Welcome to my Blogfolio

Welcome to my blogfolio. A blogfolio is a Website maintained by an individual that is a personal collection of commentaries, events, videos, or other artifacts which describe a persons life (Wikipedia, 2008). My blogfolio was chronologically constructed to give an account on my experiences in IT 648 (Telecommunications in Education).

The layout was carefully designed to include navigation bars, and hyper links to easily move around my website. On the right navigation bar are technological news links which are based on currents events happening in technology, a personal space which gives brief character sketch of my self and links to other classmates Webblogs.

My blogfolio is comprised of all assignments completed in IT 648, discussion questions, and reflections based on each assignment/project completed in the course.

Assignment 1: Web Searching

This was our first assignment in Telecommunications in Education. We were instructed to use Dr. Yuen Ultimate Search page to find five telecommunication Websites within education. Most of my sites were found using Google. The difficult part of this assignment was evaluating each Website. I evaluating each site based on content, graphics, overall look, bandwidth, and how easily I could navigate through each site.
Next we were instructed to search for two classmates, an author of a book, a professional association, and two software applications. Despite the fact that I didn't receive a satisfactory grade on this assignment, it taught us how to effective ly search for online materials using different search engines such as Google. Steve Yuen Ultimate Search Engine was also used. My failure to follow dierections and haste to finish this assignment caused me to miss some important elements in the assignment.

Assignment 1
Web Searching Assignment
1) Telecommunication Education and Training
http://www.business.com/directory/telecommunications/education_and_training/

This is an excellent site for finding information on education and training
programs and services in the field of telecommunications. This helpful site gives
listing for links to providers of telecommunications education and training,
including telecommunication classes and seminars.
For my evaluation, I used http://www.worldbestwebsites.com/criteria.htm. This site was very helpful becaue I had never evaluating a website before.

I use Dr. Yuens search engine http://dragon.ep.usm.edu/~yuen/search/index.html,
but most of my sites were found via Google.

Critique of the site:
This website had excellent navigation. I was impressed at how well and how fast I was able to navigatge through the site. Site has very good bandwidth.

Graphic Design
This site did not use many colors; neither did many of the links to other pages
on the site. The problem with this site is there is too much “noise” or rather there
is too much information. A target audience would surely miss out something
important from looking at this site meaning it is very complicated in determing the actual goal of the creator of this website.

Content
There was definitely sufficient content on the site to address telecommunication. All information was readily available at the click of a link.

Professionalism
After carefully reviewing this site, I believe that I can successly locate the necessary training materials to set up telecommunications within in my home and work.

Overal Site Effectiveness
Overall, I would give this cite a B+. Despite the fact that there is sufficient
information on this site, it does not effectively accomplish a particular goal.

2) National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Search conducted using http://dragon.ep.usm.edu/~yuen/search/index.html
via Google search engine

This site describes the purposes and goals of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Critique
The site had some interesting links but this cite also has too much noise. The site also has too many technical terms that only one with a background in telecommunications can understand. Such excess information is confusing to the websearcher who maybe seeking information about telecommunication. I was very impressed at how well the links worked and the overall
speed of the cite.

Graphics
The colors on this cite were too plain and do not engage the reader. Color is an essential to an effective website.

Content
(Purpose, interactivity, attention to detail)
The article had sufficient content and was very interactive. I can surely say
that the article did engage the reader and did not lose him or her with excess,
unwanted material.

Overall site Effectiveness
I can say that this site was effective in delivering its message. However, it is
not the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

3) The Association for Information Computer Technology in Higher
Education
http://www.acuta.org/home.cfm

I found this site through Google.com.

Critique of the site:

Overall, this site was very userful. The links worked very well allowing me to
navigate quickly throughout the site. The navigation was well laid out with
suitable bandwidth and ease of use.

Graphic Design
I thought that the site was aesthetical ‘plain’. I would have like to have seen
more colors, different font sizes, or anything that may have kept me engaged
within the site.

Content
The mission of the organization was excellently defined.

Originality
I would give this cite a C on originality. There wasn't anything original on this cite.

Overall Site Effectiveness

I believe that this site accomplished its mission but there should have been
more colors and graphics on the site. The Webmaster should have embed some multimedia as well.

