Motivation at the End of the Semester

Motivation-the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal;  the reason for the action;  that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

This semester has been very challenging and rewarding for me.  I have learned more about web design than I ever thought was possible and I am proud to say that I did all of this while unpacking (that took two months) after a brief tour in Afghanistan and working long hours and weekends.  This week was particularly bad.  I've worked the past two weekends, had an army physical fitness test, and a civilian concert and rehearsal.  Yet, I still survived.

It's been a pleasure working with all my classmates.  Now it's time for my next challenge. Moving to Oklahoma right before I start school next fall.

The End of the Social Media Experiment

I still am still confused by Classroom 2.0 and find it hard to make a connection on this social learning site.  The site is so large that it seems overwhelming.  I know there has to be good information on here somewhere.

At first I was concerned that, since anyone can post, credibility of the information might be an issue.  I soon discovered that might be true with factual knowledge, but the people on this site provide a wealth of experience.  These people on the site have actually the technology and can share with us the positive and negative aspects of a particular technology.

I was determined to make the social networking experience a positive one so I asked myself, “What information can I really use right now?”  In the process of completing my webpage, I am having some accessibility issues so I did a search on accessibility.  I found the suggestions that some members posted to be quite useful.   I found this California State University at North Ridge site particularly useful. 

I don’t think I will be using social networking sites very much in the future.  It just seems like every time I register for a site I get a lot of junk mail.  I will keep such sites in mind when I have a particular problem such as the one I had with accessibility.

Slowly Becoming more Sociable

I don't really consider myself a person who joins groups, but I am slowly becoming more sociable on my social networking site. Tonight I actually joined some groups.  They are:

Instructional Technologists
Technology in Adult Education
eLearning for Music

In one of these groups, I found a member who posted on the topic of copyright.  By reading her story, I learned a little about gaining permission to use a work.  It was encouraging to read about someone who was successful in gaining permission. 

Since new web 2.0 tools are constantly emerging, it is hard to keep up on all the latest tools.  This site helps me to keep up and learn about different ways to use the tools that are familiar to me. For example, I am using NoteFlight for my website. One of the members of one of the groups found a different use for this tool.   This particular use won't help me with my website, but I can use it later.

I really have a hard time seeing how this site can be used.  There is very little on here that I can use personally and to me its' just another site to sign up to use, another password I have to remember, and more junk mail in my inbox.  I'm going to keep exploring to see what else I find.

ClassRoom 2.0

I just joined Classroom 2.0.  I'm not really sure what to think of it as I have never really been a group person.  I tried to find the group that is appropriate for me since I don't teach.  This one best fits my needs.  I am still trying to find a group to join so I can meet some friends and share ideas.  I'm sure I'll find something eventually.

I can see the importance of social networking.  Instructional Technology seems like a small career field so it's a good idea to meet and collaborate with others in the field.  In the old days, we would attend conferences and pass out our business card.  Social Networking makes collaboration easier.  Hopefully I can make this particular site work for me.

Assistive Technology

I’ll admit that I did a bit of internal complaining while I was working on my website this week.  I was trying to figure out how to make my website accessible and feeling frustrated that I did not have the technical expertise to make that happen.  My frustration lies with the fact that I am not a professional web developer and I don't work  for a company that has all the money and experts to help make the sites fully accessible.
I never thought about accessibility until we discussed the topic earlier in the semester.  I imagine that someone with a disability could feel frustrated and left out if they don’t have full access to a web page.   With this knowledge in mind, I will go out of my way to make my sites accessible, not because accessibility is the law, but because it is the right thing to do. 

Even though I am using the website I’m creating for a private studio where I give students one-on-one instruction and can accommodate any disability, I will still strive for full accessibility.  My website will also be a resource for parents and it is quite possible that I could encounter a blind parent.

I also never thought that assistive technology could be used in music.  A friend of mine posted this video on his Facebook profile last week and it made me think of the possibilities for students with impairments.  The student in this video seems to love music and really wants to play.  It looks like he had supportive parents and band directors who focus on what he can do rather than what he can’t do.  Imagine what his life would be like if he couldn’t play an instrument.  Assistive technology helps him to live as close to a normal life as he can.

