School Evaluation Summary

I enjoyed completing this artifact, even though it was quite intensive. It gave me the opportunity to critically evaluate my organization’s technological capabilities and approach to learning. I was able to identify areas where we currently excel and others where we struggle. See the Maturity Model Benchmark Google spreadsheet and the written summary embedded below.

Completing this assignment meets the AECT 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and 5.4 standards. In this assignment we had to critical evaluate an organization’s technological maturity using a defined set of criteria. I had to identify issues and solutions based upon best practices. This information can be used to form a technology use plan. This task can be performed again at a later date to adapt the technology use plan as needed.

View this document on Scribd

Click here to view the Maturity Model Benchmark Google Spreadsheet

Digital Inequality Assignment

Digital divide and digital inequality are two ideas I don’t often think of. I’ve had access to the Internet for over 15 years so it seems foreign to me to consider that individuals do not leverage the Internet or other associated technologies. I found this assignment to be quite interesting as it shed some light on my home state, Kentucky, and how digital divide and digital inequality is a real issue, particularly for the eastern portion of the state. Atkinson and Coleman described that the lower socio-economic individuals within the eastern part of the state live in very mountainous regions that don’t lend themselves to very good wired or wireless access options (2011). Helping to bridge the digital divide gap for these people tends to be a challenge. It is important to consider the general socio-economic status and topography of a region to develop a plan to address digital divide and digital inequality.

Participating as a group was nice but yet challenging. Our group represented 5 different states and 3 different time zones. Arranging time to meet was often challenging, but we were able to more both asynchronously and synchronously to complete the project. We used several Google tools to complete this task. Technology was heavily involved in helping us pull the assignment off. From compiling our thoughts on a shared Google document, to meeting online using Google Hangouts, to completing the presentation together in a Google presentation, technology was used for every aspect of collaboration.

By completing this assignment I have shown competence in meeting the AECT 2.4, 3.2, 3.4, and 4.2 standards. We affectively integrated audio and graphic elements into a shared online presentation. We shared and vetted ideas and discussed state policy/regulations openly in a collaborative setting. We used Google documents to work together, track our progress and complete this project.

Atkinson, J. K., & Coleman, P. D. (2011). The digital divide in kentucky: Is rural online learning sustainable?. Journal of sustainability education, 2, Retrieved from http://www.jsedimensions.org/wordpress/content/the-digital-divide-in-kentucky-is-rural-online-learning-sustainable_2011_03/

Google Presentation

Narrated Presentation (SWF)

Zotero Library Assignment

The Zotero Library assignment gave me new insight on a great research and archive tool — Zotero. By using Zotero, I was able to navigate to online document repositories, such as Google Scholar and Boise State’s Albertsons Library, as well as commercial websites — namely Amazon.com, to find and compile a list of compelling resources. Zotero allowed me to collect data concerning interesting and useful resources with a click of a button. Using the Zotero data, I can easily cite the source material within my writings and/or archive items for retrieval at a later date.

Zotero is a great tool, but not without small quirks. The main issue I found is that when the references are exported in APA 6th Edition style, incorrect style format was applied to article titles. For archive purposes, this is a non-issue, but for citation within my writing, the sources require manual manipulation to comply with APA formatting.  I also found that one of my selected article references had the journal title added twice — one instance in an abbreviated format and the other instance in a fully-spelled out manner as expected.  Resolving this issue just requires a keen eye and thorough review of each entry.

This Zotero Library assignment effectively meets the AECT 4.4 Standard. This standard states:

4.4 Information Management
Information management involves planning, monitoring, and controlling the storage, transfer, or processing of information in order to provide resources for learning.

By using Zotero, I am able to efficiently manage information that supports learning by collecting resources that can be easily cited or archived for future sharing.

Click the link below to see the references I compiled using Zotero.

Zach Menshouse – Zotero Refrences

RSS Feeds Assignment

RSS Feeds can be very useful tools to aid in learning.  I see three key areas in which the establishment of learning centered RSS feeds/bundles serve to benefit the learning environment.  These areas include (1) information delivery, (2) information filtration, and (3) display.

First, the nature of RSS in itself provides a great advantage as it delivers content straight to the learning environment.  When a feed is functioning correctly, targeted content is delivered directly to the learner for consumption.  The task of searching for pertinent content is greatly minimized, potentially resulting in more efficient resource and time management.  When new content is developed, it “arrives” for learner consumption; learners may no longer need to perform tasks to determine whether new information is available.

Secondly, by setting up RSS feeds, we may determine which content sources are acceptable and those that are not acceptable.  We are in control of our content providers.  We may select only trusted content source to ensure that an accurate message is presented concerning our content areas.  With the vast array of websites providing information, which may or may not be correct, using an RSS feed/bundle to filter down the options is very helpful.

Lastly, by using an RSS Reader, we can obtain information from multiple sources in a consistent manner.  The websites we visit may organize or structure their information differently.  In order to effectively manage and use the information, we need to know how to navigate these interfaces that often greatly differ from one another.  By compiling these feeds into a bundle, we may view the content in one consistent format.

By the establishment and utilization of RSS feeds, one can effectively meet the AECT 4.4 Information Management Standard.  This standard states:

4.4 Information Management
Information management involves planning, monitoring, and controlling the storage, transfer, or processing of information in order to provide resources for learning.

Setting up a RSS feed or bundle allows us to plan, monitor, and control the type and flow of information to learners.

Click Here To Acess My Google Reader Bundle

Learning Log Assignment

Creating this learning log was a very useful experience for me. For one, it was my first time working with WordPress. WordPress has been very intuitive and easy to use. Making posts and sharing what I have learned and completed in class has been much easier than I expected. Secondly, it is a great tool to keep me organized. I am typically not the greatest at being organized. This learning log is helping to keep me organized and on track.

I hope to find some time to begin adding assignments from my other classes to my learning log. I believe that by being proactive and adding all completed assignments and reflections to this log, it will be much easier to compile the final portfolio for graduation.