4) EDUCAUSE
Transforming Education through Information Technologies

http://www.educause.edu/Community/MemDir/IndianaHigherEducationTeleco
mmunicationSystemIHETS/37015

Description of material found on web site
This particular article was informative but it is not a website. It was
found on Educause homepage. EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose
mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of
information technology. There really isn’t much to give account from this
article.

5) PORTAL
An examination of ICT planning maturity in schools: a stage theory
perspective

http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=960034.960065&coll=GUIDE&dl=GUIDE
&CFID=26829915&CFTOKEN=34929479

This article was found on PORTAL’S website. PORTAL is simply an excellent
guide to tool with information on Instructional Technology, Computer
Technology.

Content
This article examines ICT planning in schools and proposes a four-stage
model of the evolution of ICT planning maturity in schools. The model emerges
from case studies conducted in eight New ZealCand primary schools and
provides insight into the nature of ICT planning in schools and the factors that
contribute to planning maturity.

Graphics
PORTAL doesn’t offer many pictures or display of colors. It is very plain.

Originality
I didn’t notice much originality in this site or nothing that really separated
it from other sites online.

Part II

Search to locate classmates in IT 648 used

http:anywho.com
from Dr. Yuen webpage
Located Gregg Woodie Classmates:
Woodie, Gregg
750 Columbus Ave
Manhattan, NY 10025

Located James Thompson
Thompson, James
530 Merrick Dr
Round O, SC 29474

B) Located author Alex Haley
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/ahaley.htm

I used google.com to find a biographical sketch of Alex Haley.

C) Professional Organizations:
The National Organization for Professional Advancement of Black
Chemist
http://www.nobcche.org/


D) Software
Used Steve Yuen’s Ultimate Search Software Page
(http://dragon.ep.usm.edu/~yuen/search/people.htm)

Adobe CS3 Flash Professional
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/
For MAC OS X Leopard
Platform: Macintosh
Version: V. 10.5
Requires 4 GB of memory
ADOBE CS3 Professional software is the most advanced authoring environment for
creating rich interactive content including websites, online advertisements, instructional
media, presentations, game
s, and mobile device content.

2)
Smilebox for Macintosh
http://www.smilebox.com/mac/?partner=google&campaign=search_mac&gclid=CJjdm7
_D8pQCFSCcnAodLFVIrA

Smilebox makes it easy for Mac users to share photos, videos, and music in
minutes.
Smilebox supports both PC and Mac OS X Leopard and OS X Tiger.
File Size 270k
Version: not available

Assignment 2: Creating a Blog

In this assignment, I used Blogspot.com, a free web-authoring development website to create my own personal blogspace which I later used to complete my blogfolio. This assignment's objectives were to post an introduction about my self to include educational background, interests, and experiences. At the culmination of the semester, we were instructed to use this webblog to create a blogfolio which would encompass not only our personal information but also all of the projects and assignments that were created this summer in IT 648.

I feel very comfortable about my ability to create blogs and being to teach my students how to create their own blogs. Blogs are an excellent tool for classrooms that use cooperative learning. Through the use of blogs, I can have my students create their own knowledge as well as share their own experiences with other students all over the world.

This is a link to my blog. http://jarrettblogfolio.blogspot.com/

Assignment 3: Personal Website using GooglePages

In the past, I have had difficulty with all aspects of learning web design. I have used Dreamweaver and Flash and have had such a hard time learning to create a Website. I was under the supposition that using Google pages to create my own personal website would be easier but I had great difficulty. The most perplexing part of this assignment was working with the links and the layout. I am not sure that I would reccommend to my students to use Googlepages for Web design.

In creating a personal Website using google pages we were instructed to have:
1) A signiture page at the bottom of each Webpage
2) An excellent layout with the necessary colors and font. Colors can make or kill a website.
3) headings , a list, horizontal lines and background colors.
4) All pages had to have images, links, and a scanned image.
5) One table
6) Of course layouts must be appropriate along with correct spelling.

Despite the fact that this software presented some problems, it was a learning experience for me in webdesign. In using many of these Web-design softwares, I have had to use my creative side. Web-design calls for one to have basic knowledge of color design which is a skill that Ive never had to use before.

