I have had experience with a few different academic online content management systems. By content management systems, I mean the programs through which online coursework is provided, or online support for information sharing in live or hybrid courses is made available. The pluses: I like posting a syllabus online and not printing out paper copies. In fact, I like not printing out paper copies of anything for courses I teach. If students want to print syllabuses/syllabi, readings, or pictures of slides, they are free to do so - using their own printing resources. I do wish there was a way to easily deliver exams without relying on paper, but the only solutions that I think work for me involve having access to large enough computer labs (and probably blocking internet access), which has never been realistic. So I still print out pages and pages of paper when I give in class exams. One disclaimer - I am not teaching a fully online course so my experiences just reflect use of this software as support for live courses. The needs and priorities for online courses are obviously very different. I am using a (for me) new program called SAKAI. It is really not that different from the others I have seen. One definite advantage is that it is possible to 'copy' a course. This was not as easy with other programs, at least not as implemented in universities I have been in. But as I spent the better part of 3 days last week setting up my course information, I realized that an awful lot of what I was doing had nothing to do with what I think technology should do. I have to admit that I have definite opinions about technology. I do not yet have a 'smart phone,' (it will happen, though, because I like to text) and considered but rejected a tablet. Once I figured out what I would want a tablet for (portable computing), I realized I already had what I needed in my MacBook. I do appreciate the many functions in phones, but I would actually rather have flexible and functional dedicated equipment (cameras and recording devices) than rely on a single device that tries to do everything adequately.
Part of my time in class prep was admittedly spent thinking through and writing out the details of assignments and activities for classes that I have either not yet taught or not yet taught in this setting. I think that time was well spent and hope that puts me far ahead as the semester begins. But I realized as I typed (or copied) words into screen after screen, that, apart from the grade book function, (a spreadsheet) I was not creating manipulable or manageable data. I typed things (or uploaded, or created hyperlinks) so that people can go in and view, download, or link. I could do as much using a simple email program; I could do a lot more using a Weebly Pro website (and it would look a lot better). Uploading readings is problematic (copyright) so I have long been in the habit of providing students with citation information so they can retrieve things themselves, or putting items on reserve at the university library - who I assume know how to handle copyright issues. The ability to duplicate all of the information from a class, which I mentioned earlier, is nice, but copying a file, or series of files, not what I consider a high level computing function. The particular program I am using, as set up, does not have much storage capacity, so multi-media files actually reside somewhere else, which to me suggest potential for broken links - now or in the future - should financial or other relationships change. So, yes, I have gotten away from making copies for my classes, but I am still typing out everything one way or another. But when I think about it, what would I expect a truly 'smart' classroom management program to do? Maybe I will come up with some ideas as the semester progresses. Coming soon - a change of pace while I reflect on experiences learning partial least squares structural equation modeling. Has Qualitative Ninja Girl met her match? New animations to follow this fall.
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AuthorI am Sheryl L. Chatfield, Ph.D, C.T.R.S. I am a member of the faculty in the College of Public Health at Kent State University. I also Co-coordinate the Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research and I am a member of the Design Innovation Team at Kent State. Archives
February 2024
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