CKU where technology and education meet

The Web as a Visual Design Medium

2006-05-02T11:42:00.000-04:00

The emergence of multimedia storytelling

What is multimedia storytelling? The Online Journalism Review describes multimedia storytelling (MMS) as a form of journalism that "uses some combination of text, still photos, animated, graphics, video and audio, presented in a nonlinear format in which all of the information in the elements are non-redundant - a very different form of storytelling." The web reader is in complete control of navigation--what he or she sees and hears; the user chooses which part of the story he or she wants to access and in what order. Why is this different from TV or radio? Why is it better? Read further.

John Allsopp (CSS Editor Style Master, co-founder of the Web Essentials Conference Series) suggests there is no “big bang” in new media; new medium emerge from their ancestors: cinema to stage, TV from radio, Web from print, etc. As opposed to print, radio, or TV which just expose the user to the news, MMS incorporates all of the elements and allows the user freedom. It is non-linear in that the elements complement each other as opposed to a picture in a newspaper that just accompanies the feature story.

Think of the homepage as the shell that provides background on the issue (education, crime, politics, etc.); within this shell are layers: audio, video, graphics--each telling their own part of the story. It offers the immediacy and intimacy that has made the other media so popular. Below are two great examples of MMS.

The Ancient Way is named for a remote route to Santiago de Compostela travelled by religious pilgrims and tourists. The Ancient Way is a metaphor for a way of life being lost as the youth move away, leaving the lands and traditions of their ancestors. The goal of the site is to share the stories of people along the way. Notice the shell and its contents. The user may navigate using the story links on the left. Links include titles like, "Nothing else for me to do," "Music is in our blood," and "Wild horses and celebration."

Ten Years On showcases stories from the "New South Africa" since the dismantling of Apartheid; its goal is to show how life has changed since 1994. The user navigates by clicking on images representative of topics including women, housing, integration, youth, music, economics, and insights. http://tenyearson.org

What makes a good multimedia story? The best stories are multidimensional--where face-to-face sources, action for video, and strong emotion can be seen or heard.

Annotated Resources

Multimedia Reporting and Convergence http://journalism.berkeley.edu/multimedia/
Educational website for reporters to learn how to create multimedia stories. All of the elements are discussed (video, audio, etc.). Includes tutorials for novice storytellers/reporters. University of CA Berkeley.

Online Journalism Review http://www.ojr.org/ For the development and continuing education of professional online journalists. Offers resources to evaluate the emerging field of online journalism; provides readers commentary and features pertinent to the growing field of online journalism. University of Southern CA Annenberg School for Communication.

PoynterOnline: Everything you need to be a better journalist http://www.poynter.org/
Provides an abundance of journalism related information (writing/editing, design, photojournalism) and includes a variety of articles on multimedia storytelling and the multimedia experience. Poynter.org.

Do special search tools make you shout, “Yahoo!?”

2005-11-14T10:54:00.000-05:00

In today’s quest for information, it is imperative that researchers find fast, accurate facts at the click of a mouse. Whether you are a journalist, an educator, a lawyer or other professional, your reputation and that of your organization relies on your ability to conduct scholarly research and deliver appropriate content. With the advent of the Internet and all the many capabilities associated with it, it is sometimes difficult to decide where to search and what tools to use.

Most users are familiar with the mighty search engines dominating the Internet: Google http://www.google.com, Yahoo http://www.yahoo.com, and MSN http://www.msn.com; they are amazing in their ability to find and sort general information; however, there is a wealth of more specific data available via other providers (special search engines) that not only display the desired results but do so in a manner that targets the needs of the user. One such tool is Find.com. Here I will compare Yahoo! Search with Find.com http://www.find.com.

Yahoo! Media Relations http://docs.yahoo.com/info/misc/overview.html says their product is “the only place anyone needs to go find anything, communicate with anyone, or buy anything.” It provides a comprehensive network of essential services for Web users around the globe as well as businesses of all sizes. They also claim that Yahoo! was the first online navigational guide to the Web; regardless of that fact, seniority does not mean that Yahoo! is the best tool for searching. Yahoo! Search is great for general searching; I won’t deny them that. A person can search the Web, retrieve images or video, or search for local or global news. Yahoo! offers an advanced Web search where a person can specify their search by exact phrasing or Boolean logic, update, site/domain, file format, country, or language.

Find.com http://www.find.com is a business search and aims to improve the quality of business professionals’ work. Find.com’s results are “targeted to business needs and are presented in a manner that speeds navigation.” The search retrieves documents from all major consumer search engines and combines them with access to Premium Research content from leading Business Information sources. Find.com’s results page is a bit different from that of Yahoo! The default view will show results related to your query from Premium Research providers in the top panel and the open Web in the lower panel. You may click on any of the Tabs at the top of the results page to view Web-only, Research-only, related Directory results or related News results. What I like best about Find.com is that the results have been “handpicked” by Find.com for their information reliability. You can click on the original source or choose a functional view which shows keyword highlighting. Find.com also provides a cluster bar that organizes information by Topic, Format, Site (the web site URLs) or Source (Premium Research, Search Engines). If you still can’t find the info you’re looking for, you can start a new search by subcategory or refine your original search.

When I was an undergrad in the Technical and Professional Communication program at East Carolina http://core.ecu.edu/engl/tpc/tekkom/tpc.htm, I researched issues in technical writing (ad nauseam). I had access to general search engines, but at the time, I was unaware of special search tools such as Find.com. To prove their usefulness, I decided to relive those days. Upon searching for the phrase “technical writing rules” using Yahoo!, my result page listed around 257 results. Many on the first and second page were useful, but after the third page, my excitement diminished (as it usually does with general search engines). Many of the results were irrelevant or advertising-related. The same search using Find.com produced only ten results (some repeats), which I have to admit was a little disappointing, but they were ALL relevant and reliable. In hindsight, this would have saved me time seven years ago.

It is obvious to me that special search tools are the way to go if you are searching for specific information pertinent to your field of study or career. Find.com is geared for the business professional, and there are many others that cater to scientists, lawyers, etc. In conclusion, if you are a general searcher looking for general information, use a general search engine. If you are looking to narrow your search and save time and energy (who isn’t?), then you’ll find what you’re looking for at Find.com.

Aggregators not aggravators!

2005-11-07T11:08:00.000-05:00

Aggregators: Getting What You Ask For

For those of you that spend entirely too much time searching for online news that matters to you, consider using an aggregator to get the latest on…well…just about anything. Aggregators do not simply list headlines; they collect news that caters to YOU, like a personal newspaper—or even better, like waking up to your favorite correspondent who says, “Good morning! Here’s the news you asked for.”

According to the popular free Web encyclopedia, Wikipedia.org http://www.wikipedia.org, aggregators (or news aggregators) are a type of computer program that collects syndicated Web content, such as RSS and other XML feeds from weblogs, podcasts, vlogs, and mainstream mass media websites. Don’t know what the afore-mentioned are? No problem. Aggregators filter them looking for the news you want.

First, many Internet users made the transition from print news to online news in an effort to combine energies and conserve time. Now the overburdened and overwhelmed turn to these search tools to cut out yet another step of the daunting process. Where to start, you might ask? Take a look at Yahoo! News and Topix.net.

Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/
Any avid Internet user has heard of Yahoo! It’s reliable and notable. Yahoo! News http://news.yahoo.com/ is extremely user-friendly and provides headlines on subjects in the following categories: top stories, most popular, world, US National, politics, business, science, technology, health, entertainment, sports, opinion, and even odd news. The homepage can be customized by changing the layout or adding or removing these news categories. The reader can save time if he or she chooses by clicking on the most viewed/emailed or most recommended stories.

Aside from choosing content and customizing the homepage, the reader can do a basic search for news or conduct an advanced Web search. The search results page is based on the look and feel of the standard front page of Yahoo! The reader can easily toggle through general and targeted results as well as view “breadcrumbs,” which show where a story was found. Yahoo! News crawls over 7,000 news sources in 35 languages and provides access to archived articles via Reuters and the Associated Press. These archives are stored for two weeks; some other sources are stored for varying lengths of time, anywhere from seven days to one month. Additional archives can be purchased as part of Yahoo! News Premium from $1.50-2.50 per article.

For confident searchers, Yahoo! offers advanced search options; the reader can limit results by exact phrases, update, site or domain, file format, filtered, location, language, or subscription.

Topix.net http://www.topix.net/
Another useful, but not as well known aggregator, is Topix.net http://www.topix.net/. The fact that the average surfer may be unaware of Topix is surprising because it is the largest news site on the Internet. If you like living on the wild side or would simply like a break from the same old searching routine, try Topix. The interface is user-friendly though a bit “busier” than that of Yahoo! It offers many of the same news features and additional subcategories including arts, autos, business, companies, medication, food, gadgets, hobbies, and law—just to name some. The list seems endless, with up to 300,000 topics available. Top stories cover the page, but the news can be searched by zip code, city, or subject. Advanced search methods include time range, source (for example: CNN, Newsday, Fox Sports, etc.), category, or location.

For the Internet savvy, Topix offers free news feed to other webmasters as well as commercial news feeds for a subscription fee (price dependent on customization). The top nine headlines from any Topix page are available for those who prefer to read their news via RSS.

There is really no downside to using news aggregators. You subscribe and view at your leisure; you unsubscribe when you choose. Whether it’s Yahoo!, Topix.net, or one of the many others, take the plunge! Let go of some of that burden! Let aggregators do the work for you.

On accepting others

2005-09-22T19:25:00.000-04:00

It is not bigotry to be certain we are right; but it is bigotry to be unable to imagine how we might possibly have gone wrong.~G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936)

Chaos

2005-09-15T15:10:00.000-04:00

Do you ever have those days?

114 Online Discussion (oral component)

2005-07-11T11:31:00.000-04:00

Instructions: Please read and respond to the following posting regarding online classes. Consider your own experience—compare it to mine. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Is being an “online student” harder than you expected? Easier? What are specific problems you’ve encountered? Do you have tips or strategies to share with others?

I took my first online class in grad school in 2000 (if I recall correctly…seems so long ago). It was not taught via Blackboard like so many Internet courses are today. Our professor had a Website that contained all the resources we needed to fulfill the requirements of the class. We had no textbook; we could download materials, read articles, and submit our work via email—all at the click of a mouse. After years of college and one degree under my belt, this was heaven to me. I was able to work full-time and still continue my education without stepping foot in the classroom. I took most of my graduate courses at ECU online; we were what I believe to be cutting-edge at the time. I feel that I got my money’s worth; however, I’ll admit that it’s what you make it. You, the student, will determine how much you learn.