This video helped me to have a more positive outlook on accessibility.  Through this video, I have seen how technology can help benefit such students.  In the future, if I have a student with a disability who wants to participate in music and technology can help, I will find a way to make that happen. 

Technology resources for students with disabilities:

Access IT is a website by the University of Washington and it contains resources for accessibility.  Some information here can be helpful in developing a website.

Information Technology and Disabilities E-Journal contains articles on how technology is being is accessible to people with disabilities.

Council for Exceptional Children contains information on laws and resources available to children with disabilities.

Technology and Foreign Language

Today is the two-year anniversary of my departure from Germany.  This date made me think about learning German and how technology can help us to learn a new language.  There are many technology tools that can provide an enjoyable learning experience and help make learning the language more relevant to real-world situations.

There are many reasons one would want to learn a foreign language.  Perhaps a foreign language is necessary for a graduation requirement or a degree.  Perhaps it is necessary to travel to another country.  Perhaps it is a job requirement.  In my case it was necessary in order to survive as a military member in my host nation.

There are several ways a foreign language can be learned through the use of technology.  Alessi and Trollip (2001) suggest foreign key pals (pen pals over the internet) as a way for students to interact with native language speakers.  This could be accomplished through e-mail or Skype.  Of course the instructor would have to find the key pals in another country and that could prove to be a challenge. 

The instructor can also use a microphone and free recording software such as Audacity to either make a recording and ask students to answer questions based on the recording or to have the students make the recording and grade their pronunciation.  The instructor could also use programs such as book builder to have the students create a story in the language they are studying. 

In Germany, I found the best way to pick up the language was by watching television or listening to the radio.  The student s the class could listen to different radio stations to learn the language.  I found this website that lists German radio stations.  http://www.listenlive.eu/germany.html.  I also found a list of streaming German television stations.  http://www.live-tv-radio.com/tv/germany.shtm.   I would use caution when using these sites for students as German radio stations play American music and do not censor the lyrics. 

I found this website called mygermanclass.com.   This podcast provides action with dialogue so that the viewer understands what is happening.  The creator also provides script to go along with the action and dialogue.  These videos are an entertaining way to learn German.

I looked online to see if I could find a text translator and got this site. German Conversation.  I typed the words in English and the program created a narration in German.   This program can be used in the classroom as well.

These are just a few of the many possibilities of how technology can be used to learn a language. They are free and probably the simplest tools available to learn a foreign language. I wish I had known about all of them when I was learning German.  I will visit these sites as they help connect me to Germany.

Alessi, S. & Trollip, S. (2001). Multimedia for Learning: Methods and Development. Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon.

Distance Education

Without distance education, I would be unable to complete a degree.  Pursuing an education online allows me to attend school from Germany, Afghanistan, while I’m on leave in Maryland, or right here in Fayetteville, NC. I can also continue with the same school when I move from North Carolina this summer.   Going to school online allows me to complete an assignment at 3am or during my lunch break at work. 

Pros

Distance education seems to be a perfect fit for those who juggle other responsibilities such as a job and family. Distance education also provides better opportunities for those in rural locations.  Instead of being limited to what is offered in their area, these students are able to attend classes with students from all over the world.

Cons

Distance Education is not compatible with the learning styles of some students.  Some students do better in an environment where they interact with others.  Also, technology malfunctions are more likely to have an impact on the education of online students. 

Brosche and Feavel suggest the following in order to be successful online students.

·         Assess your computer knowledge and skills. Review and update your skills as necessary. 

·         Update your computer.  The book recommends installing Microsoft Office Suite.  Most online schools have specific requirements for computers, internet speed, and software.

·         Identify and address potential Internet Issues early.  I suggest getting the best internet possible.  I have a personal plan and backup plan.  I have two laptops.  My back up plan was to use the computers at work, but because a fire destroyed the building I worked in and we are in a temporary building while our new building is being renovated, work is sometimes not an option.  I also know that the libraries in Fayetteville have Wi-Fi.  I have discovered which restaurants on Ramsey St. offer free Wi-Fi.  I took advantage of this option when I returned from Afghanistan.

·         Locate local tech support.  The book suggests a family member or friend.  I have located a local computer repair guy who understands that I need my computer for school and will fix it quickly.  

