Students' Comments
As part of our e-learning pilot project this semester, Rec 130 students have been invited to post their comments about their experiences.
Click on COMMENTS Link to read their views.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Ninth Class - Fri Mar 20
Smile You Are On Candid Camera
You had to be there…as the commercial says…it was priceless. Allow me to explain...
Today’s class was a bit unusual. Most of my students were away on program related field trips and the few remaining students…except one brave soul named Mike…choose to attend today’s Rec 130 class online.
This was a first for me…teaching a class without a room full of students physically present. The session was recorded so away students could later use Centra’s PLAYBACK function to attend the class at a future time...with Contact North's technology it is no longer necessary to cancel classes to accommodate conflicting program schedules.
Just as I was hitting full stride in my riveting lecture, Gabe a college maintenance worker, quietly wandered into the back of our classroom to perform a minor task…Gabe looked more than a bit confused as he noticed me talking into a microphone while referring to a PowerPoint presentation on a large screen…Gabe looked at me…then he looked at Mike, the one lonely student in the room…then he looked back at me…then back at Mike…Gabe was unaware my class was simultaneously being delivered to a number of online students…one can only imagine the obvious questions going through Gabe’s mind…why is he using a microphone to speak to only one student?...why didn’t he just cancel the class?...how much are we paying this guy anyway?
During the break, Mike politely informed me that he would not be returning for the second half of today’s class, instead he would go online like everyone else for the remaining part of today's class.
Left alone, I resumed my class now in a completely empty room and talking to apparently no one...but all the while trusting my online students were paying rapt attention to every word…thankfully; Gabe did not drop by again…it may have been too much for him…in fact, I just learned that Gabe is considering taking early retirement…coincidence?
You had to be there…as the commercial says…it was priceless. Allow me to explain...
Today’s class was a bit unusual. Most of my students were away on program related field trips and the few remaining students…except one brave soul named Mike…choose to attend today’s Rec 130 class online.
This was a first for me…teaching a class without a room full of students physically present. The session was recorded so away students could later use Centra’s PLAYBACK function to attend the class at a future time...with Contact North's technology it is no longer necessary to cancel classes to accommodate conflicting program schedules.
Just as I was hitting full stride in my riveting lecture, Gabe a college maintenance worker, quietly wandered into the back of our classroom to perform a minor task…Gabe looked more than a bit confused as he noticed me talking into a microphone while referring to a PowerPoint presentation on a large screen…Gabe looked at me…then he looked at Mike, the one lonely student in the room…then he looked back at me…then back at Mike…Gabe was unaware my class was simultaneously being delivered to a number of online students…one can only imagine the obvious questions going through Gabe’s mind…why is he using a microphone to speak to only one student?...why didn’t he just cancel the class?...how much are we paying this guy anyway?
During the break, Mike politely informed me that he would not be returning for the second half of today’s class, instead he would go online like everyone else for the remaining part of today's class.
Left alone, I resumed my class now in a completely empty room and talking to apparently no one...but all the while trusting my online students were paying rapt attention to every word…thankfully; Gabe did not drop by again…it may have been too much for him…in fact, I just learned that Gabe is considering taking early retirement…coincidence?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
First Help Desk Call - Vintage Video
No dispute...the unsung heroes of Contact North are the IT people who day in and day out work their magic responding quickly and effectively to any problems students and professors encounter with e-learning.
Posted on the side bar of this blog is a You Tube video titled: First Help Desk Call. This extremely well preserved video footage documents the world's first recorded Help Desk Call...enjoy.
The video is being shared as a special tribute to all the hard working professional IT folks...especially our good friends at Contact North...we salute you.
Posted on the side bar of this blog is a You Tube video titled: First Help Desk Call. This extremely well preserved video footage documents the world's first recorded Help Desk Call...enjoy.
The video is being shared as a special tribute to all the hard working professional IT folks...especially our good friends at Contact North...we salute you.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Can Be in Two Places at The Same Time
Next Fri, March 20 a number of students will be participating in a program field trip to our nation’s capital...hopefully; they will find time to drop by Mr. Harper’s office to give advice on fixing Canada’s faltering economy.
But I digress…rather than cancel next Friday’s two-hour Rec 130 class…as is the normal practice when program groups attend off-campus activities…next Friday’s class will proceed as scheduled…with a smaller but no less dedicated number of in-class and e-class students.
Those students who will be away on the Ottawa field trip can simply PLAYBACK the class at a later convenient time.
