A newsletter detailing items of interest related to educational technology for Asnuntuck Community College faculty. If you don't have time to read these right away they will be archived at http://www.acc.commnet.edu/online/faculty.htm.

myCommNet Reminder

myCommNet is coming November 21, 2007! Read more about myCommNet at http://www.commnet.edu/portal. This link also appears on the WebCT Vista login page and contains t he same information that appears in the pamphlet that will be mailed to students the first week of November.

I expect one of the biggest challenges will be to train users to use the correct web address. We talk about myCommNet and are starting to see the myCommnet image everywhere but the address will be http://my.commnet.edu. The dot after the "my" will be easily overlooked by many users. I am practicing now to actually say myCommNet in web-speak and to refer to it as:

my (dot) commnet (dot) edu
Remember! There is no "www" preface.

Idea:

Discussions surrounding the hurdle facing us has produced ideas for using WebCT tools to assist you with acclimating your students to the change.

1. Consider using the Assignment or Discussion tool and have students read the information at http://www.commnet.edu/portal and discuss their opinions and/or ask questions about the process.

2. Consider using/adapting a quiz that is available for import into any course. Questions are based on the information found at http://www.commnet.edu/portalEdit questions or point values to your liking.**

To import the quiz:

Click the "Content Import" button. Click "Advanced View" in the File browser window. Scroll down to the "ACC Shareable" folder and click the "myCommNet Quiz" radio button to select. The "Content Import in Progress" page will appear. When the import is finished click the "Return" button and you will be back at your course home page.

To add the quiz to your course:

Select a location for the quiz and then click "Assessments" from the menu on the left. Click on "myCommNet Quiz" and click "Add Selected". The quiz will be added to that location.

** My thanks to Don Boyd for his collaborative spirit and relentless pursuit of WebCT creativity & mastery!

Tools of Engagement: Gaming & Simulations for Teaching & Learning

Learn to use games and simulations in higher education. See demonstrations of these multi-disciplinary tools and meet colleagues involved in their use and development.

When: October 26, 2007 - 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Where: Manchester Community College - SBM Auditorium Science & Tech. CenterRegister now through the IITT Course Cart online reservation system.

Keynote speaker: Dr. Laurence F. Johnson, CEO New Media Consortium (NMC). NMC is the publisher of the widely read Horizon Report which details technology trends that will impact education. Dr. Johnson also conceived and implemented the NMC Campus in Second Life. Don't know what Second Life is? Attend the Tools of Engagement conference. If you can't attend there will be opportunities provided at ACC to tour. Watch for announcements.

p.s. The NMC Campus is free to join. Below is my avatar playing in the NMC Sandbox and discovering a "Free Professor Startup Kit". Can't wait to explore that! (Comic made using www.comeeko.com)

Upcoming Campus Events

Oct. 20 - ACC Music madness - 6:00-10:00 pm - Auditorium
Oct. 24 - Domestic Violence Awareness Coffee House -7:00 pm - Cafe II
Oct. 26 - Halloween Haunted Maze & Costume Party - 6:00-10:00 pm - ACC fields
Nov. 11 - Hypnotist - 7:00 pm - Auditorium
Nov. 15 - Covenant House Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Kids - 5:30 pm - Fr. Lawn
Dec. 7 - Band Performance - 7:00-9:00 pm - Auditorium