·         Complete the Orientation Tutorial.  The orientation tutorial will help you learn to navigate the class site before you begin school and have to submit assignments.

·         Understand How to Access Your Web-Based Classrooms.  Understand how to participate in discussions.

I plan to continue with online school.  Someday I hope to help others with distane education. 

If you are reading this blog, what has helped you to be a successful online student?

bestcollegesonline.com

elearners.com

Brosche, T., &Feavel, M. (2011).  Successful Online Learning:  Managing the Online Learning  

     Environment Efficiently and Effectively.  Sudbury, MA:  Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Internet Safety

I don’t have children or even teach in a school.  Technology has changed a lot since I last taught private clarinet lessons.  It seems as though everyone does business on the internet these days.  Sometimes it seems as though people post too much about themselves on the internet.  Whatever happened to a little privacy?

If I had a child, I would want to protect them from having too much information on the internet.  When I create my website, I want to create it in a way that allows privacy for my students, while still being informative.   I went online and found that there is much more to internet privacy than I originally thought.  Here are some examples:

·         Protect students from online predators

·         Protect students from cyberbullies

·         Protect students from posting personal information online

·         Protect students from posting anything that could come back to “haunt” them later

·         Protect students from inappropriate content

·         Protect students from deceptive advertising

·         Keep students from violating copyright

The best way to prevent these things from happening to students is to model good use of the internet and to educate them of the dangers that could be encountered.  I’m sure schools and school districts have guidelines to help.

I Keep Safe is a website that educates parents and students on the dangers of the internet.  There are sections for parents, educators, and communities.   The website even offers lesson plans for teachers to use as tools to help students. 

Technology will continue to evolve along with new ways for online predators to exploit students.   We must be ever-vigilant in defending younger students from harm.

Army Technology

Even though   I am in an army band, I still have to fulfill basic military requirements.  One such requirement is qualification with an M16 rifle.  This is a yearly requirement for all solders, regardless of military occupational specialty.

This past week, I got to try out some new army technology in order to qualify on the M16.  The Army Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) 2000 is shooting simulation using real modified weapons.  The EST has ten lanes for shooters with the targets being on a large screen.  Several training scenarios are provided, including marksmanship training and situational training.

The EST is a valuable tool because it can save units time and money and is much safer than a live range.  Ammunition is expensive and sometimes there is a shortage of it.  Some installations are too small to support a weapons range.  The EST provides a way for soldiers to qualify yearly despite ammunition shortages or lack of ranges.   The EST also provides immediate feedback to the shooter.  The soldier is able to look at the screen to see where the “bullets” hit. 

The EST is also safer.  Even though it is basically an indoor video game, safety is still stressed.  The soldier is still required to lock and load the magazine with the rounds, clear the weapon, and put the weapon on safe.  The situational exercise that the EST provides also allows the soldiers to participate in realistic scenario training without accidentally harming someone.

The are some negative aspects to the EST.  Since the range is indoors, soldiers don’t get used to firing in the wind or rain.  This is important since shooters need to learn to compensate for the environmental elements.  Also, since adjustments are made through the computer, the soldier doesn’t get the chance to mechanically adjust the weapon. 

Overall, the EST is a long-overdue training aid.  It can save time and money while allowing soldiers to practice a valuable skill.  I hope the army continues to modify this system to make it even more realistic.

Here are some websites to learn more about this system:

http://www.peostri.army.mil/PRODUCTS/EST_2000/

http://www.hood.army.mil/tsc/est.html

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyweapons/a/virtualcombat.htm

There Are No Children Here

Last weekend I made another venture to the local used bookstore and found a book from my college reading list.  There Are No Children Here chronicled the lives of two young brothers who lived in Henry Horner Homes in Chicago in the late 1980’s.  While growing up in public housing these boys lived  a daily life of poverty and gang violence and experienced things that would frighten most adults. 

The book really got me thinking about a lot of things.  The kids in the book are no different than kids anywhere else.  They talked of wanting to live in a house with a yard and a dog. One of the brothers, Lafeyette talked about what he wanted to be IF he grew up.  

The school situation for these boys was pretty dismal as well.  The boys attended an inner-city school that serves the housing project.  At the time the book was written, the teachers were on strike for a month.  One counselor served 700 students.  The students at the school were months behind grade level, but improving because of a principal who demanded order in the school.

