Session 1 - Getting Started
Introductions
Let's take a moment to get to know each other. What do you do -- when you aren't working diligently on this course ;), where do you do it, and what are some interesting things we should know about you? We'll be working almost exclusively on group projects in this course. Also, some of you will be almost exclusively online - while others will spend more time on-campus, face-to-face. We'll use discussion boards, chat rooms, Instant Messaging, and a course website to help us work together and stay in touch.
First things first, < register for the official course discussion board >. If you have used the discussion board in other courses with Dr. Bronack, Dr. Riedl, or Dr. Tashner, you do not need to re-register -- just double-check your access by < posting a message > to the "Project Ideas" thread.
Next, < register on our course website > if you have not done so already. Our website uses a software program called "Olie." Olie is a web-based communication and interaction tool we will use to help us work together during this course. You will need a cohort code. Use the one you received in class (email me if you don't have one.) Once you have registered and are logged in, < add yourself to the class > by doing the following:
click on "myClasses" in your 'pack' in the top-right corner
click on "Course List"
click on the "[+]" next to this course: Spring 2004 -- FDN 5320 - 101: Telecommunications Technologies in Education (Bronack)
enter the course code given to you in class (if you didn't get one, email me and I'll send it to you) and click "Add me to FDN 5320"
Then, < fill out this autobiography form >. I'll add the pictures (if you have one for me to use, email it to me and I'll post it with your autobiography.
Defining Telecommunications
Let's spend some time thinking about what, exactly, telecommunications means. What do we think of and how do we conceptualize the role of telecommunications in helping people teach and learn?
Examining our course environment
We will use many tools throughout this semester. You have already been introduced to two of them (the discussion board and the course website). We will also use email, Instant Messenger (I am an AOL IM user, but I also have Yahoo!, and MSN), chats, f2f and our 3-D environment -- AppEdTech. So, make sure you:
< Get an email address > (please list this in your profile when you register for the course website)
< Get an IM screenname >. Either AOL, Yahoo!, or MSN (I prefer AOL, but you are free to use whatever you'd like). Again, make sure this is listed in your profile, as well.
< Get an AppEdTech (AET) citizenship >. If you already have one, make sure it is still active. Email me if you don't have one or if you have problems.
< Download and install the AET browser >. This is a Windows-only application. Download it and install it on as many computers as you'd like. This is the program you will use to interact with most of the course content. Email me if you have problems.
We likely will find and use other software/websites as the semester rolls along, but these will be our main ways of communicating and working together. 'Working together -- on what?' you may ask ...
Planning for projects
You will have two major projects to complete for this course: a network project and a classroom project. The four options for projects are listed in the course description. Since these projects are the focal point of your activity in this course, it is important that you begin thinking about them right away. My strong preference -- I will stop short of out-right requiring it, but you'll need a good argument to convince me otherwise -- is that all projects be completed in groups of 3-5 members.
Assignments
- Make sure you have registered for the discussion board, the website, the class (on Olie), an IM program, and AET (whew!). Poke around the website (test out the chat, forum, notebook, and groups in particular) and the AET environment (remember: our course entrance in the Teleport is Gate 5).
- Create a list of telecommunication tools available to you and your students at your school. What are some ways you have used each of these tools in the past? What telecommunications tools do you currently know and which tools do you need to know more about?
- Begin planning your projects - your network project and your classroom project.
© Copyright 2004. Stephen C. Bronack, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.