|
|
MIDAS Update Michelle Traveler (District Office) The gradebook features are available for faculty to use now and they just must contact their college A&R office to have their course tagged for MIDAS. This immediately popualtes the gradebook with students enrolled in the courses. The general course management tool is available for the colleges listed on the MIDAS web site, or you can contact System Administrator Clyde Resendez (clyde.resendez@domail.maricopa.edu) to get an accouint on the development server. Interest in Testing Tools (Alan Levine) All of these tools simplify the tedious process of creating online tests and quizzes. Alan encouraged the group to try out the tools and continue to discuss their importance- it is cheaper to purchase as a group of colleges. Alan also asked for people to submit agenda items for upcoming meetings as well as demonstrations. Beyond the nuts and bolts of distance learning : A human and humane encounterGinny Brouch, Art Faculty (Phoenix College) Ginny recently returned from the vineyards of northern California so should be amusing, full-bodied, a little snappy, robust with a refined bouquet and well-preserved. No comments on vintage but definitely aged in oak for low acid content. She has taught for 20 years in the district as adjunct and residential and has been teaching and working with others regarding distance learning for 4 years. She has used WebCT for whole courses (2), independent study (2) and testing only (2). Ginny explained how she turns a distance learning course into a more personal experience. She states that at first she missed the classroom setting, seeing the students' faces, but began to realize that through distance learning it's much easier to get the shyer students to participate. It has been her experience that through distance learning, the obstacles aren't as great for those not as willing to participate in class. She asks that potential students read her introductory note before even signing up for the course. The Art department page links to general information about online ART100, and usially includes an icon of art work created by her students. She feels that a textbook is valuable, however versus having everything online. It tends to anchor the student, the students seem to have more confidence when they have something they can put their fingers on. Ginny's course resides on the Phoenix College WebCT server. Basicly, her course is the entire textbook! Her course Table of Contents walks the student through the course, explaining both Pixel and Fractal graphic design. It also includes a web page that shows the student how to create and save JPEG files, and Ginny has shared this resourcs as a sample Art Tips page: http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/ocotillo/olg/docs/art_tips/ At the beginning of the course, Ginny takes a hands on approach. She sends personal notes to each of her students, gently bringing them out of their shells, asking them to share. At first, her students don't talk to each other very much, but through the sharing of information and projects, by the end of the course, these students have created a community, by sharing ideas and helping each other out with projects. She also keeps a gallery of past students work. She uses this gallery as a way to showcase her students work, but also to keep the community thriving. By showcasing their work, others have been interested enough to contact these students and ask them "how did you do that?" in the gallery for her online ART169 course, Ginny decided to showcase the artwork only and not have any names, which opened the discussions considerably between the students. Ginny allows her students to interpret each assignment's directions as they see fit. She grades them on the technique and how well they accomplished the goals of the assignment. She does understand however, that each of these works is very personal, and in response, she tries to always give back positive feedback to their work. Other Ideas and News
|
|
 www.maricopa.edu |
