Persuasion for all classroom presentations in his Macroeconomics and Microeconomics courses. He has been using the features for direct hyperlinking to the web from the presentation.
Who's Doing What @ RSC
Linda Miller from the Marketing department informed us that Rio Salado
College currently offers 72 Internet courses and 142 Distance Learning
courses. Almost all college services are also online, including registration,
academic advising, scholarship applications, and book orders. The Flex
Start enhancement to Distance Learning allows students to begin classes
every other week throughout the year.
Rio has also installed 700 voice mail boxes for Spanish students, 450 boxes for Distance Learning faculty, and 200 separate boxes just to create menu options. Distance Learning Spanish students can use this system to send instructor Vernon Smith their pronunciations of key words and phrases.
According to Angela Ambrosia, by January there will be over 100 Rio courses offered via the Internet. More than 1000 students have enrolled in Internet courses. This even includes one person who is stationed in Antarctica. Ambrosia reports a growing number of cooperative efforts for Rio to deliver Internet courses developed by faculty at PC, SMCC, and MCC.
Several Internet courses are using RealAudio technology to stream audio content. For example, the Medical Terminology class is using this technique to play the correct pronunciaton of difficult terms. In Laura Helminski's Communication courses, RealAudio plays her verbal explanations to clarify difficult concepts. And in the Community College Certification class (EDU250) a person can hear and/or read the transcripts of interviews with people such as college president Linda Thor and Governing Board member Linda Rosenthal.
Rio has also experimented with technology to stream video clips for Phil Pepe's Marine Biology class.
In three of the Internet courses that he teaches, Rod Christian has embedded several short animated lectures that he developed using Macromedia Director.
Who's Doing What @ PC
While they search for a new "webmaster" Billie Hughes has been managing
the site. The college home page was created by Kurt Leinbach, who works
on contract from a design developed by Sandra Wells and a Web Core advisory
group comprised primarily of faculty. Joseph Brumley has been updating
the pages, creating new accounts, and running backups. Much of the server
work is done by David Albert, a remote technical advisory consultant,
who works in Boston.
The PC home page cycles through a set of historical photographs of PC, one picture for each decade since 1920. Faculty can create homepages by using an online generator.
Rose Pfefferbaum's "K through Gray" project links elders with elementary-age at-risk students using the Pueblo virtual community.
Billie Hughes and Sandra Wells in the Technology & Development (T&D) department are supporting the use of webCT for assisting faculty in the management of course web pages (see page 3). Hughes and Wells have also been supporting Local Area Technical Advisors (LATA) which are faculty who are trained in different technology applications so that they can provide a peer support network for other PC faculty.
Phil Pepe is working with Rio Salado College on an online Marine Biology course.
According to Eliana Argamin, the Theatre Department is getting a new theatrical lighting system and a new automated system to control box office ticket sales.
Chris Heilman relates that the Chemistry department is expanding their use of drill and practice by computer (students love the HyperCard review for CHM 230), computerized data handling, and statistics (Cricket Graph and Curve Fit software in CHM 152 and 154 are used to tabulate, graph and analyze real data from experiments) as well as revamping their use of the web for "teletutoring."
In the Art department, Gail Jamieson continues her work of teaching web/computer graphic design. She chairs a district committee that is developing a multimedia curriculum.
Who's Doing What @ PVCC
Jeanne Franco gives Accounting Principles II students an opportunity to
try their hand at cyberspace research. Students are required to locate
the financial statements of publicly traded corporations on the web and
analyze their financial data using the analysis tools they have learned.
Next, they give their findings and recommendations in report form. To
ensure each student will have the navigational skills required to complete
the assignment, Jeanne has also created a web scavenger hunt.
Jane Marks relates that the Biology department uses the Elmo video pad camera to project notes, pictures, transparencies, videos, laserdiscs, and microscope images on a big screen monitor or a wall screen. They also use a Flex-cam in conjunction with either a standard classroom microscope or as a video camera for larger materials (such as demonstrating a dissection, a model, etc.). Images are recorded into a VCR and copies of the videotapes are on reserve at the circulation desk in the library.
