Monday, December 5, 2011
ETEC 623 Podcast Project 2
ETEC 623 Podcast Project
The link provided above will take you to the podcast audio recordings for this project. Those that have a 2 after the root name have volume correction (normalization) and subtle vocal compression to keep the levels consistent.
The link provided above will take you to the podcast audio recordings for this project. Those that have a 2 after the root name have volume correction (normalization) and subtle vocal compression to keep the levels consistent.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Session 10
This course has not only reinforced my knowledge of technology use within education, it has also challenged me to reassess what my role is as an aspiring technology leader. I really appreciate the way that the course required us to focus on technology in education from our individual perspectives or career paths that we intend on pursuing. Doing so made everything that I learned pertinent and enabled me to put it into a context that made the most sense.
The issues and case scenarios discussed throughout the course compelled me to approach technology from a leadership role and allowed me to think critically to develop solutions based on my prior knowledge. The terminology introduced in this course also enabled me to identify different roles, classifications, and issues within my workplace. Some examples include management vs. leadership, the diffusion of innovation theory and adoption among innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggers, the Ed Norman Syndrome, and data driven decision-making.
I feel that my role as a technology leader will be to exhibit technological tools in education to their highest potential while ensuring that they don’t detract from the learning objectives. As a connoisseur of anything technological, it is very easy to go overboard and cram your courses with multimedia and cutting edge tools that may distract or overwhelm your students. I will use my experience in graphic design, web design, multimedia development, and eLearning to maximize the effectiveness of my instructional design. I will also make it a point to get feedback from everyone from students to school administrators to make certain that all of the salient needs across the educational spectrum are addressed.
The issues and case scenarios discussed throughout the course compelled me to approach technology from a leadership role and allowed me to think critically to develop solutions based on my prior knowledge. The terminology introduced in this course also enabled me to identify different roles, classifications, and issues within my workplace. Some examples include management vs. leadership, the diffusion of innovation theory and adoption among innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggers, the Ed Norman Syndrome, and data driven decision-making.
I feel that my role as a technology leader will be to exhibit technological tools in education to their highest potential while ensuring that they don’t detract from the learning objectives. As a connoisseur of anything technological, it is very easy to go overboard and cram your courses with multimedia and cutting edge tools that may distract or overwhelm your students. I will use my experience in graphic design, web design, multimedia development, and eLearning to maximize the effectiveness of my instructional design. I will also make it a point to get feedback from everyone from students to school administrators to make certain that all of the salient needs across the educational spectrum are addressed.
Session 10 Activity Log
Project1:
Completed and posted project results.
Project 2:
Finished podcast recordings. Will complete final edits and embed podcasts in final blog posting on 12/5
Project 3:
Completed and posted project.
Completed and posted project results.
Project 2:
Finished podcast recordings. Will complete final edits and embed podcasts in final blog posting on 12/5
Project 3:
Completed and posted project.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Session 9
Having a career path in technology, I make it a point to attend as many professional development workshops as possible (especially when they pertain to software). I recently attended a professional development workshop that was very informative and well presented. I think that the key to the effectiveness of the workshop was that it wasn’t scripted in a way that the presenter followed a set linear format. The presenter was constantly interacting with the audience and redirecting the focus of the instruction to address the needs of the audience. The workshop was hands on so that the attendees could follow the steps as they went along and ask questions at any time. The presenter also gave the attendees options on what they would like to learn so we were able to choose areas that we felt would be most applicable to our positions.
I have also attended a professional development workshop where after it was over I felt that I would probably have been better off had not attended it at all. Like the afore mentioned positive professional development workshop, it was essentially hands on and the presenters encouraged the participants to ask questions whenever possible, but the end result was that everyone seemed to be so confused that they were hesitant to ask any questions at all. The main problem was that the presenters were attempting to explain subject matter that they dealt with on a daily basis, but was for the most part foreign to everyone else. In other words, they weren’t looking at it from the perspective of someone who was learning the information for the first time. Unlike the presenter in the afore mentioned workshop, these presenters stuck to a script and continually attempted to force the information onto their audience in hopes that we would be able to understand it as it was presented. The attendees would have actually benefitted from the workshop if the presenters had adapted their instruction based on the assessed prior knowledge of their audience. To the presenters’ credit, there was a much larger audience then in the first workshop mentioned in this post. The end result was that I was more confused on the topic being covered than I was prior to coming in.