The following Fri, March 27, I will be accompanying a different group of program students on a field trip…again to Ottawa…however; thanks to Contact North…there is no need to cancel my Fri Rec 130 class…
My plan is to record the Rec 130 class in advance…in the privacy of my office with no audience...my students can PLAYBACK the recorded session during their regular scheduled Fri class time...or later if they so choose…meanwhile; those students who will be with me on the field trip can also PLAYBACK the recorded class at their leisure...this will be our first Rec 130 class that will require everyone to use the PLAYBACK option...should be interesting.
A couple of students privy to my plan made the astute observation that…I guess you can be in two places at the same time…the marvels of e-learning technology...hey, everybody look...isn't that our professor over there..and over here?...scary eh?...a recreation professor with super powers...what next...the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup?
But I digress…rather than cancel next Friday’s two-hour Rec 130 class…as is the normal practice when program groups attend off-campus activities…next Friday’s class will proceed as scheduled…with a smaller but no less dedicated number of in-class and e-class students.
Those students who will be away on the Ottawa field trip can simply PLAYBACK the class at a later convenient time.
The following Fri, March 27, I will be accompanying a different group of program students on a field trip…again to Ottawa…however; thanks to Contact North…there is no need to cancel my Fri Rec 130 class…
My plan is to record the Rec 130 class in advance…in the privacy of my office with no audience...my students can PLAYBACK the recorded session during their regular scheduled Fri class time...or later if they so choose…meanwhile; those students who will be with me on the field trip can also PLAYBACK the recorded class at their leisure...this will be our first Rec 130 class that will require everyone to use the PLAYBACK option...should be interesting.
A couple of students privy to my plan made the astute observation that…I guess you can be in two places at the same time…the marvels of e-learning technology...hey, everybody look...isn't that our professor over there..and over here?...scary eh?...a recreation professor with super powers...what next...the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup?
Eighth Class - Wed Mar 11
Not every day a Vice President visits your class…so today we rolled out the red carpet for Debra Betty, Contact North’s Vice-President, Program Development.
Also, joining us for today’s session was David Himmelman, Dean of Canadore College’s School of Recreation, and Professor Bill Ramore.
Our three guests wanted to observe first-hand how things were unfolding with the Rec 130 e-learning course pilot project...students were given no advance notice that we would have company in today's class...nothing special was planned...just a typical class.
As students assembled for class, things got rocking with a two-minute Beatles music video downloaded from You Tube. Once the Fab Four’s opening act was over...it was time for the main event...a lecture on sport safety and risk management...hint: never ever, ever, ever...try to compete with the Beatles.
After patiently sitting through 45 minutes of a riveting and life transforming class, David and Debra were finally successful in wrenching the microphone from my hands and seized the opportunity to have a town hall conversation with the 78 in-class students and the 26 e-class students.
On the up side…students expressed enthusiastic support for the new course delivery model using Contact North technology…and were especially pleased with having the option to choose how and when to take each class.
On the down side…a number of students shared experiences relating to difficulties with audio and problems viewing You Tube videos. Debra promised to follow-up on these concerns with her Contact North technical experts.
Debra graciously offered these excellent suggestions:
• improve classroom lighting for better screen viewing
• encourage e-students to communicate using microphones rather than text chat
• utilize in-class students to assist with computer operations
• increase professor’s salary (ok...maybe, Debra didn’t use those exact words…but it certainly is another excellent idea)
Debra and David thanked the class for their participation in this unique pilot project and wished everyone success in their studies...they promised to keep in touch. Recreation students responded with thunderous applause...bid our guests adieu and rolled up the red carpet.
No Rec 130 class this Fri Mar 13...students write Mid Term (cancelled last week due to inclement weather)...next class is scheduled for Wed Mar 19.
Been a long days night...
Also, joining us for today’s session was David Himmelman, Dean of Canadore College’s School of Recreation, and Professor Bill Ramore.
Our three guests wanted to observe first-hand how things were unfolding with the Rec 130 e-learning course pilot project...students were given no advance notice that we would have company in today's class...nothing special was planned...just a typical class.
As students assembled for class, things got rocking with a two-minute Beatles music video downloaded from You Tube. Once the Fab Four’s opening act was over...it was time for the main event...a lecture on sport safety and risk management...hint: never ever, ever, ever...try to compete with the Beatles.
