Hi Sheila,
 
SK> I don't know if I'm explaining myself well. This isn't IMO a questio
SK> knowing where to look for information. This is a case of having time
SK> evaluate appropriate use of new technologies before new ones emerge 
SK> their place.
 
   PMFJI (again) :)  I think you've hit the nail on the head here, 
hehehe imagine how the students feel!  I guess when the technology is 
advancing at such a dizzying pace (as most of the online/information 
technology has) its difficult for educators and students alike to keep 
pace with what is happening -- what do you take the time to learn? what 
do you toss aside as low-value?  I spent a great deal of time 
establishing our department on our university gopher server only to 
finish it and see the explosion of the web, now I've got our web site 
up using basic HTML coding and I already feel left behind in the wake 
of the JAVA craze.  Last summer I self-taught myself multimedia 
toolbook and how to master CDs with the intent of developing some CBI 
modules to help with my students involved with distance education and 
now the university is going full steam with state of the art 
Interactive Video Networking or IVN...my CD based stuff was old 
technology before I had the chance to apply my (then) newly acquired 
knowledge. [sigh]
 
   In our department, I am responsible for teaching the cadre (other 
faculty and staff) computer skills, last AY it was how to use 
newsgroups and email to handle assignments, this year its curriculum 
development on the web.  I read just last week that the university 
received a grant to fund this very thing -- curriculum development on 
the web and they (have to go back and see which department actually 
wrote/received the grant) are looking for *students* to help in the 
project as they recognize that faculty simply do not have the time to 
spend on it!  Imagine, web savvy students assisting (read: doing most 
of the work) with curriculum development on the web, how quickly will 
the faculty fall behind in that scenario?  Its a real challenge -- as 
many students will tell you when it comes to the current technology -- 
you learn by doing...it has to work the same for faculty, problem is 
*when* do we do it?!  Does it factor in as part of our classroom prep 
time? (already desparately strained in my situation)  Do you squeeze it 
in during the day somewhere? (maybe not as feasable for the K-12 
teacher as for a college level prof/instructor)  Do you do it late 
night when spouse and kids have gone to bed? (that's when a lot of mine 
gets done).  The bottom line is you need to find (make) the time to do 
it or you're left behind, the technology sure doesn't wait for us! :)
 
   The downside to the rapid pace at which all this is going is that 
inevitably we will goof, we'll make a mistake, we'll do something that 
really wasn't the best thing to do.  There has to be a positive value 
associated with demonstrating to students that we are making a 
concerted effort to stay up with the technology, even if we stumble 
along the way.  Those that don't, will stand out like sore thumbs. As I 
mentioned earlier, the students are experiencing the same stumbling as 
they learn by the "seat-of-their-pants".
 
   It is exasperating to say the least, I've not been in academia very 
long at all and am simply amazed at the level of input required by 
instructors.  And as in any profession, you will have those folks who 
are tirelessly dedicated to their livelihood and make the "memorable" 
teacher and we have those who simply punch the clock and are annoyed 
that students are there at all (yes, I've personally encountered some of
these types).  The dedicated ones will continue to find ways to make it 
work while the others will be-bopp along in the wake.
 
   I suppose areas like this are valuable in that regard to share ideas 
about what works and what doesn't, what is the best way to use some of 
the technology and what may not be the smartest application.  That is 
one of the reasons I started bringing it in to my bbs, with the hopes 
of finding yet another source for tips to make me more effective in my 
classrooms and to share ideas of what works for me.  Well, another long 
winded reply... ;) Time to go.
 
Regards,
 
Dale, Sysop
The SPECTRUM BBS
 
email:  captain.scarlet@spectrumbbs.com (H)
        dhill@badlands.nodak.edu (W)
 
 
--- TriDog 10.0
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