I have also attended a professional development workshop where after it was over I felt that I would probably have been better off had not attended it at all. Like the afore mentioned positive professional development workshop, it was essentially hands on and the presenters encouraged the participants to ask questions whenever possible, but the end result was that everyone seemed to be so confused that they were hesitant to ask any questions at all. The main problem was that the presenters were attempting to explain subject matter that they dealt with on a daily basis, but was for the most part foreign to everyone else. In other words, they weren’t looking at it from the perspective of someone who was learning the information for the first time. Unlike the presenter in the afore mentioned workshop, these presenters stuck to a script and continually attempted to force the information onto their audience in hopes that we would be able to understand it as it was presented. The attendees would have actually benefitted from the workshop if the presenters had adapted their instruction based on the assessed prior knowledge of their audience. To the presenters’ credit, there was a much larger audience then in the first workshop mentioned in this post. The end result was that I was more confused on the topic being covered than I was prior to coming in.
Session 9 Activity Report
Project1:
Final write-up of overall project.
Project 2:
Began recording podcast audio. Researched possible players to embed.
Project 3:
Began final write-up of project proposal from outline and rough draft.
Final write-up of overall project.
Project 2:
Began recording podcast audio. Researched possible players to embed.
Project 3:
Began final write-up of project proposal from outline and rough draft.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Session 8
Anything to maximize productivity and accountability would be positive from a leadership perspective. Data driven decision-making would definitely make it easier to keep tabs on worker performance, but it may have a negative impact on the workers because they may feel as if they are being judged merely on statistics or even worse, as a statistic. On the other hand, I feel that having technology in place to automate meticulous or repetitive processes would be received in a positive light because it could free up time for workers to focus on other tasks that require a little more cognitive ability.
Working for two different organizations that are grant funded, it is very essential to keep thorough records on where the money is going and what it is being used for. Monitoring the results or impact that the programs have throughout the course of time is also necessary to sustain funding. If I were to implement some sort of data driven system in my current workplace it would probably have something to do with monitoring clientele, satisfaction levels and organizing customer suggestions into categories where they could be analyzed based on different sets of criteria. If there were enough feedback registered into the system to substantiate some sort of change then adjustments could be made accordingly.
The positive use of this sort of clientele database would be that it could raise awareness as to the inefficiencies or room for possible improvement within the work system. With enough feedback we could discern what is and what isn’t working from a customer standpoint. A computerized survey developed to retrieve certain feedback from certain customers along with a smart database to sort and store the information would be preferred. The negative side to this type of system would be that customers might feel inconvenienced by these types of surveys. It would be up to leadership to develop questions that would generate the most useful feedback and decide from whom to request the information. It would also be in there best interest to develop different sets of questions for different customers so that the system could be automated in this sense. Another negative is there is no real way to know if the data that you are gathering is genuine or not. Giving the customer some sort of incentive to participate in the survey could increase the amount of feedback you receive, but could skew the data if that is the customer’s sole motive to participate.
Working for two different organizations that are grant funded, it is very essential to keep thorough records on where the money is going and what it is being used for. Monitoring the results or impact that the programs have throughout the course of time is also necessary to sustain funding. If I were to implement some sort of data driven system in my current workplace it would probably have something to do with monitoring clientele, satisfaction levels and organizing customer suggestions into categories where they could be analyzed based on different sets of criteria. If there were enough feedback registered into the system to substantiate some sort of change then adjustments could be made accordingly.
The positive use of this sort of clientele database would be that it could raise awareness as to the inefficiencies or room for possible improvement within the work system. With enough feedback we could discern what is and what isn’t working from a customer standpoint. A computerized survey developed to retrieve certain feedback from certain customers along with a smart database to sort and store the information would be preferred. The negative side to this type of system would be that customers might feel inconvenienced by these types of surveys. It would be up to leadership to develop questions that would generate the most useful feedback and decide from whom to request the information. It would also be in there best interest to develop different sets of questions for different customers so that the system could be automated in this sense. Another negative is there is no real way to know if the data that you are gathering is genuine or not. Giving the customer some sort of incentive to participate in the survey could increase the amount of feedback you receive, but could skew the data if that is the customer’s sole motive to participate.