The youngest brother, Pharoah, did well in school.  He was bright and eager to learn.  Even though he tested six months behind grade level, he was still at the top of his fourth grade class.   His seemed to immerse himself in school work to avoid gang influences.

The boys had a couple of role models.  One is Craig, a local boy who graduated high school and held a job in retail.  Unfortunately Craig was killed by police in a case of mistaken identity.  The other role model is their cousin Dawn.  Dawn also is a high school graduate and, despite the fact that she had four children by the age of 19, she managed to attend a local community college.

I did some research on the internet and found that the author of the book used the proceeds from the book to send the boys to private school.  I felt that this would help the boys to escape the cycle of poverty.  I was disappointed to find an update in an internet article.  Both boys spent time in jail.  The younger one who showed so much promise and loved school was in jail on drug-related charges.

So the cycle of drugs and poverty continues.  There is so much to this story that we don’t know.  I don’t know if these boys eventually fell prey to the gangs who saturated their area .  Perhaps they even have children of their own. 

It’s sad that that the circumstances to which these boys were born help determine the outcome of their life.  They are just as intelligent as children in middle class communities.  Their parents care about them and want a better life for them.  Yet, they lack the resources to escape their surroundings. 

“But you know there are no children here.  They’ve seen too much to be children.”---LaJoe Rivers, mother of Pharoah and Lafeyette

Kotlowitz, Alex.  (1991).  There are No Children Here:  The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the
     Other America.  New York:  Random House.

Advertising is Evil

“The advertising industry does not miss a trick in finding ways to bring advertisements to audiences.  So it is no surprise that by the end of the 20^th century, advertising was keeping pace with the information age explosion of new media technologies.” (Wilson & wilson, 2001, p.350)

Advertisements are everywhere in our daily lives.  They are plastered on billboards.  They are on the radio.  They are on television.  And now they pop up on the internet.  Many of these ads target young children who do not have the ability to distinguish what is credible information from what is an advertising ploy.

With the explosion of new media comes a new responsibility to protect children from the influences of advertising.  It is importantly to be aware of some of the tactics that marketers use to “hook” young children on to their product, creating a customer for life.  We need to educate ourselves and our children on some of these techniques. 

Advertisers seek to create loyal customers from cradle to grave and use several techniques to subliminally market to younger consumers.  These advertising techniques are so sly that the child, and sometimes the parents, don’t even realize that they are having a product pitched to them.

Product placements in movies and cartoons are one way advertisers market to children. McDonald’s offers toys in their Happy Meals in the hopes that the toys will lure children to buy food. Internet sites encourage children to register for “clubs” which gives them access to personal information for marketing purposes.  Some schools even allow advertising.  Parents and other adults need children away from advertising because, according to Story & French (2008), “Prior to the age of 7 or 8 years, children tend to view advertising as fun, entertaining, and unbiased information.”(p.19). They have not developed the cynicism that teenagers and adults possess.

With this information in mind, it is up to us to act as the information police when it comes to technology and advertising.  The internet has the potential to allow millions of strangers into our home.  We must inform students to never give out personal information to strangers.  We must also help them distinguish between what is real and what is advertisement.  If we exercise caution, children should be able to use modern technologies without being constantly bombarded with advertisements.

References

Story, M. & French, S., (2008) Marketers View Teens as Marketing Opportunities in How Does

     Advertising Impact Teen Behavior?  (pp.19-27).  Farmington Hills:  Greenhaven Press.

Wilson, J. & Wilson, S.R. (2001).  Mass Media Mass Communication:  An Introduction (5^th ed.).

     New York. McGraw-Hill.

Friends Don't Let Friends Use Color Vibration

Color is everywhere.  I love color.  I love decorating my house with color. I love using color to put designs together.  One thing I really hate to see is color being used improperly.  My biggest pet peeve is color vibration in Power Point presentations and websites.

Vibration occurs when blocks of brilliant and very different colors that are close or equal in  value are next to each other…The colors appear to shimmer and lose their edges.  The struggle to focus on edge, added to the struggle to reach equilibrium in two opposing colors at the same time, becomes a miserable visual experience.(Holtzschue,2006,p.79)

Don’t get me wrong, color vibration has its place. A psychedelic poster or a poster to gather attention could use a little color vibration.  One place not to use color vibration is in text. Here is an example of color vibration that I found on a website this week.

