Leecy,
You seem to be doing a lot and I know I will enjoy looking at all the 
materials that you have developed.  As a student, I'm usually lost, so 
I'm not sure if we are to ask questions right now, but I thought I would 
ask you know, because I also tend to forget things easily.
I am curious about your choice of course management software. If you're 
paying that much for Moodle-related services, what made you choose 
Moodle over Blackboard?
I like Moodle, but as you probably already know, you don't get direct 
support.  You do get a lot support from users through forums and online 
communities, but I was wondering that if you had grant money you might 
as well spend it on something already set up?
I don't work for Blackboard and I like Moodle...but I'm just curious and 
I want to learn...

I like the lessons and their format and approach. Question: Is there an 
html format of these resources too? I am thinking about the links to 
other resources in the lesson plans would be easier to navigate.
Also, can anyone use those resources? or is it just for teachers in 
Colorado?

Thansks for sharing

Silvio

-- 
Silvio J. Avendano, Ph.D.
Director
Online TESOL Professional Development Programs
UMBC English Language Center
207 University Center
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
410-455-1578
410-455-1115 (Fax)
http://www.umbc.edu/elc/ 


Leecy Wise wrote:


>> 1) So please tell us about your program's, state's, or organization's

>> work in online PD -- What's happening in online professional

>> development?

>

>

> I represent the Four Corners Professional Development Resource Center 

> (4CRC) for the Dept of Ed's (CDE) Adult Education and Family Literacy 

> Program.

>

> My focus is on providing training opportunities and information to 

> encourage practitioners to integrate technology into teaching and to 

> learn through distance education opportunities. I run a number of 

> Websites to promote that mission. You may want to check our main 

> content site, http://www.coloradoadulted.org/. My last newsletter on 

> that site, Tech Beat, focused on professional development and 

> announced a series of blended  workshops that I'll be offering in the 

> new future. To check that issue, go to 

> http://www.coloradoadulted.org/techbeat/techbeatApril_May07.htm. Those 

> particular workshops will offer Prof Dev points from the state and 

> graduate credit for those who wish to pursue it (I have a great 

> working relationship with Adams State). The workshops themselves are 

> free, except for the GotoMeeting session, which requires participants 

> to pay their own regular long distance fees. I've offered to send 

> 1-hour, pre-paid phone cards to programs that are really struggling 

> financially.

>

> 4CRC offers many training opportunities for faculty throughout the 

> state through blended or hybrid instruction. I often visit programs 

> for a little hands-on work when they wish. We have just purchased 

> Moodle for a year, which I want to use extensively for students and 

> staff development. Moodle is a powerful online classroom program with 

> great bells and whistles: gradebook, forums, chats, resource and 

> assignment rooms, calendars and more. I'm glad to share info on that 

> for anyone who wants. Moodle itself is free; however, I thought I 

> would use Classroom Revolution's hosting and technical support plan 

> for a year, before I try to host Moodle on my own server. Under that 

> plan, I pay $800, plus any training fees I may want to add. The 

> training is super expensive in my view ($400 for three hours in hybrid 

> form), but I had several teachers join me (up to ten) while I learned 

> how to work with the system myslef. I have found that this type of 

> training money is well used, when available, and avoids hours and 

> hours of troubleshooting on my part.

>

> GotoMeeting is just one option for blended instruction. I have found 

> it super easy and reliable, allowing connection through computer and 

> phone. It costs around $400 a year for unlimited use. Yugma provides 

> similar services for free. There are others around.

>

> Colorado has required that all programs pursue teacher certification 

> in adult ed. Those courses are offered onsite to some areas, but most 

> courses are offered through Colorado Community Colleges Online 

> (CCCOnline). I've taught several sessions and find the online 

> offerings ideal for teachers who have trying schedules.

>

> Adult Ed teachers are no different than K-12 teachers in that their 

> days are filled with conflicting tasks of all types. They have little 

> time to devote to their own prof growth. I would like to see $ to 

> provide oodles of incentives for teachers who want to grow. It's too 

> easy to put our own needs for professional development behind 

> everything else in our lives. I know because I to it to myself all too 

> often.

>

> Lot more on the subject, but I'll stop here.

>

> Leecy

>

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