Technology for Teaching Workshop

Activity 1C:
Extending Student-Teacher Interactions Beyond the Classroom:
A Collective Exploration

Aims:
· To learn from each other how technology has changed our own learning experiences.
· To evaluate various modes of "virtual contact:" discussion forums, email, chat, instant messenging, blogging, podcasting, etc.
· To share or to look for specific programs that aid teaching, such as quizzes, anti-plagiarism sites, teach2write, Gradebook, etc.

Procedures:
1. Divide into small groups of 4, and gather around one workstation.

2. Members of each group take turns introducing themselves, and present either a public or course website that has been inspirational to their teaching, or describe a pedagogical need that they suspect someone out there has already filled.

3. Any members or groups that do not already have sites to show should take time to explore at least three of the following recommended sites:

Hot Potatoes:
http://hotpot.uvic.ca/

Office of Instructional Development, UCLA:
http://www.oid.ucla.edu/

my.ucla.edu, Gradebook function. Click on the “Sample Faculty” link below the login:
http://www.my.ucla.edu/

A sample course website, from a rival institution:
http://usc-vfx.blogspot.com/

4. While one member "drives" and presents at the main console, another member takes notes. The other two members can ask questions and keep time. Each person should have a chance to speak and to record.

5. At the end of the activity, summarize or otherwise concatenate your discussion, in order to merge into a larger discussion with the entire group.