(UDL) Universal Design for Learning - UW-Stout Tech Tips Newsletter

Editor: Karen Franker This e-newsletter is brought to you by University of Wisconsin-Stout School of Education. If you do not wish to receive future issues, please see instructions to manage preferences at the bottom of this message. In this Issue List of Spring 2015 Online Courses with Opening Incorporating Universal Design Principles in Learning Activities Tech Tip: Ten Chrome Extensions for Universal Design and Accessibility Featured Course: Instructional Design for eLearning Discover the benefits of effectively implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with learners of all ages. 7 Ways to Implement Universal Design for Learning The University of South Carolina’s Center for Teaching Excellence provides a clear summary of the 7 key points to consider in Universal Design, incorporating the “what”, the “how” and the “why” of learning.  Fostering Inclusion with Universal Design for Learning Kevin Kelly describes the numerous benefits of UDL, and provides specific examples of strategies for structuring assessments for students with both invisible and diagnosed disabilities.  Universal Design Examples and Resources The National Center on Universal Design for Learning provides specific examples of tools and resources which support multiple means of: representation, action, expression, and engagement. Universal Design: Promising Practices For a thorough look at cutting edge UDL practices, view the University of Washington’s comprehensive e-book with evidence-based examples from five institutions. UDL Exchange Browse and build free UDL lessons and resources after you sign up for a free CAST account. UDL Curriculum Self-Check The CAST Website provides case stories about how students experience barriers in specific subject areas, and contrasts the traditional versus the UDL approach in designing instruction. Lesson Plans and UDL Examples of how to create choices in how a student learns about an assignment and how a student completes an assignment.

It’s Time to Register for Spring Online Courses Check out what’s new. List of Spring 2015 Online Courses Register today to reserve a spot. No payment is due now. 10% of the tuition for spring courses is due in February with the balance due in March. Meet your professional development goals for continuing education, license renewal or advanced certification. Tech Tip Ten Chrome Extensions for Universal Design and Accessibility Luis Perez describes the newest Google Chrome browser extensions that add: text to speech, low vision adjustments, and a way to clear up Web page clutter (ads and other distracting content).

Featured Course EDUC 763 Instructional Design for eLearning January 5 - February 27, 2015 Instructor: Dr. Susan Manning Margie Konik, Health Information Technology, Chippewa Valley Technical College Stanley, WI "Instructional Design for Online Learning is a great model for anyone who is considering online or blended instruction. It is very well structured and facilitated, the content is engaging, and it encourages communication among students – all, I believe, key criteria for a quality online course."

Register now! E-Learning for Educators UW-Stout Online

ONLINE COURSE EDUC 760 

E-Learning for Educators 3 semester hours graduate credit

Adjunct Professors, K-12 Educators, Corporate Trainers, Health Educators, Curriculum specialists: Hone your skills so you can compete in a growing job market!

Explore online and blended applications for e-learning using an open source learning management system, Moodle, and the D2L learning management system. You will have the opportunity to create your course content with Moodle, an inexpensive way for educators to create an effective online course.

The course provides a strong foundation in e-learning and online teaching theory and technology.  Emphasis is on developing a community of practice founded on critical reflection, personal interaction, and rich experiences with web 2.0 tools. E-Learning for Educators is is the recommended first course in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate program.

Activities include hands-on experience with Web 2.0 tools such as social bookmarking, blogs, podcasts,  personalized search tools, surveys, quizzes, and discussion systems.

This course prepares learners to lead and manage instructional challenges in a variety of online settings in educational institutions, corporations, the military, health care and government agencies. The emphasis is on what you can use right now in your teaching or training.

This course introduces educators to the hands on realities of teaching online. Using Moodle and D2L teach and learn as both a student and an instructor.  Discover e-learning best practices and create discussion forums, online surveys, quizzes and e-portfolios.

EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators 3 graduate credits
This is the introductory course in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate, is an approved elective in the online Master of Science in Education degree program, and is open as an individual course to students seeking professional development.

Course Info
No Registration Fees
Free E-Books
Online Real Time Tutoring
Lynda.com subscription

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What students are saying:

"This is a 'MUST HAVE' series of courses for any teacher or trainer that is interested in learning how to teach online. The instructors have a strong virtual presence and made the courses very interactive and relevant to my personal learning, as well as providing high quality, research based content and facilitating thought provoking discussions among the participants. I was always 'in the know' of how I was doing throughout the courses due to timely and supportive feedback. For me, these courses set a new standard in online learning!"
~ Jen Hegna, Information Systems Manager
Byron, Minnesota

"It was a great first experience with online learning!  I would, I have, and I will, recommend the course to colleagues with whom I work, and I would consider another online course without hesitation. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!" 
~ Middle School Librarian, Los Angeles, California

