802+topics+-+2010

Please post your 802 paper topic here, and help each other find resources. I'm leaving examples here from last year's class, so you can see what a topic might look like:

Laura Friesen I would like to keep to reflect on how a constructivist theory and perspective might help us to understand complex issues surrounding the use of technology in instruction. For example, I am interested in how men and women might interact differently with technology based upon gender specific experiences. Does a reliance upon technology at an early age help or hinder in learning complex principles and procedures that lead to problem solving skills and creativity? Should technology use be restricted or censored and, if so, under what conditions? The list of questions I have probably exceeds the time we have available but it is fun to take time to think of these issues within the context of learning theory. My blog is at: http://techtalkteachers.blogspot.com/ so drop by and leave your 2 cents worth!

Terri-Lynn Gresty I have chosen to create a blog for my project. I was initially going to go the paper route because I am not familiar with blogging. I decided to go out of my comfort zone, be creative, and increase the learning curve…like that needs to be done! The topic I have chosen is the ‘Benefits and Meaningful Integration of Technology into Early Childhood Education.’ I have chosen this topic because as an early childhood educator, I see the benefits of technology to an early learning environment. On the other hand, I am also aware, that I have a lot to learn about how technology can be successfully integrated into a early learning program. I plan to delve into this topic and post many of my findings that inspire new learning and a fresh way to introduce technology to our early learners. You can follow my blog just as soon as it is up and running! It is being fine tuned as I write and I am really looking forward to sharing. Deep breathes right?? I have been viewing the blogs currently posted and am amazed!

Ok, here is my blog. []

Troy Harkot I am writing a paper...to add to the collection of papers I have written in this program so far. My topic pertains to the ability of post-secondary institutions to use the data they collect and maintain about students in ways that can improve programs, services, and student grades/performance. At a high level, utilizing (or leveraging) data in various ways for improvements may seem obvious but there are privacy and confidentiality issues that can arise from this. For example, if a university was able to look at data pertaining to student high-school and post-secondary grades, demographics (i.e. citizenship, address, etc.), characteristics (i.e. gender, age, etc.), survey/feedback results (i.e. course evaluations), and activities they take part in (i.e. use of the Library, Physical Activity Complex, student advising, online course tools, etc.), it is possible that a "profile" could be built to identify students at-risk of failing a course/program. For instance, what if it was determined that all male students in Math 110 with < 70% high school average, < 60% midterm average, < 5 logins to PAWS, did not take the "math orientation" course, and have not signed up for math tutoring was classified as an at-risk student in the Math 110 class (because historical data may suggest that this is true)? This then, would allow the university to initiate contact with the student to assist with their progress in their studies and prevent them from not succeeding. Would this be of value to the student or just "big brother" watching them? Can the data be used in manner such as this without a student's knowledge or authorization to do so? I intend to focus on the privacy laws in Canada (and provincially) to gain a better understanding of how data of this nature could be leveraged in ways that could improve the success of students and programs/services offered by the institution. (Don't worry, the U of S is not doing this with data about us.....yet)

Ryan Hauber I too am blogging it up! For my contribution for the ECMM Blog, I would like to explore the topic of **"Flexibility in Online Learning". The reason for this topic is that I am currently employed by the Catholic School Division in the area of online education. The Cyber School is an online school and we are in a constantly searching for new applications and delivery methods. This also means that we are always studying what might make the Cyber School better. Some things we try work, some things we try don't, and other things we are still looking at. We do a lot of down and dirty action research so this is what I will be talking about and hopefully generating some interesting conversations. We poll our students a lot because their opinions matter the most, and I will be **
 * sharing their feedback at times as well. **
 * [] **

Kim Jasken I am going to discuss the topic of educational computer games in the form of a blog. I will look at various educational games suited from the pre-school age to adult learner. I would like to discover if the claims to these games are true. Are they really educational? Yes they promote learning, but is learning actually achieved? I would also like to look at various qualitites of educational games, like the user interface and various reward systems to discover what makes a game both educational and entertaining.  You can follow my blog at [] I just go it up and running.