Kurt Hill has created "scavenger hunts" on the Internet where his Geography students (GPH 111, Intro to Physical Geography and GPH 212/214, Intro to Meteorology I) are given a URL and then have to find the requested information. He often brings current satellite images and weather maps into classroom discussions. Kurt's GCU 121/122 (World Regional Geography) students do an "Internet Reconnaissance" assignment in which they are required to "dig-up" information on a given country's history, economy, resources, politics, etc. Kurt has also converted many of his daily lecture outlines to HTML format, and weaves in sound bites, images, and current news into his class lectures.
In Donna Rebadow's classes for HES201 (Substance Abuse & Behavior) and WED150 (Introduction to Alternative Medicine), students are using desktop videoconferencing (CU-SeeMe) to connect with other students in Canada, Brazil, Iceland, and Norway. She proudly reports that her faculty-developed multimedia "chapter" is in the sixth year of use!
Cindy Shoenhair created the PVCC Fitness Center Web, which includes information about the fitness center, health and exercise courses, senior's health, pregnancy and exercise information, a course syllabus for PED 115, and a question and answer area. It also contains links to credible health sites.
Who's Doing What @ MCC
Shereen Lerner relates that the anthropology folks have been busy creating
interactive programs on the Internet. In one of these programs, students
in ASB 102 and ASB 245 classes examine the differences between the Hopi
and Navajo cultures, which are two groups who live in the same environment
but have adopted very different lifestyles.
William Baker is teaching a new biology course on the web called "Understanding Cancer Online."
Kim Reely reports that the Assessment Center will implement a networked college placement and assessment program early 1998. There will also be a component which can assess English as a Second Language students.
Using a videodisc program in Nursing Process II (NUR 109), Ellen Bramoweth is able to take students into areas of a clinical setting. For example, in one segment, her students observe a cardiac catheterization. They are able to observe everything from the room setup to the patient preparation. They also "visit" patients and observe live action interviews.
In Martha P. Bergin's "Introduction to Human Communication" class (COM 100), one speech assignment requires students to identify three references that they could use to write a paper on a topic of their choice. These references must be from the online catalog or a CD-ROM, and one must be from the Internet. Their speech must tell the story of how they actually located these references and evaluated their future usefulness.
Audrey Thurman uses web discussion boards for all of her programming classes, with examples and notes available for downloading. Also, a demo version of the project for her Java course (CSC 260) is accessible from her homepage.
For John Mainieri's statistics class, an entire semester's work, which includes lectures and collaborative learning activities, have been rolled into a PowerPoint presentation. Students receive a set of course notes which contain the slides they will view in class.
Gene Fazio's software program "Textbook Tools," allows teachers to organize important information from textbooks. Once textbook information is in the software, teachers can execute a variety of technological aids; for example, it can allow the definitions of vocabulary words to appear when students click on these words.
Fall 1997 is the second semester that Jo Steig has offered MAT 150 (college algebra) as an Internet course.
Myrna Eshelman teaches an Internet class "Women and Health: Body/Mind/Spirit Connection" that explores economic, sociopolitical, and demographic factors affecting women's health.
Carolyn Fay created an on-line Public Speaking bibliography which includes an extensive number of networked resources as well as more traditional library sources. The web resources are especially helpful to public speakers who have a need for local and current information.
In Linda Speranza's advanced ceramic class, students use software that performs glaze formula calculations. According to Linda, "Most people who get involved in pottery don't expect to get confronted with chemicals and the interactions that happen during the firing process. This software is friendly enough and visually oriented so that it isn't threatening to people who haven't had a chemistry background."
As an instructor for HES 271 (Prevention and Treatment of Athletic Injuries), Bob Klassen is using the web as both a reference and instructional tool. The HES 271 web page is a reference point to help students understand human anatomy as well as injury prevention and recognition.
