IN THIS ISSUE

VIEWPOINT

• TILE- The Inclusive Learning Exchange: Learner-centric transformations of learning resources

NEWS & PRODUCT UPDATES

• WebCT Releases Annual Customer Survey
• Mixing Conventional Teaching with Online Learning
• GSELearning Software Announces Free eLearning Trial Offer
• New Degree Program to Utilize Innovative Online Classroom
• Digital Learning Management Expands Educational Platform
• PCC Gets Grant to Improve Distance Learning
• ECU Distance Learning Includes Fayetteville Worker in Iraq
• Study: Virtual Courses Producing Measurable Gains in High-Level Learning
• Three CC’s Choose Datatel's Enterprise Information Management System

CASE STUDY

• Instructional Models for Using Weblogs In eLearning: Case Studies from a Hybrid and Virtual Course

TECH NOTES

• Unicon Releases Academus 1.3 -- Delivering Enhanced Portal Performance

READER RESPONSE

• Response to CMS? LMS?

Sponsors

• Mitsubishi and Purdue: Virtual scientific display.
  
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TILE- The Inclusive Learning Exchange: Learner-centric transformations of learning resources

Anastasia Cheetham, Vera Roberts, and Jutta Treviranus
The University of Toronto

TILE was the test bed and evaluation environment for the “Accessibility for LIP” IMS specification. This Viewpoint discusses authoring and viewing tools that optimize the match between creating content and meeting the multiple needs and preferences of different learners.

As thoughtful educators know, students learn differently and have pronounced individual preferences. The optimal learning environment varies from learner to learner; and for the same individual, from context to context and from discipline to discipline. Creating a learning resource optimized for all learners in all contexts seems like an impossible challenge, but one that must be addressed for educational, ethical, and legal reasons. The Inclusive Learning Exchange (TILE, http://inclusivelearning.ca/tile/), led by the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC) at the University of Toronto (http://www.utoronto.ca/atrc/), has developed a learning environment to match the needs and preferences of the learner with the user interface and learning resources that address those needs and preferences.

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WebCT Releases Annual Customer Survey

According to WebCT’s independent survey, colleges and universities are intensifying their investment in eLearning. Thirty-seven percent of the survey's 416 respondents say they have implemented eLearning institution-wide, up from 25 percent in 2002.
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Mixing Conventional Teaching with Online Learning

The University of Sydney has hired 12 people in the past year to support its eLearning infrastructure. Instructors ‘blend’ conventional teaching with online learning based on student demand.
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GSELearning Software Announces Free eLearning Trial Offer

GSELearning Software is providing a free trial of its E-Learning Artisan application. Users can easily incorporate audio, video, animations and more into interactive learning without programming. Assessments, such as video-based scenarios and simulations, help both learners and educators measure progress.
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New Degree Program to Utilize Innovative Online Classroom

The University Alliance Online and Florida Institute of Technology started enrollment for the newly created online degree program, Master of Science in Systems Management, with an IS Concentration. Beginning on August 30, the new Florida Tech online courses will allow students to utilize the very latest in online technology including streaming multimedia presentations from Florida Tech instructors, live chat rooms, collaborative whiteboards, e-mail, and message boards.

Digital Learning Management Expands Educational Platform

With the decrease of available nurses and the demand for more qualified nurses, Digital Learning Management Corporation announced that it will be offering over 200 hours of preparatory coursework for Certified Graduate Foreign Nursing Students (CGFNS).
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PCC Gets Grant to Improve Distance Learning

Portland Community College's distance learning program has received $187,906 to improve and expand distance learning services to residents throughout Multnomah County. The Community Access Capital Grant, administered by the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, will expand the number and types of programs that residents can access via the PCC Educational Access Channel on cable television.
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ECU Distance Learning Includes Fayetteville Worker in Iraq

East Carolina University introduced Enoc Rodriguez, 32, of Fayetteville, as the first East Carolina student to take courses in a war zone through its online distance learning program. Rodriguez will be pursuing a degree in Information and Computer Technology while working as a civilian computer network administrator at a military camp about an hour south of Baghdad.

Study: Virtual Courses Producing Measurable Gains in High-Level Learning

Advancements in Internet technology have allowed many universities to significantly increase the number of online course offerings and degree programs, generating a $23 billion industry. For example, more than 225 of the 750 graduate students enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Master of Business Administration (MBA) take courses exclusively online, while most others enrolled in a combination of both in-class and online courses.
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Three CC’s Choose Datatel's Enterprise Information Management System

Lassen College, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, and Mid-South Community College will deployed Datatel's Colleague (ERP) system and its Web access system, WebAdvisor, replace their existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Instructional Models for Using Weblogs In eLearning: Case Studies from a Hybrid and Virtual Course

J. David Betts and Stuart J. Glogoff
University of Arizona

During the past academic year, faculty members at the University of Arizona have integrated blogging into their courses. The courses have been offered either totally online or as hybrid instruction where students met in a traditional classroom environment but other coursework and communication occurred virtually. Blogs were used in conjunction with other instructional technology tools such as a learning management system, threaded discussion forums, e-mail, and chat rooms. At the end of the course, students completed surveys to assess their use of blogs for skills acquisition as well as their general acceptance of this technology. This article presents models for using blogs and offers recommendations for faculty who are considering using blogs in their courses.
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Unicon Releases Academus 1.3 -- Delivering Enhanced Portal Performance

This latest version of Academus delivers increased performance, system-administration utilities for monitoring the system, extended browser support, and upgraded compatibility to uPortal 2.1.4 framework. Academus connects and supports multiple constituents by facilitating communication, collaboration, and organization through a single portal framework. The Academus suite of products and services includes a pre-configured, enterprise portal solution and collaborative groupware that can be used as a course management system.
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From the Reader Response Forum
Response to CMS? LMS?
Posted by: slepstein

Steve raises a good point about the added benefits that accrue from a fully utilized LMS when compared to a simpler CMS. But the folks at EauClare seemed to focus on cost savings, not features. Perhaps someone from the school would post a note indicating what they feel they will be getting for the extra $1.3 million they plan to spend. And also indicate where they will be getting content to fill the CMS/LMS system. (Or do they expect to fill the system with the volunteer efforts of the faculty?)
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