Return-Path: <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id j1G3gnC25283; Tue, 15 Feb 2005 22:42:49 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 22:42:49 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <1108525263.4212c0cfe8698@webmail.win.net> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: David Collings <david@collings.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3463] RE: Computer Technology Integration - Discussion Q... X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Status: O Content-Length: 3177 Lines: 67 Debra, your story of difficulties in unfamiliar computer labs brings back many fond ( :^) memories of trips to do presentations or workshops where I found that the expected setup was a bit shy. In fact I can't remember more than a handful of technology-based presentations in the past 15 years where some piece of hardware or software didn't break down. I think there is a Murphy's Law corollary that says the likelihood of a malfunction is directly proportional to the importance of the event. The only way that I have found to make it really seamless is to call ahead to the site and find someone who seems to know what they are talking about. Then I call back to confirm what we both said. Then, if possible, I show up (at least) the afternoon before the event and check it all out with my own eyes. Of course, that plan doesn't always work. And it's still not a guarantee that some router or server upstream won't go out and foil all of your plans anyway. As far as the software goes, I try to keep things as simple as possible. I may have to resort to built-in Windows components like WordPad -- which uses the almost universal Rich Text Format -- or Notepad -- which can display just about anything that you can throw at it except that there's no formatting -- just plain old text. And even these old stand-bys might not be available if the local computer administrator decides to strip all of the extras off of the machines. So the moral is that you plan and you plan and then hope you get lucky. David David Collings Technology Coordinator Delaware Adult and Community Education david@collings.com -----Original Message----- From: nifl-technology@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-technology@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Dlhargrove@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 3:44 PM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:3444] RE: Computer Technology Integration - Discussion Q... David, Liz and others, I too have gotten very frustrated attempting to present a seamless class through technology integration. Being a consultant, I'm presenting workshops in computer labs at different school sites and technology centers. What I've learned is that you can NOT assume that all labs have the peripherals and plugins that many of us so "seamlessly" use in our daily lives. For example, I've prepared demo CD-ROMS of software and placed the demo files in a Word file for the participants to open and run... only to find that the lab I'm using doesn't have Office on it! Or I'll present something on a disk in PDF or Real Player only to find those plugins are not there and the site does not permit students to download any programs. There have been other instances where security restrictions from the site IT administrator has limited the ability of many of my students to experience the full capacity of the Web. I think it's just important to note that, in my experiences, a lot of preplanning is vital in moving the students seamlessly through different modes of learning. Liz, I've enjoyed the discussions and look forward to reading your study in depth. Debra L. Hargrove, Ed.D. Coordinator Florida TechNet www.floridatechnet.org
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