 I understand that some people are color-challenged and aren’t aware of fancy color theory terms, but all the color-challenged have to do is take a look and ask themselves, “Does this hurt my eyes to read?” If the answer is yes, use other colors.  There are many websites that help to pick color schemes that are pleasing to the eye.

Here is a link of a website from Penn State that tells us about some colors we should avoid putting together.  This site will come in handy in the coming weeks when we learn about accessibility.

Penn State Accessibility Site

Resource

Holtzschue, L., (2006).  Understanding Color:  An Introduction for Designers (3^rd Ed).  Hoboken, New

     Jersey:  John Wiley & Sons.

Links to Books

Earlier I posted on the valuable books I have found at the used bookstore.  Here is their link on Amazon.

Commonsense Copyright:  A Guide for Educators and Librarians              
By R.S. Talab                      

Digital Storytelling in the Classroom: New Media Pathways to Literacy, Learning, and Creativity
By Jason Ohler

Discussion-Based Online Teaching to Enhance Student Learning                                               
By Tisha Bender

The Flickering Mind:  The False Promise of Technology in the Classroom and How Learning Can Be Saved
By Todd Oppenheimer

How Teachers Learn Technology Best
By Jamie McKenzie

Second Life the Official Guide
By Michael Rymaszewksi, Wagner James Au, Cory Onjrejka, Richard Platel, Saran Van Gorden, Jeanette Cezanne, Paul Cezanne, Ben Batstone-Cunningham, Aleks Krotoski, Celebrity Trollop, Jim Rossignol, and Second Life residents from around the world

Taxonomy of Educational Objectives Book 2
By David R. Krathwohn, Benjamin S. Bloom, Bertram B. Masia

Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge
By David Hyerle

Is Technology Making Us Ruder?

Recently, the conductor of the New York Philharmonic stopped a concert when a cell phone rang, interrupting the concert.  It turned out to be an honest mistake-the gentleman was issued a new phone from work not realizing the alarm was set to ring, even though the phone was set to silent.  But a ringing cellphone can ruin a live concert experience for someone who pays close to $200 for a concert ticket.

This incident makes me wonder if technology is making us ruder. Most of this rudeness seems to be centered on cell phones.  I’ve been in movie theaters where more than one cell phone has rung.  I have been in a movie theater where another member of the audience answered the call and had a ten minute conversation.  I have been in line at a restaurant behind a man who had to call his wife and ask her what she wanted for dinner.  I have heard way too much information from strangers sitting near me having cell phone conversations.   The local convenience store near me even has a sign asking patrons to end cell phone conversations before stepping up to the register. 

All of these issues were not a problem twenty years ago.  I believe technology is not to blame; it’s how people use the technology in public.  I googled technology and rudeness and found several articles.  It seems as though others are just as annoyed as I am by rude cell phone users.  More people seem to be tired of having their concert, movie or dinner interrupted by the obnoxious cell phone user next to them.

Below is a list of Joanna Kurtz’s 10 cell phone Do’s and Don’ts.   I wish more people would follow them

1. Never take a personal mobile call during a business meeting. This includes interviews and meetings with co-workers or subordinates.

2. Maintain at least a 10-foot zone from anyone while talking.

3. Never talk in elevators, libraries, museums, restaurants, cemeteries, theaters, dentist or doctor waiting rooms, places of worship, auditoriums or other enclosed public spaces, such as hospital emergency rooms or buses. And don't have any emotional conversations in public — ever.

4. Don't use loud and annoying ring tones that destroy concentration and eardrums. Grow up!

5. Never "multi-task" by making calls while shopping, banking, waiting in line or conducting other personal business.

6. Keep all cellular congress brief and to the point.

7. Use an earpiece in high-traffic or noisy locations. That lets you hear the amplification, or how loud you sound at the other end, so you can modulate your voice.

8. Tell callers when you're talking on a mobile, so they can anticipate distractions or disconnections.

9. Demand "quiet zones" and "phone-free areas" at work and in public venues, like the quiet cars on the Amtrak Metroliner.

