Rapid Prototyping:
I will use technology education as an example for the use of rapid prototyping. Technology students learn by doing, designing, and modeling products that they are creating. Model-making has always been a part of design when it comes to producing something. Usually students would have to draw something on paper and make their first models by cutting and gluing wood, paper, or other materials to make their models. Through the use of computers and computer technology, students have the opportunity to create and manipulate any kind of design they can dream up. Rapid prototyping even allows for 3 dimensional design in regards to this type of education. By using rapid prototyping, students are not wasting time on building a model out of materials, trying to manipulate it, finding it doesn’t work as planned and then having to re-build the whole thing. Drawings, plans, and parts don’t have to have prior approval from an instructor because there isn’t any. Using rapid prototyping will also help students develop spatial skills according to Don Jalbert, a CAD/CAM mechanical design instructor at the Lewiston Regional Technical Center in Lewiston, Maine. Maine states that RP can help young people realize that they have what it takes in the engineering field. Students can no do more than draw a part, they can evaluate it, refine it, assess how it fits in a larger assembly and in some cases even hand it to someone. The avenue is limitless when it comes to RP. Games can be created to help learn different educational objectives, can be easily tested, refined, and changed as needed to meet instructional goals. There is an opportunity to build all kinds of virtual stuff for students to learn with as well as giving them the opportunity to create it too.
Deployable Learning Resource Centers – DLRC
Helping the military to use technology in training
Mobile units need to be equipped with as many of these units that they need for the desired goal. Each mobile unit would consist of a server, network switch, printer, and laptop station. It would be beneficial for each station to have the capability to be connected to a generator in case there is not power available to continue service. The new iPad would be more efficient as it is smaller than a regular laptop, would take up less space and is very mobile when needed. Wi-fi and 3/4G networks could be implemented and switched back and forth from when service for Wi-fi was not available. This way, the units would be workable under most circumstances. Remote areas would create problems that some 3/4G network solutions would remedy but there would still be some dead spots in this set-up. Automatic updates need to be a part of the regular maintenance on the system so that all technology is up to date and usable. Main centers would have a general plug in for sharing of information between computers when logged into the system so that all units could transfer information to one another.
Step-Up-To-Excellence
1. Differences between piecemeal and systematic change need to be understood prior to beginning.
2. Brainstorming of ideas from the faculty for changes that are needed in the district to improve student achievement would encourage participation and ownership of the needed change.
3. Discussion of changes meeting piecemeal or systemic criteria and identifying the changes that would require systemic change
4. Keeping or achieving recognized status by emphasizing how GSTE and Step-up-to-excellence (SUTE) systems are used for successful schools that want to hit exemplary status.
5. Explain GSTE and SUTE systems and discuss how they are similar/different, how they emphasize the importance of team and team building, and are both a continuous and cyclical process,
6. Focus on data and information that is available that helps explain the process while going over highlights and more detailed information of each.
7. Divide into teams and examine other districts that have implemented this procedure and have been successful in achieving their goals. Come back together as a group and discuss findings.
8. Send out a survey for feedback and preferences to share with administrators.
Centers for Faculty Development
San Jose State University Center for Faculty Development
Division of Academic Technology.
Offers services in events, accessibility, programs, consultation, teaching resources, and tutorials. Events are offered on a regular basis. Events for this month include gMail basics, peer partners in teaching, creating faculty websites with website builder, engaging students online with Elluminate Live. They also offer help with instructional design support, assessable materials, technology, and software application support.
Teaching resources include information on syllabus development, assessment, teaching strategies, learning materials, technology tools, and student retention.
Accessibility provides resources for faculty for the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI), designed to help faculty provide equitable access to education for its students with different various learning needs, experiences, abilities, and learning styles.
Several tutorials listed in alphabetical order that help faculty with various technologies. Programs are given throughout the semester. They outline specific classes, found under events, to take and when completed the faculty will receive a certificate.
New faculty orientation program provides an opportunity to meet campus leaders, collaborate with colleagues, become familiar with campus resources and to learn tips on how to become a more successful faculty member.
Virginia Tech Faculty Development Institute
This is a division of Learning Technologies
They offer year-round training, online resources, faculty support and many online resources. Short courses, tracks, essential skills, teaching and technology, digital media development, research and technology, web development, research administration, and programming languages are offered. There are peer mentoring programs, course development help, production, funding, and technology support for faculty and programs are given several times a week that cover numerous topics.
Available programs for Spring 2011 include:One-on-One consulting on Tuesdays at various times
Essential Skills classes includes lessons on:\
Campus resources at Virginia Tech
MS PowerPoint 2010
MS PowerPoing 2011
MS Word Advanced Features for Mac and Windows
Adobe Acrobat Professional
Adobe InDesign CS5
Securing your Computer – Security
Adobe Acrobat 9
Digital Media Development classes includes lessons on:
Podcasting
GarageBand
Photoshop CS5 and Elements
IMovie
Web Development classes
Web Design and Effective Web sites
Ensemble
Dreamweaver
Google tools
Scholar and ePortfolio classes
Teaching and Technology classes includes lessons on:
Chat, Blogs, Wikis, Resources and Podcasting
Prezi
Web 2.0 Applications
Michigan State University Faculty and Organizational Development
Includes resources for leaders; resources on leadership; top ten lists for administrators; resources of faculty mentoring; and key dates.
Also included are resources for instructors such as online instructional resources; SoTL information and resources; top ten lists for faculty; code of teaching responsibilities; and early career faculty programs.
Programs are divided into two categories:
Faculty and Instructional Development and Organizational and Leadership Development.
Programs for Faculty/Instructional Development Opportunities include:
Lilly Teaching Seminar Series
SoTL Seminars
Spring Institute on College Teaching and Learning
Survive & Thrive for probationary tenure-system faculty
From Associate professor to Professor: Productive Decision making at
Mid-Center
On-Demand Online seminars
Programs for academic specialists
Workshops for faculty leaders.
Co-sponsored opportunities, cohort programs, consultation and services for instructors and community building is also offered with additional choices.
Organizational and Leadership Development Workshops and Seminars include:
Leadership and Administrator Seminar Series
Executive leadership academy
Workshops for faculty leaders
International permanent residency
Leadership development webinars.
Cohort programs, consultations for academic leaders, and community building are also offered within this divisions as well as new orientations.
Very interesting video on systemic change. Higher education has itself reached a new place in restructuring itself to be more nimble to make changes quickly. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I enjoyed reading your blog this week.
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