Navigate 1.3.1 Discussing the LMS and CMS Quest

Please click link above to play or copy and paste url below into browser search field. 

https://soundcloud.com/uwgsha/navigate-1-3-1-discussing-the

Navigate 1.2.1 Describe Roles and Functions in Online Learning Environments Quest | What was up with Vocaroo?

Description of Roles

Sorry guys my audio stop recording in two different sections. Instead of spending time needed to complete the remainder of coursework for this MOOC, I decided to leave them in 3 Parts. 

Part 1: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0iHA8sAjZnt 
Part 2: http://vocaroo.com/i/s1lVl9HrslZS
Part 3: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0GEsmr30me0

Source: https://www.openteachertraining.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/NavigateRolesMatrix.png

Navigate 1.1.1 Delineating Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Content Quest

Image source: http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/1197/synchronous-or-asynchronous-how-to-pick-your-training-delivery-method

To put it quite simply the characteristics that delineate asynchronous and synchronous methods of delivery are face-to-face vs non face-to-face. Each method of delivery can be equally as effective in its own right but as instructional designers choosing the method of delivery when developing our curriculum is essential. It is my personal preference to use the blended approach so that participants have options to work together and independently. Offering a variance in the way that the instructors and students communicate can actually be a benefit to the learning style of each individual student. Each methods for both approaches should still go past just the use of technology into instruction and consider the overall impact of the learner experience.

Participate 4.1.3. Digital Health Forum | I finally Got UP

Sorry if your can't really see it but I actually implemented the suggestions of this quest about 3 weeks ago. I have scheduled daily and made a commitment to just walk away from the computer! :-) This for me is very hard to do but I can actually see the improvement in just 3 weeks from taking breaks every 2-3 hours to walk around for 10 minutes and periodically checking my posture. This is the way I have chosen to be proactive about my health on this quest.

The most proactive means of ensuring there is a balanced blend between technology and well-being in my opinion is understanding the effects and I mean some very serious effects that sitting in front of a computer or spending long periods of time in from of TVs, tablets, gaming systems etc can have on your physical and mental health. After understanding the role and tole it can take doing something about it is the next step. I love that we had a call to action and everyone should start by making a commitment to support their health by being physical and mentally active without the use of technology. Reading a book the old fashioned way or taking a quick stroll does the trick for me.

Students and teachers can come together to make sure they simultaneously safeguard students good health by using the same approach. Knowing is understanding. After the students understand the type of effects  of excessive technology use putting a plan into action is the best approach to prevent and eliminate the risks involved.

Participate 4.1.2 Digital Safety and Security Forum Vocaroo Voice Message

Vocaroo Voice Message



Hi Guys please click the link about for my outlook on digital safety what we can do to ensure it and keep it in front of our students minds.



Additionally my abstract on the Digital Safety and Security Forum resources can be viewed with the social bookmark Diigo or by accessing the link below.



https://www.diigo.com/list/shaslater/Digital+Safety+and+Security+/32aq88s1s

Participate 4.1.1 Digital Rights and Responsibilities Quest Hmm I didn't know that

I will have to say I learned a lot even more that what I have been privy to before about Fair Use, Copyright, and acceptable use policies (AUP).

To reflect on the objectives in this quest it is my belief that a DLC can ensure that its citizens have access to an environment where the AUP protects members and the community while upholding the law and offering robust opportunities to learn by being clear on what the actual law is and making sure that its citizens are knowledgeable as well. This also goes with making sure that the AUP is easily accessible and understood to the citizens of the various DLC's. If anyone infringes upon any type of copyright in a DLC ignorance to the law and laws will not be grounds for dismissals of any offenses.

The best way to establish, maintain, have a flourishing DLC and get willing support for the benefits of Digital Rights and Responsibilities is by allowing the citizens to gain a respect for the point of view of the work and works that can be infringed upon and for their own contributions and works that they would most likely want the same adherence shown to. Additionally every DLC should have, initiate, and implement their plan towards Digital Rights and Responsibilities in their DLC.