For the introductory Psychology classes (PSY 101), Bonnie Gray and Irvin Perline have created a database of instructional multimedia. Using PowerPoint, the database is organized by topic-specific modules and thus is not tied to one textbook. Students and faculty have given it outstanding marks for its ability to enhance learning comprehension effectively and maintain attention.
Fred Forney teaches electronic music using Finale Notation software. Students also compose music on a Roland XP-50 Workstation sequenced with Vision Software. The composing and sequencing aspect of the course opens the ears of each student to composition, combination of sounds, and their order.
Greg Brush bases his CIS105 lectures on a web-based presentation so the students can refer to them later. The class web page includes a syllabus, an archive of assignments, supplemental materials, audio-visuals, and links to pertinent web-sites.
Who's Doing What @ GCC
Karen Schwalm describes the "Instructional Palette" as a new initiative
that provides faculty with an easy and flexible means of customizing their
courses. It incorporates a standard suite of software tools that can be
used by students across classes and semesters. It is accessible in a networked
environment that is easy to set up and maintain.
John Rose (Administration of Justice Studies) has placed the interactive CD-ROM "Murder One" on reserve in the campus Library Media Center. Students earn extra credit when they use this problem-solving simulation. Also in the works is an interactive CD-ROM created on campus and funded by an MCCD internal grant.
The setup in Jim Daugherty's classroom includes two large monitors, amplified stereo speakers, and a multimedia instructor station. Using Toolbook software, he combines images, animations, and full-motion video from the laser disk to deliver course content for his Nutrition classes. Students also use a computerized diet assessment program.
Who's Doing What @ GWCC
The Admissions Office uses Microsoft Access to automate the selections
process for several Health programs. The database, available on the network
for all interested parties, was designed by Laurie Cigan and Deanna Jimenez.
Charlene Almendarez reports that the tests for HLR170 and HLR270 (Beginning and Advanced Medical Terminology) have been entered on the NovaNet computer system and are being used, with great success, to teach the classes.
Over the summer, Cathy Lucius developed a Toolbook presentation on "Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice." She is exploring the features for exporting the project as a web page.
Students in Shahin Berisha's Physics class have the option of earning extra credit by submitting the solutions to his "question of the month" posted on his web page. His goal is to offer a paperless physics class. In most of the experiments in his Physics labs, students use computers to collect, analyze, and display the data. Shahin is also looking for solutions to the limitations of HTML for mathematical notation.
Ilene Borze used PowerPoint97 to develop a non-linear presentation on "Geriatric Pharmacology."
Toni Rodriguez and Rosemary Kesler are using the anatomy software A.D.A.M. which has a new interactive module on chest percussions. They are excited because the college has purchased enough copies to be installed in the student computer lab.
Tom Jordon and others in the Biology department have been exploring the use of "Science Workshop" data acquisition and analysis software which works in conjunction with a computer hardware interface to record actual human EKG data.
The web page developed by Geri Rasmussen and Lisa Kula for Interpersonal Communications (COM 110) includes resources for students as well as a portfolio of assignments that includes examples from previous students' work.
After digitizing photographs of her travels, Gail Shay created a web-based slide show on Ecuador that features captions in both English and Spanish. She is also working on a PowerPoint presentation which covers Spanish object pronouns.
Michael Cornelius described a paperless process for submitting capital budget requests. Managers can input requests on a web form, and the data is added to a file that is uploaded to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and reviewed by the Budget Committee.
Since last year, Dean Stover has been using Daedalus, a networked system for composition. For an assignment in ENG 101, students use the web to find information on service learning or on the career that interests them. A mythology assignment in Dean's ENH 251 course requires that students search the web for myths from different cultures about gods or goddesses.
Who's Doing What @ EMCC
For the past two years Lance Francis has been the primary "webmaster,"
but now Jeremy Brown has taken on this responsibility. The home page design
uses frames and features graphics that equal the award-winning architecture
of the Estrella campus. A NetCam displays live images from the EMCC Information
Commons.