Session 8 Activity Report
Project1:
Documented applications that were not implemented into workflow and the reasons why I decided not to use them. Finalized comparisons and contrasts between tasks performed with and without the implemented technology.
Project 2:
Revised scripts for podcast and will begin recording this week.
Project 3:
Completed rough write up of the entire grant proposal.
Documented applications that were not implemented into workflow and the reasons why I decided not to use them. Finalized comparisons and contrasts between tasks performed with and without the implemented technology.
Project 2:
Revised scripts for podcast and will begin recording this week.
Project 3:
Completed rough write up of the entire grant proposal.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Session 7
I’ve dealt with the Ed Norman syndrome ever since I began working at my current position. When I first started over 6 years ago, the restrictions were not nearly as severe as they are now. At least back then you could develop your own web site or access the wireless network without having to log in every single time. Things have gotten progressively worse since then. There is rationale behind a lot of these security measures, but there are also a lot of restrictions in place that just impede progress.
One of the restrictions that really frustrates me is in the web development department. When I first was hired, I was tasked to create a web site for an organization. I was able to develop a dynamic site full of resources designed specifically to address the needs of the organization. If I were tasked to create such a site now, I would have to work off from a template that matches the rest of the sites hosted on their server. If I need to edit something on this template I would have to list what it is that I need to modify and wait until a web administrator could do it for me despite the fact that I’m a web master for my department. This means that unless it is a simple change within the content area of the site, I would have to gain permission to make any significant additions or revisions. It is for this reason that I have decided to host my sites on an external server where I have the freedom to develop and change the sites as I please. Another thing that really frustrates me is having computer workstations where you cannot install or update software without administrative privileges. I can’t tell you how many times that this has hindered me from doing my job. If I need to update a video codec in order to play embedded video in a PowerPoint, I have to call a technician and wait for them to come out even though I’m employed as technical support myself.
If I had the authority to control these issues I would handle it much differently. I understand that many of these safeguards are in place to protect from malicious activity and or inexperienced users unknowingly making changes, but those who have a legitimate need to access these computers should be granted access. Like with everything else, there should be training administered to users who request different levels of access privileges. Once these users complete this training and exhibit the ability to handle the privileges responsibly they should be issued some sort of certification, which enables them to retain these privileges for an extended period of time. After all, this is the procedure for gaining access to any other system. I really think that it is a matter of certain individuals having too much control and placing these types of restrictions just make their jobs easier at the expense of everyone else.
One of the restrictions that really frustrates me is in the web development department. When I first was hired, I was tasked to create a web site for an organization. I was able to develop a dynamic site full of resources designed specifically to address the needs of the organization. If I were tasked to create such a site now, I would have to work off from a template that matches the rest of the sites hosted on their server. If I need to edit something on this template I would have to list what it is that I need to modify and wait until a web administrator could do it for me despite the fact that I’m a web master for my department. This means that unless it is a simple change within the content area of the site, I would have to gain permission to make any significant additions or revisions. It is for this reason that I have decided to host my sites on an external server where I have the freedom to develop and change the sites as I please. Another thing that really frustrates me is having computer workstations where you cannot install or update software without administrative privileges. I can’t tell you how many times that this has hindered me from doing my job. If I need to update a video codec in order to play embedded video in a PowerPoint, I have to call a technician and wait for them to come out even though I’m employed as technical support myself.
If I had the authority to control these issues I would handle it much differently. I understand that many of these safeguards are in place to protect from malicious activity and or inexperienced users unknowingly making changes, but those who have a legitimate need to access these computers should be granted access. Like with everything else, there should be training administered to users who request different levels of access privileges. Once these users complete this training and exhibit the ability to handle the privileges responsibly they should be issued some sort of certification, which enables them to retain these privileges for an extended period of time. After all, this is the procedure for gaining access to any other system. I really think that it is a matter of certain individuals having too much control and placing these types of restrictions just make their jobs easier at the expense of everyone else.
