Please consider two instruction sessions on Softchalk in April:
Registration at:
https://secure.mnsu.edu/mnscupd/login/default.asp?campusid=0073
SoftChalk is provider of content authoring software for educators in K-12, colleges, universities and medical programs. With SoftChalk, educators can create professional, engaging, learning content quickly and easily, which enhances their teaching and improves the learning experience for their students.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 2:00 PM until 2:45 PM
Follow us on Twitter: @SCSUtechInstruc | #techworkshop
IMS Blog: https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims
Ideas? Suggestions? Pls email pmiltenoff@stcloudstate.edu
Steps to Install SoftChalk Create and Enter Your License Key
- Download the SoftChalk installer by clicking on the appropriate link below. Save the installer file locally on your computer.
- Windows: http://www.softchalk.com/Lb8Distribution/SoftChalk8_setup.exe
- Macintosh: http://www.softchalk.com/Lb8Distribution/SoftChalk8-Mac.zip
- Click the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
- After installing SoftChalk Create, look for the Create8 icon on your desktop. Double-click the icon to start the SoftChalk “Create” application.
- You may be prompted to create a FREE SoftChalk CLOUD account. This step is optional, but provides you with additional SoftChalk features.
- Within the SoftChalk Create application, go to the Help menu and choose Enter License. (If you are a Macintosh user, go to the top left of your screen and choose File/Enter License.)
- Copy and paste the license info below into the License Name and License Key fields.
Does anyone have experience with creating math equations for quiz questions either directly in D2L, using MathML and MathJax, Respondus, or another application that can be integrated into D2L?
https://mnsite.ims.mnscu.edu/shared/_instructor_and_coursedesigner_help/learningenvironment/assessment_tools/question_library/creating_arithmetic_questions.htm
More questions? d2l@stcloudstate.edu. Solutions: please logged them in
Technology Instruction Week: Hybrid and Distributive Learning
- Monday
transition from From F2F to distant learning: how does transition happen?…
- Tuesday
MOOC: what, how and why?…
- Wednesday
QM (Quality Matters): why and how…
- Thursday
participation and retention in online class
- Friday
synchronous and asynchronous methods in online education
Please consider the following D2L sessions next week:
D2L Course Builder
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 3:00 PM until Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 3:45 PM
Location: MC 205 also http://media4.stcloudstate.edu/d2lworkshop
Instructor: Plamen Miltenoff
Discussion will include the use and efficacy of the tool. CourseBuilder as the focus of other tools: e.g. Content, Manage Files, Discussions, Dropbox, Quizzes, Grades, Competencies
Drag and drop interface and faster organization of the D2L course
What are Lockers:
The Locker is an electronic storage area for you to store your files. You can upload and download files from any computer and use them in D2L or transfer them from one computer to another. Only the owner of the Locker can view its contents unless the owner decides to mark something as public. If something is public than anyone that is in a D2L Course Site the owner is also in can see this file.
https://mnsite.ims.mnscu.edu/shared/_instructor_and_coursedesigner_help/learningenvironment/locker/about_locker.htm
What is Dropbox: https://mnsite.ims.mnscu.edu/shared/_instructor_and_coursedesigner_help/learningenvironment/dropbox/about_dropbox.htm http://web.mnstate.edu/instrtech/scmodules/d2l/students/dropbox/dropbox_print.htmlThe Dropbox provides a convenient way for students to electronically submit individual and group assignments and is a great way to have a paperless or nearly paperless course. You can provide feedback, assign grades, and return submissions with track changes all from a single location.
Overlap: students can submit assignments in their lockers and mark them public and instructor can set up a group dropbox, where students can see each other assignments.
Dropbox is much more “potent” tool to handle assignments (one can leave feedback, connect with “grading” etc.)
Both lockers and dropbox are used in a close conjunction with “Groups,” which will be discussed in our next TechEd Soiree
The new, 10th edition of “instructional Technology and Media for Learning” by Smaldino et al is out. on p. 191 there is a good layout of the basics for design as discuss during the design session of January 22, 2013. Link to the handouts of that session here: https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2013/01/22/basics-of-design/
This is the link to a scanned copy of the pages related to visual design: http://web.stcloudstate.edu/informedia/design/visual_design_smaldino.pdf
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2PM, we met to discuss the basics of design, graphic design in particular.