My outline plan for ensuring Fair Use, AUP's, and Copyright's are upheld is below.

Steps for a DLC to Promote AUP  Plan

1. Be knowledgeable of what Acceptable Use Policies are. 
2. Research to verify if a plan is already in place that can be used in your DLC. 
3. Have a Checklist of all topics that should be addressed in the AUP.
4. Clearly Define the Policies and make it readily available to citizens. 
5. Offer open communication towards and about the AUP. 
6. Put it in writing & offer alternatives. (ex. print or electronic signatures)
7. Require 100% Participation and Award Participation. 
8. Implement Fair Use/Copyright knowledge in curriculum or resources of the DLC. 
9. Offer Resources that provide more understanding (like links to Creative Commons, the Library of Congress, US Copyright etc.)
10. Monitor and enforce mandatory participation of policies in the DLC. 

These 10 steps are just a snapshot of what can be done to ensure that citizens have access to an environment that protects and promotes fair use within a DLC. The information is a collection of ideas conveyed in resources we were given within our MOOC for additional exploration. (link below) 

https://www.openteachertraining.org/blog/quest/part-vig-dig-rights-001/ 

Participate 3.1.2 Digital Resources and Netiquette Quest

http://shaslater.edu.glogster.com/netiquette-dos-donts/

Participate 3.1.1 Access to Digital Communities

In this quest we were tasked to find out more about our true access to the internet and more importantly Digital Learning Communities. I was very relieved to find out that I had good speeds for my broadband access (ping 26 mms, Download 50.25 mbps and upload 9.14mbps) per www.speedtest.net powered by OOKLA. I was also good to learned that based on the area demographics of my residence that were in the mid rank by county based on the State of Ga. This could be better but it is great to find out there are programs in place, though in my opinion they need more attention and promotion to increase my ranking to broadband access and the ranking of others in less appealing demographics as well.

There are a lot of contributing factors that can impede students' opportunities to access digital learning. Some of the most mentioned include the parents level's of education, income, whether or not they fell the internet is of interest to them, computer ownership, and if they are impacted by a disability to name a few.

Elimination of the aforementioned barriers can come with the government's involvement to make broadband access affordable. There are several programs like Internet Essentials from Comcast (www.internetessentials.com/‎), Computers for Classrooms ( a program that accepts Medicaid from low-income families for computer payment for refurbished units (http://www.computersforclassrooms.org)), and the Connect to Compete initiative. A lot of these programs can be located via a Google search or by using your local civil service offices for resources and references.

Personally as Distant Education Professionals we can mediate some of these  barriers by ensuring our DLC's are acessible to those with disabilities and compatible with mobile devices. This helps because a lot of times is is not considered that there are an assortment of disabilities that can affect an end-user that tries to retrieve information we provide. Additionally per the "Exploring the Digital Nation report" those who may not have a computer at home do have some sort of mobile or smart-phone device.

Making ourselves knowledgeable of the obstacles enable us to ensure we do all we can to increase accessibility of our DLC. Below is a short checklist that can also help making a DLC more accessible.

1. Plan your digital content in advance. Sketch up a layout and make sure outline of information is clear and simple
2. Commit to Accessibility. Be knowledgeable of barriers and keep resources on hand that can help eliminate those barriers
3. Take disabilities into consideration. Amongst major disabilities (visual, hearing, motor skills, and cognitive) also provide sites that offer flexibility based on resolution and origin of access (i.e. phone, tablet, ipod, etc).
4. Provide access to HTML content also in non-HTML format.
5. Always evaluate, retain feedback, review, and revise digital content as needed. 

Image courtesy of: http://www.schools.mckinneyisd.net/press/learning-commons/

Participate 2.1.1 Reputable Digital Resources

I took on a very different approach when looking for sites. First I have to say there are a ton of resources to help online teachers and more being developed everyday. Understanding the relevance of DNS and downloading the World of Trust plugin helped me look at the sites I visited in a different light. Though I did not elect any sites from the top level domain servers I was able to locate trusted sights that had high visibility and definitely assist in the online teaching process. The top 3 sites I elected were AudioBoo, Padlet, and Quizlet. A brief description and link to the sites can be accessed through the public Diigo folder link below.