From the college web-site, students may view course options, set up a grading file, and learn how to submit assignments via e-mail. Furthermore, they may link to A&R to gather information about their records, and they may link to the bookstore to order books. In addition, students can create their own online accounts for accessing the networks and using BlitzMail. The student information is submitted via the web and written to a FileMaker Pro database which is used to set up grading files and monitor student progress.
Students in Michael Farabee's Biology classes view animations he created in Macromedia Director and incorporated into over 60 Persuasion slideshows. He has also created a web version of his Biology Book.
Over the past three years, Rod Freeman's ENG/ENH classes have created web pages which support classroom materials, student-developed materials, and other web resources. The development of these pages involves Shockwave and Java. Looking into the future, Rod is experimenting with VRML and 3-D environments for a student interface.
John Bradley's course web page includes information for the Organizational Leadership program. Students in the class are provided links to portfolio templates.
The Western Maricopa Consortium (WMC) is "a local partnership of business and educational institutions who are collaborating to build a regional School-To-Career system that prepares all students for careers and advanced training."
Cheryl Bradshaw uses BlitzMail, a Macintosh e-mail program, which provides agendas and assignments for her Communication classes. Not only do the students come to class prepared, they can also do makeup work in advance.
Using "Web Course in a Box" software, Larry R. Pesta, ESL instructor, has created a cyber classroom for his ENG011 students. The site includes course information and the instructor's homepage. In addition, it includes a forum for the students to post their written work for peer editing.
Who's Doing What @ CGCC
At the present time there is no CGCC "webmaster," but English instructor
Chris Schnick has been working with different departments to develop their
web pages. Ted Wolter of the Art Department has assisted with graphic
design.
On his own web pages, Chris Schnick uses prompts and metaphorical connections to lessons as part of instructional storytelling for writing.
Sally Jesse communicates via the Electronic Forum in her Dance courses. She also uses specialized choreography software such as "Life Forms" and "Labanwriter." Video is an integral part of her technique and lecture courses.
In collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), Pushpa Ramakrishna has been working on the Interactive NanoVisualization for Science & Engineering Education (INVSEE) project. In this project, ASU will have a scanning probe microscope on the web that students can operate in real time.
As part of a 7-credit learning community at the Williams Campus, "Creating Community in a Changing World," Maria Hesse and Marybeth Mason relate that students are taking a one-credit Internet course along with ENG 101, "First-Year Composition," and ENH 254, "Film and Literature."
All of David Weaver's physics classes use MBL/CBL (Microcomputer/Calculator Based Laboratories.) Students set up computers or calculators with various probes (motion detectors, force probes, etc.) to collect real-time data and then analyze the data. He also provides a web-based syllabus as well as requiring students to create a "Web-Folio" (a class portfolio on the web).
Who's Doing What...Cross College
David Gerkin reports that the Learning Assistance Center staff at PVCC,
GCC, and MCC
are using the Tutor Management System (TMS). It allows the staff to check
out materials to students and manage the tutors' schedules. Also, faculty
may obtain reports of students who received tutor assistance and a list
of materials they have used.
For the past four years, Linda D. Collins (MCC) has been working with the Alfred P. Sloan/Reachout project at Rio Salado College. This is a grant aimed at providing quality instruction using technology via asynchronous communication to at-risk populations. Other staff and faculty involved in the project include Karen Mills (RSC), Jan Davie (RSC) and Jim Lynette (RSC).
Emily Weinacker of the Employee and Organizational Learning Team, reports that GCC's Training and Development Department and the LCS Transition Support Team have developed the Individual Learning Plan. This is a tool to help employees assess their technical, professional, personal, foundational, and job skills. It helps them establish learning goals for the future and document their results.
According to Patty Finch, the Think Tank is using listservs for virtual meetings.
Larry Noack maintains the Surplus and Auxiliary Services Department web page. This site shows the inventory of surplus equipment items which are available and identifies which items will be sold at public auctions.