My December Grading List - I see the finish line!

Happy December Everyone!

This is always crunch time for me! I am grading assignments like CRAZY this weekend!

Here's my grading list:
- Undergraduate Research Reflections (on Blackboard)
- Undergraduate Research Reflections (on Chalk and Wire)
- Post-Research Reflection of Google Documents (EXCEPT Online Sections)
- "Make Your Own Test Question" Assignment (EXCEPT Online Sections)
- Upload Tests on Blackboard and Type Test Questions
- 10 Days of Twitter Extra Credit Assignment
- "Become a Researcher" Extra Credit Assignment
- Note Cards and Post-It Note Assignment (In-Class Mini Tests)
- Grade 45 COMS 101 Informative Speeches
- Virtual Office Hours Assessment (Added 12.7.2010)
- Cross Apply REAL Paper Grades from Blackboard
ONLINE ITEMS:
- AItem - Ch. 15 - MMS Critique DQ
- AItem - Ch. 15 - Persuasive Propositions
- AItem - Digital Dirt Presentation DQ
- AItem - Ch. 5 - Listening Apprehension
- AItem - Ch. 11 - Research Your/Business
- AItem - Ch. 12 - Main Points and Transitions
- AItem - Ch. 6 - The Relationship Stages
- AItem - Ch. 7 - Conflict Outcomes and Characters

I would LOVE to continue decorating and shopping for the holidays, but I LOVE to scratch items from my to do list.

Here's goes nothing! :)

Sincerely,

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

32 Colleges Are Named Most Friendly to Junior Faculty - Labor & Work-Life Issues - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Readers,

Recently, I received an e-mail from an administrator friend who always keeps me abreast of new developments/issues regarding higher education faculty.

According to this article, "32 Colleges Are Named Most Friendly to Junior Faculty", there are a few colleges in the United States that are focused on retaining their faculty. These innovative retention policies focus on the following: better policies for faculty with families, clarity of expectation for tenure, and other important issues.

So, I started to think about that policies that would matter to junior faculty from the millennial generation. Here's my list:

- Clear research and teaching expectations for the tenure process.

- Opportunities to collaborate with other junior faculty on research.

- Funds for travel to academic conferences.

- A flexible teaching policy for teaching, research, and service AND for junior faculty who are parents (maybe an option to teach online or hybrid courses).

These would be the faculty benefits that I would look for in a department if I were on the academic job search.

What items would YOU add to the list?

Sincerely,

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

The NEW Issue of Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education

The latest issue of "Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education" is now available on the Ed/ITLib Digital Library.

Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education Vol. 10, No. 3 (September 2010)
Table of Contents

Copying Right and Copying Wrong with Web 2.0 Tools in the Teacher Education and Communications Classrooms
Ewa McGrail, Georgia State University, USA; J. Patrick McGrail, Jacksonville State University, USA
Abstract: http://www.editlib.org/p/30354

Making Sure What You See is What You Get: Digital Video Technology and the Pre-Service Preparation of Teachers of Elementary Science
Paul Bueno de Mesquita, Ross Dean & Betty Young, University of Rhode Island, USA
Abstract: http://www.editlib.org/p/32406

Using Digital Primary Sources to Teach Historical Perspective to Preservice Teachers
Scott Waring, University of Central Florida, USA; Cheryl Franklin Torrez, The University of New Mexico, USA
Abstract: http://www.editlib.org/p/29480

The Impact of and the Key Elements for a Successful Virtual Early Field Experience: Lessons Learned from a Case Study
Lily Compton, Center for Technology in Learning and Teaching, USA; Niki Davis, University of Cantebury, New Zealand
Abstract: http://www.editlib.org/p/30479

Grounded in Theory: Immersing Pre-Service Teachers in Technology-Mediated Learning Designs
Donna DeGennaro, University of Massachusetts - Boston, USA
Abstract: http://www.editlib.org/p/32358

Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education
http://www.aace.org
E-mail: info@aace.org