After patiently sitting through 45 minutes of a riveting and life transforming class, David and Debra were finally successful in wrenching the microphone from my hands and seized the opportunity to have a town hall conversation with the 78 in-class students and the 26 e-class students.
On the up side…students expressed enthusiastic support for the new course delivery model using Contact North technology…and were especially pleased with having the option to choose how and when to take each class.
On the down side…a number of students shared experiences relating to difficulties with audio and problems viewing You Tube videos. Debra promised to follow-up on these concerns with her Contact North technical experts.
Debra graciously offered these excellent suggestions:
• improve classroom lighting for better screen viewing
• encourage e-students to communicate using microphones rather than text chat
• utilize in-class students to assist with computer operations
• increase professor’s salary (ok...maybe, Debra didn’t use those exact words…but it certainly is another excellent idea)
Debra and David thanked the class for their participation in this unique pilot project and wished everyone success in their studies...they promised to keep in touch. Recreation students responded with thunderous applause...bid our guests adieu and rolled up the red carpet.
No Rec 130 class this Fri Mar 13...students write Mid Term (cancelled last week due to inclement weather)...next class is scheduled for Wed Mar 19.
Been a long days night...
Did You Know?
A friend sent me a most interesting You Tube video titled: Did You Know?
The video has been added to the side bar...obviously, any follower of this blog has the IQ of a genius...so no doubt the video should be more appropriately titled: Of course I Know.
Go ahead Einstein...check out the video...see the types of things the less gifted may not know.
Enjoy...
The video has been added to the side bar...obviously, any follower of this blog has the IQ of a genius...so no doubt the video should be more appropriately titled: Of course I Know.
Go ahead Einstein...check out the video...see the types of things the less gifted may not know.
Enjoy...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Seventh Class - Wed Feb 25
Last class before the Rec 130 mid term test…so why not liven things up a little with Mr. Benny Goodman and the sounds of the Big Band era?
As my students collected for the start of yet another Rec 130 class, they were greeted with a Benny Goodman music video(downloaded from You Tube). While I am 100% confident Benny is not on any of my students’ I Pods…there was a whole lot of toe tapping going on before class.
Interesting quirk…later when I attempted to playback the recorded class...the Goodman music video kept playing over and over and over and over and over (like the song that never ends)…inexplicably, I simply could not exit, nor fast forward, nor skip over the Benny video…not sure what caused the problem...another question for the Contact North folks…meanwhile; any ideas how to get those Goodman tunes out of my mind?...too much Goodman can be a bad thing.
Today’s class was largely about helmet safety, helmet standards, and helmet design features…again I found the e-learning platform (Centra) remarkably helpful in accessing web sites and instructional videos. The ability to efficiently access, download, and share web-based content is a feature of e-learning that in my humble opinion greatly enhances learning and assists teaching.
Mid Term test is Fri Feb 27…following week is March Break…no classes.
Next Rec 130 class is Wed Mar 11...plenty of time to forget Benny and all that jazz.
As my students collected for the start of yet another Rec 130 class, they were greeted with a Benny Goodman music video(downloaded from You Tube). While I am 100% confident Benny is not on any of my students’ I Pods…there was a whole lot of toe tapping going on before class.
Interesting quirk…later when I attempted to playback the recorded class...the Goodman music video kept playing over and over and over and over and over (like the song that never ends)…inexplicably, I simply could not exit, nor fast forward, nor skip over the Benny video…not sure what caused the problem...another question for the Contact North folks…meanwhile; any ideas how to get those Goodman tunes out of my mind?...too much Goodman can be a bad thing.
Today’s class was largely about helmet safety, helmet standards, and helmet design features…again I found the e-learning platform (Centra) remarkably helpful in accessing web sites and instructional videos. The ability to efficiently access, download, and share web-based content is a feature of e-learning that in my humble opinion greatly enhances learning and assists teaching.
Mid Term test is Fri Feb 27…following week is March Break…no classes.
Next Rec 130 class is Wed Mar 11...plenty of time to forget Benny and all that jazz.
Lights, Camera, Action
School of Recreation and Leisure Video
Be sure to check out the short video about Canadore College’s School of Recreation and Leisure…posted on the side bar of this blog.
The video was written, directed, and produced; by students in Canadore College’s Television Broadcast Program…congratulations on a job well done…Hollywood awaits you.
Be sure to check out the short video about Canadore College’s School of Recreation and Leisure…posted on the side bar of this blog.
