Fall 2012 Introduction

I feel a little bit like I’m at an AA meeting.  Hi I’m Sheri and I’ve been taking educational technology courses since January. (Hi Sheri – responds the class). 

This is the third and last class of the 3 required courses for the graduate certificate in educational technology.  The first two classes focused on practice with a touch of theory.  This class is primarily about theory with a touch of practice.  I find that I’m looking forward to it.  A theory class brings me back to my sociological roots. 

I’m the Director for Educational Technology Initiatives for NJEDge.Net, a non profit consortium of educational institutions in the state of NJ.  I consider myself a “working sociologist,” responsible for creating and maintaining community among K20 faculty and professionals.  To this end I run 60+ face-to-face meetings and special events, professional development, webinars and more. Completing this certification will go a long way credentialing me and preparing me to provide leadership in the area of technology, learning and teaching for the NJEDge community.

Over the last (xxxx-intentionally muffling) years, I have taught sociology, statistics, research methods and anthropology to college students.  I am very comfortable using technology tools as an adjunct or primary method for learning and teaching.  Over the years I’ve used a variety of learning management, asynchronous and synchronous collaboration tools.  I am active in national organizations including WCET (educational technology), the Quilt (regional education networks) and Internet2 (national research and education network).

I am particularly interested in MOOCs and their role in formal education; along with the role of badges and other new models of online learning. 

I do have some mixed feelings about online learning as a substitute for degree programs for traditional college students.  If college is only about learning then online education will meet the end.  However, if college is about community, socialization, dating, dormitory life, sports, campus jobs and more, then online education cannot meet the end goal.  Even among non-traditionally aged college students, community is a vital part of the learning process. 

I found Nancy White’s (2009) presentation enlightening.  White describes how technology has fundamentally changed how people can be together.  She focuses on the role technology plays in creating and sustaining community without having to be in the same physical room. Understanding the orientations at play within a community helps to understand what technology tools best support the needs of that community.  Learning to use technology properly to maintain community raises online learning to an appropriate level.  But I still have to ask about the role of MOOCs where the size makes it easy to get lost. 

Today’s students must be exposed to eLearning tools to help students become productive in a growing online world.  It is my job to support and promote eLearning in NJ’s academic institutions.  My question is what is lost when students only eLearning tools without a college experience. 

Sheri's Blog

Summer Self Introduction

Introduction to Sociology Course (hope to develop a module for this class): 

White, Nancy, 2009. Digital Habitats:  Stewarding Technology For Communities. Streamed Live for the Online Convergence Conference http://www.technology/forcommunitites.com