Retrofitting Learning Environments

Editor's Notes

• #3: This presentation was designed to examine the potential for incremental improvement in the learning environment. It will address: Why we should retrofitting the current learning environment, Who are our students - what do they want? A sampling of Technology Assisted Learning And some of the Benefits of a retrofitted learning environment, both for the Student and the Professor
• #4: Lot’s of attention has been paid to making drastic changes in otherwise normal (some might say boring) staples in our lives. The basics – homes and cars – have been retrofitted – on television, with millions (including our students) watching, regularly! Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is an Emmy Award-winning ABC reality television series in which a family's house, including all rooms, exterior and landscaping, is made over by a team of builders and designers in 7 days while the family goes off on vacation. It is a spinoff of Extreme Makeover. Extreme Makeover was a television program from ABC in which individuals volunteer to receive an extensive makeover in Hollywood. It began airing in 2002 on Thursday nights at 8pm. A total of 55 episodes were produced. ABC cancelled the fourth season of Extreme Makeover after just one episode. Pimp My Ride is an MTV TV show that consists of taking one car in poor condition and restoring it, as well as customizing it. So isn’t it about time we considered making drastic changes in our learning environments?
• #5: Retrofitting Learning Environments means . . . the ongoing practice of radically redesigning learning environments, including all participants, so learning is not stifled, hampered, or otherwise limited by unnecessary restrictions of space, time, topic, or any combination thereof.
• #7: The term “Net Generation” was coined by Don Tapscott, in his book “Growing Up Digital.” Though many traditional students are part of the Net Generation, we should not be defining this group based on age, but based on their Experiences and their Exposure. The experience of the Net Generation gives them the ability to acquire information on virtually anything within moments. The Net Generation has been exposed to information-gathering techniques and technologies that place institutions of higher education in direct competition with companies like Google.
• #9: To learn more about these LMD’s, visit their respective websites: Desire2Learn www. desire2learn .com/ Blackboard www. blackboard .com/ ANGEL www. angel learning.com/ Epsilen www. epsilen .com/ Learn.com www. learn .com/ e-College www. ecollege .com/ Element K www. elementk .com/ Joomla www. joomla .org/ Moodle www. moodle .org/
• #10: To learn more about these sites, visit www.gmail.com www.mail2web.com www.mtv.com/community/ message _ boards / www.ivillage.com/ messageboards / message s.yahoo.com/ www.slideshare.net www.authorstream.com video . google .com/ www.youtube.com www. gcast .com/ odeo .com/ www. blogtalkradio .com/
• #11: To learn more about these sites and services, visit www. skype .com www. freeconferencecalls .com www. evite .com www. meetup .com tringme .com/ www. grandcentral .com
• #12: To learn more about these sites, visit www.blogger.com www.livejournal.com www.wordpress.com
• #13: To learn more about these sites, visit www.facebook.com www.myspace.com www.linkedin.com www.livemocha.com www.tribe.com www.bebo.com
• #14: The Student Benefits when we retrofit the learning environment. The environment is more interactive and makes them more connected to it. These technologies Encourage Collaborative Learning, which enhances the learning experience. Many students and future students are already Using Social Networks. They will easily be able to adapt to the retrofitted environment using communication techniques they are familiar with. This familiarity and the learning environment designed with these tools will foster creativity and imagination – on both sides of the virtual podium.
• #15: So, you may ask, what’s in it for me? Try out a sampling of these solutions and see which fit your “style?” In the process, you are likely to experience the joy of learning something new. You are pretty much guaranteed to get envious looks from your peers when your students ask them why they haven’t retrofitted their learning environments yet. You will find that once these techniques are implemented, it will take less time to communicate more. And last but not least, you will have the satisfaction of equipping an entire generation with the tools and strategies needed to rule the world.
• #16: By capitalizing on the use of social networks while students attend college, faculty and other school leaders can not only strengthen the learning foundation for students, but can also maintain contact with students as they go out into the community following graduation. College administrators can strategically use social networks to stay in contact with graduates in hopes of garnering a loyal cadre of alumni. For students, taking part in social networks while in college offers benefits for the future. Networking can be a means of establishing connections within the community they will enter upon graduation. As alumni, they can show loyalty to their alma mater by offering employment to future graduates, support to athletic organizations, and financial contribution to the institution.
• #17: So what is the Cost for use? Email - $0 (you already have it or can get a good one for free. Social Networking site - $0 IM account - $0 Skype/Conference Call - $0 for Skype to Skype calls, and very cheap for Skype to phone – worldwide. Text messaging on mobile phone $? Depends on provider. There are all kinds of plans, and unlimited is the new buzzword. Communication with students . . . Absolutely priceless!
• #18: Michael Powell, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, when testing out Skype a few years ago. He has been quoted as saying “I knew it was over when I downloaded Skype.” Skype is an example of a disruption that occurred in the telecommunications business. What disruptions are occurring in the higher education business?
• #19: For more information, or to learn more about the disruptions on the horizon, check out “The Emergence of the Relationship Economy,” or contact Carter at 615-656-3505 or [email_address]