I feel that students can be taught to safely collect tools and resources in the same manner the educators are taught. Having the foundations of key elements found in credible sites lets them know what to look for. Students can be told to look out for the following:

• Credibility of site- take notice of any spelling or grammatical errors as sites that have not been proofread or edited before publishing definitely loose credibility.
• Currency- Students should always be able to site copyright and last update dates on the site to be sure the information is current and relative
• Objective-making sure the site states the clear objective and purpose will aid in safely collecting a resources that is not boggled down with ads or sponsorships you will be inundated with for signing up,
• Determining the authorship of a site will also enable students and adults to examine the intent of the contributors to the site to deem if the site is for educational or personal purpose.

The brief list above can be incorporated into curriculum of any subject matter in the beginning of the year.  I do not feel a lot of policies have to be adopted to ensure this but one way to verify the information is acknowledged is possibly by having the students sign a disclosure of understanding.


Reputable Digital Resources
Link to Diigo Folder

Participate 1.1.3 My Ideal DLE

First off I must say I absolutely love the examples we were given in this quest. I have fallen in love with wwww.academicearth.com I love the concept and content of this site. I cannot wait to share it amongst my community and take the marketing course I downloaded.

I created a short video to highlight my top 5 characteristics of the ideal Digital Learning Environment

Link to video---------------------> http://www.screencast.com/t/RTLu8NiJH2

From my video the 5 characteristics of an Ideal DLE for me are:

1. Having a Clear Purpose of the content in the DLE

2. Simplistic style to site with streamlined navigation for the end users.

3. Multiple forms of easy access to register for the site via using already established accounts like Google or Facebook, or keeping new account creation simple.

4. Having an easily visible Contact and/or Help section to the DLE.

5. Showing the user "What's in it for them" and making sure the content is robust and relevant.

Participate 1.1.2 Joining a DLC

For this quest I elected not to join one of the digital communities provided, but since I have a new understanding of what a digital community is I chose to take this time to explore another topic of interest. Graphic Design is more than a hobby to me though I do not have a current employer in this field it is one of the subjects amongst my many interest. Part of the appeal for selecting reputable digital communities in this assignment helped me understand what to look for and take this as an opportunity to explore and search for new information. Luckily I was able to do just that.

In order to find a reputable DC my suggestion to those looking would be to know what a DC is. Like myself the term may be new even though you have and may currently be participating in a digital learning community. Something I have found very helpful was also using the public bookmarking tool searches to look up relative tags associated with the topic of choice. When I used the online site www.diigo.com to do this I was rewarded with an abundance of sites. I did have to sift through some that were not of particular interests, but was able to cut my search time down by using multiple tags to refine what I was looking for

From the results of my diigo search I found and joined www.youthedesigner.com. This is a wonder DLC that all but has everything I am looking for. It appealed to me most because as a Creative I am a very visual person. The site did not boast a lot of text, rather showed you from the beginning what it was about. In order to make the process of joining a DLC more appealing and easier for students, the first thing the author, or authors can do is to make it free. Requiring login information slows down the process, but if the content if free I feel users would consider that a welcome trade. I am happy about this quest and glad I found this site can wait to explore it more.

Photo credit. http://www.youthedesigner.com/2014/02/01/you-be-inspired-fantastic-designs-from-pete-harrison/

Participate Ideal Digital Candidate

I wanted to come up with a creative way to present my top 3 characteristics for the ideal. So I thought to myself wouldn't it be funny if there was a dating site specifically for those seeking to be like or with ideal digital candidates. From that idea I decided to create the mock page of Mr.IdealDC let me know what you think. :-)

My Mockup of the Ideal Digital Citizen looking for the Ideal Digital Citizen