Internet classes have always been fairly easy for me in exception for one. And when I say easy, I simply mean “doable.” I’m dedicated and focused enough to sit down before a deadline and get it done. It may be five hours before it’s due, but if it takes working through the night until the wee hours of the morning, I DO IT. Can you? That’s the question you must ask yourself. Internet classes aren’t for everyone. There are some things that are imperative if you are to be a successful Internet student. You must be INDEPENDENT. If you need someone to hold your hand and walk you through everything, you’re not a good candidate. If you like immediate feedback (and a lot of it), you can forget it. If you do not have the technical resources, for example, a decent computer with up-to-date programs (and virus protection) in addition to the recommended high-speed connection, Internet courses will be very, very, very challenging for you.

You can simply “take” an Internet class, or you can get the most out of it. There’s more flexibility in graduate school to work with specific concentrations, but anyone regardless of level can go above and beyond—research more, write more, and interact more with his or her instructor and peers.

ck

Additional questions to consider: Do you think all classes can be effectively taught online? Do you think an online degree is equivalent to a degree obtained in the traditional classroom setting?

English 114 survey

2005-05-18T08:14:00.000-04:00

Hello, English 114 Research & Reporting students. You are indeed in the right place. Please click on the link below and complete the survey. This is not a test; I would simply like to gather some information about you, thus creating what you will come to know as an "audience profile." The password to enter the survey is eng114.

English 114 Assessment

Summer 05

2005-05-16T12:47:00.000-04:00

Sad to say that I had to drop JoMC 221 this past spring. With teaching both online and face-to-face, I became tremendously overwhelmed and had to drop something...class got the boot because it was the only thing not paying; however, I lost a significant chunk of money. A double-edged sword as they say...a catch-22. Hmmmm. We live and we learn.

Just an update: summer school at Lenoir begins next week. I'm teaching online at Elizabeth City State, and their summer session begins first week of June. Still, that will be a welcome break with a reduced courseload at LCC. Whew...a sigh of relief.

Online Editing

2005-03-06T23:43:00.000-05:00

Our assignment for Module Week 9 is to find an article written for publication and transform it into a user-friendly online document with a different purpose and focus on structure, style, and navigation. The original document is simply titled Rome by Mark Hudson. A classical studies minor at East Carolina, I have always been intrigued by Rome and all its wonders. I thought it would be a nice topic and searched specifically for articles on this seemingly amazing city. Having never actually visited Rome myself, I have to rely on the sights, sounds, and smells always talked about by others. On to the editing.....

First I’ll critique Hudson’s article in an effort to find possible flaws and readability issues. I will then cut down the information and decide which parts of the remaining text fit my purpose.

Title/Purpose: Hudson’s title is simply Rome. How can that do the city justice? There is no spark, no passion! I do not feel the energy of the location or the desire to read the article. It doesn’t tell me what the article is really about or what I can expect upon further reading. Hudson himself refers to the city as "monumental," but his title doesn't give that impression. I would at least add a subtitle giving a hint of whats to come. My purpose is to create an itinerary of sorts—an informational/review site that would entice a traveler to visit Rome and give them an idea of what to expect and what they might do on their visit.

Content: Though Hudson’s memories of his first visit are interesting, they’re gonna have to go. Creative nonfiction has no place in my revamped document. I’ll be focusing on what Rome has to offer and placing those points under headings with brief description.

Additions: I’ll create links when applicable to certain portions of the document—hotels and events that might interest a reader and potential visitor. Hudson linked the word Rome repeatedly in his document to the same resource. His link is pertinent but redundant; it takes you to a hotel page, but a reader wouldn’t know that without further navigation. It should be a bit more obvious where the link will take you. I’ll use his resource, but it will be linked as "accommodations." I’ll also add mock links to maps, airlines, and travel agencies for the readers’ convenience. Hudson's article has no visuals; we've all heard the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words." It's cliche, but we all know it to be true. Since I'm transforming this piece for the Web, I'll add at least one visual so the reader can imagine him or herself walking around enjoying the sights.

My edited version is below. Again, my intention is to provide a more scannable and readable piece for someone who may be thinking of travel. Theoretically, this would work well on a review page dedicated to popular travel destinations. Thanks to Mark Hudson for writing such an evocative piece. Note: my changes in no way reflect the author, will not be reproduced, and are for assingment purposes only.

Rome:
The most monumental city on Earth

Description: center of western civilization, full of history and old world charm

Climate: tropical, sensual, romantic
Note: high temps in late summer (hot days, cool nights)

Features: cobble streets, ancient buildings, great columns and arches, religious backdrop, churches, palaces, art (Caravaggio, Michaelangelo, Raphael, Greek and Roman sculputure), vast basilicas, splendid avenues, museums

Favorite Attractions:
the Colisseum
the Pantheon
the Sistine Chapel
the basilica of St Peters
the Vatican
Villa Borghese
the Palazzo Doria Pamphili
marble monument to King Victor Emmenual
the Spanish Steps
the Trevi Fountain

Popular Accommodations:
The Inghilterra
The Hotel de Russie

Famous residents/travelers of the past:
Handel
Scarlatti
Liszt
Mendelssohn
Hemmingway

Other links:
Restaurants
Hotels
Tickets
Travel Consultants
Maps

Learning Style Test

2005-02-27T21:46:00.000-05:00

My results for the learning style test were not that surprising. See below for categories and my results:

The learning styles are:
Visual (spatial). You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.
Aural (auditory-musical). You prefer using sound and music.
Verbal (linguistic). You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.
Physical (kinesthetic). You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.
Logical (mathematical). You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.
Social (interpersonal). You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.
Solitary (intrapersonal). You prefer to work alone and use self-study.
My scores were: Visual=9, Aural=16, Verbal=16, Physical=12, Logical=11, Social=13, Solitary=13. I’m most verbal/aural and least visual according to this test. I am certainly a verbal type person; as an instructor, I have to be. I find myself dominating conversations and feeling like I always have to be speaking—even when I’m not at school. I don’t really like this about myself, but it’s habitual. As for my lowest score in the visual category, I’m not so sure that I agree. I remember interesting things that seem a bit strange to some people. For example, if I could walk into my old elementary school library (where I haven’t been for 16 years), I could show you where my favorite books were on the shelves. When I hear songs, I "see" the videos in my head. When I think of conversations I had in restaurants, I can remember where I sat. I remember conversations in my car and what was around me as I was saying certain things. So when I say to my boyfriend, "Do you remember..." and he says, "No, I don’t," then I say, "I remember we were passing the Ford dealership on 10th street, and I was saying to you..." (Does that make sense to you readers)? So, to me that makes me a bit more visual than the test suggests.

I really don’t think the test results will affect my content that much. I think inadvertently my styles can be seen, but I do not consciously format or organize to meet a certain style. I just try to think about audience and getting my message to my reader.

Module Week 7

2005-02-27T20:26:00.000-05:00

Per our assignment, I analyzed MusicPlasma and found that it needed some serious improvements in the areas of architecture and navigation. Usability was hindered by navigational difficulties, and design was mediocre at best. Organization was acceptable; the site’s purpose was for the most part fulfilled. See list below for specifics.

Page 1-At first glance (before search)

Homepage has too much white (or rather gray) space
Some sporadic color on the page—mostly gray—not too appealing
Could emphasize important words like "free" to direct readers’ attention
Target audience was broad, which in this case is a positive. Part of the site’s purpose is to "broaden cultural horizons."
Words should be linked such as maps or members zone for better and faster navigation
Cursor remained active all over the page but didn’t take you anywhere upon clicking background or text. Only part of the page that was actually a true link was "register."

Page 2-In the site (after search)
Note: Searched for 80s band Motley Crue (who has new album and is currently on tour—figured this would be easy enough). Good results. Second item searched was lesser known 80s band, Danger Danger. Also good results. Third item searched was up and coming rock band, Z02. No pertinent results; gave wrong genre of music.

Moving graphics necessary? Okay but a bit much.
Left to right scrolling (one of my pet peeves). Why is this necessary?
Results were organized and accurate for first two searches.
Was having some real problems with loading if I hit back button. Would not take you back to MusicPlasma homepage. If you typed in the URL in the same window, you’d get a distorted view of the page; appeared to be a technical problem, but I’d have to try it on another PC to know for sure. Upon opening new window, problem was solved. ???
Search box worked but buttons did not. It appeared that you could search by artist, movie, director, etc., but the buttons were not active. Search query was your only option; thus navigation was misleading.

I wouldn’t recommend MusicPlasma unless you were simply looking for discographies (list of albums produced). The site has potential, but in my opinion has more negatives than positives. I would personally rather use a site with a similar purpose like Yahoo!Launch.

CKU Style Guide

2005-02-20T23:09:00.000-05:00

Work in progress.

When asked to consider and compose an appropriate style guide for CKU, I asked myself the following questions: Is there an authoritative source for style? How much of another source should I use? Is punctuation and format as important (in Writing for the Web) as the overall message? Since this is a work in progress, I decided just to start brainstorming and getting something on paper..correction...the screen.

Writing for the Web is a very different medium than writing for print documents and publications. The first thing to consider when writing anything is AUDIENCE. How do users read on the Web? The answer is...they don’t. People rarely read Web pages word by word; instead, they scan the page picking out individual words and sentences. As a result, Web pages have to employ scannable text, using:

highlighted keywords (hypertext links serve as one form of highlighting; typeface variations and color are others)
meaningful sub-headings
bulleted and/or numbered lists
one idea per paragraph (users will skip over any additional ideas if they are not caught by the first few words in the paragraph)
less text than conventional writing

Credibility is important for Web users, since it is unclear who is behind information on the Web and whether a page can be trusted. Credibility can be increased by quality graphics, good writing, and use of outbound hypertext links. Links to other sites show that the authors have done their homework and are not afraid to let readers visit other sites.

A comprehensive and customized style guide should address the following:

Who is your target audience?
What content is important or of primary interest?
What is the preferred channel or format of the reader?

Existing style guides like Purdue Writing Lab, Elements of Style, and Wired Style are a good starting point, but every online venue and publisher is unique; therefore, every organization needs a style guide that although based on a proven guide, specifically addresses its particular goals and needs.