Session 7 Activity Report
Project1:
Began the final stages of software testing. Recorded data with and without software to compare and contrast.
Project 2:
Continued scripting dialogue for podcasts.
Project 3:
Identified a target group to introduce project into school system. Continued with the development of project proposal write up.
Began the final stages of software testing. Recorded data with and without software to compare and contrast.
Project 2:
Continued scripting dialogue for podcasts.
Project 3:
Identified a target group to introduce project into school system. Continued with the development of project proposal write up.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Session 6
I work here at the college as a Technical Support Coordinator so I can vouch for our school when I say that a lack of technology is not really a salient issue (at least within the College of Education). The main issue that I see here is that most instructors really don’t have the time to invest in learning new technologies to implement or integrate into their instruction. Those that are more savvy when it comes to technology tend to make time to learn new tools and methods, however I feel that for those that aren’t as savvy; the learning curve is too steep for them to dedicate a substantial amount of time in attempting to learn new tricks.
It may be the case that the “lack of time” claim is just a proxy for the lack of ability, interest or willingness to learn new technology, but this is not always the case. There are many instructors here that carry a lot of additional responsibilities besides teaching. For these individuals who have the willingness, but not the time, I feel that once they are exposed to tools that have proven success in the educational arena, they will eventually adopt them as well.
I would address this barrier by gradually introducing various proven technologies that could potentially improve, enhance and or simplify processes that faculty are accustomed to conducting manually. I would start small with trainings, professional development workshops and email tutorials. My target audience would be those who aren’t technologically savvy so I would keep the initial trainings as simple as possible with the highest residual value ie. Folders and filters to organize emails or converting word documents and handouts to PDF’s. I would create small tutorials that walk through the processes step-by-step and list the potential uses and benefits of each technology. Anything to warm them up to the idea would be a step in the right direction.
It may be the case that the “lack of time” claim is just a proxy for the lack of ability, interest or willingness to learn new technology, but this is not always the case. There are many instructors here that carry a lot of additional responsibilities besides teaching. For these individuals who have the willingness, but not the time, I feel that once they are exposed to tools that have proven success in the educational arena, they will eventually adopt them as well.
I would address this barrier by gradually introducing various proven technologies that could potentially improve, enhance and or simplify processes that faculty are accustomed to conducting manually. I would start small with trainings, professional development workshops and email tutorials. My target audience would be those who aren’t technologically savvy so I would keep the initial trainings as simple as possible with the highest residual value ie. Folders and filters to organize emails or converting word documents and handouts to PDF’s. I would create small tutorials that walk through the processes step-by-step and list the potential uses and benefits of each technology. Anything to warm them up to the idea would be a step in the right direction.
Session 6 Activity Log
Project 1:
Continued testing software and applying them towards daily workflow. Documented the amount of time that processes take with and without this technology implementation.
Project 2:
Began scripting the dialogue for podcasts.
Project 3:
Refined project outline and continued to research avenues to introduce project into the educational system. Acquired actual technology needed to implement project.
Continued testing software and applying them towards daily workflow. Documented the amount of time that processes take with and without this technology implementation.
Project 2:
Began scripting the dialogue for podcasts.
Project 3:
Refined project outline and continued to research avenues to introduce project into the educational system. Acquired actual technology needed to implement project.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Session 5
I use a technology called Wiretap to capture streaming audio on the Internet or from any source that plays through my Mac computer. Prior to discovering this technology, I had been searching for an alternative solution to digitizing audio. Being in the music industry, I am constantly collecting and building upon my sample library. I use to search and download sound files if I was lucky enough to find a source for the particular sound that I was searching for. If there was no downloadable source then I could either import files from a CD or capture the audio by running it out of my computer, into an audio interface and then back into my computer. This involved cumbersome hardware and wasn’t efficient at all unless I was planning on dedicating a few hours strictly to capturing audio.