Lisa Katchin

I also will be choosing the Blog option. I have set up a blog before, but never moved beyond that. I'm going to be focusing on the topic of TL and its duality. TL as in teacher-librarian and TL as in technology leader. I chose this topic because I have been in a 30% teacher-librarian role at my school for 2 years now and see many topics or connections relative to the perception and understanding of these 2 positions and their affects on education that would be interesting to compare and contrast.

Re-Thinking TL will explore topics regarding the old school image and perspective of the teacher-librarian and the new demands on the teacher-librarian to be a media and information specialist. I'll look at the issues related to being a relevant and meaningful contribution to a school staff and perhaps offer some arguments that can be used to achieve some job security for all the TL's out there.

By the way, I view myself as both a teacher-librarian and a technology leader - it's only a label. The trick I'm still learning is how to get administrators to look beyond the labels and cash in on the learning that can be experienced and shared by all stakeholders in an educational setting.

David Larwood

One Mile Wide and One Centimetre Deep The topic will look into an educational experience I had while teaching Biology 30. I started teaching in 1985 and for the first 10 years taught all the senior sciences. I then moved schools and became an administrator and taught more middle year’s health, computers and career guidance. Last year, after a 15 year absence, I taught Biology 30 again. Since the curriculum hasn’t changed, I was able to use my old notes, the same or similar exams and pieces of evaluation. What I found was the class average was close to 15% lower in 2009. I want to examine the education technology changes that have occurred during this time. During the five weeks of blogging, it is my intent to follow a theme for each week. The themes will include how technology can support or hinder some of the learning theories we will be examining in class, connecting learning, instructional design, characteristics of the 21st century learner and how technology has changed assessment practise. I will try stay with these themes, but if and when new material or comments come along I may very well become diverted.

Dean Loberg I'm still working out the details, but I think I am going to blog on the intersection of Inquiry Based Learning and Technology. I work in a fairly remote area and finding local experts and resources is often not possible, however students might be able to use technology to achieve the same or better results as students in larger communities. I have a blog that I set up a few weeks ago, but just started posting to now (class requirements are a great motivator for me). I am having trouble finding resources, particularly research articles, so if you have any, please share.

Lisa MacSween The topic I have chosen is "Engaging the 21st Century Learner." I have chosen to create a blog....wish me luck. I figured I would be able to learn more about my topic, and learn how to blog at the same time. I have chosen this topic because it plays an important role in my current teaching position. I am an elementary AISI teacher with the Calgary Catholic School District. I work with four schools, focusing on 21st Century Learning. I want to have a better understanding of what it truly means to engage students in their learning and how learning looks in the 21st century. []


 * Anne Naugler **

I chose to do a degree in Education Communications and Technology because I think it is an area that will be high-profile during my career. I was a student from the time I was five until I was twenty-three and have been a teacher since then. I have seen the impact of new technologies change the way teaching and learning takes place. Since I have been teaching I have had many frustrations with technology (mainly referring to computers – hardware and software) and how I’ve been expected to use it in the classroom. Most teachers I talk to are hard-working individuals who genuinely care about children and want to prepare them for the roads that lie before them, and best facilitate their future success. Many, particularly those who are in the twilight of their careers, say that the job has gotten harder, not easier during their tenures. They are frustrated with how quickly things change. They are not unwilling to adapt and change, but do not feel they are being properly prepared for the changes that are taking place. For my paper, I would like to explore how we implement new technologies in schools and how we can best prepare teachers to use them.

David O' Soup

I have had the misfortune of having some girls in my class being cyberbullied by other girls in the school. It made quite an impact on them. Unfortunately, they lost much of their motivation for attending school and completeing their assignments. In my blog I will be looking at many facets of cyber bullying and discussing how those affect the motivation and achievement of students. My blog is located at []

Carmen Peasley

What does it really mean to be an Educational Tehnologist? Does any one definition fit the scope of possibilities? In my blog, I'll be exploring what it means to be an Ed Tech. I hope to gain some insight on the topic through readings, interviews, and general tidbts and ponderings. What hats will be added to your closet on the road to becoming an Educational Technologist? [|Read on] to find out!