The following is an A-Z list of details and descriptions. Note: Once completed, this will be transferred to its own page to reduce scrolling.

Abbreviations: Spell out in parenthesis immediately after first use.

Acronyms: Spell out in parenthesis immediately after first use.

Boldface Use as needed for emphasis.

Capitalizations Can be used in lieu of or to show emphasis when boldface is not appropriate.

Dot-com Refers to Internet company.

Email One word, not hypenated.

Hyphens Use emdashes for pauses.

Internet Capitalized.

Italics Use when quoting or referring to publications.

Jargon Avoid jargon or give brief explanation immediately after use if term is necessary.

Links Links must be accurate and checked regularly to ensure correction of broken links.

Lists Use for sequential tasks or to break up blocks of text when applicable.

Online One word, not hypenated.

Site Can be used in lieu of Website.

Website Capitalized and one word.

Additional terms pertinent to my topic of online advertising can be found at Online Glossary.

Headlines & Hotlinks Part 2

2005-02-15T00:39:00.000-05:00

Headlines & Hotlinks Part 1

2005-02-15T00:04:00.000-05:00

Personal note: I'm having a "remote linking" problem and some of my documents including the snapshots and the revision cannot be linked. For your convenience, I've listed the actual link. Hope this alleviates any confusion. Thanks for your patience!

Poor Headlines

Find three examples online of poor headlines used as links and provide their solutions. I found all three headlines on my alma mater's online newspaper, The East Carolinian. The headlines are not what I consider horrible per se, but they do need some work.

Headline 1
Original: The ECU College of Education
This headline is vague and begins with the. The article is actually about the shortage of NC teachers and increased enrollment in the Ed program.

Better: College of Education Continues to Grow

Headline 2
Original: Former prime minister killed in explosion in central Beirut
The headline is a bit long for my taste, and his name is certainly more important than where he died.

Better: Former prime minister Hariri killed in explosion

Headline 3
Original: People, please shut up when you are in the theater watching a movie
Though this article is what we call a "pirate rant," the headline doesn't have to be a speech. I'd prefer something with a little less tone and a little more class.

Better: Movie Theatre Etiquette (or) Movie Manners

Paragraphs vs. Lists

Find one article on the Web that could be improved with the use of lists. Submit before and after version. Five Ways to Speed Up Your PC by Jim Edwards would benefit from a numbered list and separation of steps. Edwards had headings but instead of using numbers, he used tildes; for example: ~Buy More RAM~. I inserted numbers 1-5 and separated sequential steps with carats as shown in my revision (www.angelfire.com/alt/english4/Edwardsrev.doc).

Research Project Proposal

2005-02-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

The Future of Internet Advertising: Boom or Bust?

Digital technology has transformed the way organizations and businesses advertise. Strategies including rich media and streaming audio and/or video are steadily replacing traditional advertising techniques. However, the audience of the Internet Age is different and more powerful than that of yesteryear. As technology increases and more people log on to the Web, advertisers will continue to bombard users with their banners, pop-ups, and Webmercials. To the dismay of the industry, Internet advertising has been growing faster than traditional media advertising, but it still takes last place ranking below TV, newspapers, magazines, and radio. Will streaming media and convergent media buying give online advertising the boost it needs, or will it go bust like so many of the already forgotten dot coms? How will this growth be accurately measured and reported?

As the adoption of high-speed Internet connections grows, so does the ability to deliver high-quality, interactive advertising without the restrictions of traditional methods. Net advertisers like Buick and Pepsi are spending more on marketing including filming and footage, much like what see on the tube between shows. Theoretically, this gives more freedom to both the company and the consumer. Unlike TV commercials, which are usually a 30-second spot, Webmercials last longer and are produced to create a "short-film-like experience." In this case, the Web location acts a programming channel, and the advertiser controls the content. Strategists suggest that advertising online is overall more effective because once consumers are on the Web, they can be targeted, recorded, and repeatedly exposed.

In addition to increased access and emerging technologies, newly established global media measurement guidelines are expected to hasten the growth of Internet advertising spending by simplifying the buying and selling process for advertisers, marketers and publishers. The guidelines offer a detailed definition for counting an ad impression, which is a critical component in establishing consistent and accurate online advertising measurements across publishers and ad serving technologies. Already underway in the United States, wide implementation of the guidelines is expected by the end of 2005.

After the worst economy in six decades, media agency execs concurred that online advertising would make a comeback in 2004. According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), they were right. Internet advertising totaled approximately $2.43 billion in the third quarter of 2004 - the eighth consecutive quarterly increase for the industry and the fourth record-setting quarter. “Revenue results for the first nine months of 2004 totaled slightly over $7.0 billion versus the $7.3 billion reported for all of 2003. Based on historical revenue results, 2004 is shaping up to be a record year, possibly exceeding by a large margin the previous revenue record reported in 2000 of $8.0 billion,” said Pete Petrusky, Director, Advisory Services, (PwC).

Do the numbers speak for themselves? Is Internet advertising a fully mature and stable industry? Are Internet users ready to trust this method of advertising? Many say no and still prefer the traditional method. Some are refusing to be targeted, mostly due to the annoyance of pop-ups and spam. Users are installing smarter filters and signing up for free or relatively inexpensive programs that block most types of ads. While companies like Yahoo! and Google continue with paid searches and consumers are bribed with free computers in exchange for viewing uploads of ads each month, the rest of us can sit back and see who comes out on top. Will Internet advertising have the strength and endurance to beat the tried and true traditionalists? Only time...and numbers will tell.

Adustments/Work in progress

2005-01-31T01:27:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Drew from JOMC 221, I'm adding page snapshots to my web page critique. It's a work in progress, but I plan to have a new version posted soon. In addition, I plan to work on linking within my blog and uploading a word doc, so you don't have to scroll on my blog. Expect more soon.....

Module Week 3 Web Critique

2005-01-30T21:44:00.000-05:00

NetLingo.com defines "wired" as "To be connected, online; to be a surfer, or part of the digerati. This term also refers to what happens when cappuccino cowboys drink too many mochas. It's also the name of a popular magazine, Wired, a leading publication that covers all things high-tech, thanks to the team of Kevin Kelly, Louis Rossetto, and Jane Metcalfe." Wired News (aka wired.com) is a product of the afore-mentioned publication. I love perusing this site; there is always something new and exciting to be found. It’s like going through the piles of clothes in my closet and finding something with tags attached that I don’t remember buying. However, for this assignment, I will present a non-biased critique focusing on the following ten criteria: readability, navigation, coverage, considerations, accessibility, timeliness, reliability, accuracy, credibility, and peer review. An explanation of each is listed below.

1. Web design/readability: A technical writer by trade, this is of the utmost importance to me. The presentation of a page is the first impression and must effectively represent its company or organization. If the design is poor, I will probably move on to another site without perusing the site’s contents. Specifics I notice are appropriate white space, text size, style, grouping, page length, and excessive graphics or ads. I also include correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling in this category.

2. Navigation/search: A good Web site should upload quickly and be easy to use. I should be able to scan the page and locate what I am looking for without hunting. Active links should be direct and take me exactly where I expect to go—not to other links, the wrong place, or “around the bush.” I prefer pages that offer a site search; this saves time and eliminates the need to read the whole site, unless you are reading for pleasure. As users, we have also come to expect the following navigational options: index, contents, hyperlinks, bookmarks, and help files.

3. Coverage: A site should have a clear title and purpose and meet my expectations. If I expect to find specific information that (theoretically) should be there and then it isn’t—I’ll be disappointed in the writers and/or the site as a whole. There should be a wealth of information with equal concentration on quantity and quality. A site should be leading; in other words, it should keep me interested. Articles and such should raise additional questions or have segues to related topics. A site should also be original; redundant information is annoying.

4. Considerations: When creating sites, Web designers should always consider users with special needs. Physical limitations may include users with visual or other disabilities. For example, readers who are color-blind will have difficulty seeing text on a screen or page. That is why color choice and contrast for background and text are so important. Colors also have a cultural and social significance; a designer should research his or her audience for color associations. Other factors are technical limitations. Not every user has the same equipment (type of computer or screen size, access, or speed which can hinder readability).

5. Accessibility: When I say “accessibility,” I mean access to information on a site. One of my biggest pet peeves is finding a great site with pertinent articles that is hampered by a membership or subscription requirement. Some sites restrict you from reading anything but titles and sources (to pull you in), while others may at least let you read the front page headings or announcements. I expect full access to news, articles, and archives.

6. Timeliness: A reputable site will usually update periodically—sometimes even daily—and include the date at the bottom of the page. In the field of technology this is imperative! Readers want the latest news on advances (in hardware, software, popular issues, etc.) and want to know what is happening in the business sector (what products are selling, what companies are merging). A site that is slow to report new information will get lost in the pack, and if the same info is on the site day after day, week after week, I won’t visit it unless looking specifically for archives.

7. Reliability: Though keeping a site updated is expected, reliability is equally important. Excessive downtime is not appropriate; no one likes to visit a site and see an “under construction—come back later” sign. Does that mean five minutes, one hour, or two days? In today’s society of instant gratification, we want things now. If you have to check back with a site, that is terribly inconvenient.

8. Accuracy: Does the information on the site correspond with that of other reliable sources? Is the information clear, correct, and concise? Articles and especially news should cover who, what, when, where, and how. Details are a must.

9. Credibility: Though reputation is not everything, name recognition is helpful. If you trust a site, you may not need to verify facts and figures elsewhere. Especially if a site is consistent over time, I’ll return to it and recommend it to other Internet users.

10. Peer review: This goes hand-in-hand with credibility. Usually peer reviews or reputable sponsors will be listed at the top of a page in full view—much like the sanitation grade in a restaurant. Once you see it, you feel more comfortable. I don’t believe everything I read or hear, but I will give it more or less consideration depending on the source. Peer reviews in professional circles add validity.