10. Inform everyone in your mobile address book that you've just adopted the new rules for mobile manners. Ask them to do likewise. Please.

If only more people would follow these rules.

The links below are to more articles on rude cell phone behavior.

NY Times Article Ringing Cell Phone

Cell Phone Etiquette

Are Gadgets Making Us Ruder?

Font and Color

This week we wrote html code which I have never done before.  I learned many new things in the process of writing my code.  One is that not all fonts will work in websites.  Why?  Because there are some fonts that do not display in all computers.  That is why web designers are limited to certain fonts. 

The links below give a list of fonts that are acceptable for web design and explain the topic a little further:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ie/ms533034(v=vs.85).aspx

http://www.w3schools.com/css/css_font.asp

Color is another issue on the web.  Colors on the web have not only a name, but a number code attached to the color.  I found it easier to type the name of the color I wanted rather than type the code.  The link below is a list of colors and their name and number code.

http://www.computerhope.com/htmcolor.htm

I love color, but I realize some people are color challenged.  Don’t fret, there are tools out there to help. Here is the link to an interactive color wheel to help select a color scheme. Once you have selected the color, you can move the mouse over the color to get the number code for that color.  I could spend hours with the color wheel!

http://colorschemedesigner.com/

The Local Used Bookstore: A Valuable Resource

I love books!!  I love going to the library to browse the stacks of books and I love roam the aisles of the local bookstore.  I enjoy my Amazon Kindle very much, but nothing beats the look and the feel of a real book.

Let’s face it, books are expensive, especially text books.  Click the links below to see the average price of books and textbooks.

Keeping Up With the Jonses:  Average Book Prices 2008

Affordable Textbooks

The Instructional Technology program at NC State doesn’t require any outrageously expensive textbooks, but I have found the need for supplemental materials for my research.  I haven’t visited the NC State library yet, but that would be my first choice if I lived closer.  My first choice is always the local library.  I have two libraries close to me and I can always utilize the library at Ft. Bragg.These libraries always seem to have some material to fit my needs.   If I need something the libraries don’t have, I look for used books online. 

One of the greatest resources I have is the local used bookstore.  I am amazed at the number of books that I have found there that can actually apply to my study in Instructional Technology.   Some of the books I have found recently and will probably use in the immediate future are:                                                                                                                                          

Commonsense Copyright:  A Guide for Educators and Librarians              

By R.S. Talab                      

Digital Storytelling in the Classroom: New Media Pathways to Literacy, Learning, and Creativity

By Jason Ohler

Discussion-Based Online Teaching to Enhance Student Learning                                               

By Tisha Bender

The Flickering Mind:  The False Promise of Technology in the Classroom and How Learning Can Be Saved

By Todd Oppenheimer

How Teachers Learn Technology Best    

By Jamie McKenzie

Second Life:  The Official Guide 

By Michael Rymaszewksi, Wagner James Au, Cory Onjrejka, Richard Platel, Saran Van Gorden, Jeanette Cezanne, Paul Cezanne, Ben Batstone-Cunningham, Aleks Krotoski, Celebrity Trollop, Jim Rossignol, and Second Life residents from around the world

Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: Book 2 Effective Domain

By David R. Krathwohn, Benjamin S. Bloom, Bertram B. Masia

Visual Tools for Constructing Knowledge

By David Hyerle

The total that I paid for these six books is $34. Compare that to the price of the average price of one adult hardback book in 2008 which was $27.47 as quoted in the Kennedy article.              

Resources

Kennedy, B. (2008).  Keeping Up With the Jonses:  Average Book Prices 2008.  School Library    

     Journal.  Retrieved from  http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6536651.html

Affordable Textbooks:  What’s New.  (n.d.) In US PIRG website.  Retrieved from 

     http://www.uspirg.org/higher-education/affordable-textbooks

A Historical Perspective

While reading the article, The Computer Delusion, by Todd Oppenheimer, I was amazed at the Instructional Technology trends that have come and gone in the past 100 years.  Motion pictures, radio, television, and filmstrips all seem like relics of a bygone era in the age of interactive technology.   Even today, technology is growing and evolving at a rapid pace.  With so many options available, it seems to me that it would be difficult for an educator to find technology to fit the needs of their classroom.