"I enjoyed the instructor(s) and their focus on organization and professionalism."
~ Instructor at Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

"Prior to beginning the class, one of my most strongly held notions was that the interaction and level of engagement in an online course environment could not come close to the experience one has in a face to face class. While I don't know that I am ready to fully embrace the concept that one should be able to earn a high school diploma or a Bachelor's degree completely online,  I certainly believe there is tremendous value, rigor, and powerful sense of community that can be developed in a thoughtfully constructed course with a skilled teacher shepherding the process. "
~ Middle School Librarian, Los Angeles, California

Horizon Report 2011 E-Learning Relevant Research

The 2011 Horizon Report is a collaboration between The New Media Consortium and the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative

Here is a link to the complete report in PDF format.

Horizon Project Navigator (beta)

Executive Summary Overview

Key Trends

The abundance of resources and relationships made easily accessible via the Internet is increasingly challenging us to revisit our roles as educators in sense-making, coaching, and credentialing.

People expect to be able to work, learn, and study whenever and wherever they want.

The world of work is increasingly collaborative, giving rise to reflection about the way student projects are structured.

The technologies we use are increasingly cloud-based, and our notions of IT support are decentralized.

Critical Challenges

Digital media literacy continues its rise in importance as a key skill in every discipline and profession.

Appropriate metrics of evaluation lag behind the emergence of new scholarly forms of authoring, publishing, and researching.

Economic pressures and new models of education are presenting unprecedented competition to traditional models of the university.

Keeping pace with the rapid proliferation of information, software tools, and devices is challenging for students and teachers alike.

Technologies to Watch

The six technologies featured in the 2011 Horizon Report are placed along three adoption horizons that indicate likely time frames for their entrance into mainstream use for teaching, learning, or creative inquiry.

Time-to-Adoption: One Year or Less

Electronic Books
 Relevance for Teaching, Learning, Research, or Creative Inquiry
 Electronic Books in Practice

Mobiles
 Relevance for Teaching, Learning, Research, or Creative Inquiry
 Mobiles in Practice

Time-to-Adoption: Two to Three Years

Augmented Reality
 Relevance for Teaching, Learning, Research, or Creative Inquiry
 Augmented Reality in Practice

Game-Based Learning
 Relevance for Teaching, Learning, Research, or Creative Inquiry
 Game-Based Learning in Practice
 For Further Reading

Time-to-Adoption: Four to Five Years

Gesture-Based Computing
 Relevance for Teaching, Learning, Research, or Creative Inquiry
 Gesture-Based Computing in Practice

Learning Analytics
 Relevance for Teaching, Learning, Research, or Creative Inquiry
 Learning Analytics in Practice

Adjunct Professor: Kay Lehmann's Dream Job:

Dr. Kay Lehman & Lisa Chamberlin co-teach UW-Stout's EDUC 761 Creating Collaborative Communities in E-Learning.  

Kay and I first met when we were going to school together (online) earning our masters degrees in online teaching and learning. She has been a vital part of my personal learning network ever since. In many ways an adjunct professor is like a rōnin samurai. We have to keep our skills sharp to survive in a challenging landscape.


Since so many readers of this blog are seeking to advance their online teaching careers I want to share a blog post Kay did recently on the realities and strategies of working online. Kay is wise and highly skilled.  

In all fairness... I do have a dream job!

"...It works because I've made it work. I've curated a full time job by piecing together courses from several institutions, freelance-style, within an educational industry that has yet to figure out what its going to be when it grows up and become technologically self-aware."

http://transparentignorance.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-all-fairness-i-do-have-dream-job.html

Kay gives you an unvarnished inside look at the world of an adjunct professor. Great advice and a realistic look at our profession. ~Dennis

Bloom's Taxonomy meets Google Applications: Thank you Kathy Schrock!

Here is another thoughtful and interesting project from Kathy Schrock.  The graphic is interactive. Click the Google App image and you'll open the Google tool.

Just thinking about how these Technologies relate to the levels of Blooms Taxonomy is a step in the right direction. What is the right direction? How do we engage today's learners? 

Answer: Use modern technology for enhanced critical thinking.

kathyschrock.net/googleblooms

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Grade Comments and Formative Evaluation

One of the absolute essentials in any Learning Management System is a way to provide private comments to students via the gradebook.

I created this how-to video tutorial as a guide for participants in our E-Learning Practicum Class.   All who earn the E-Learning Graduate Certificate experience an internship during which they teach online in one of our graduate courses.

This video explains just how and why I use grade comments In D2L as a primary way of connecting with students.  http://www.screenr.com/embed/wff



Please share this post with those who might be interested?

