Learning Commons at UW-Milwaukee Invites Collaboration

A new open concept to promote collaboration at the UW-Milwaukee Golda Meir Library is fully functional. Not only do the learning spaces promote collaboration but the process in developing them was equally collaborative. This success story is part of my session entitled, "Lost in Space- Finding the Right Learning Space for Learners." You can learn more about effective learning space design by reading my feature article in University Business Magazine. Enjoy.

Learning Space Repository Pilot

Through a collaborative pilot with Sonic Foundry (Mediasite), exemplary examples of innovative learning spaces are being solicited to be included in a global repository of Learning Space Design pilot. These examples will be recorded through Mediasite webcasts and made available for review and comment. If your are interested in submitting a potential submission, e-mail Jim Jorstad, Director of Educational Technologies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Be sure to put LSR in the subject line. Technical specifications for your submission will be provided upon request.

Collaborative Learning Spaces Part Deux

Designing collaborative learning spaces which are scalable is an important element in planning. Initially a model collaborative space was developed in our Wing Technology Center to demonstrate to faculty, staff, and students the concept of collaborative spaces. From there, a larger space was created in our Murphy library. This space was tested and video analyzed to see how students would effectively utilize the collaborative area. Stage three was to expand the space, again using Herman Miller Resolve furniture. In this stage you can see the dynamics of students working together. Encouraging faculty to develop curriculum that requires group work only strengthens the campus utilization of collaborative learning spaces. Developing a scalable design will ensure a sustainable model for the future.

Educational Technologies in a Challenging Economy

On January 21st, as part of our fifth annual Passport to Technology event, we held a national teleconference on the economic impact of technology in education. I moderated the multipoint teleconference which included a distinguished panel of Frye Fellows from 2005: Dr. Sharon E. Blanton, CIO Office of Information Technologies Portland State University; Gardner Campbell, Ph.D., Director of the Academy for Teaching and Learning at Baylor University and Assoc. Prof. of Literature and Media, Honors College; Helen Chu, Director, Academic Technology, University of Oregon; Rick Holmgren, Ph.D., Executive Director, Learning, Information, and Technology Services, Allegany College; William Mayer, Librarian, American University, Washington, D.C.; Jenny Mehmedovic, Assistant to the Provost, University of Kansas.

Each panelist responded to a wide variety of important questions facing faculty, administrators, and students. To learn more about this program, you may connect to a webcast of the event by clicking on the Passport logo.

2008 International Rich Media Award

On May 15th. my colleague Terry Wirkus and myself were honored to receive the Mediasite Rich Media Award for the Return on Investment Category. It was a great honor on how we utilized web casting to forward the academic and administrative mission of the university.

On May 14th, I presented a program at the WiscNet Future Technologies Conference, Madision, WI. The presentation was entitled "Impact Through Innovation-Redrawing the Big Picture"explained the utilization of web casting for a myriad of university activities and functions. Of paricular note was the use of web casting to promote discussion on effective Learning Space Design, in particular the room design, furniture, lighting, and technology integration.

Thinking Outside the Box

On March 25, 2008 I presented a live webcast at Sonic Foundry in Madison, Wisconsin. I utilized Mediasite to provide a global reach to discuss innovative strategies to utilize web casting. Participants were from China, Japan, Russia, Mexico and most of the U.S. The web cast showcases strategies to engage both academic and external audiences of an unviersity environment. To learn more about this presentation, click here.

Project Technology

This year, we are following five faculty members as they work towards integrating appropriate technology into their classes. This project is a "take off" of the popular reality TV program, Project Runway, which appears on the Bravo TV Channel. For our "project" we followed faculty members as they undertook a four-part challenge: 1) to integrate appropriate technology into their teaching and learning activities, 2) to engage students, 3) to improve learning, and 4) to document their results. Basically we took the TV camera into their offices and
into their classrooms. Some of the initial faculty issues that have arisen include: Time, Help & Support, Environments,IT Infrastructure, and Teaching Styles. To view a Mediasite presentation of this program go to:

Part #1 Main Project Technology Program http://edtech-media.intra.uwlax.edu/UWLMediaSite/Viewer/?peid=7d12445e-ef07-4a6a-b09d-a63409d4658d
Part #2 Winner of Project Technology http://edtech-media.intra.uwlax.edu/UWLMediaSite/Viewer/?peid=123dad90-f927-490f-8883-826aba51fe3e

To read more detailed information on Project Technology, go to:

http://www.uwlax.edu/Advancement/connectx/07-issues/11-12/project.htm