Critique of Wired News (www.wired.com)

At First Glance

Wired.com can be a bit overwhelming. The number of animated ads vary daily; presently a banner of moving smilies graces the top of the page. They are smiling, crying, frowning, and sticking out their tongues at me--hoping that I will click and download them to my AOL IM. Unlike many of the better sites out there, Wired does not offer a motto or defining statement to identify its purpose. The designer assumes the reader knows this is a site about technology-related news. The color scheme and contrast are suitable making the site aesthetically pleasing. There is an option to resize text, which shows consideration for the visually challenged reader. The sidebar to the left of the screen reiterates the topic buttons found at the top; both provide links to articles about new technology, business, culture, and politics. The right margin contains excessive white space, which could be used to showcase other links or even ads in moderation. The top stories are located in the middle and contain headlines, lead-ins, and brief summaries. Today’s headlines include an array of interesting titles such as A Century of Einstein, Cybersex: Seek and Ye Shall Find, Government IT Blunders Common, Activists Urge Open-source, and Teen Gets Prison for Blaster; it seems that there is something for everyone. Each headline is accompanied by an icon; unfortunately, there is no legend, and the significance of these icons is unclear.

Organization and Content

The search query is easily located in the top margin above the topic tags and the text indicator; the reader also has the choice of searching through the archives, which date back to the year 2000. Wired offers an extensive variety of articles covering everything imaginable from portable gaming to virtual reality to the history of Web browsers. The list is endless (though not literally); one could certainly become immersed and spend days reading if he or she had the time and were so inclined. The articles are pertinent and come from legitimate sources such as BBC, New Scientist, and the Washington Post to name a few. They are accurate and reliable, which establishes credibility, which in turn promotes return visitors. Information is layered mostly by the use of headings and links. Visuals are used sparingly and usually only to emphasize and attract the reader to the headlines. The designer of Wired focuses on text rather than graphics. Since this is a news site, the reader expects up-to-date info and breaking news. You will get that with this site.

Recommendations and Summary

Wired.com is an informative site catering to the technology enthusiast. I would not recommend it to a novice Internet user due to the multiple layers and the sheer amount of information; however, navigation is user-friendly, and the designer clearly considered user limitations in the development stages.

As previously mentioned, the site has excessive white space and needs a legend to identify icons. More conservative ads would prove less distracting, though the animated smilies were appropriate for the intended audience. Overall, I give this site an A+.

Final Draft/Workshop: Picture Perfect?

2005-01-23T16:35:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Michelle for your constructive and useful feedback! Here is the fruit of our labor.

Picture Perfect?

Do you know Ana, Mia, or Ed? When you see these names on the Internet, they are usually referring to the underground lifestyles of people, mostly female, starving to be beautiful. Ana is Anorexia. Mia is Bulimia. Ed stands for eating disorder. According to Eating Disorder Statistics 7 million girls and women (and 1 million males) struggle with eating disorders in the United States alone. Ten percent of persons afflicted reported onset at 10 years old and under; 86 percent by age 20. Though anorexia and bulimia are more widely acknowledged, other types of disorders include compulsive and binge eating, body dysmorphic disorder, and over exercise. Twenty percent of people suffering from a serious eating disorder will die; that equals 50,000 individuals in the average lifetime. New communication technologies including websites, blogs, and chatrooms are enabling a new generation the ability to discuss and promote their "lifestyles" freely and anonymously.

Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder? Is that what the media is selling us? Nikki Katz suggests that the media influences females especially, instilling in us a desire to look like the models featured in fashion mags. Not only do the covers show "perfect 10s," but the pages of these publications are filled with articles concerning "keeping fit, getting toned, losing those last few pounds or other weight-loss nonsense." Is it then surprising to us that Pro-Ana and Mia sites litter the Web with names like Ana World, The Anorexic Files, Fat Like Me, and Starving Beauty? The content is shocking and not for the squeamish. Pictures called "triggers" of super thin models, emaciated bodies, and of the girls themselves are posted in galleries. Anorexia, which is preferred over Bulimia by most, is promoted as "a lifestyle, not a disease." The sites provide a forum that promotes to normalize and encourage starving and vomiting in an effort to stay thin. To gain a pound is considered a sin; "thinspirational" awards are given to those who can lose the most weight. Tips are offered to help deceive parents and avoid having meals with family and friends; BMI (Body Mass Index) calculators are explained, and "safe foods" (e.g. celery, egg whites, black coffee) are listed. Message boards allow members to share and compare accomplishments further encouraging this cult-like mentality. The surprising part is that the supporters of the Pro-Ana movement are not in denial as you might think; they are advocates of the lifestyle and its acceptance by society. They claim not to be victims. They are not hiding but fighting for what they believe in. The scary part is that the visitor counters are exploding. The numbers rank in the thousands. This new virtual community is growing at an alarming rate. What can we do to stop this trend?

Yes, Freedom of Speech allows this to happen. Having and discussing an eating disorder is not illegal, but it is an issue of public safety. Where should the line be drawn? What if your daughter or sister was saying, "Ana is my best friend," or "I will be all bones and just beautiful?" Anyone can gain admission to the sites and acceptance into the community regardless of age or history. The fact is that eating disorders are deadly and potentially fatal. Something must be done to combat the increasing number of sites. Although the American Government made an attempt to restrict these sites, they were defeated by the ACLU and the Freedom of Speech argument. Some Internet companies including Yahoo! and Lycos have blocked Pro-Ana material, but the sites persist under pseudonyms and are still extensively available via other search engines and Web providers. It is up to all of us—family members and friends of present, recovering, and potential victims to push awareness and education. These sites must be restricted or at the least, monitored; we must continue the fight against eating disorders and help those who are dying to be thin.

There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion. ~ Sir Francis Bacon

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye. ~ Miss Piggy

JOMC 221 Exercises

2005-01-21T16:35:00.000-05:00

Better late than never as they say :(

Module 1: Exercises 1-6

Ex. 1.1 Be brief (sound familiar?)

People shouldn’t fear anything except being fearful, and we should stick together on this so we can’t be defeated.
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. ~ FDR

The male gender is so different from the female gender that it is almost as if the two are from completely different planets altogether.
Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus.

Before there was anything else, the all-powerful omniscient, omnipresent being of all beings created out of nothing both what we know of today as the earth and that which we do not yet know of - the heavens.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Gen 1:1)

Ex. 1.2 Be precise

Ambiguous/Ambivalent
Her reply was ambiguous and led to further confusion.
She was ambivalent about moving across the country to attend college.

Apprise/Appraise
The committee apprised the members of the change in leadership.
You should have the property appraised to calculate its worth.

Healthy/Healthful
Living a healthy lifestyle will lengthen your lifespan.
Eating right and exercising regularly are ways to ensure a healthful existence.

Disinterested/Uninterested
By the end of the meeting, I was disinterested in the outcome.
All the participants seemed uninterested and anxious to leave.

Conscience/Conscious
Beware of those without a conscience.
I made a conscious effort to pay attention.

Affect/Effect
Your lack of attendance will affect your final grade negatively.
The medication you are taking has minor side effects.

Ex. 1.3 Be active (and descriptive)

The labor leaders were frustrated by the latest offer, which forced them to go through with the strike.
After three excruciating hours of deliberation, the labor leaders were frustrated by the latest offer by the administration. Out of necessity, they banded together and proceeded with the strike as promised.

She walked into the room without saying a word, sat down and looked at me.
My mother, with tear-stained cheeks and disheveled hair, walked into the room without saying a word. She sat down heavily into the armchair and looked at me with a knowing look.

Ex. 1.4, 1.5 Be imaginative

Examples of boring clichés:
Head over heels. It could be worse. Smooth as a baby’s bottom. Haste makes waste. No pain, no gain. When it rains, it pours. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Easy as pie. Long in the tooth. Over the hill.

Analogies:
Lured by money traps and online predators, a new Internet user is like Little Red Riding Hood in the forest; The Big Bad Wolf is lurking around every corner.

A brave new world, the Internet is an endless book waiting to be read.

Ex. 1.6 Be consistent

US Airways promises a bounty of flights that are on time, have convenient connections and offer a well-balanced in-flight meal.
US Airways promises a bounty of on time flights, convenient connections, and well-balanced in-flight meals.

Heroes in movies are always wealthy, always get the girl, wear high fashion and usually arrive at the scene about two seconds after the bad guy has left.
Heroes in movies, who are always wealthy, get the girl, wear high fashion, and arrive at the scene about two seconds after the bad guy leaves.

Speaking of movies, telephones in movies are always knocked over if they wake up a character, never ring more than three times before getting answered, and get restored by frantically tapping on the cradle, and shouting, “Hello? Hello?”

Telephones in movies are always knocked over if they wake up a character, never ring more than three times before getting answered, and get restored by the character frantically tapping on the cradle, and shouting, “Hello? Hello?”

Workshop Essay

2005-01-19T13:11:00.000-05:00

Do you know Ana, Mia, or Ed? When you see these names on the Internet, they are usually referring to the underground lifestyles of people, mostly female, starving to be beautiful. Ana is Anorexia. Mia is Bulimia. Ed stands for eating disorder. Pro-Ana and Mia sites litter the Web with names like Ana World, The Anorexic Files, Fat Like Me, and Starving Beauty; the content is shocking and not for the squeamish. Pictures called "triggers" of super thin models, emaciated bodies, and of the girls themselves are posted in galleries. Anorexia, which is preferred over Bulimia by most, is promoted as "a lifestyle, not a disease." The sites provide a forum that promotes to normalize and encourage starving and vomiting in an effort to stay thin. To gain a pound is considered a sin; "thinspirational" awards are given to those who can lose the most weight. Tips are offered to help deceive parents and avoid having meals with family and friends; BMI (Body Mass Index) calculators are explained, and "safe foods" (e.g. celery, egg whites, black coffee) are listed. Message boards allow members to share and compare accomplishments further encouraging this cult-like mentality. The surprising part is that the supporters of the Pro-Ana movement are not in denial as you might think; they are advocates of the lifestyle and its acceptance by society. They claim not to be victims. They are not hiding but fighting for what they believe in. The scary part is that the visitor counters are exploding. The numbers rank in the thousands.

Yes, Freedom of Speech allows this to happen. Having and discussing an eating disorder is not illegal, but it is an issue of public safety. Where should the line be drawn? What if your daughter or sister was saying, "Ana is my best friend," or "I will be all bones and just beautiful?" Anyone can gain admission to the sites and acceptance into the community regardless of age or history. The fact is that eating disorders are deadly and potentially fatal. Something must be done to combat the increasing number of sites. Although the American Government made an attempt to restrict these sites, they were defeated by the ACLU and the Freedom of Speech argument. Some Internet companies including Yahoo! and Lycos have blocked Pro-Ana material, but the sites persist under pseudonyms and are still extensively available via other search engines and Web providers. It is up to the public and Internet users to push awareness and education to abolish this growing trend.

