We had an enormous response to the announcement that MVU would not continue to publish The Technology Source after the November/December 2003 issue, and therefore, was willing to transfer ownernship to a credible organization. One respondent recommended that interested institutions form a consortium to continue publication. This suggestion reminded me of a forecast I made in a speech titled ???The University is Dead! Long Live the University!??? last year that in the future most academic publications would be electronic and would be published by universities. (For other forecasts, see an interview based on this speech at
http://horizon.unc.edu/conferences/interview.asp and a subsequent article at
http://horizon.unc.edu/courses/papers/InTransition.asp )
I sent a note to representatives of institutions who had indicated an interest in publishing TS asking if they would like to participate in a consortium. Thus far, we have received replies from representatives of 17 institutions that they would like to be involved. Tom Schumann, MVU VP for Academic Affairs, is currently exploring a model whereby TS is published on partner web sites with provision for each partner to add content specific to that institution???s market (much like the International Herald-Tribune publishes editions for specific regions). If your institution would be interested in participating in this enterprise, please write Tom at
tschuman@mivu.org
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER AUTHOR FORUMS
The following Technology Source Author Forums are scheduled in September and October. These forums are offered in collaboration with ULiveandLearn, an e-learning company that allows participants to interact directly with TS authors via their desktops. You may sign up to participate in any of these free webchats by going to
http://ts.mivu.org/default.asp?show=webchats&issue=245 and clicking on the SIGN UP NOW button.
Forums Scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2003
1:00 P.M. ??? 1:45 P.M. Eastern Time (ET): Will the video games of today evolve into the educational tools of tomorrow? Software developer Clark Aldrich will field questions on this subject and elaborate on the potential of simulation technology to influence how we teach and learn. Read the associated article at
http://64.124.14.173/default.asp?show=article&id=2032
2:00 P.M. ??? 2:45 P.M. ET: Literature professor Grover Furr III will recount his gradual adoption of technology tools over the past 11 years and identify the cumulative benefits that they have wrought in his classes at Montclair State University. Read the associated article at
http://64.124.14.173/default.asp?show=article&id=1033
3:00 P.M. ??? 3:45 P.M. ET: University of Texas professors Arthur Woods and Charles Chiu use wireless response pads in their large lecture courses to gauge student comprehension and elicit feedback. They will describe the advantages of this new technology, expound on its potential applications, and provide practical information for new users. Read the associated article at
http://64.124.14.173/default.asp?show=article&id=1045
4:00 P.M. ??? 4:45 P.M. ET: Too often, online education is simply an automated form of traditional instruction. James Kilmurray will discuss the particular ramifications of this problem for working adults whose career opportunities depend on continuing education. Read the associated article at
http://64.124.14.173/default.asp?show=article&id=1014
Forums Scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2003
11:00 A.M. ??? 11:45 A.M. ET: Bonnie Mullinix and David McCurry, both professors at Monmouth University, will comment on the specific factors that determine how much--or how little--technology use is appropriate for a given course. They will also highlight the best resources on the Web for developing technology-enhanced teaching and learning environments. Read the associated article at
http://64.124.14.173/default.asp?show=article&id=1002
12:00 P.M. ??? 12:45 P.M. ET: Many instructors new to online teaching are concerned that the medium may undermine students??? engagement with each other and with the subject matter. Thomas Berner, a professor emeritus of journalism at Penn State, will allay their fears by offering a first-hand account of the stimulating, focused discussion that Web-based tools can foster. Read the associated article at
http://64.124.14.173/default.asp?show=article&id=1036
1:00 P.M. ??? 1:45 P.M. ET: At George Mason University, faculty technology training is viewed not merely as an end in itself, but as a way to support specific curricular goals and advance institutional objectives. Anne Agee and Dee Ann Holisky will expound on this "targeted" approach to faculty development and offer advice to those interested in establishing a similar model on their own campuses. Read the associated article at
http://64.124.14.173/default.asp?show=article&id=1067
2:00 P.M. ??? 2:45 P.M. ET: Pamela Anderson-Mej???as, professor of linguistics at the University of Texas-Pan American, has a tried-and-true method of getting online students to engage with printed course materials. She will talk about the challenges and benefits of using multiple textbooks to create ???communication gaps??? that students must fill through comparative analysis. Read the associated article at
http://64.124.14.173/default.asp?show=article&id=1053
We hope that you can join us. If not, an archive of each discussion will be available--via the ???webchat??? button on the options menu within the article--a few hours after the webcast ends.
Jim
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James L. Morrison
Editor-in-Chief
The Technology Source
http://ts.mivu.org
Home Page: http://horizon.unc.edu