This is a link to my Web-page
http://jlandor2000.googlepages.com/

Assignment 4: Personal Timeline Using CircaVie

This was a fun assignment, not because of its simplicity but because I remember the last thing I taught my students about during my experiences as a fifth grade teacher was about creating and understanding timelines. I wish I would have known about CircaVie which is another free Website used for creating Web pages
I thought that it would be such a good idea to use my college experiences to create a timeline. the last ten years of my life experiences in college are very dear to me and I will often reflect on for the rest of my life. I can remember my first day at the doors of the University of CT all the way to my first day coming to meet Dr. Yuen to inquire about the Instructional Technology program. These experiences that I have been afforded in my educational journey are priceless, for this reason I have created this time line in which you can access by clicking on the link below, of my college life's expereriences.

Link to CircaVie
https://webmail.usm.edu/horde/util/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.circavie.com%2Ftimelines%2F0401f6ed-15de-5244-a675-b7ee856b3365&Horde=b8970b6bf31269610ba0f0a7e721b85b

Assignment 5: Developing a Web-quest with Google

Assignment five, developing a Web-quest, was as difficult as the WebPage assignment. A Web-quest involves learners in researching Web- and non Web-based information sources and involves students a pbl (problem-based learning activity). This assignments calls for use of higher order thinking skills (Yuen, 2008).

My Webquest was titled the "Virtual Classroom". My assisnment was centered for students on the graduate level. Students are instructed to work in groups of three or four and devise a plan of action to convince the a board of supervisors from a comprehensive university to invest in virtual online technology. Virtual online technology will cut university operating costs by nearly 60% by reducing the need for extra faculty and staff and will generate revenues because virtual classrooms can be open to more students. Students would work in groups of three, and prepare a ten-minute power point presentation highlighting the advantages of Virtual Online Instructional Technology.

This assingment was made of seven parts: Introduction, Task, Process, Resources, Evaluation, Conclusion, Notes to teachers. This Web-quest was very challenging. Colors had to have excellent contrast. All navigation links had to be up to par, text had to be the right size, layout had to be adequate, and last of all the content had to be in a clear, consise, meaningful form. Webquest as compared to creating a webpage are not as rigourous to complete but are very time consuming. This assignment was very hard for me and I made a lot of mistakes that affected my grade on the assignment. I will admit that I did learn a lot about webquest design, layout, and colors. I plan to use this course in my own personal teaching and instruction.

Here is a link to my Webquest

http://jarrettlandor.googlepages.com/introduction

Assignment 6 Personal Video Message with Eyejot

Creating an Eyejoy, what a an excellent, fun assignment to proceed creating Webquest which had me stressed out. The objective of this assignment was to use a web-cam and microphone to a compose a message on video for a duration of one to three minutes and put on the IT 648 class listserve. I enjoyed this assigment because of course it was simple, second I have always wanted to know how students were able to send Ireports to presidential candidates during the presidential debates. After completing this assignment, I sent an eyejot to some of my friends. This assigment I know that students will enjoy.


Here is a link to my eyejot:

https://webmail.usm.edu/horde/util/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eyejot.com%2Fmview%2F61330146921FCB313D9E6217A1F1A70D71C75A24EF5BF10E7ED8D46BBC040EAA&Horde=920f2d6a9a9a5f2b45d0e3efabb1d258

Assignment 7 SLIDESHARING

Assignment 7 required us to go to slideshare.com and create a slide show. Slideshare.com is another free technology tool which enables students to create their own slideshows and slidecasts (embeded audio). We had to create fifteen slides with notes on a topic relating to Telecommunications in Education. We also had to use APA to reference our cites.
For my presentation I chose the topic Synchonous Online Technology. Having spent the last two and half years researching all facets of online/distance learning, this has been the topic that I feel most passionate about. I enjoyed this assignment because I can use the information to add on to my literature review of my course dissertation. Synchronous Online Instruction will soon to replace asynchronous instruction due to synchronos online Virtual Learning Environments.

Here is a link to my slide show presentation:

http://www.slideshare.net/jlandor2000/ppt-528848

Discussion Questions

As a part of the course requirements for IT 648 we were required to participate weekly in threaded discussion via the black board. These are the five discussions along with my responses to each question.

WEEK 1
Discuss how you can use the Web in teaching, training, and learning. What are the advantages as well as the limitations and pitfalls of Web-based instruction?