About Me

2005-01-18T15:02:00.000-05:00

About Me section

You can access information about me on my Web site at Christy's World as well as see pics of me, my students and colleagues, and of course my doggy. However, below is my bio. From this you will get the gist of WHO I AM. My qualifications and experience are listed, and info is provided on my interests, which coincide with the purpose of this site. Enjoy, and feel free to ask questions or comment.

Bio
Christy Kinnion is a native North Carolinian and is currently employed as an English Instructor at Lenoir Community College in Kinston. Her teaching experience includes Professional Research and Reporting, Expository Writing, Argument and Literature-Based Research, Applied Communications, and Student Success in both the traditional classroom and via distance education. Christy also develops grants and was recently awarded a grassroots grant by the Community Council for the Arts to fund a Poetry Alive performance in May 2004. Christy serves on various committees at LCC including the Arts & Sciences Scholarship Committee, Fine Arts Committee, and Technology Subcommittee. She thoroughly enjoys teaching and was recently recognized as honored faculty by the Omicron Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

Christy graduated from East Carolina University with a BA and MA in English with a concentration in Technical and Professional Communication. Additional areas of study included International Communication and teaching in the 2-year college. While pursuing her education, Christy accepted various contract opportunities and was employed as a documentation specialist, marketing writer, and copywriter/editor. While in graduate school, Christy was hired full-time as a technical writer for a major manufacturing facility in eastern NC where she worked for two years. She also began teaching part-time in the community college system, which led to her current position.

Christy is presently pursuing the certificate in Technology and Communication offered by UNC-Chapel Hill and hopes to learn more about digital media, Internet concepts, and the effects of technology on society. She is considering a PhD in Communication in the future and aspires to teach at the university level or become a consultant.

JOMC 221 Writing for Digital Media

2005-01-17T13:02:00.000-05:00

Hello all! I sincerely apologize for my tardiness. I was awaiting info on the course and was somehow left out of the loop. I promise to catch up. More to come.

ck

Welcome Greene County students!

2005-01-04T22:17:00.000-05:00

English 111 GC

Please click on the links below to access both the department and class syllabi. To reduce the amount of paper used, hard copies will not be printed. You may bookmark or save these documents for later use.

Departmental Syllabus
Class Syllabus

Looking forward to a great semester!

Realizations and goals for 05

2004-12-19T23:44:00.001-05:00

As an online teacher and student, I know that I was not performing at my best this past semester; as I mentioned in a prior entry, I simply took too much on. (I have that problem saying no...especially when $ is involved). Anyway, I was playing "catch up" in nearly every area of my life from September to December, and I'm just now getting a chance to breathe. I know when I'm lacking...and I can admit that. I was a better online student than teacher, and I vow never to let my students down like that again. The instructor and his/her participation and interactivity is integral to a successful online class. I feel like my students were at a disadvantage because I didn't give the feedback they deserved, and they probably feel as if they were working blindly at least part of the time. I can only apologize and make an effort never to do such a thing again.

My goals (which is more realistic than saying New Year's resolutions) are:

1. Not to work so hard...a person has to have a life outside of work and money.
2. Not to take on more than I can handle. If you have to ask yourself, "can I handle this..." then the answer is probably NO.
3. Find time to do things that I enjoy: read a book, go to a movie, take a trip.

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.~Oprah

Degree given to cat; online school sued

2004-12-19T23:32:00.000-05:00

Finally someone is paying the price. See CNN article below:

University that awarded MBA to cat sued

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (AP) -- The Pennsylvania attorney general's office Monday sued an online university for allegedly selling bogus academic degrees -- including an MBA awarded to a cat.

Trinity Southern University in Texas, a cellular company and the two brothers who ran them are accused of misappropriating Internet addresses of the state Senate and more than 60 Pennsylvania businesses to sell fake degrees and prescription drugs by spam e-mail, according to the lawsuit.

Investigators paid $299 for a bachelor's degree for Colby Nolan -- a deputy attorney general's 6-year-old black cat -- claiming he had experience including baby-sitting and retail management.

The school, which offers no classes, allegedly determined Colby Nolan's resume entitled him to a master of business administration degree; a transcript listed the cat's course work and 3.5 grade-point average.

The state is seeking a permanent injunction, civil penalties, costs and restitution for violating consumer law and restrictions on unsolicited e-mail ads. continue reading full text.

Final Project

2004-12-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

Violence in Online Gaming: Pushing the Limits

Abstract

A growing trend in the Internet Revolution involves using the Internet for entertainment purposes, specifically playing video games (also known in the Web world as online gaming). Many of today’s computer and video games contain questionable content, including slavery, lynchings, world wars, concentration camps, Nazi experiments, the cold war, race riots, and nuclear war, just to name a few. Three such games, which which have made recent headlines and are discussed in my paper include Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (where players steal and murder to avenge the death of one's mother), JFK Reloaded (where players sit in the grassy knoll waiting for JFK to roll by at which time they attempt to "recreate" the assassination of the president), and Ethnic Cleansing (where players thin the world's population by hunting and killing Blacks, Latinos, and Jews). These games are rated for maturity, but this does not keep them out of the hands of young viewers and players. Though violence is commonplace due to other types of media including television and film, the interactivity of these games could be potentially more harmful. I used a variety of sites and articles for background information on video and online gaming trends. This information came from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), NYU School of Law, Anti-defamation League, Media Awareness Network, Safety Ed International, ABC News, and CNN.com. My conclusion is that many developers are creating games with little consideration or respect for viewers, the rating system is acceptable but not fully enforced, and the responsibility of moderation and understanding lies with the parents. It is important that parents and children discuss games and their content, monitor time online, and incorporate other healthy activities to decrease exposure to violence and alleviate concern regarding violence and online games.

Violence in Online Gaming: Pushing the Limits PDF version

Alma Mater leads state in distance ed.

2004-12-04T22:57:00.000-05:00

There was an article in Thursday's East Carolinian, ECU's campus newspaper, that discussed their wide variety of distance ed. options. ECU offers more than 40 degree and certificate programs via the Internet. I salute my Alma Mater and their efforts to extend education to non-traditional students. See full article here.

My first experience with distance learning was in high school; three of us ventured into the unknown and took Latin with the help of an in-class "facilitator" and an instructor whom we never actually met face-to-face. Magistra Pope, as she was called, sat in front of us each day--a face on a TV. She would say, "Salve, Aurora!" That meant hello, (Aurora High School). We could hear other schools, though we never saw them either, and we used the telephone to ask and respond to questions. Overall, I'm not sure that it was totally effective, but it was a good learning experience. It was a precursor for what was to come later when I took online tech writing classes at ECU. Luckily, the masters program was set up for the working professional; lit majors usually taught classes on campus while we, the techies, had outside jobs. I wrote forklift manuals for a local manufacturing plant. Except for one night class and my independent studies, all of my graduate classes were taught online. It was a wonderful option that allowed me the flexibility to work and finish my education. That experience also helps me teach my own online/hybrid classes at Lenoir. This summer I'm developing a fully online version of English 114 Professional Research & Reporting, which will supercede the current telecourse.

PostNewsWeek Q&A

2004-12-03T01:12:00.000-05:00

Found this Q&A session on the on the Government Computer News site GCN.com. Provocative questions were raised regarding diploma mills and the "types" of people who were attending and obtaining these degrees. Obviously many people are manipulated and unaware that they are being scammed; however, there are those who are completely aware and make the unethical decision to pursue such degrees. How are the institutions held accountable? Are these students/employees really less qualified than those with legit degrees? Should a person be fired if an employer finds out that their degree is from a diploma mill?

There are a number of questions regarding Laura Callahan, the deputy CIO of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who was placed on paid administrative leave after questions surfaced about her academic qualifications. See article for full story on Callahan. The Q&A session begins below:

Question and Answer

Tom Temin, executive editor and moderator:
Welcome to the PostNewsweek Tech Media Forum on diploma mills and federal employment.

The government is grappling with a shortage of human capital, especially in the information technology field. Therefore we feel claims of college and post-graduate degrees from bogus or unaccredited institutions is central to the quality, credibility and trustworthiness of the federal workforce--a group of people we respect and in many cases admire.

Because of the volume of feedback we have received on our coverage, we wanted to hold this forum to further air your views and answer whatever questions we are qualified to answer.

Most of your questions will be answered by Patience Wait and Wilson Dizard III, the Washington Technology and GCN reporters who have been on this beat. Click here for the rest.

Congress cuts $191 million from ed tech

2004-11-30T20:49:00.001-05:00

Geoff Fletcher, Editor-in-Chief of T.H.E. Journal raises the following questions regarding budget cuts in educational technology:

-What should we have done differently to avoid these cuts?
-More important, what should we do in the future to ensure these cuts do not become the norm?
-Most important, what will you do?

T.H.E. Journal: November 2004 Special Alert

Congress cuts $191 million from educational technology

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Congress passed the Omnibus Appropriations Bill that funds a number of departments of the federal government, including education. While education funding is up about $1.4 billion overall, the Educational Technology State Grants part of Title II D, the section of No Child Left Behind related to educational technology, was cut by $191,841, 000. This is a 27.7% cut in the money that goes to states for local grants to fund educational technology. This is also the money that is used by many state departments of education to support numerous technology and education initiatives throughout the states. full text

In the short rows, as they say

2004-11-29T01:26:00.000-05:00

For those of you who may not be familiar with southern slang, "in the short rows" means that there are only a few more rows in the field. I always wanted to work in tobacco as a teen, but my dad would never let me. Why did I want to get up at 5am, work in 100 degree North Carolina heat in the middle of July, and come home exhausted and nasty? Money, of course. I had to settle for cutting grass in the heat instead quite a few years later when I could drive myself. Anyway the point of my rambling is this...the semester and the year is coming to a close. I know I haven't posted lately, but I have been working on my blog's aesthetics.

Deb offered some great comments and suggested that I personalize my space a bit more. Maybe you've noticed the changes; I've added a mini poll, headline news, and a cartoon-of-the-day (compliments of BRAVENET WEB SERVICES). I give a "shout out" to them--free and easy. I hope these additions make my blog a bit more inviting. I'd like your comments if you have a few minutes to spare. In the next week or so, I'll be posting my final project. To change it up a bit, I think I'm going to discuss trends in video games with an emphasis on what some people consider "educational." More later.......

