session 2

Focus Questions for Chapter 1 and 4 (Waterhouse, S. A. The power of eLearning) and CMS/LMS Investigation

1. Central to our investigation of eLearning Technologies and Methods is gaining an understanding of Learning Management Systems (LMS) sometimes also called Course Management System (CMS) software. Chapter 1 of our text discusses the functionality of typical LMS/CMS, identifying four major categories. What are those categories?
The four major LMS functional categories support:
1-Distribution of course information.
2-Student-instructor and student-student communications.
3-Student interaction with course resources.
4-Online testing and grading.
(Page8)


2. What LMS/CMS software do you currently use or plan to use? Explain what you know about your system's functionality in each of the four areas identified by the book. (If you don't have access to LMS/CMS software just use Blackboard for your discussion in this area.
I do not have class to use any LMS/CMS software, because I did not teach before, but I plan to use the first major category that is “Distribution of course information”
I like the practical ways to use Distribution of course information such as:
Use the course syllabus, course notes, and slide show presentations for previewing or reviewing course topics, course documents, assignments, materials and student portfolios. (Page9).
Because I don’t have access to LMS/CMS software I will discuss my experience with blackboard. In Saudi Arabia we don’t use this kind of system, at the first class the instructor introduce his/her self and explain the class and show the student the book in this class and where their can bay it. After that start the lecture. In the end of every class the instructor write the homework on the board. This is simply what was going on in most of the universities classes in Saudi Arabia. When I took my first class in USA especially in CSUSB I don’t know that there was tool called “Blackboard” I didn’t do my first homework, I thought there is no homework because the instructor didn’t ask us to do it in the end of the class. After what happened I discovered that Cal State San Bernardino uses a program called "Blackboard." Every student have to log into one's own blackboard account to moniter assignments, watch grades, and even complete assignments I like this way because Blackboard allow me to access my class materials, assignments and grades any time of the day. Also I can add and drop classes, see the list of courses in which I am currently enrolled just by using my computer. Every instructor posts a Syllabus, Schedule, some of videos or links that will help student in the course also the assignment and project that should student don before the deadline also you can view the instructor office hours and email.
I took ETEC 500 class with Dr Newberry and we used Blackboard's Discussion Board and Chat. There were equations every week about the textbook that we use it in this class. Students should post their answers before the deadline on a Sunday night. Each student can view another student's answers and learn through the communication with different opinions with their own.


3. Chapter 1 of our text identifies six steps for getting started with eLearning. Discuss each step and use each step as a springboard for discussing what you want to do with eLearning either now or in the future.
There are six steps for getting stared with elearning:
1-Ask yourself why.
2-Make a commitment.
3-Develop a new vision for your course and how you teach.
4-Determine the resources available to you.
5-Acquire new technology skills and develop new instructional methods.
6-Plan.

the first step: Ask yourself why
It is important to know why I chose E learning especially it is a new technology and its not widely used in Saudi Arabia (my country). E learning make learning more easy and more enjoy.
I chose this kind of technology in education because I believe it will be heavily used in the future. Also E learning makes the learning easier for example; teachers can communicate with students anytime and anywhere by using texting, emailing, and chatting. Students can share their information all over the world Moreover the E learning makes the learning more interactive, more enjoyable, and successful.
second step: Make a commitment
I should be flexible with my tools and change it according to any circumstances that may appear in my class.
third step: Develop a new vision for your course and how you teach
I will be always follow up on all new in the world of technology and I will try to get to know how to use the new technology in my class to improve my student skills.
My goal in the end of my course is to improve my student skill and make the relearning easy and exciting also successful. I will ask them after every course how they like this class and what the problem that may face it and try to change my way if that can help my students to be successful.


forth step: Determine the resources available to you
We have to evaluate our resources that we use it in our course such as software, hardware Teaching support and E learning expertise.
fifth step: Acquire new technology skills and develop new instructional methods
The instructor who teaches E laerning should be able to using the tools and improve his student skills.
sixth step: Plan
The important thing when you want to teach is the plan. The good plan should save time. I should do my plan before I start my class. My plan include the goal of this class, the way that I will use it in this class and more. Also the plan should depend on instructional goals, my skills, it save the time we have available in my course, the technology tools existing to use and the support that district can provide it to me.



4. Chapter 4 of our text discusses the functionality of specific LMS/CMS tools in terms of being for one-way communication, two-way communication or for organization. Explain the key differences between one-way and two-way communication and identify the tools your LMS/CMS provides for each type of communication.
One-way communication:
Involves sending massages without provisions for receiving a reply.
Posting information to the course site for students to view at their convenience.

Two-way communication:
Involves sending messages and receiving replies to them.
Students interact with their instructor or with each other.
Discussions are the most common from of two-way communication using an LMS.
Tools supporting One-way communication:
Announcements and documents created using the LMS.
Files created using other software
Grade books
Email
Calenders
Homepages
External links

Tools supporting Two-way communication:
Discussions
Whiteboards
Online test
Private storage space




( I just correct my spelling)