The video was written, directed, and produced; by students in Canadore College’s Television Broadcast Program…congratulations on a job well done…Hollywood awaits you.
Sixth Class - Wed Feb 18
No news is good news…right? Well, not much to report on today’s class. Guess, the old dog is finally getting more comfortable with this e-learning thing.
Contact North has solved the mystery of our missing e-students…some sort of technical glitch…it must be said that the quick response and enthusiastic support received from the good folks at Contact North is simply outstanding…students and faculty are most appreciative…small wonder Contact North is the gold standard in e-learning.
Since the Rec 130 Mid Term test is scheduled for Fri, Feb 27…most of today’s class consisted of a review and a question and answer period.
After class, I decided to save and review the chat text generated by e-students. While not exactly highly scientific, I categorized the content of the six pages of text chat as either course relevant or not course relevant. Approximately 72% of the text chat messages were deemed course relevant…not certain what to make of this statistic…interested to hear your thoughts…please feel free to share your opinions…simply click on the below COMMENTS link...come on you know you want to.
Next class is Wed Feb 25.
Contact North has solved the mystery of our missing e-students…some sort of technical glitch…it must be said that the quick response and enthusiastic support received from the good folks at Contact North is simply outstanding…students and faculty are most appreciative…small wonder Contact North is the gold standard in e-learning.
Since the Rec 130 Mid Term test is scheduled for Fri, Feb 27…most of today’s class consisted of a review and a question and answer period.
After class, I decided to save and review the chat text generated by e-students. While not exactly highly scientific, I categorized the content of the six pages of text chat as either course relevant or not course relevant. Approximately 72% of the text chat messages were deemed course relevant…not certain what to make of this statistic…interested to hear your thoughts…please feel free to share your opinions…simply click on the below COMMENTS link...come on you know you want to.
Next class is Wed Feb 25.
Three Cheers for the Home Team
Membership has its privileges…who would have thought this experiment in e-learning would be the stimulus for an exclusive club…curious?...read on…
As faithful readers of my blog know, Canadore College’s School of Recreation and Leisure has partnered this semester with Contact North…world leaders in e-learning… to deliver a 3 hour/week course (Rec 130: Legislation and Risk Management) to 113 students.
Breaking with tradition, students decide how they will attend each class…”in person” or “online”...students also decide when they will attend… in “real time” or “future time.”
For each Rec 130 class, students are offered a menu of three attendance options:
1) Attend live class in person (in-class)
2) Attend live class online (e-class)
3) Attend in the future by playback of recorded class (r-class)
Now back to that exclusive club…since our first class approximately 22 students have consistently attended classes “online.” As strange as it may seem, a special bond is developing amongst these learners...in fact, they have even taken to referring to themselves as the “home team” (very apropos, since most of these students take the course from the comfort of their homes).
When these home team students logon for their class, they greet each other with a friendly “hi how you are doing?...not exactly a secret code…but on the other hand…many of these same students previously did not know or acknowledge each other prior to this experiment…what next...team jackets?
It is also apparent from their text messaging and their comments made during our class discussions that the “home team” is developing close friendships with one another...and are willingly to lend support and to openly share course related and non course related information…as Martha Stewart might say…that’s not a bad thing.
As faithful readers of my blog know, Canadore College’s School of Recreation and Leisure has partnered this semester with Contact North…world leaders in e-learning… to deliver a 3 hour/week course (Rec 130: Legislation and Risk Management) to 113 students.
Breaking with tradition, students decide how they will attend each class…”in person” or “online”...students also decide when they will attend… in “real time” or “future time.”
For each Rec 130 class, students are offered a menu of three attendance options:
1) Attend live class in person (in-class)
2) Attend live class online (e-class)
3) Attend in the future by playback of recorded class (r-class)
Now back to that exclusive club…since our first class approximately 22 students have consistently attended classes “online.” As strange as it may seem, a special bond is developing amongst these learners...in fact, they have even taken to referring to themselves as the “home team” (very apropos, since most of these students take the course from the comfort of their homes).
When these home team students logon for their class, they greet each other with a friendly “hi how you are doing?...not exactly a secret code…but on the other hand…many of these same students previously did not know or acknowledge each other prior to this experiment…what next...team jackets?
It is also apparent from their text messaging and their comments made during our class discussions that the “home team” is developing close friendships with one another...and are willingly to lend support and to openly share course related and non course related information…as Martha Stewart might say…that’s not a bad thing.
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