Sliderocket and SLideshare
Here is the handout with sources and outlines. Pls feel welcome to contribute with your sources and ideas.
Design Basics
Handouts
– What is design and how to we approach it
to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), especially to plan the form and structure of
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/design
what is graphic design
The process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication is the formal, short definition of graphic design. Today’s graphic designers often use desktop publishing software and techniques to achieve their goals.
http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/basic/g/graphicdesign.htm
– Why is it important to consider it
Graphic design helps clarify meaning and ease communication from one person (persons) to another, and it does so in a few ways.
http://www.quora.com/Why-is-graphic-design-important
– How do we enact it
Hands-on exercise: create well-designed PowerPoint.
– Keep it simple
Your slides should have plenty of white space, or negative space. Do not feel compelled to fill empty areas on your slide with your logo or other unnecessary graphics or text boxes that do not contribute to better understanding. The less clutter you have on your slide, the more powerful your visual message will become.
– Limit bullet points and text
The best slides may have no text at all.
– Limit transitions and builds (animation)
– Use high quality graphics
– Have a visual theme but avoid using PowerPoint templates
– Use color well
Color evokes feelings. Color is emotional. The right color can help persuade and motivate. Studies show that color usage can increase interest and improve learning comprehension and retention.
You do not need to be an expert in color theory, but it’s good for business professionals to know at least a bit on the subject. Colors can be divided into two general categories: cool (such as blue and green) and warm (such as orange and red). Cool colors work best for backgrounds, as they appear to recede away from us into the background. Warm colors generally work best for objects in the foreground (such as text) because they appear to be coming at us.
– Choose your fonts well
Fonts communicate subtle messages in and of themselves, which is why you should choose fonts deliberately. Use the same font set throughout your entire slide presentation and use no more than two complementary fonts (e.g., Arial and Arial Bold). Make sure you know the difference between a serif font (e.g., Times New Roman) and a sans-serif font (e.g., Helvetica or Arial).
Serif fonts were designed to be used in documents filled with lots of text. They’re said to be easier to read at small point sizes, but for onscreen presentations, the serifs tend to get lost due to the relatively low resolution of projectors. Sans- serif fonts are generally best for PowerPoint presentations, but try to avoid the ubiquitous Helvetica.
– Spend time in the slider sorter
According to the Segmentation Principle of multimedia learning theory, people comprehend better when information is presented in small chunks or segments. By getting out of the Slide view and into the Slide Sorter view, you can see how the logical flow of your presentation is progressing. In this view, you may decide to break up one slide into, say, two or three slides so that your presentation has a more natural and logical flow or process.
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-slide-design-tips-for-producing-powerful-and-effective-presentations/6117178
Graphic Design Fundamentals
http://www.garrreynolds.com/design/basics.html
http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/design/graphic-design-basics-elements/
50 Totally Free Lessons in Graphic Design Theory
http://psd.tutsplus.com/articles/web/50-totally-free-lessons-in-graphic-design-theory/
http://www.gdbasics.com/
Know Thy User: The Role of Research in Great Interactive Design
http://www.slideshare.net/frogdesign/know-thy-user-the-role-of-research-in-great-interactive-design
Basics of Web Design
http://webdesign.about.com/od/webdesigntutorials/a/aa070504.htm
Basics of Web Design
http://ontwik.com/ui/basics-of-web-design/
Ken Miller and I were talking today about the significance of Learning Objectives and Outcomes when using Course Builder in D2L.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes are the foundation of Quality Matters (http://www.qmprogram.org/). If you want to go through the QM process, please consider the Center for Continuing Studies: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/continuingstudies/default.asp
Sue Erickstad (serickstad@stcloudstate.edu) and Mike Penrod (mrpenrod@stcloudstate.edu) can help you with information how to complete the process.
If you intend to teach online classes soon, please use the forum, where we can exchange “good practices” information.