© Copyright 2005-2009 Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

NAGAP Announces Research Grant ~ Deadline for Submission December 15

The National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals is the only professional organization devoted exclusively to the concerns of individuals working in the graduate admissions and recruitment environment. The NAGAP Graduate Student Enrollment Management Research Grant is designed to encourage emerging knowledge and understanding of the complexities of graduate enrollment management including all aspects of admissions and recruitment, enrollment, retention, and graduation in higher education. The grant is open to all graduate students who desire to conduct research in the wide range of graduate enrollment management activities and programs including any aspect of recruiting, enrolling, retaining and graduating professional, masters, and doctoral level degree students.

This award includes:

 *   $2,500, payable directly to the individual researcher. NAGAP will not pay institutional overhead or indirect costs.
 *   One year of NAGAP membership with full privileges.
 *   Travel to and registration for the NAGAP national conference during the year of the award.
 *   Recognition at the NAGAP national conference.

The deadline for submissions is December 15. Please visit our website for more information and guidelines http://www.nagap.org/research/. Please contact Kristen Sterba (kmsterba@uams.edu) with any questions.

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Students Remain Reluctant to Try E-Textbooks, Survey Finds - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Students Remain Reluctant to Try E-Textbooks, Survey Finds - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

How connected are your professors? More so than some might think. | The Daily Collegian

How connected are your professors? More so than some might think. | The Daily Collegian

"The May 4 survey asked 939 professors at two and four-year colleges if they had at least one account with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr, Google Wave, Skype, LinkedIn or Slideshare. Eighty percent said they used at least one of these functions, with 60 percent reporting that they had accounts with more than one social media site."

"Social media may be too broad a term to use when examining professors’ online activity. In a May 4 article on the college news site Inside Higher Ed, journalist Steve Kolowich wrote that, “not all Web 2.0 tools are created equal. Among respondents to the Babson survey, YouTube was the preferred tool for teaching, with more than a fifth of professors using material from the video-sharing community in class.”

Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

Let the 2010-2011 National Learn & Serve Challenge Begin!!!

Let the 2010-2011 National Learn & Serve Challenge Begin

This week, thousands of young people, educators, community partners, civic leaders, and parents/families will commit to speaking up for service-learning in their local schools and communities. Our goals are simple:

1. To increase public awareness about service-learning as an effective strategy for school success, youth development and civic engagement;
2. To increase the number of service-learning opportunities available to young people in both school and community-based organizations; and
3. To increase public support for service-learning in local schools and communities nationwide.

ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE. Be a voice for service-learning this school year. Commit to spread the word about the power of service-learning. The Challenge will provide you with simple, but strategic ways to take action from October 2010 through April 2011 to build public awareness and support for service-learning.

Get Started with 3 Simple Steps:

1. SIGN-UP. Put your service-learning site on the national map of voices for service-learning. Enroll as an individual, classroom, youth group, club, school/campus, school district, organization, or community-wide initiative. Accept the Challenge now. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/lschallengeregistry-2010

2. BECOME A CHALLENGE PARTNER. List your school or organization as a proud supporter of service-learning and a partner in the National Learn & Serve Challenge. Become a Partner today. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/lschallengepartners-2010

3. INVITE 5 FRIENDS TO PARTICIPATE WITH YOU. Download sample language to email friends, post on your website or share through your social networks to encourage others to help spread the word about service-learning. http://www.service-learningpartnership.org/site/DocServer/LSChallenge-VirtualNetworking

For updates and information about ongoing opportunities to increase awareness and support for service-learning this week and throughout the year, visit the Learn & Serve Challenge website ( www.learnandservechallenge.org) or follow us on Twitter (@nslp).

Sign up today. Your voice matters! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/lschallengeregistry-2010

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Your Classroom as a "Chick-Fil-A" Leadercast Venue!

Readers,


I just applied to be a host for a "Chick-Fil-A" Leadercast! I think our students would benefit from the experience and I think it is a low-cost, no-cost experience for our university personnel (professional development)!!!