Because of the ever-evolving technology, it’s no wonder that some educators would be skeptical as new technology tools are introduced.  Throughout educational history, it seems that every time a new medium was introduced, it was touted as the solution to all educational problems only to be abandoned later for the newest fad. 

Instructional Television is one example of instructional technology that has become obsolete.  I have chosen television because my hometown (Hagerstown, Maryland) was one of the pioneers of instructional television in the 1950's.  In fact, my high school was the first in the country constructed and wired for closed-circuit television.

I happen to own the book by Larry Cuban (Teachers and Machines:  The Classroom Use of Technology since 1920) mentioned in the article.  The book explains why the Washington County school system chose to use television in instruction and gives brief details on how the instructional television plan was implemented.  According to Cuban (1986), the school population was growing and there weren’t enough teachers to handle the growth. 

There are many documents in the Hagerstown library explaining the details of instructional television in Washington County.  I hope to read them someday.  It would be fascinating to review some of the statistical data on this plan.

Instructional television in Washington County was still strong when I was a student (1980’s), but at some point, it seems to have fizzled out.  Miller and Cruce (2002) explain that this project”…emphasized television as a source of primary instruction rather than a mere supplement.” (paragraph 1).  Perhaps this is the reason that instructional television isn’t used as extensively in schools today.  Learning from television is a more passive type of instruction and doesn’t really engage students in learning.

  Perhaps the internet and educational media will find a lasting niche in instruction because these tools are more interactive in nature.  Alessi and Trollip (2000) believe that, “…interaction not only maintains attention, but helps create and store new knowledge and skills, and facilitates comprehension.” (p.24).  Hopefully, through these methods of instruction, students will take responsibility for their own learning and be inspired to become lifelong learners.

Check out these sites!! 

The first link is to a PDF document about North Hagerstown High School (my alma mater) and gives details on its construction to suit the needs of closed-circuit instructional television.

Construction of North Hagerstown High and its Relation to Instructional Television

This next site was created by Mary Miller and Teresa Cruce and it tells a little bit of history behind educational television in Washington County, Maryland.

Background On Educational Television in Washington County

Resources

Alessi, S., & Trollip, S.  (2001). Multimedia for Learning:  Methods and Development.    

     (3^rd Ed). Needham Heights, MA:  Allyn & Bacon. 

Cuban, L., (1986).  Teachers and Machines:  The Classroom Use of Technology Since 1920.  New 

      York,  New York:  Teacher’s College Press.

Miller, M.& Cruce, T. (2002).  The Washington County Closed Circuit Television Project. 

     http://mlmiller.myweb.uga.edu/timeline/hagerstown.html (accessed January 15, 2012).

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      http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/97jul/computer.html.

How did I end up here?

I have always been a visual learner.  Pictures, charts, and graphs help me to make sense of what is being taught and I enjoy creating these things to help teach others.  In college I took an elective called Audi-Visual Aids and thoroughly enjoyed it.  When I was student teaching, I found that I really enjoyed putting together bulletin boards as well.   Little did I know that these skills would lead down the path to something called Instructional Technology.

Several years ago, I took some classes in media design.  Through these classes, I discovered that Instructional Technology exists and that there are people who actually get paid to create training with technology.   Around the same time, I was forced to endure an online class through the military.  This class consisted of several learning modules and was very frustrating to me.  The source of my frustration was that the modules had written words and an audio narration that read the text word for word.  The narration was slow and there was no way to skip ahead to the next page without hearing the narration.  I felt frustrated and insulted because I didn’t feel that I needed someone to read for me.   

The online module had one redeeming quality-nice graphics.  It was at that moment that I thought to myself, “I can do this.”  So I applied to graduate school.  I have enjoyed every class I have taken and anything I have learned is easily applied to training I have to do for the military. 

I plan to retire from the Army in 2016 and get a job utilizing my Instructional Technology skills.  I feel that it’s my mission in life to help others learn through the use of technology.  I also plan to continue my education as well, although I’m not sure what I path I wish to pursue.  I will either  work on an undergraduate certificate in multimedia design, work on a graduate certificate in online learning or instructional game design, or work on an EdS degree in the design and development track of an Instructional Technology program somewhere.