Click through the share on Facebook and Twitter links found on the right hand panel? This helps us spread the word about our program!

Let me ask you all: How often do you receive personalized formative evaluation from your online teachers?

Summer 2011 Online: E-Learning For Educators

ONLINE COURSE EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators 3 semester hours graduate credit

Explore online and blended applications for e-learning using an open source learning management system, Moodle, and the D2L learning management system. You will have the opportunity to create your course content with Moodle, an inexpensive way for educators to create an effective online course.

The course provides a strong foundation in e-learning and online teaching theory and technology.  Emphasis is on developing a community of practice founded on critical reflection, personal interaction, and rich experiences with web 2.0 tools. E-Learning for Educators is is the recommended first course in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate program.

Activities include hands-on experience with Web 2.0 tools such as social bookmarking, blogs, podcasts,  personalized search tools, surveys, quizzes, and discussion systems.

This course prepares learners to lead and manage instructional challenges in a variety of online settings in educational institutions, corporations, the military, health care and government agencies. The emphasis is on what you can use right now in your teaching or training.

This course introduces educators to the hands on realities of teaching online. Using Moodle and D2L teach and learn as both a student and an instructor.  Discover e-learning best practices and create discussion forums, online surveys, quizzes and e-portfolios.

EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators 3 graduate credits
This is the introductory course in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate, is an approved elective in the online Master of Science in Education degree program, and is open as an individual course to students seeking professional development.

Sections are nearly full: 

Dates
Choose one section:
EDUC 760 960 June 13 - August 5, 2011 Instructor: Becky Mather
EDUC 760 961 June 13 - August 5, 2011 Instructor: Sara Turansky
EDUC 760 962 June 13 - August 5, 2011 Instructor: Dennis O'Connor

Register Now Course Info

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What students are saying:

"It was a great first experience with online learning!  I would, I have, and I will, recommend the course to colleagues with whom I work, and I would consider another online course without hesitation. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!" 
~ Middle School Librarian, Los Angeles, California

"I enjoyed the instructor(s) and their focus on organization and professionalism."
~ Instructor at Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

"Prior to beginning the class, one of my most strongly held notions was that the interaction and level of engagement in an online course environment could not come close to the experience one has in a face to face class. While I don't know that I am ready to fully embrace the concept that one should be able to earn a high school diploma or a Bachelor's degree completely online,  I certainly believe there is tremendous value, rigor, and powerful sense of community that can be developed in a thoughtfully constructed course with a skilled teacher shepherding the process. "
~ Middle School Librarian, Los Angeles, California

E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate (UW-Stout!)

University of Wisconsin-Stout
School of Education
Online Professional Development 

E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html

• Are you looking for an E-learning and Online Teaching Certificate program?
• Is your institution rapidly developing online courses and programs?
• Are you looking for a new career or a way to supplement your current salary?
• Our courses benefit educators interested in effectively teaching online or blended courses. 

Spring registration is open. Sign up soon.

Courses are completely online; no travel to campus required.
8-Week Online Courses Recommended Course Sequence  

• EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators two start date options:  February 8, 2010 or March 22, 2010
   
• EDUC 762 Assessment in E-Learning Begins January 11, 2010
   
• EDUC 763 Instructional Design for E-Learning  Begins February 1, 2010
   
• EDUC 761 Creating Collaborative Communities in E-Learning Begins January 25, 2010
   
• EDUC 764 E-Learning Practicum  (Prerequisite: Completion of EDUC 760, 761, 762, 763 and Consent of Instructor)
   

For more information, visit http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html You may enroll in any single course for professional development or complete all four courses and the practicum to receive the Certificate in E-Learning and Online Teaching.

Courses can be used to fulfill requirements in the Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Career and Technical Education and Ed.S. in Career and Technical Education degree programs.
Benefits

• Expert facilitation by veteran online educators
• Small highly interactive classes
• Professional quality projects for an e-portfolio to aid in job searches
• Career mentoring and job placement assistance
• Credits may also apply as electives in three different UW-Stout graduate degree programs
• Highly competitive tuition (tuition is the same for Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students)

The courses model best practices in e-learning with interactive discussions and hands-on experiences

• creating and using blogs, wikis, and other social tools
• integrating video and podcasts
• adopting best practices for engaging class discussions and assignments
• designing authentic assessment activities, quizzes and grading options 
• building strong communication activities in your online class
• motivating online students who are falling behind      
• managing your online teaching workload

If you have any questions, please contact Dennis O'Connor, the program adviser, at (530) 318-1145 or email oconnord@uwstout.edu

REGISTER SOON  

Register online today to reserve a spot at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml

Mark university billing (do not include credit card info) and no tuition payment is due until mid January.