Through this opportunity, the students (and other participants) will hear from NATIONALLY KNOWN speakers through a webcast at the university (or another venue)! 



Chick-fil-A Leadercast - Ben Carson from GiANT Impact on Vimeo.




Apply for this opportunity! - http://www.chick-fil-aleadercast.com/


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Strategies for Teaching Writing to Online Students

Readers,

Please take advantage of this great opportunity (it's free)!

Strategies for Teaching Writing to Online Students

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

2010 Student Research Symposium - Our Undergrads ROCKED It!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lausatpsu/

Readers,


Today was a very rewarding day! I admit, before attending the "Tarleton Student Research Symposium", I was quite nervous and excited (at the SAME time). However, the students in my COMS 304 - Interpersonal Communication and COMS 332 - Intercultural Communication courses ROCKED the symposium! They did such a GREAT job! By the way, these Google Docs EXPERTS created their collaborative papers using Google Documents, analyzed their data using Google Spreadsheets, and I created their presentations using Google Presentations (which they edited).


Two of our favorite librarians attended the symposium to support our students and to hear their research results! We APPRECIATE our LIBRARIANS! :)


Here are their abstracts - LINK.


Congratulations to such WONDERFUL undergraduate students!


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Sustainability in the Classroom Events for Fall | Center for Teaching | Vanderbilt University

Sustainability in the Classroom Events for Fall | Center for Teaching | Vanderbilt University

I thought this article was REALLY neat! We had a "green" conference last year and I hope we incorporate some of these ideas from Vanderbilt University! :)

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Working with NINE Student Groups on Undergraduate Research Papers - Whew!

Readers,


This has been a very busy semester! It is been busy, yet VERY rewarding! Today, the Undergraduate Research Office at my institution just released the schedule for the "9th Annual - Tarleton State University - Student Research Symposium". Six of my student groups will present their research! I have been working TIRELESSLY helping them prepare their research papers and to distribute their surveys.


This was our grant proposal for the project:

To prepare for the “Diversity and Communication Research Symposium",  students in COMS 304, 332, and 406 will work in groups to write collaborative research papers focused on the course emphasis (interpersonal, intercultural, and group process/decision making) and diversity in the workplace. When the students finish their research papers, they will present their research at the symposium for students, faculty, staff, and members of the surrounding communities.

My colleague and faculty partner-in-crime - Cristi Horton, the students, the QEP committee, the library personnel, the undergraduate student body, my department head, the IRB committee, Career Services, and the Center for Diversity Initiatives have made this PROJECT WORK! It has been SIMPLY AMAZING! I hope the students will have their work published in an undergraduate journal OR an applicable scholarly journal. This is too exciting!


Read their titles and the symposium schedule here - http://www.tarleton.edu/studentresearch/student_research_symposium/Symposiumprogram2010.pdf 


In addition to my wonderful students' publication efforts, I've been serving in my roles for two state and regional associations. I am learning A LOT this semester and I hope this hard work will pay off in the end.


Any suggestions or words of encouragement? I am in SEVERE need of pep talk right now.


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Considering grad school? Advice in a flat job market - USATODAY.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ideologie/2116139016/in/photostream/

Considering grad school? Advice in a flat job market - USATODAY.com

Readers - As faculty, we have a responsibility to answer undergraduate students' questions about their future. This week, I met with an outstanding student in my department who did not have a resume for his job search. We met for an hour to prepare his resume and I left him with some "resume homework". He will send his resume back to me via e-mail and I will offer feedback. This will be an ongoing process.

Some undergraduate students are interested in attending graduate school and I remain objective. I present the positive and negative sides of this investment. Yes, it is an time and financial investment. It has been a great choice for me, but I do not try to infringe my beliefs on my students. 