My response: It has fascinated researchers how online/Web-based instruction has evolved in just one decade. Such an evolution that started from correspondence courses by mail to later evolve into a Web-based/online learning community characterized by its rich learner-centered environment where both student and instructor collaborate and engage in constructivist practices (Conrad & Donaldson, 2004). Web-based instruction is used for teaching and instruction in universities all over the country. In 2002 over 1,680 university institutions offered over 54,000 online courses. Another study by the College Technology Review reported that in the 2004-2005 academic year, two out of three institutions offered Web-based/online programs. C.J. Bonk (2001) project Web-based instruction will account for 73% of university teaching loads by the year 2011. Many believe that web-based education will change the face of education in the future by becoming the dominant tool for teaching and learning (Saba, 2005; Simonson et al., 2003). A contemporary author made the assertion, “the Web is the future….Students learn to ask better questions, to make better arguments, and to present themselves more positively over the Web. Benke et al. report that 86% of college students compared to 59% of the general population use the internet, and 49% of the these students begin using the internet before they arrive at college (2004). The Web is seen by many as a productive and functional tool that as altered the way society interacts with itself and with information in its daily life.There are several advantages of Web-based instruction:A. Web based instruction is conventientB. Web-based instruction offers courses that are flexibleC. Web-based instruction offers more individual attentionD. Web-based instruction teachers you to be self disciplinedE. Web-based instruction connects you to the global villageAlthough there are advantages of Web-based instruction, there are also disadvantages”A. Lack of interaction B. Lack of time constraintsC. Not recommended for students who lack time management skills.

WEEK 2
What are the major components of a Web course if you are asked to design and develop one today? What tips and suggestions you would share with your colleagues when designing an effective Web site for teaching and learning?

My response:

The major components of a web course are: navigation, site links, page links, site guides, search button, fast find, contents and index page, paging links.In designing a course Web site it is important to conduct thorough means assessment. One should find out what thier institution offers for course Web site development such as what software, facilities, funding, and development support is available. Next objectives for the Web site should be defined. Objectives can can be defined by looking at other web sites because it gives you a sense of what others are doing and it will help you to incorporate the web into your curriculum. Once means have been assed and goals have been formulated one can devise an organizational structure their website. Gatihering materials on the content list is the most important part for developing a website Once you have gathered all materials on your computers you will be ready to begin creating a site.

Week 3
Discuss the dangers associated with using the Internet and the strategies teachers can use to minimize risks.

Acceptable use policies are guidelines applied by website owners which restrict the ways in which a website can be used. Despite the fact that the WWW can be a great place for students, teachers, parents to gain information, play educational games, perform research, communicate with other students around the world, and for shopping; the internet can be very dangerous. The internet has no regulations or control over what is posted on it. There are many things online unsuitable for minors. The internet is a haven to many violent and disturbing images and sexually explicit sites. The internet is also a haven for cyberbullying in which online merchants will harass or intimidate someone by spreading false rumors and threats. People are also subjected to advertising pressures. Last students easily expose themselves to the many viruses found on the Web.There are several things teachers can do:1) Establish precautions about safe web use2) Learn about the internet3) Instruct students to be critical of the internet4) be knowledgeable about blocking software.

Week 4

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Interactive Video (IVN) in education? What are your opinions about the use of IVN in teaching and learning if you have taken IVN classes at USM? Discuss how you can use video conferencing technology in education.

Interactive Videoconferencing is an excellent tool that may be used in distance learning settings. This system can be integrated into the distance learning program with some adaptation to the curriculum and course and is designed to support two-way video and audio communication between multiple locations. Several advantages of interactive video is:It allows an interactive and collaborative environment between the instructor and students at different sites. Allows for the use of different media: Blackboards, handwritten documents, and videos may be incorporated at all sites. Provides for connections between experts in other fields.Allows for access between other individuals. Provides additional access to students at remote sites. Disadvanages :Companies which produce codecs have each developed unique methods of compression which are incompatible, although protocols have been established to allow communication among brand names. Students not located within the came location as the instructor have to rely on phone to communicate with the professor.If visuals not clear students may not be able to see them.

Week 5

Discuss the advantages, obstacles, issues and opportunities facing wireless technology in education.

Wireless technologies has become a rapidly emerging area of growth and importance for providing ubiquitous access to the network for the campus community. Students, faculty and staff increasingly want untethered network access from general-purpose classrooms, meeting rooms, auditoriums, and even the hallways of campus buildings. Some of the constraints have included disparate standards, low bandwidth, and high infrastructure and service cost. The primary advantages of wireless technology areEase of use and deployment in new and legacy systems Extended range capabilities Portability Ease and flexibility of installationThe major disadvantage of wirless communication is how easly interference can impede wireless signals along with high costs.