Pam Pierlot

1) Introduction to essay 2) Definition of traditional and cyber bullying 3) Effects of cyber bullying 4) Criminal harassment 5) Legal responsibility of teachers 6) Prevention-Intervention of cyber bullying 7) Conclusion ** I posted all of my references under the "home" page, and in the "discussion" tab in Wiki. They may save you some time when looking for references for this topic.
 * __ Cyber bullying-essay outline __**

Scott St. Pierre I've chosen to blog on the topic that brought me back to school, where I never thought I would be. When our division unveiled our Collegiate Renewal strategic initiative, with it's goal of increasing authentic student engagement, I was immediately drawn to the concept. I often experiment with different ways of delivering courses with compelling models. This stems from my years as a coach, where we would blend various types of training in the hopes of developing the best balance for the athlete. With Collegiate Renewal, I felt like I have been given permission to talk about what I had been trying in class. Entering graduate studies has given credibility to my beliefs because they are now grounded in research. Since then, I have been given permission to experiment with blending some of my current teaching load. I plan to take this to the next level, next year, by assisting teachers who are not considered to be computer teachers teaching courses using a blended model where computer mediated instruction is not traditionally used. This assignment will allow me to think more deeply about blended learning prior to entering the final phase of my M. Ed. program.

I'll be using a blog space I developed, but haven't really used much. This reminds me of the first website I made 14 years ago. I was interested in the idea but, until I had a robust and compelling topic, I never really proceeded. Once I got rolling, I made more and more. Here is the URL:

Blended Learning Environments: Finding the perfect balance to support authentic student engagement. [|http://www.scottstp.com]

Rick, I hope it's okay that my first blog post will be an expansion of this post!

Perfect, Scott.

Allison Treble I am choosing to blog instead of write a paper. I am very interested in comparing the direct instruction approach to technology education and the integrated technology model. I think both modes have their place, and perhaps the best learning outcomes are when both are used. I hope to come to some sort of conclusion, or maybe just more questions through my blog. My blog address isn't very interesting, it's [|http://allisontreble.wordpress.com]

Shelley Wright I am creating a blog, instead of writing a paper. I'm still not sure exactly what this will look like, which for me is a bit out of my comfort zone, since I prefer to know where I'm going before I start! Connecting kids to justice issues is really important to me. ELA 10B, which I'm currently teaching, has this theme throughout the entire semester. In my blog, I'm basically looking at how to connect kids to justice issues through technology, and maybe how to start to use technology so kids can begin to think about and act on issues that matter to them. My blog can be found at:

[]

Rick Schwier - Title: Comparing learning communities in formal, non-formal, and informal environments: Cattle drives, watering holes, and murders of crows

Yes, I'll do a paper too. I actually need to finish a paper that I'm presenting at a research symposium at Indiana University in mid-July, so this will give me an opportunity to participate in the assignment with all of you!. Here's what I hope to finish (no, __must__ finish). In recent years, we have witnessed deep challenges to how we think about learning, learning design, and learning environments. One of the most significant challenges we face is how to understand and employ non-formal and informal learning opportunities for students. Distance learning, built initially and intentionally on formal, institutional structures, are augmented or replaced by non-formal and informal learning opportunities that users shape into personal learning environments. This paper will argue that as educational technology professionals and as instructional designers, we need to embrace the constructs of non-formal and informal learning and make them our own. We may need to support formal learning, and in fact, we may even make most of our livings from it; but we should not give our hearts over to formal learning. The excitement, the potential and the future of learning is on the non-formal/informal side of the ledger. Perhaps even more importantly, it is where the fun is hiding in our profession.