[Distance] learning programs are invaluable because they provide a segment of our population with critical literacy and job-related skills as well as the means to take their careers to the next level

Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)
Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee

National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) will be held the week of November 9-13, 2009. The week-long event is set “to promote and celebrate the tremendous growth and accomplishments occurring today in distance learning programs offered by schools, businesses, and governmental departments.” NDLW is sponsored by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).

During National Distance Learning Week (NDLW), schools, colleges, and other organizations will be showcasing their programs for current and prospective students.

In addition, the USDLA (United States Distance Learning Association) will be conducting a series of free webinars during the week of November 9-13 to showcase various types of distance learning providers.

For more information see the NDLW website.

This video clip from Mr. Owen used for an Intro to Computers class demonstrates how to upload a document as an assignment or attachment in Blackboard.

Note that the version and colors of the Blackboard for the Nutrition course are different than the ones use in this Intro to Computers course, so the Blackboard interface may look a bit different.

I’ve also added this video under the Online Page of this blog as “Tips for Uploading Documents.”

These three YouTube clips demonstrate how using a bit of humor along with a video recording can produce some amusing results that are also educational. Because of plagiarism issues in the online course, I have had to change the instruction on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity.

The first two of these videos will be used in the “Copy and Paste Generation: Promoting Academic Integrity and Preventing Plagiarism” presentation for the Online Teaching Conference at Cabrillo College this June in Aptos.

I included the third one because it was so funny.

Plagiarism – Don’t Do It

The Plagiarism – Don’t Do It video was modeled after identity theft videos.

Plagiarism – Identity Theft Spoof

The Plagiarism – Identity Theft Spoof is another parody of the Idenity Theft Commercials. This was done by the Kealakehe High School. There is an extended version as well.

Before He Cheats – A Teacher Parody

Before He Cheats – A Teacher Parody

A parody of Carrie Underwood’s video “Before He Cheats” from a teacher’s perspective dealing with a cheating student in her school. This Lyrics & Video production comes from Jim McKenzie with music performed by Kristen Huish. You can access the lyrics on the YouTube Site.

The new version of Microsoft creates documents as a .docx format, which is only readable if the person has the latest version of Microsoft (or has the program to convert files). Another issue with Microsoft documents even just .docs it that they are more likely to transmit viruses.

The concern about transmitting computer viruses is the main reason that many instructors require that documents submitted as attachments (which will be opened by the instructor) are submitted as .rtf, .txt or .pdf files.

I found a couple of great online Video resources on YouTube with reminders about some basic computer skills that many online instructors figure their students already know how to do.

Take a look at Tips for Converting Documents and Tips for Copying and Pasting Information if you need a reminder in how to use either of these skills on the Online Success Page of this blog.

Image Source: Wikimedia. Control cut copy paste.jpg. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts.

You can find them in the right hand side bar under “Additional Online Links” or by following this link, Lecture Links Recorded Lectures.

All of the lectures for the course have been archived through CCC Confer so you can get them through your computer.

Here is a rather amusing comment from one of the online students this semester about using the Virtual Lectures:

“I just wanted to say I love the virtual lectures.

I have never had an on-line class with narrated power point lectures, its just like being in class. My daughter enjoyed it, too. She thought it was neat that my instructor was inside the computer. In fact, when I went to close my laptop she yelled, “No, Mommy! Don’t close that! Your teacher is in there!” (She tends to take things very literally) I am really looking forward to the semester. Thanks again.

Link to How the Digestive System Works or watch the embedded video below (if it shows in your browser).

A More Basic Look at Digestion:

• Teacher Digestion this one is aimed at a gradeschool leve.

Another interactive online animation:

• Digestive System from the National Geographic has an interactive way of looking at the digestive sytem.
• A normal, healthy digestive system this one is from a constipation advice company in the U.K.

More Resources:

• The Digestive System. WebMD. 2006.
• Healthy Digestion. Discovery Health.

This page includes “Are You Ready to Learn Online?” a great introduction from Cerro Coso College, on to determining if you are ready to take an online course. I highly recommend that all online students take some kind of self-assessment to determine if their learning styles, study and computer skills are in line with taking an online course.

There are also some Suggestions for Being a Successful Online Student, part of the Online Orientation for Columbia College Students along with links to Other Online Self Assessments.

For students who are near Columbia College, the College offers “How to Succeed as an Online Student” or CMPSC101 is offered both Fall and Spring semesters and is designed as an orientation to online learning and our current online course management system, Blackboard Learning System.

Image Sources:

Steve Woods. Surfing 2. Royalty Free Use.