How valuable is an online degree?

2004-11-10T09:33:00.000-05:00

Here's an article I found on MSN today that raises the question, "Who would hire an onine grad?" They asked a number of well known Fortune 500 companies this question, and the results can be found here: Jennifer Mulrean article

Another article that hits close to home--literally--and may be of local interest. Pamlico County News Text below:

Chief's degrees questioned: Officials downplay education's role in hiring of new Oriental police chief; master's, bachelor's on resume are from widely discredited Internet site by Tony Tharp

Oriental officials, who first plugged their new police chief's master's degree in criminology, reversed course and sought to downplay education's role after questions about the degree's legitimacy.

Police Chief Bobby G. Byrum, a former Pasquotank County deputy sheriff, was selected as the village's new chief on Oct. 25, in part, at least two town officials acknowledge, because his resume showed a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's in criminology.

Both of Byrum's degrees were acquired from an Internet site known as St. Regis University, which claims to have accreditation from the West African nation of Liberia. The chief defended his studies as legitimate when reached by telephone last week, but an official with a statewide association of police chiefs said he sees a red flag. more-->

EOTO Response #5

2004-11-06T16:35:00.000-05:00

Nonprofit Organizations and the Digital Divide Michelle Clemens Michelle's Freedom Forum

Michelle discusses the digital divide in regard to minority entities. The emergence of new technology affects us all, but she asks, "what about small organizations that are trying to compete in the ever evolving world of communication technologies?" Michelle's concern is that nonprofit organzations are at a disadvantage for a number of reasons including limited access and resources.

I'd like to address her second biggest fear on the subject--funding. Michelle points out that many of these orgs do not have experienced or knowledgeable staff who can do online work, create web pages, etc. They don't have the money to pay professional designers and editors, so often the content and layout is lacking.

A possible solution--not necessarily for the funding but for the manpower is this: hire students who need internship or co-op credit. When I was in college trying to build a beginner resume, I needed experience. I had a number of unpaid internships including grant writing, which enabled me to gain experience and help others simultaneously. Nonprofit orgs could contact colleges and universities and ask for English or computer majors. I know there would be willing participants. Even if it is unpaid, many students receive course credit as long as they can document their work and hours via logsheets and such.

Here are some links to possible funding sources:

OSP: Finding Funding
Nonprofit Resource Guide
Nonprofit Fundraising Resources (486 listings)

EOTO Response #4

2004-11-06T13:07:00.000-05:00

Who is cataloguing the Internet? Lauren Reynolds QuarterLifeConnection

Lauren asked the following questions in her EOTO: Should we catalogue the Internet? How do we do it? and What do we catalogue? Lauren explained that because millions of people are now "desktop publishers" and due to the sheer volume of information on the Web, cataloguing the entire Web might prove...well...fruitless. I had to do a little research myself to see if that was indeed the case.

Lauren quotes the Minerva web site as saying that the average life of a Web site is only 44 days. I found that figure as well, but a number of other sites, including Web Decay: The Link Rot Problem suggest that the number is closer to 77. The Internet Archive also states that number to be between 75 and 77. Yes, a big difference--but in the grand scheme of things? No...thats only a little over two months.

I had some difficulty finding quality up-to-date info on the topic. So much of the information was dated 1996-2001, which I found surprising. Here are some of the sites I thought were most credible and offered additional resources:

Cataloging Internet Resources: A Manual and Practical Guide A bit complex for a general audience but still readable; Catered more for academia.

BUBL LINK Catalogue of Internet Resources This site has links to full text reports and articles that give background and insight into the topic. Interesting to see the traditional approaches and what is on the horizon.

Another interesting article to check out is Mad Library Disease: Holes in the Stacks by Michael Lesk. Read excerpt below:

What does this mean for libraries? If the Web becomes commercial, do libraries have a role in digital information? If libraries do not have a role in digital information, then what will happen to them in the future? Perhaps students and scholars will get their information directly from publishers, bypassing libraries. If this happens, libraries might find themselves in a backwater, having perhaps the status and public visibility that archives or herbaria have today.

Is this unfathomable? One might even say absurd or it will never happen. But I remember the days when you looked up books with a card catalog, and the librarian stamped the card. A lot can change in a short time.

EOTO Response #3

2004-11-06T07:13:00.000-05:00

ICT in Iraq Drew Lomax Liberation Watch

Drew's EOTO discusses in depth how war and neglect as well as a number of other factors have resulted in a lagging telecommunications infrastructure in Iraq. Drew states that, "Predictably, figures of Internet access are far lower with less than one percent of Iraqis online. If Iraq were to achieve a 10 percent Internet access rate by the spring of 2005, it would lead the Arab world and lag behind only Israel in rates of Internet usage." He also suggests that although this is a long-shot, it is possible. His view is an optimistic one, though unrealistic perhaps.

Yes, narrowing the digital divide would help achieve a social, political, and economic recovery, but at what cost? As Drew points out, more research is needed to determine how Iraqis are going online and why--this would help me respond more fully to the issue. I do, however, see the risk that he mentions in regard to Internet use as a form of recruitment and coordination. How can we improve the infrastructure and nip this problem in the bud at the same time? That is my question?

I definitely had to do a little of my own reading and research to get up to speed on this topic. Here are some of the links I found helpful:

$300m needed for Iraq telecom sector
Investments to the tune of $300m is required to develop the telecommunications infrastructure in Iraq, which was destroyed during the US-led invasion of the country, a senior official at the Arab Regional Office, Cairo, of the Geneva-based International Telecommunications Union (ITU), said here yesterday. more

Rebuilding plans for postwar Iraq depend on IT
The State Department and the Pentagon are already working with the private sector to plan for the rebuilding of Iraq's infrastructure, including IT and telecommunications systems. Under a State Department program known as the Future of Iraq Project, Iraqi exiles with expertise in IT and other disciplines have delivered to the Bush administration studies and recommendations on reconstructing postwar Iraq. more

Assistance for Iraq This site offers major accomplishments and updates.
Before the conflict, 1.2 million Iraqis subscribed to landline telephone service, and much of Iraq's telecommunication network was centralized in Baghdad. A large part of the network's switching component was damaged during the conflict and service was disrupted. As part of USAID's effort to restore critical infrastructure, USAID is working with the Iraq Telecommunications and Postal Commission (ITPC) to restore the nation's fiber optic network, repair the phone switching system in Baghdad and restore international telecommunications capability. more

EOTO Response #2

2004-11-05T23:32:00.000-05:00

Cell Yell Steven Anthony Views from the Pen

Steven vents about the controversial issue of CELL YELL! He makes some great points, and I laughed out loud a number of times. His references to musical ringtones were just too much. Have you really ever heard anyone's phone erupt into a shortened rendition of Skynyrds's Free Bird? haha. Seriously though, it is a technology issue that should be addressed. I (being a cell phone user myself) can see where Steven is coming from; however, I agree that the problem will probably get worse before it gets better.

Where I disagree with Steven is when he discusses "eavesdroppers." He suggests that people rudely listen in on cell phone conversations, albeit one-sided. How is that any worse than people-watching? We all do it. It's free entertainment. I'm an instructor--I have great ears--I hear/listen in on conversations all the time. I don't think it's rude at all. If a person doesn't want to be heard, they should whisper, write a note, or go elsewhere to converse. I'm not going to wear earplugs so that people can have conversations in public. The lack of privacy is a choice cell phone users make.

Steven's first two solutions do not really seem all that plausible to me a)cell zones b)larger cell phones. His third solution, however, is a given. People need to have manners and consider others. Cell users need to put thier phones on vibrate when they are in restaurants and such. And if they MUST talk in public, then they should keep thier voices at reasonable levels. I think that would really help the "epidemic of unkindness." Before concluding, let me also add that Steven's fear #5--that cell phones could replace house phones--it is a legit fear. I no longer have a residential line. My cell phone is never far from me.

Steven's sources were good. Here are a few more:

Cell Phone or Electronic Tether?

Cell Phone Manners Vary Regionally

The Politesse of Cell Phone Manners

Fears and Recommendations

2004-11-05T22:02:00.000-05:00

My five biggest fears regarding diploma/degree mills:

1. Someone's health/well being will be put at risk. See NCAHF paper listed in EOTO.
2. Schools that are not accredited will continue to swindle naive consumers.
3. New mills will pop up daily.
4. Regulations will not be enforced.
5. These fake companies/organizations will find a way around regulations.

Recommendations:

1. All consumers MUST verify a school's accreditation through a minimum of two agencies including the Better Business Bureau or the attorney general's office (and preferrably not all online).
2. Institutions who misprepresent themselves must be held responsible financially and should be prosecuted accordingly.

EOTO Response #1

2004-11-05T09:15:00.000-05:00

Copyright Infringement JR Lee Global Network

Lee discusses his concerns regarding copyright infringement and elaborates on how digital technology and the Internet provide a great opportunity to reproduce and distribute unauthorized copies of materials. Lee states that the potential damage caused by this activity is indeed monetary. I appreciate that he made it a point to differentiate between the two types of infringement: direct and contributory.

For a moment, I'll be the devil's advocate here and say, "maybe some folks are unaware." However, I think we all will agree that this is mainstream news due mostly to the music industry and the huge uproar with Napstar. One of Lee's fears is that "the gap in understanding between copyright holders and copyright infringers impede cooperation to find sensible and reasonable solutions." In response to that fear, solutions were offered including "enhancing public awareness" through education and "creating a new business model" suggesting alternative ways in which the industry can adjust its business models to compete in the digital age. Both of these recommendations seem ideal. The question is, is an amicable solution possible? What ever happened to the days of borrowing a friend's new Metallica cassette tape? Metallica never seemed to care back then that we, the listeners and fans, were promoting their music in this way. I wonder what changed all that....why...I'll bet it was....money, money, MO-NEY!

Some pertinent links I found:

10 Big Myths about Copyright Explained

It Takes Time to Judge the True Impact of New Technology by Rob Pegoraro

New File-swapping Software Limits Sharers to a Select Few by Nick Wingfield

Each One Teach One Assignment

2004-11-04T20:28:00.000-05:00

Online Schools: True or False?

