The Instructional Technologist's Blog

Technology in Training…Where Do I Start?

instructtech — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:07:09 +0000

This a presentation I gave to the Jackson group of the Mississippi Chapter of American Society for Training and Development about using Technology in Training. In the presentation, we discussed using Webinars to conduct virtual training, e-learning, and using clickers in training.

Technology in Training…Where Do I Start?

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Creating Flexibility for Online Students: Partnership with MSVCC

instructtech — Sun, 29 May 2011 19:39:58 +0000

My colleagues, Sheri Rawls, Chad Seals, and myself gave this presentation at the 2011 Creating Futures Through Technology Conference in March. We spoke about the consortium agreement between The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and the Mississippi Virtual Community College (MSVCC). This agreement allows USM students enrolled in a fully online program to have access to additional online general education courses offered by MSVCC, and not currently offered online through USM. This presentation included a discussion about what lead to this agreement, benefits, and lessons learned after piloting for one semester. The presentation also included discussion of where they see the future of online going for USM.

To view our presentation, please click on the link below:

Creating Flexibility for the Online Student: The University of Southern Mississippi and MSVCC partnership http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/8143499

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Use of Clickers and Peer Instruction to Build Classroom Community

instructtech — Sun, 02 May 2010 01:40:20 +0000

At the 2010 Creating Futures Through Technology and 2010 Mississippi Educational Computing Association Conference, my colleague, Gallayannee Yaoyuneyong, and I gave a presentation on how clickers along with Peer Instruction can increase student engagement and the forming of learning communities in the classroom. Our presentation is below.

Use Of Clickers And Peer Instruction To Build Classroom Community

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Features, Technical Problems and Technical Support in Wimba Classroom

instructtech — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:20:03 +0000

At the 2010 Creating Futures Through Technology conference, along with my colleagues Mary Nell McNeese, Ph.D., and Jalynn Roberts, Ph.D., we presented on the research study we conducted about the use of Wimba Classroom at multiple institutions. We surveyed 4 institutions to collect data regarding how Wimba Classroom is being used and what the perceptions of students and faculty are regarding its use. To view the presentation, visit the link below:

Features, Technical Problems and Technical Support in Wimba Classroom

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eLearning Approach to Increase Enrollment, Retention, and Graduation Rates

instructtech — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:22:15 +0000

My colleague, Sheri Rawls, and myself gave this presentation at the 2010 Creating Futures Through Technology Conference in March. We spoke about the e-learning initiative The University of Southern Mississippi has undertaken to increase student and faculty satisfaction in our online programs as well as improve enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. This is an ongoing project that will continue to improve our online programs. The project included 5 main workstreams: Faculty Development, Course Development, Change Management, Scheduling, and Financial Model. Through a partnership with Blackboard, we have been able to grow our online programs and ensure a satisfying experience for our online students.

To view our presentation, please click on the link below:

eLearning Approach to Increase Enrollment, Retention, & Graduation Rates

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Promoting the Scholarship of Teaching by Forming Connections

instructtech — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:34:42 +0000

At the 2010 Mississippi Educational Computing Association Conference in February my colleague, Gallayannee Yaoyuneyong and I gave a presentation on “Promoting the Scholarship of Teaching by Forming Connections.” In this presentation we discussed the experiences we have had as an instructor and instructional technologist working together to implement technology in the classroom. We talked about the connection we have formed and how we have learned from each other and through our different experiences and backgrounds it has had a positive influence on how we use technology and work in our respective fields. We also discussed the instructional design process used from the both the perspective of an instructor and an instructional designer. To view our presentation, click on the link below:

Promoting the Scholarship of Teaching by Forming Connections

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Keeping up…

instructtech — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:50:34 +0000

I find myself struggling to keep up. I like to try to keep up with research and material in my field, but with the podcasts, blogs, journal articles, social networking groups, and on and on, how do we has professionals keep up?

With all of the budget cuts and taking on more responsibilities, how do we manage to find time to pursue our own professional development? I think it is important to still set aside time to improve yourself and learn new things in your field. One of the ways that I accomplish this is by making sure that I block out the time on my calendar to attend my local ASTD meetings. These include professional development opportunities and give me the opportunity to network with other professionals outside my office. I also submit presentation proposals to local conferences. My work no longer has the money to pay for these, but I set aside my own money to go to local conferences because I think it is important for my own professional growth.

What are you doing in these hard times to ensure you still grow as a professional?

Training & Development Certificate Program

instructtech — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:47:20 +0000

I recently completed the Training & Development Certificate Program offered through the Workforce Learning & Performance Institute at The University of Southern Mississippi. The program requires that you complete 84 hours of in-person hours and 4 extended learning activities outside of the in-person sessions. Participants complete the program over a 4 month period where they attend 3 full day sessions a month. The program covers 35 competencies outlined by the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD).

This program was the best experience of my life. I made some wonderful friends and professional contacts as well as learned a lot about the field of human resource development. The all day sessions include a variety of activities working in groups to allow you to learn from the facilitator as well as the other professionals in the program. I took so much away from this program and have implemented many of the things I learned in the program already. I will never forget this experience and would recommend this program to anyone in the field of Human Resource Development or Training.

Social Media for Business

instructtech — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:47:11 +0000

I had the pleasure of being invited to speak for the Marion County Partnership Development today. In the following presentation, I spoke about how social media, such as, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WordPress, etc. can be used for business.

Social Media for Business

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New ASTD Hattiesburg Group

instructtech — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:32:03 +0000

We have started a new ASTD group in Hattiesburg!! I am very excited about the possibilities of this group. We are affiliated with the main Mississippi ASTD Chapter as well as with the national ASTD organization. If you don’t know what ASTD is, it is the American Society for Training & Development. The focus of this group is to give professionals in the area of training and development, human resource management, human resource development, and organizational development an opportunity to network and learn from other professionals in this field. We plan to have a variety of speakers at our meetings to talk about issues related to our field, do training on various topics, and motivate us (the 1st Wednesday of every other month). We have had a great turn out so far. We will be having our second meeting in August. To learn more about our group visit the Mississippi ASTD Chapter Web site.