Overall Course Reflection

Introduction
I have truly enjoyed my time in IT 648, Telecommunications in Education. From the beginning of the summer while glancing over the course objectives, I was unsure if we would accomplish all of them but I see that throughout all of the readings, projects, and discussions we have successfully covered all course objectives. We starting out by becoming better acquainted with telecommunications in education, next we covered asynchronous instruction and technology proceeded by synchronous instruction, searching the Web, Web-quest, Web-blogs, and last Web-page design. Through the course assignments and readings, I have really come to understand how the world of technology is constantly changing and how important it is for our society to become are to stay as technologically and media savvy as possible.

Course Satisfaction
In most of my research on Distance (Synchronous) Learning, the researcher is interested in how students have improved or how a student perceives that he or she has learned in a class. It is also very interesting how student perceptions differ across different age groups. I have discovered how in the 25- 35 years age bracket, many of these students loved the flexibility, control of their own learning, and last was how online classes caused them to become better time managers. I agree with all three of these points. In order to be successful in the online course world, one must have excellent time management skills. These courses have given me the flexibility to engage on a time schedule that is convenient for me. Last, having the freedom to practice constructivist practices is how I am able to stay motivated in online learning environments.

Course Strengths and Challenges

The strength of this course lies in its online pedagogies, which are embedded within the shell of the course. IT 648 uses a student-centered pedagogy and is perhaps the most powerful strategy of this course. Being able to control your own learning is powerful. Flexibility as mentioned above is an inherent strength in this course. Many of us are not cut out for the traditional classroom and choose not to be bound by course time constraints. Last this class’ level interactivity is strength. I felt engaged with both professor and students. The biggest challenge for me in IT 648 and similar courses are:
· Carefully reading all assignment directions
· Budgeting my time so that I am not up all night trying to rush through an assignment.
· Instead of just posting on the discussion board, I realize that I should take the time to respond to others discussion posts.
The course projects were definitely course strength. After completing the Web-
Quest, Web-blog, and Eyejot, I feel more technologically competent and confident. I
realize that some of the letter grades that I received on these assignments are not reflective of how well I believed I learned on these assignments but I know to take the critiques on my projects and become a better student.
Some students shared a sentiment that we should have had some hands on experience in relation to computer networking. I agree because coming from a non-technological background and trying to understand network terminology, concepts, and jargon is extremely difficult. I would propose that for future courses an emphasis must be placed on hands-on experiences when dealing with networking.
Last, I would like to recommend that this course be modified to more of a hybrid online course because some of the topics in the course should call for us to have more hands on interaction. For example, the lessons on computer networking should have hands on component. Many students including myself are able to learn better through hands experiences. There were several topics in the lesson on computer networking that I was not able to comprehend from simply reading the text or participating on the discussion board.

Future goals for self-improvement

As I continue to take courses or attend workshops on instructional technology, I recognize that despite the fact that I have a strong enthusiasm and motivation to learn new technology, I must spend time practicing, listening, and developing overall proficiency in using computer technology. Some of my projects were of poor quality because I did not put much time and effort in them.
My research over the past year has been centered on Web-based instruction. After completion of my dissertation, I plan to increase my sample size by studying the perceptions of both faculty and students regarding synchronous instruction. I plan to publish my results in a peer-reviewed journal.

Classroom Integration
Since Hattiesburg Schools content and standards addresses technology integration into the curriculum, I would make sure that I integrate everything I have learned in IT 648 in my teaching and instruction. Hattiesburg Public High School where I am employed is made up of five-hundred students whom 99% are African American. Research shows that African American children learn best through hands-on experiences via computer technology. The Web-blog, Webquest, and the Eyejot would be the most beneficial assignments to students. Students would be required to register for all of the free software courses.
As a reading teacher, I would require students to develop a Web-blog based on a story they read. Once students create Webblog, they will be required to post everyday as if they were creating a journal. Next students should create a pod quest using Eyejot .com. Students could take a single lesson topic and learn how to convert it into podcasts. Web-quest and online presentations easily worked into the classroom curriculum. Students would be instructed to create Webpages telling about themselves and other personal things relating to the class.