People...I have noticed I have a follower.

OH No! I forgot to link the Wiki

Here is the opening course wiki

How would I use a blog in course planning?

I think I would use the blog in course planning to offer up addenda to the set curriculum. So maybe a place to put optional materials, other thoughts that are not necessarily directly related and also potentially use the blog as a place for the students. Though I have to admit that the wiki is probably more the way I am going to go (I think I have mentioned that in an earlier note).

Could I be missing something here? Is there a reason I should stray toward a blog before a wiki (wiki's offering the potential of a more seamless collaboration/team project setting)? I am interested in other people's thoughts...

Reflection from Wang/Fang case study

I think that generally speaking learner autonomy is a great thing. Too often students are held to the constrictions of the teacher schedule to the point that there isn't much time for creativity let alone individualistic thinking/learning. Advantage: opportunities to display responsibility and feel empowered for one's own learning; Disadvantage: the same (comes into play if time management and/or procrastination is the norm for the student personality).

I grew up as a shy person. I have admitted in last fall's class that if I were to have been sitting in a classroom setting with the students I was routinely interacting with online...I would be the very quiet. Socially I am not necessarily quiet, but can be reserved in a new setting until I discover my surroundings and develop a comfort level...that is how I am in a face to face classroom, I think I always will be. But the online classroom I feel much more empowered and more free. Possibly because I can't see you screwing up your faces at my answers :) Possibly because I have more of a chance to write (and edit) my thoughts before they become public. I'm not a control freak, but having that small amount of control somewhat assures my foot steers clear of my mouth (most of the time) when answering instructor questions/assignments. Definitely an advantage in my book.

I believe that online forums open up more opportunities for learners as we have so many different schedules and those that work 2nd or 3rd shift have a better chance of finding interactions and socializing that they may not previously have had a chance to participate in due to their schedules (if face to face classroom were their only option).

I believe that online learning is an equalizer of sorts. Sure, sometimes spelling and grammar can be telling, but for the most part we are on an equal playing field and I don't feel that this is necessarily true in a face to face classroom. So cooperative learning, in my opinion, is enhanced because of my points above.

Blogging

I understand the purpose of the blog - and that is groovy - but in terms of a class, I guess I don't see the purpose quite as much beyond this reflection-style tool.

I see more point to the wiki when it comes to online classroom settings (well, any classroom setting really) as it is more suitable to not just being an individual (and added many fun things), but also it is more versatile for collaborations/team projects.

Though I have to admit that the most fun part is knowing that I am writing and that someone is being forced to read the drivel that I am writing :)

More reflections in the tale of assessment soon.
Til then...ta

Assessment Survey

I guess I didn't do so hot. I have to admit that I THINK I am more learner centered than this survey was...anyone else feel the same? I honestly felt the questions were hard to understand (my cold fuzzying my brain or me just being fuzzy brained?)

Interesting tool to do a survey. It was useful, sort of...the ending was a bit befuddling and I don't think that was my fuzzy brain...it just seemed to end abruptly and I wasn't sure at what point I was supposed to copy my final results and ended up tooling back. No big whoop, but was awkward.

Here are my results:

Breaking Ice in Week 1 of Assessment course

I was getting worried because I could not find a partner. I had put out two random invitations, but to no avail. Then I saw Tom Kenton had posted looking for a partner. I jumped all over that post because a) hey, getting to know someone in class and b) was really worrying I didn't have my interview done yet (yes, I was being silly to say the least).

So Tom and I exchange emails and WHAM there are responses to both of my initial inquiries. I felt kind of sheepish and at the same time I was thrilled to have two more people to get to know. How fun!

That said, the assignment here is to post the getting to know me bits (about me) on this blog. Without further delay...about me from Tom, Susan and Betty :)

Katie Wagner Roberts is a 1991 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduate with a degree in Radio/TV. Katie had a television show on Titan TV called ‘Out and About’ and also worked at WMGV.

Katie has been interested in learning more about online education for awhile. This is the second course for Katie in the UW Stout Graduate Certificate program. She is also looking to keep her work skills updated in order to be more marketable in these tough times.

Currently Katie is a 4-H Youth Development Educator for the University of Illinois Extension in McHenry County, Illinois. She oversees the 4-H program and other youth programming. She also teaches part time at the College of Lake County doing Cooperative Education workshops teaching resume writing, interview job skills, motivational strategies and conflict resolution. Katie really enjoys her work the College of Lake Country.

Some of the items Katie hopes to obtain from this class are to see other ways of assessing learning and making networking contacts.

Thanks for your time Katie!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi all,

Let me introduce Miss Katie. This would be Ms. Katie L. Wagner Roberts. Miss Katie is a very kind and understanding lady, based on the fact that I was not able reply to her email in a timely fashion and she didn't tell me to bug off. But she is also a go-getter, based on evidence that she solicited a man with whom to do her “interview”. Uh…can I say solicited here in the forum?

Anyway, as this kind lady and I emailed, it became obvious that she has fantasies. One of them revolves around being Brenda Starr. For you youngsters in the audience, Brenda was hot stuff in reporter land. Armed with a buff bod, brains, and a head of red hair that wouldn’t quit, she out-wrote, out-adventured, out-scooped any guy in the newsroom. On top of all that, she managed to keep the twinkle in her eye.

Miss Katie also has visions of being Stephanie Plum. And I quote “I would love to be Stephanie Plum in Janet Evanovich's books (less the getting shot at) because she is just fun and sassy, but has a cool bounty hunter career :)” Hmmmm…what would the kiddies at 4-H have to say about that huh? I have the feeling they would say that Miss Katie is a very fun person.

Although Miss K. would love to live in the middle of nowhere in Ireland or Scotland, she would settle for rural Wisconsin. I guess there’s something to be said about all those cows in the fields making that famous cheese.

As part of our interview, I asked her if she had any bragging rights. Being the very modest person she is, at first she demurred. I had to put the pressure on (eat your heart out, Barbara Walters) and Miss Katie let slip that her face has graced the small screen. Yes! We have our very own TV star. Turns out Miss Katie had a TV show while she was in college. Imagine that!

When asked about a career choice if money was not an issue, Miss Katie replied that she would love to be a Mom and be able to have a whole houseful of adopted kids, the kids who so much need love. A minivan of kids in not in the cards right now, but she has the Mom part down and I would have to guess that Miss Katie’s biggest thrill is to brag about her daughter. They adopted her from China and it will be three years ago this March. Yoo hoo!

So there is Miss Katie. She may appear to be a 4-H Youth Development Educator for University of Illinois Extension in McHenry County, but underneath the facade she is a dynamo. Watch out for this Wonder Woman from Wonder Lake.

Peace,
Susan in PA

~~~~~~~~~~

She lives in Wonder Lake, IL and is a 4-H Youth Development Educator for University of Illinois Extension in McHenry County. She started the Graduate Certificate program last semester.

Betty Hurd

Thanks you guys...I really enjoyed meeting each of you!

First blog for second module of UW Stout Assessment course

Exciting! We are starting a blog for our course on Assessment at UW Stout. The intention being reflection and learning to be documented right here.

More soon!