For example, I incorporate undergraduate research in my courses and some people use this engagement tactic to recruit for their graduate programs, but I tell my students that they can incorporate these skills in their future career or their future endeavors (even if they plan to become a stay-at-home mom (or dad) - which a few students aspire to become). Anyone can incorporate scholarly research in their lives by gathering family perspectives on a subject while remaining objective or conducting research using scholarly databases. Many of my students are REALIZING this!

Grad school may not be for your students, but it is an option...and a job is an option as well! :)

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

My 10 Year High School Reunion - The Class of 2000

Readers,


I am finally realizing that I have been out of high school for 10 years! It is hard to believe, but our class reunion is coming up in a few days and it will be nice to see everyone.


So, in preparation for the Carthage HS Class of 2000 reunion, I give you our senior class "funny" picture:

I am the one in the middle of the picture by the principal (red shirt, khaki pants). 


Just think, 10 years ago, I was in my freshmen students' shoes. This reunion shall be interesting, more information to follow... 


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Netflix in the Classroom?

Readers,


Personally, I LOVE Netflix! I watch Netflix while I research, grade papers, and while spending time with family. I think Netflix is a great resource for households who have diverse film interests and who value documentaries. Historical, education-related, adnd social documentaries are a favorite in our household. In addition to the documentaries, we love Bones, CSI, Law and Order, and I recently developed a love for The Commish.


This summer, I started a list of movies that I would like to incorporate in my classroom (ordering them from the university library). Netflix enables me to preview documentaries/movies for my classes and then I am able to order these films through our library.


I really wish Netflix would enable educational institutions to subscribe to Netflix. Our faculty would WELCOME the additional "educational" media tool (AND they would not have to drag videos from classroom to classroom).


Here is a snippet from the "Academic Libraries Add Netflix" article in the Chronicle of Higher Education:


Copyright lawyer and librarian Kevin Smith, a scholarly communications officer at Duke University, said academic libraries are taking a risk with these programs. Although copyright law allows faculty members to use the material in the classroom, he said, they may be opening themselves up to legal action from the company.


Read the rest of the article here - http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Academic-Libraries-Add-Netflix/27018/?sid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en 


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

What's In YOUR Business Card Holder? - Simple Strategies to Differentiate Your Business Cards from the Rest!

Readers,


Here is another great article from the Chronicle of Higher Education titled, "Hacking Your Business Card". 


I used the university business cards for awhile, but I wanted to make myself stand apart from the rest of the faculty who attend research conferences. So, I logged on to Office Max and created some GREAT business cards with their online software. 


I chose purple and white (my university's colors) and I chose to include the logo. They were very professional and Office Max runs a LOT of sales on business cards!


In addition to regular information, I decided to include my Twitter and Yahoo IM information.

What's on YOUR business card?


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Your Curriculum Vitae - Common Questions

Readers,


As faculty, (adjuncts, instructors, professors), etc., do you have a CV (curriculum vitae) to record your accomplishments, service, and teaching records? How often do you update your vitae?


One of the commonly asked questions in higher education is about the length of the vitae. According to an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, "Creating and Maintaining Your CV", the average CV is three (postdoc) to 20+ pages (senior professor).


Currently, my CV is 13 pages and I have all of my presentations and publications listed. Is this too much? Should I include all of my presentations? Until told differently by one of my mentors, I will keep my CV in its current state.


According to the Chronicle of Higher Education article, people should include the following pieces of information.

• Contact Information (email, postal address, telephone)
• Education (list all of your degrees including undergraduate)
• Professional Employment (list all of your positions, with dates and ranks)
• Research Experience (might be subdivided into publications, presentations, grants, etc)
• Teaching Experience (might be subdivided into courses taught, theses supervised, curriculum development, etc)
• Honors and Awards
• Professional Service (might be subdivided into Department, College, University, Professional Organizations)

What items should you include and what items should you exclude?


Sincerely,


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Cram101 - Barnes & Noble - A Review

Readers,

As a big fan of Cliff Notes for literature courses in college, I thought that these small yellow books were a great idea for "revisiting books" if a person does not have time to read the novel again.