In the words of Tim Dunlop, "If you build it they will come." How true that is. Fraudulent institutions are popping up all over the Web and making megabucks off unsuspecting consumers. When discussing the growing trend of online schools and digital degrees, I too think it is imperative to define all key terms. What is a degree mill? What does it mean to be "accredited?" Without understanding these concepts, you could find yourself out of thousands of dollars and holding little more than a recycled sheet of paper.

"Schools without walls" and online degrees may seem like the ultimate convenience. Nearly all your assignments can be completed over email or the Internet; you don’t have to quit your job or even leave your house to take classes. It seems too good to be true…and sometimes is. Legitimate online schools are accredited, which means they are reviewed over a number of years by an outside agency that determines whether they meet appropriate standards. This accreditation ensures the student(s) that they are not attending a "degree mill," which is "an organization that awards degrees without requiring its students to meet educational standards for such degrees established and traditionally followed by reputable institutions." (US Office of Education, 1974). In layman’s terms, they sell degrees with a questionable level of quality control. Degree mills often use aggressive and misleading advertising to scam individuals into paying excessive amounts for a quick education. These consumers are generally left with degrees that are not recognized or accepted by other schools or employers.

This is a prime example of false advertising, which as we all know is completely UNETHICAL. "How do they get away with it?" you might ask. They survive by operating in states with lax law governing schools, such as California, Utah, and Hawaii. They may sell only in other states or countries and often operate out of multiple political jurisdictions. They assume identities of well-known schools or other organizations. This is a problem that could potentially double if these institutions are not shut down. Being critical and checking for legitimacy is the only way a person can be sure that he or she is making the right choice.

Title: Ivory Tower Rip Offs - How Online Degree Mills Work
Web address: http://www.elearners.com/resources/diploma-mills.asp
Description: Information about degree and diploma mills is provided by a reputable source, eLearners.com. The author breaks the topic into 3 parts: how online degree mills work, how they survive, and how to protect yourself. Another link will take you to the page on accrediting agencies http://www.elearners.com/resources/accreditation.asp.

Title: NCAHF Position Paper on Diploma Mills
Web address: http://www.ncahf.org/pp/dipmill.html
Description: This paper is provided by the National Council Against Health Fraud but addresses the problem as a whole while discussing its impact in their field. Special terms are defined, which is helpful to a reader who is not yet familiar with diploma mills. The “harm” to students and other consumers is broken down into economic, direct, indirect, psychological, and societal.

Title: Online Schools Under Scrutiny
Web address: http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,52207,00.html
Description: This article from Wired News is a bit dated (2002) but gives a history on the emergence of online schools. The author discusses two academies run by for-profit companies that prompted states to request more regulatory authority.

Title: School Guide USA
Web address: http://www.schoolguideusa.com/online-accredited-degrees.html
Description: This guide to online degrees and distance learning in the US defines the term “accreditation” and addresses its importance when choosing an online school. A list of accredited online schools/degrees are listed.

Title: The Online Universities Weblog
Web address: http://www.onlineuniversities-weblog.com
Description: This is a vast resource for the topic of distance education and online classes. Information can be a bit hard to find due to the scrolling blog format, but it provides a wealth of information. Links to articles and market reports and assessments are abundant. It provided a great resource, the Educational Bloggers Network, specifically for edu-bloggers and a listing of related blogs.

Title: Virtual University Gazette
Web address: http://www.geteducated.com/vugaz.htm
Description: This is a geteducated.com publication; the “diploma mill police” blows the whistle on fake online colleges. Consumers can verify accreditation status of any online program in the US for free at http://www.geteducated.com/diplomamillpolice.htm. Links are provided to a distance learning and college accreditation FAQ page as well as the top 10 signs that a school is not legitimate.

Title: World Education Services: International Academic Credential Evaluation
Web address: http://www.wes.org/ewenr/DiplomaMills.htm
Description: Diploma mills are defined, different types explained, and tips for spotting them are given. Additional resources are listed including Websites and articles dedicated to the topic. WES is recognized by the NY Times and can convert educational credentials from any country into US equivalents.

Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don't. ~ Pete Seeger

Blogging Issues

2004-10-21T19:27:00.000-04:00

Just a little info on the blogging process, problems I've encountered, etc.:

I love blogging! Or maybe it's fiddling with my own blog that I like so much. I am indeed...dare I admit it...a lurker. This, as my UNC peers know, means that I navigate silently through and around the blogs of others. I don't know if it's a voyeuristic quality or if I just want to give only pertinent feedback--either way, I plan to start making myself a bit more known. There's just such a stigma associated with being a lurker!! :0

I haven't really encountered any technical problems creating or maintaining my blogspot. My small but helpful background of HTML was imperitive in adding all the links and pics in my sidebar. I know that a couple of folks had problems in that arena. I definitely recommend getting a coding crib sheet; I reference it all the time.

Am I satisfied overall with my blog? Yes, but I'm getting very few comments, which leads me to wonder if my blog is too dry. However, blogs are (in my opinion) just as much for the writer as the reader. I've put my 2 cents out there--the rest is up to you--whomever you may be. I think that a blog should be evaluated based on its intent and overall purpose. If you get what is advertised--what you expect--then it should be considered successful. As for the author--I could care less as long as they don't claim to be someone they are not. The blogging community to me is like the old west waiting to be explored. It's a brave new world, people.

JOMC 223 Initial Blog Comments

2004-10-20T21:26:00.000-04:00

UNC Peer Blogs

Lauren Reynolds Quarter Life Connection I love Lauren's topic! It's so close to home since I'm only two years from being 30. It's original and inspiring.

Drew Lomax Liberation Watch Drew is knowledgeable and an expert in his field. His experience makes him the perfect person to cover this subject.

Dean Smith Counterframe Dean's newslinks are great. I also like Knight Ridder D.C. I normally read their articles when researching on NC Live. Thanks, Dean for providing the link to this resource!

Jennifer Munday Expressions of a Wanderer Great title! Makes me want to check it out--the reader expects mystery and philosophical views on the world!

Steven Anthony Views From the Pen Interesting technology topic--Cell Yell! Looking forward to reading more.

Sarah Michelle Klemens Michelle's Freedom Forum Engaging topic--one with impact. Michelle should offer an interesting and much needed perspective.

Jongrak Lee Global Network Impressed with Lee's qualifications. He will off offer experienced insight about global issues.

Hui Liu CCC Watch Hui Liu offers personality and style. Her cross-cultural communication blog is well-written and easy to read.

Diana Manevskaya American Experience Catchy title and good resources. Diana offers a unique perspective as an international student.

Julie Rains Kids Play Games Useful blog. Practical and audience centered.

Kimberly Snider Joining the Political Process Applicable topic. Should be fun to follow. I'm interested to see where this will go after the election.

Tracy Swartz Journalist in the City Another great title--exciting! Can't wait to read about Tracy's NY experience and how she evolves and adapts to her environment. Good luck, Tracy!

Cool Photoblogs

2004-10-19T13:58:00.000-04:00

I'd like to say, "Thanks, Deb!" for turning me on to photoblogs. I wasn't really familiar with the concept, and after perusing the Web for our last assignment, I found a couple of really good ones. I put them in my blogroll (to your right); however, I want to give a little info to encourage anyone reading to actually check them out. The first one, Daily Dose of Imagery, is the "real" one. This guy takes real world pictures every day and shares them via his photoblog. Each day he posts a new pic with a caption, and you can backtrack if you want to see previous shots. Where this gets interesting is here: another guy decided to create a parody photoblog called Daily Dose of Generic Imagery, which is a sort of copycat site. The format is the same, and the shots are amazingly similar. It's fun to check them and do a day-by-day comparison. Try it for entertainment purposes!

Friday's Sites

2004-10-15T17:55:00.000-04:00

Rushing to meet the 6pm deadline...yikes!

The Chronicle of Higher Education: Information Technology offers a wealth of information on education-technology and distance ed. The Wired Campus provides daily headlines, and the date of update is visible at the top of the page. The site offers a search box, which I always look for on a site, and back issues of The Chronicle are available. Other links include community colleges, government and politics, grants and fellowships, and facts & figures. The format choice is effective and visually pleasing. Info is easy to locate; navigation and access are both good.

Distance Education: Networking Learning Technologies was not particularly helpful in my quest for info. A variety of subcategories are offered including colleges, grants, lesson plans, networking, etc., but I still was not impressed. Other than the small title at the top, the purpose of the site is unclear. It appears to be just a page of results. The links are pertinent but not annotated. This leads to excessive navigation.

Thursday's Sites

2004-10-14T22:28:00.000-04:00

Distance-Educator.com has been serving professionals since 1970! The date of update is right at the top with announcements and easy-to-find navigation channels. There are featured partners, which add validity, and the user can submit news and articles as well as read about distance education issues. Tabs are provided to daily news, higher ed, business and industry, K-12, and even the government and military. The format choice creates a "busy" appearance; page is sectioned into columns, but readability is fine nonetheless. Overall a good site that I can use later.

Resources for Distance Education does offer a lot of resources on the subject of distance ed, however, the page is simply that--a list of links. There is little white space, and it's hard to sort through all the information. The annotations are not terribly helpful, so you may spend a significant amount of time navigating to find that the link is not what you expected. The site has potential but needs work.

Permission to Whine?

2004-10-14T21:27:00.000-04:00

First let me say that this post in no way relates to my topic or the purpose of this blog. I do hope, however, that at least one person reading this will benefit from my utter and complete lack of reason.

Dictionary.com defines procrastination as "to postpone or delay needlessly." Overburdened is defined as "an overload." I'm coining a phrase of my own--procrastination due to overburdening. In an effort not to sound like I'm making excuses, I just want to justify my under par participation this week in all areas of my life. Imagine a pie chart...I'm giving a little to this and a little to that...and not enough to any one thing. Every single thing seems to be suffering because I've taken too much on. Listen to others when they say, "Christy, you'd better be careful not to try to do too much..." Never. If you know me, I will try to DO IT ALL. However, I feel that I have truly learned my lesson. My fingernails are down to nubs, and I wake up drained and dreading the day. This is no way to live, I tell you people!

I'm currently teaching at my full-time job as I've mentioned many times before in our discussion groups. Obviously, I'm taking this class at Chapel too. That should be enough for any one person, yet I took on more. Sure, I can teach an online class for another institution. Enough? Not yet. Oh, and do a little freelancing too? Sure, how hard can it be, I asked myself (and of course money talks). My overall point and moral to this story--and I apologize for taking so long to get to it--is that we are only human. I will recognize my limits from this moment on, and I am promising myself, here and now, that I will not overburden myself past the realm of sanity ever again. (Please remind me next semester that I said that). Remember that you can try to do it all, but is it worth it when the work or the results are not your best?