Now I am able to pull up Wiretap at any time with one hotkey command prompt and begin recording instantly. If I hear a theme song that I want to capture from an old TV show, record an online lecture with multiple participants, save rare music directly from YouTube or iTunes radio or just record personal notes without having to open up a special audio editing program; I can do it. The program is extremely user friendly so there is really no learning curve at all. You just press record and stop on the transport control and then save the resulting file. From here you can open the audio within the same application for basic editing or export it to another location on your computer.
A friend of mine in the music business first told me about an application called Soundtap that had similar capabilities. I tried this program for PC and was satisfied with it, but preferred to work on an Apple platform so I began searching for a comparable program for my MacBook. Of all of the options that I found, Wiretap offered the most functionality for the least amount of money ($30).
Wiretap is a specialized program for a specific purpose so most people wouldn’t have an immediate need for it, but it is definitely a great tool to have if you are involved in online instruction. It would allow you to capture audio from multiple sources and then host it in one centralized location for your students. You would just have to be sure to site your sources as with any other type of media due to copyright laws. You could also easily record your podcasts and online discussions and archive them within your CMS. Now that I have this ability, I laugh when I think back to the days when I would sample from vinyl records via a usb turntable or line-in from a cassette tape recording.
Now I am able to pull up Wiretap at any time with one hotkey command prompt and begin recording instantly. If I hear a theme song that I want to capture from an old TV show, record an online lecture with multiple participants, save rare music directly from YouTube or iTunes radio or just record personal notes without having to open up a special audio editing program; I can do it. The program is extremely user friendly so there is really no learning curve at all. You just press record and stop on the transport control and then save the resulting file. From here you can open the audio within the same application for basic editing or export it to another location on your computer.
A friend of mine in the music business first told me about an application called Soundtap that had similar capabilities. I tried this program for PC and was satisfied with it, but preferred to work on an Apple platform so I began searching for a comparable program for my MacBook. Of all of the options that I found, Wiretap offered the most functionality for the least amount of money ($30).
Wiretap is a specialized program for a specific purpose so most people wouldn’t have an immediate need for it, but it is definitely a great tool to have if you are involved in online instruction. It would allow you to capture audio from multiple sources and then host it in one centralized location for your students. You would just have to be sure to site your sources as with any other type of media due to copyright laws. You could also easily record your podcasts and online discussions and archive them within your CMS. Now that I have this ability, I laugh when I think back to the days when I would sample from vinyl records via a usb turntable or line-in from a cassette tape recording.
Session 5 Activity Log
Project1:
Began implementing software applications into my daily workflow. Documented the amount of time that processes take with and without this technology implementation.
Project 2:
Located potential sources of literature to create dialogue for instructional podcasts.
Project 3:
Researched the technological resources needed to complete the proposed project along with an estimated budget needed to acquire these resources.
Began implementing software applications into my daily workflow. Documented the amount of time that processes take with and without this technology implementation.
Project 2:
Located potential sources of literature to create dialogue for instructional podcasts.
Project 3:
Researched the technological resources needed to complete the proposed project along with an estimated budget needed to acquire these resources.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Session 4 Activity Log
Project 1:
Researched various tools and software applications/features that could optimize workflow in areas identified in session 3.
Project 2:
Acquired a majority of the resources needed to produce professional grade podcasts including the following:
Shure SM7B Vocal Microphone, Pro-Tools 9 Digital Audio Workstation, Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 audio interface/mixer, Firewire 400 to 800 cable to connect audio interface to MacBook Pro laptop. This is all equipment that I can use for my production company as well.
Project 3:
Researched statistical data such as proficiency scores of local schools and average statewide proficiency scores. Identified educational leaders in the community where the project could be implemented.
Researched various tools and software applications/features that could optimize workflow in areas identified in session 3.
Project 2:
Acquired a majority of the resources needed to produce professional grade podcasts including the following:
Shure SM7B Vocal Microphone, Pro-Tools 9 Digital Audio Workstation, Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 audio interface/mixer, Firewire 400 to 800 cable to connect audio interface to MacBook Pro laptop. This is all equipment that I can use for my production company as well.
Project 3:
Researched statistical data such as proficiency scores of local schools and average statewide proficiency scores. Identified educational leaders in the community where the project could be implemented.
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