However, college textbooks are a DIFFERENT animal. Most college textbooks are 300 - 400 pages long and most instructors only include a percentage of the chapters on their syllabus and in their classes. With the reduction in the number of chapters assigned in a class, why would a student need Cram 101 (Cram101 - Barnes and Noble)?

Textbook companies produce an array of resources for their consumers! MOST of these resources are FREE.

However, I know that some students will LOVE this product. In fact, as a college student (a few years ago), I probably would use this same product to check my knowledge of the book. In fact, I would probably have purchased several of these books with my friends and swapped these books back and forth.

What do you think? Would your students use this product?

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

OpenStudy - An Online Study Group for College Students

Readers,

I realize any of you teach courses online and these courses consist of students from around the world! It would be GREAT if they could all meet at one location and "study" together, wouldn't it?

Well, now they can! Here is a website that will enable students to "study" together online.

Check it out! Let me know what you think? Do you already use this in your classroom?

Millennial Professor/Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards

Free Seminar on September 13th - Online Teaching Success (By Ednak)

Have you ever wondered what is the best way to break in to the online teaching industry? Join us for this free event that will highlight a case study of online teaching success. Each of the panelist will share their experiences and best practices for succeeding in the online teaching field. Get answers to these frequently asked questions:

- How difficult is it to get started?
- Are there any pitfalls in teaching online and if so, what are they?
- What are some of the best practices an online teacher should demonstrate?
- Survival tips for your first assignment.
- Tips for time management and creating an appropriate between online teaching / work / home life

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/473511256

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

USA Today - Collegiate Case Studies (A Great Resource for College Faculty)

Higher Education Faculty,

If you are EVER looking for good case studies to help you emphasize key concepts in class, you might find a good one at USA Today!

The case studies are divided into three categories: business case studies, Hubble case studies, topical case studies, and student life/FYE case studies.

Each of these case studies are available in html and PDF format (for an easy download).

Here are some of the case studies:

Social Media's Effect on Marketing - Link

Curbing Campus Violence - Link

Media Literacy - Link

USA TODAY Collegiate Case Studies | USA TODAY College - A student focused web portal

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Blackboard Users: EMBEDDING is your BEST FRIEND!

Readers,

Since blackboard is my BEST friend, this summer I started embedding EVERYTHING. Surveys, rubrics, etc. I teach two courses online and two upper-level courses and it is not an easy process to change (or update a power point/document). Uploading is a cumbersome process and it requires users to:


1. Plug in the external drive.
2. Find the file.
3. Correct the file.
4. Log on to blackboard.
5. Find the course.
6. Find the document I need to replace.
7. Delete the document I need to replace.
8. Find my new document on the external drive (the corrected file).
9. Upload the corrected file.
10. Change the username.
*I have to go through these steps EVERY semester!


Now, with my favorite program of all time (Google Documents). I can create a document, embed the document, and add a link (for users who have a firewall).


Here are the steps that I follow:
1. Create the presentation.
2. Share the presentation (upper-right hand corner).
3. Embed the presentation on blackboard.


If I EVER need to update the document, I simply log on to my Google Docs account and correct the document without EVER logging on blackboard! Voila!


Here is a sample Google Presentation for my Intercultural Communication course:

Here is a sample Google Presentation for my Online Communication course:

There are numerous opportunities for Google Presentations! Any additional ideas?


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

My Co-Sponsored Fall Project - “Diversity and Communication” Research Symposium

Readers,

Good afternoon! This semester, my colleague and I received a "Real-World Experiences Applied to Learning Real" (Keeping it R.E.A.L.) grant for undergraduate research and to plan our conference. Yay!

This conference is open to students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, and staff. We are PLEASED that the grant committee picked our project! Here is the call for proposals I sent this afternoon:

If you are interested in presenting, please let me know! :)

Sincerely,

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

The Tarleton State University – Communication Studies Department will sponsor a “Diversity and Communication” Research Symposium on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 in TSU Dining Hall.