Before you agree to do anything that might add even the smallest amount of stress to your life, ask yourself: What is my truest intention? Give yourself time to let a yes resound within you. When it's right, I guarantee that your entire body will feel it. ~ Oprah Winfrey

Wednesday's Sites

2004-10-13T19:16:00.000-04:00

Distance Education Clearinghouse powered by the University of Wisconsin offers today's distance ed headlines. This site provides worldwide news, opinions, articles, as well as updated headlines. The right margin contains links and info to technology, programs & courses, and research & statistics. Definitions and a glossary are provided for the novice user, which is a real plus. Though the white background is just a bit harsh, overall the site is really helpful and user-friendly. I'd recommend it.

The Online College Degree Resources page is not so great. At first glance, it looks nice; I actually like the format better than the Clearinghouse mentioned above. However, the content is not what I had hoped for. There is some discussion of convenience and communication, which is helpful. The site is not horrible...but it doesn't offer ENOUGH info on the advantages/disadvantages of distance ed. It did not appear to be updated this year, and there were no articles or headlines offered.

Tuesday's Sites

2004-10-12T22:12:00.000-04:00

JEFFLINE: Academic & Instructional Support & Resources is a good source for distance ed info. Maintained by Thomas Jefferson University, this site states the benefits of online learning and provides statistics and advantages to supplementing a course with Web-based tools. The Web-based learning environment is analyzed; issues addressed include students' perspectives, accessibility of instructors, the student-centered teaching approach, and different learning styles. Blackboard, pedagogical benefits, time management, and suggested methods for student progress and assessment are discussed. Format is acceptable, and navigation is simple.

Although I like the print version, I am not impressed with the T.H.E. Journal Online: Technological Horizons in Education. I had hoped to find more pertinent info on distance education. Most of the site focuses on tools and technology; e-learning is discussed but takes some navigation to locate. Visually, the site is not appealing; there is an overabundance of RED.

Monday's Sites

2004-10-11T10:49:00.000-04:00

One of the best sites I found is Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning: Student-Centered Teaching and Learning Online. Created by the University of Illinois, this site's mission is to inform and empower distance education faculty by providing the resources to teach effectively, utilize technology fully, and develop contstructive learning environments. Their Online Learning Update features daily news pertinent to distance ed on an international level. A blog and listserv are available. The site's navigation and format are both user-friendly and visually pleasing. The source is reputable and peer-reviewed.

A site that I'm not so pleased with is eLearners Advisor. The site is strictly student-oriented, and information is difficult to access. Though the site offers useful info about distance education, the user has to go through each "step" of the site, which directs you to the next page. There is no way to skip to the info you really want to see. The "steps" are a series of questions that determine whether online classes are right for you, the reader. The intention is good, but navigation is poor due to access. As a busy reader, I don't want to take a long test just to get to the subject matter on the last page. The site is attractive and overall informative but overall not good enough to revisit or recommend to others.

Website Evaluation Criteria

2004-10-11T09:05:00.000-04:00

The criteria I use to evaluate online resources are listed and annotated below. My evaluation of specific sites will be posted tomorrow.

1. Web design/readability: A technical writer by trade, this is of the utmost importance to me. The presentation of a page is the first impression and must effectively represent its company or organization. If the design is poor, I will probably move on to another site without perusing the site’s contents. Specifics I notice are appropriate white space, text size, style, grouping, page length, and excessive graphics or ads. I also include correct grammar, sentence structure, and spelling in this category.

2. Navigation/search: A good Web site should upload quickly and be easy to use. I should be able to scan the page and locate what I am looking for without hunting. Active links should be direct and take me exactly where I expect to go—not to other links, the wrong place, or “around the bush.” I prefer pages that offer a site search; this saves time and eliminates the need to read the whole site, unless you are reading for pleasure. As users, we have also come to expect the following navigational options: index, contents, hyperlinks, bookmarks, and help files.

3. Coverage: A site should have a clear title and purpose and meet my expectations. If I expect to find specific information that (theoretically) should be there and then it isn’t—I’ll be disappointed in the writers and/or the site as a whole. There should be a wealth of information with equal concentration on quantity and quality. A site should be leading; in other words, it should keep me interested. Articles and such should raise additional questions or have segues to related topics. A site should also be original; redundant information is annoying.

4. Considerations: When creating sites, Web designers should always consider users with special needs. Physical limitations may include users with visual or other disabilities. For example, readers who are color-blind will have difficulty seeing text on a screen or page. That is why color choice and contrast for background and text are so important. Colors also have a cultural and social significance; a designer should research his or her audience for color associations. Other factors are technical limitations. Not every user has the same equipment (type of computer or screen size, access, or speed which can hinder readability).

5. Accessibility: When I say “accessibility,” I mean access to information on a site. One of my biggest pet peeves is finding a great site with pertinent articles that is hampered by a membership or subscription requirement. Some sites restrict you from reading anything but titles and sources (to pull you in), while others may at least let you read the front page headings or announcements. I expect full access to news, articles, and archives.

6. Timeliness: A reputable site will usually update periodically—sometimes even daily—and include the date at the bottom of the page. In the field of technology this is imperative! Readers want the latest news on advances (in hardware, software, popular issues, etc.) and want to know what is happening in the business sector (what products are selling, what companies are merging). A site that is slow to report new information will get lost in the pack, and if the same info is on the site day after day, week after week, I won’t visit it unless looking specifically for archives.

7. Reliability: Though keeping a site updated is expected, reliability is equally important. Excessive downtime is not appropriate; no one likes to visit a site and see an “under construction—come back later” sign. Does that mean five minutes, one hour, or two days? In today’s society of instant gratification, we want things now. If you have to check back with a site, that is terribly inconvenient.

8. Accuracy: Does the information on the site correspond with that of other reliable sources? Is the information clear, correct, and concise? Articles and especially news should cover who, what, when, where, and how. Details are a must.

9. Credibility: Though reputation is not everything, name recognition is helpful. If you trust a site, you may not need to verify facts and figures elsewhere. Especially if a site is consistent over time, I’ll return to it and recommend it to other Internet users.

10. Peer review: This goes hand-in-hand with credibility. Usually peer reviews or reputable sponsors will be listed at the top of a page in full view—much like the sanitation grade in a restaurant. Once you see it, you feel more comfortable. I don’t believe everything I read or hear, but I will give it more or less consideration depending on the source. Peer reviews in professional circles add validity.

Global Interest Essay

2004-09-17T16:05:00.000-04:00

Impact of Distance Education

I remember rushing to a 6pm class in graduate school; the professor would often saunter in five or ten minutes late. To make matters worse, she would keep us over to make up for it. Each time I became increasingly perturbed and frustrated especially when the other students, giddy and carefree, seemed not to care. “Why did you get so upset over a few minutes?” one might ask. The answer is because I had already worked a nine-hour day and had little patience. I didn’t want to be sitting in that hard seat listening to my instructor ramble on for three hours about something that I didn’t care about. Another reason is because many of my other classes were online, and I admittedly had become quite spoiled to the convenience that they offered—no late instructors, no traffic, no hassles. Today many people are recognizing the advantages to distance or “online” education. Not only are classes offered over the Internet, but virtual degrees are a reality. A couple of questions I intend to answer via my research are 1) what are the advantages/disadvantages to taking online courses? 2) How many students are adapting to the technology and choosing the virtual classroom over the traditional? My research will help me as an instructor to better understand the needs of the “professional” or busy student. My results will provide information for other instructors and for students who are unsure about distance education and whether it is right for them.

Keywords
· Distance education
· Distance learning
· Online education
· Online colleges
· Virtual classroom
· Internet classes
· Hybrid classes

Title: Journal of Technology Education
Web address: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/
Description: This site compiled by the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers a digital library and archives of education technology information. Many articles and editorials are available in both HTML and PDF format. National and global issues and studies are discussed.

Title: Directory of Schools
Web address: http://www.directoryofschools.com/
Description: This site lists online degrees, schools, and distance education programs in both the US and Canada. There are tabs to featured degrees, a school guide, and resources. New and popular online programs are discussed.

Title: Thomson Peterson’s
Web address: http://www.petersons.com/distancelearning/
Description: This site offers info on distance learning courses and programs, test preparation, and financial aid info. Catered for the working student, Peterson’s provides a distance learning self-assessment to see if it is right for you and links to popular schools.

Title: The WWW Journal of Online Education (JOE)
Web address: http://www.nyu.edu/classes/keefer/waoe/waoej.html
Description: Provided by the World Association for Online Education, this site gives info on the organization’s activities and listservs. The site encourages creativity in online ed. and discusses cyberspace culture and cultural diversity in global communication.

Title: WorldWideLearn
Web address: http://www.worldwidelearn.com/
Description: This site claims to be the world’s largest directory of online education and truly does seem to offer more info than some of the other directories I found. There are tabs to not only programs and schools but also to business skills, career training and planning, and personal development.

Plan of Action

2004-09-16T23:44:00.000-04:00

My plan is to turn this blog into a classroom management tool. One of the classes that I teach at Lenoir is English 114 (Professional Research & Reporting); I teach three sections of this, one being online. I'd like to do two things with my blog:

1. Provide information on distance education--discuss the pros and cons, provide links to articles, schools, etc., and of course offer my own experiences. My target audience will be my students or anyone interested in online education (or hybrid classes).

2. Provide daily or at least weekly updates on my 114 course--for example, what someone may have missed on a certain day, lecture points, pertinent links, suggestions, etc. Even though this will be a tool for traditional "in class" students, it will incorporate the Internet into their routine and hopefully encourage their participation in the "Internet Revolution."

I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

Pertinent link (you may have to register for the site, but it's free and full of archived info): Business First article Virtual degree is now reality

Welcome to my Weblog

2004-09-16T21:52:00.000-04:00

This is my first posting....it is a monumental moment. With each passing day, I find myself learning more and more and becoming a technology junkie. It wasn't so long ago that I was pacified with simply having Internet at work--now that I have it at home, I would surely have a panic attack if I was without it for even an hour. Just knowing that it is there is a comfort to me. Someone please tell me that I am not alone in this realization.

Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb. ~ Sir Winston Churchill