The conference planning committee is seeking panel and paper submissions from STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF focused on, but not limited to the following topics:

- Cross-Generational Communication (i.e. – baby boomers communicating with millennials)
- Small Group Communication and Diversity
- Organizational Communication and Diversity
- Instructional Communication and Diversity
- Social Media and Diversity
- Political Communication
- Interpersonal Relationships and Diversity
- Great Ideas For Teaching Education and Diversity (G.I.F.T.E.D.)
- Communication in Student Organizations and Diversity
- Diversity Programming Ideas

Panels (including roundtables and discussions) or papers/abstracts are possible forms of submission. Panels: Include a title, 100 word abstract, name of the contact person, and names, emails, affiliations, and addresses of all participants.

Papers/Paper Abstracts: Maximum length is 25 pages (excluding tables & references)
for a full paper submission or a one page abstract (with the expectation of a full paper at least two weeks before the conference). Include a separate title page to
conceal the author(s)’ identity. Title page should contain a 100-word abstract. Remove all author references. Designate “Student Authored” papers. *Full papers will be given priority over abstract submissions.

***Awards will be given for the Top Faculty/Staff Papers and Top Student Papers***

Deadline: Complete the conference submission form (http://www.tinyurl.com/diversityandcommunicationform/) AND e-mail papers/panels to Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (jtedwards@tarleton.edu) no later than Friday, October 15, 2010 (midnight CST).

Attachments: E-mail submissions as e-mail attachments in MS Word (2003 or 2007) or Rich Text format.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards (jtedwards@tarleton.edu) and Prof. Cristi Horton (horton@tarleton.edu) via e-mail or telephone (254-968-9638).

***We are also seeking conference sponsors (on-campus and community sponsors). If your department is interested in co-sponsoring this conference, please contact us.***

My REAL Experience: Training 90 Undergraduate Students How to Use Google Docs!

Readers,


Good morning! Yesterday was the SECOND day of classes (MWF) and I trained over 90 students to use Google Documents. A colleague and I received a "Real-Word Experiences Applied to Learning" institution grant for our upper-level communication courses and our learning outcomes include collaborative research for undergraduate students. The students will conduct research on diversity and communication to write a paper and to present the results at the Tarleton State University - Communication Studies Department's "Diversity and Communication - Research Symposium" (which will also include papers and panels from faculty and staff)! 


Not surprisingly (if you know me), we decided to use Google Documents for each of the student research groups. At the beginning of the workshop, the training was chaotic. Some students have a Google Documents account and other students do not have an account. This means that I had to help the students create an account for Google Documents. Many of the students actually used their university e-mail to create their Google account.


Before class, I created fifteen research documents (one document per group) and I added each of the students to the research groups at the end of the class period.


Then, I exposed the students to several "neat" aspects of the new Google Documents software. Here are items the students really liked:


a. Each of you can type on the document simultaneously! In fact, you can see each other's comments by their colored cursor.


b. You can CHAT with your group members while you type your sections of the document.


c. You can double-check the document to verify that your group members edited the document at a certain time.


d. If you EVER need to view a prior version of the document, you can! In fact, you can revert to a prior version.


e. You can send e-mail to your group members through the document!


f. The new version has MARGINS and COMMENTS you can create in the side bar (instead of comments directly on the document).


g. The document saves your data AUTOMATICALLY!


Overall, the students were REALLY impressed with this cloud computing software and I cannot wait to see them edit their document! :)


One unrelated comment - My training sessions were in the morning and my colleague's class (and training sessions) was held in the afternoon. So, I stood up for almost four hours! :) If you conduct a similar training, please make sure you wear comfortable shoes!


Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

IES Report - Teachers’ Use of Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools: 2009

Readers,


This is a great survey focused on how K-12 teachers implement educational technology in their classrooms.  and the K-12


http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2010040


The research questions for this survey were:


Question 1: Computers in Classroom or Brought into Classroom


Question 2: Frequency of Teachers or Students Using Computers During Instructional Time


Question 3: Technology Devices Used by Teachers


Question 4: Use of School or District Network for Activities


Question 5: Remote Access to Computer Application


Question 6: Types of Software and Internet Sites Used for Instructional and Administrative Purposes


Question 7: Students’ Use of Educational Technology to Perform Activities


Question 8: Communication with Parents and Students Using Technology


Question 9: Preparation and Training for Using Educational Technology for Instruction


Question 10: Time Spent in Professional Development for Educational Technology


Question 11: Agreement or Disagreement with Statements on Professional Development


Question 14: Number of Students in Classroom


Question 15: Number of Years Spent Teaching


Millennial Professor
Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Social Media in the Educational Environment (A Great Video!)

Readers,

I hope you are having a great summer! I am preparing for the fall semester and I plan to incorporate a wealth of social media in my upcoming courses. For the past few semesters, I incorporated Twitter and a small amount of Facebook. However, this semester, I plan to use del.icio.us, linked in, and Flickr in my new courses!

Here's a great video focused on social media in education!

Enjoy the video! Have a great week!


Millennial Professor
Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Fall 2010 - Fourth Year Tenure Track (Let's Get Er Done!)

Readers,

The semester will begin on Monday. I am thrilled! For some odd reason, I REALLY enjoy meeting my students on the first day of classes. However, this year will be slightly different. I am teaching two upper-level communication studies courses and two lower-level communication courses that meet the university core requirement. The lower-level courses will be 100% online and this is the first time that I will teach half of my courses virtually and the other half face-to-face (during a long semester).

This semester I will have a great time teaching my classes and serving on a university committees. The committees that I really enjoy are: college curriculum, faculty development fund, faculty development (training), and I hope that I will enjoy the library committee. <- I heart our university library! As for research, I was able to accomplish A LOT this summer! Submitting conference proposals, writing award submissions, administering a grant, writing articles, writing letters of recommendations for students, and teaching classes. <- All while learning to use the iPad. :) Now, I am down to crunch time... Here's my to do list before Monday's classes: 1. Finish my syllabi 2. Outline two textbook chapters for two courses (both are new textbooks) 3. Update my gradekeeper files (with the new students' names) 4. Update blackboard for four courses. That's it! Let's see how much I can accomplish! J. Edwards Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Preparing to Teach Online Courses - A Preliminary Checklist

Readers,

If you teach high school or college courses online, it is wonderful to prepare for your course ahead of time. However, if you have a personality like mine, you have to plan WAY ahead of time to make sure your course runs smoothly. This week, I am finishing a to do list for my syllabus creation boot camp next week! (I will post this soon!)

Here is a great article featuring ideas for online faculty. http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/online-teaching-tips-it-pays-to-sweat-the-small-stuff/

And a few of their suggestions:

Always be positive in your feedback and postings. 


Be sure that page numbers in assignments match the text(s).


Be sure that page numbers in assignments match the text(s).


Keep track of the errors and oversights you discover for future courses. 


Which one is your favorite?


Millennial Professor
Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Helping At-Risk Students Succeed in the College Classroom

Readers,

As a professor, I strive to help every student in the classroom. I have a strong believe that everyone has the ability to succeed. However, there are a few variables which inhibit some students from being successful. These variables include: not attending class, not keeping an updated schedule, not paying attention in class, and other more subject/academic-based variables.

As a result, I loved reading this article, "Helping At-Risk Students Succeed in the College Classroom". Now, I am eager to implement some of the suggestions from the article in my Fall classes! I plan to integrate an undergraduate research opportunity/conference, in-class presentations, virtual office hours, weekly reminders, and Twitter reminders. I cannot wait to help my students!

J. Edwards

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Does GENDER Make a Difference in the Preparation and Promotion Higher Education Administrators?

In the article entitled, “Gender Differences in the Preparation and Promotion of Community College Administrators”, Kim E. VanDerLinden exposes many of the differences between males and females in executive positions that exist in higher education. The main point that the article highlighted was career advancement among males and females at community colleges. Some of the secondary points that were highlighted under career advancement were the relationships between gender, human capital, and promotion. The findings of the article indicated that there was not a difference between women and men in terms of career advancement at a community college.

Women are given more educational and employment opportunities at community colleges. This number is significantly higher than four-year colleges and universities (AACC, 2000; Townsend, 1995). As a result of this growing number, the women are not being trained properly in terms of career advancement, career patterns, and professional development. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, “In the next few years, almost 45% of community colleges will have openings in their presidential positions”. The key question behind this matter is, “Where is the new leadership going to come from?” In general, women and men that are currently employed by community colleges are not being prepared for such leadership positions.


The evidence that the author uses to make her main points are from such sources as the National Profile of Community Colleges, the New Directions for Community Colleges Journal, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. These are very credible sources, because they are all research intensive documents. The statistics that is gathered from these sources are astounding, because community colleges are in an inherent crisis. These colleges need leaders to help guide their institutions on the right path and to accomplish their particular mission statement.


It is interesting, because I completely agree with every contention that the author makes. 
These contentions are stated after the study is conducted and the results are analyzed. Some of the contentions that were stated are: (1) women who aspire to advance into leadership positions should actively plan and develop multidimensional goal-oriented career paths, (2) women who are currently in upper-level administration have the opportunity to shape the organizational culture, and (3) the current leadership crisis may provide opportunities for women to advance.


This article significantly contributed to my understanding of leadership, because I am able to see a qualitative and quantitative study about women in administrative positions at a community college. In the past, I have always read documents about women in leadership positions at institutions of higher education and the problems that they may encounter. 


This article put everything into perspective, because there are inherent differences and likenesses between in genders in regard to higher education. The common belief is that women are not participating in as many professional development opportunities and do not have as much campus involvement that men do. The actual statistics show that women have much more involvement than men do and that they participate in professional development opportunities more readily than men do.


In conclusion, community colleges are not that different from universities, but it will be interesting to see what types of professionals are going to take these leadership positions in the next few years.

The Class of 2014 - Benoit College College Freshman Mindset List (My Response)

Every year, I look forward to receiving the Benoit College Mindset list for college students!

http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2012.php

However, as a millennial, I have to question some items. I experienced a similar skepticism as the author of the following article:

Do College Students Really Think Beethoven Is A Dog? : Monkey See : NPR

Here is the mindset list for my college graduating class (see if you can figure out the year). :)


"Spam" and "cookies" are not necessarily foods.

Uh - Both of these were foods in my life as a teenager! :)

The Osmonds are talk show hosts.

True - I had no idea who the Osmonds were until a few years ago.

They neither know who Billy Joe was, nor wondered what he was doing on the Talahatchee Bridge.

True - I still do not know who this is...

"Coming out" parties celebrate more than debutantes.

True :)

They have never heard a phone "ring."

False - Hey, I grew up in the country! My grandmother had a rotary phone!

Woodstock is a bird or a reunion, not a cultural touchstone.

False - I LOVE Woodstock and the 60s!

There has always been a national holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

True - Yup!

We have always been able to receive television signals by direct broadcast satellite.

True - Yes, really HUGE ones!

False - I moved to the country and everyone had rabbit ears!

They have always bought telephones, rather than rent them from AT&T.

True - However, people had the option to rent. :) I knew some people who did rent telephones!

A "45" is a gun, not a record with a large hole in the center.

True - I agree. :)

Millennial Professor - Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.

Freebie Friday! - Save $1.00 on Frixion Pens!

Readers,

When you grade papers or conduct scholarly research, do you wish you could erase your written text? Well, the Pilot company has the product for you! My husband and I use Frixion pens and highlighters when conducting scholarly research.

Using this product, I am also able to highlight and write comments in some of my personal books and class textbooks. It is a great way to write temporary notes!

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Enjoy!

Millennial Professor

Jennifer T. Edwards, Ed.D.