CONTENT THEME - PK-12 and Instructional Technology

UPFRONT - "Welcome - UWEX Interim Chancellor Al Beaver"

VITAL STATISTICS - "Wisconsin PK-12 Internet and CD-ROM Statistics"

FOCUS - "Under the VITAL Umbrella - Projects in Process"

CAMPUS UPDATE - Add new information

DE CLEARINGHOUSE, NETNEWS - "Popular Sites of the Clearinghouse"

FUNDING UPDATE - "Wisconsin PK-12 Technology Literacy Challenge Funding"

FYI - News and Reminders

NEW ON THE LIST - Kathleen Reilly, UW-Madison.

ENDNOTE - "Athabasca Website: Rich Resource for Distance Education Theory and Practice"

UPFRONT - A warm welcome to new UW-Extension Interim Chancellor, Al Beaver. Al has been with the University System for 30 years and has been "...actively engaged with Extension in helping to meet the educational needs of Wisconsin with innovation and distinction... (He) is firmly committed to advancing the Wisconsin Idea, as embodied in Extension's core missions of Continuing Education, Cooperative Extension and Public Broadcasting." His support includes teaching and learning via technology. "With its base of technology, communications networks and innovative ways of teaching and learning, Extension is an extraordinary institution. It is my hope to work with (Extension) to build upon Extension's successes at a time when this institution is being challenged by its public stake- holders to play an increasingly important role in meeting the 21st Century educational needs of Wisconsin citizens." Extension looks forward to working with Al during this period of transition. (Quotations from the February 13 E-mail to all UW-Extension faculty and staff)

VITAL PK-12 STATISTICS - At the national, state and local level, there is growing interest in working with PK-12 schools to assist teachers, administrators and school staff in the process of integrating technology into the classroom in meaningful ways. Under the Virtual Institute for Technology, Teaching and Learning (VITAL) Initiative, UW-Extension is developing a number of projects that will help in this effort. (see FOCUS article below) In the process of "doing their homework", VITAL discovered some interesting statistics:

At present, 86.4% of Wisconsin high schools and 71.3% of Wisconsin elementary schools are connected to the Internet at some location in the school. Efforts are now in process through Wire Wisconsin and BadgerDial to provide increased numbers of connections directly to the classrooms and decreased numbers of long distance charges. In addition, the most recent survey implemented by the DPI in 1994, to assess school CD-ROM access, found that 97% of high schools, 94% of middle schools and 79% of elementary schools in Wisconsin have CD-ROM players in their libraries - for an overall average of 85%. Additional data is being collected by VITAL to better understand the PK-12 technology environment.

(Information from: The 1996 Wisconsin School Boards Association Survey of Wisconsin Public Schools & Internet Access, December 17, 1996 and the DPI 1994 School District Survey.)

FOCUS
"Under the VITAL Umbrella - Projects in Process"

(Adapted from the new VITAL brochure)

In an age of emerging technologies, teachers must learn to work with these technologies and integrate them into the classroom curriculum and the everyday experiences of their students. The Virtual Institute of Technology, Teaching and Learning (VITAL) has been developed to assist teachers in this process. An increasing number of exciting projects are being developed under the VITAL umbrella:

o UW-River Falls has developed a training initiative through a Goals 2000 grant that partners college students and PK-20 teachers in instructional technology classroom projects. This successful initiative is in the process of being evaluated.

o A PK-20 "Effective Practices" database of PK-20 professional development and curriculum integration projects is in the first Phase of development. At present it includes: a listing of 30+ Effective Practices, 17 of these developed in grid form, with the remainder in grid development process to be completed in March. The grid information includes: Project Abstract, Contact Information, Available Resources, Content Focus and Information, Location of Project, Target Audience, Special Focus of the Project, Technologies Used, Funding Sources, Collaborative Partners and Project Identity.

Also, as part of Phase I, Sally Standiford, Director of VITAL and instructor for the UW-River Falls Goals 2000 project is working with Instructional Communications Systems (ICS) to develop a WWW/Multimedia Prototype of this project.

Phase II will increase the number of Effective Practices and expand the concept from PK-12 to PK-20, integrate a searchable database and develop the UW-River Falls Goals 2000 project for WWW/Multimedia. Phase III will develop several selected Effective Practices for WWW/Multimedia as well as initiate workshops on the WWW/Multimedia development process for the other teachers and students with Effective Practices in the database. Phase IV will encourage teachers and students from the remaining and ongoing Effective Practices to develop their practices for WWW/Multimedia.

As noted in the Clearinghouse article, "Effective Practices" can be accessed at:
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/vital/

A form for electronic submission of "Effective Practices" is also available at the VITAL Website. Proposed Practices may be submitted by individuals or by groups and organizations. All submitted Practices will be reviewed by members of the VITAL Steering Committee. Database information will be updated on a regular basis and practices, no longer current, will be archived.

o A PK-12 Instructional Technology Project - will provide continuing education to school teams who want to integrate instructional technology into their classroom curricula. Selected teams will attend a three-phase Technology Institute for Educators, beginning with two summer of 1997 Techno- Camps to be held at UW-Whitewater and UW-Eau Claire. Educators will learn to research, design and assess curriculum projects for their students, develop projects, implement them into their classrooms and return to "show what they know" with the other institute teams. This project will serve as a model for replication around the state, bringing ongoing continuing education to professionals. The director is Debra King, UW-Eau Claire, 715-836-5400.

o A Multicultural Project - is focusing on replicating an existing and highly effective UW-Milwaukee multicultural teacher education program. This exemplary program is a collaborative venture between UW-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Schools and the teachers union. The program screens applicants thoroughly, then fast-tracks baccalaureate prepared minority professionals, preparing them for teacher certification in 12 months. Preliminary negotiations are underway to adapt this model program to address the unique characteristics and needs of another urban Wisconsin community. The director is Kay Taube, Continuing Education Extension, UW-Extension, 608-262-7277.

o Educators in the Workplace and Community - is a project that will provide Wisconsin educators with structured in-depth internships. These internship opportunities will enable educators to explore new arrangements with community organizations and businesses. Participating educators can use the internship experience as a tool to enrich and authenticate student curriculum. Project design components will support three outcomes: 1) provide educators with a contextual learning experience in the form of a worksite internship; 2) provide credit for the internship experience and 3) link rich preservice and graduate level teacher inservice. The project will be designed and completed by June 1, 1997. The director is Judy Ettinger, Center on Education and Work, UW-Madison, 608-263-4367.

The University of Wisconsin-Extension, in cooperation with other UW campuses, is continuing to establish partnerships and build relationships with appropriate stakeholders to bring these resources to Wisconsin PK-20 faculty. As envisioned, VITAL is an extension of the Wisconsin Idea - extending the boundaries of the university to the boundaries of the state and beyond. Funding sources are being identified to further develop and implement VITAL's goals and strategies. For further information contact: Rosemary Lehman, Instructional Communications Systems, UW-Extension, 608-262-7524.

CAMPUS UPDATE

(Please add new information about your institution's distance education progress below.)

UW CENTERS -

UW-EAU CLAIRE -

UW-GREEN BAY - MULTIMEDIA CLASSROOM APPROACHES COMPLETION - By the beginning of March, 1997 construction of a new multimedia classroom will be complete. The room will be used ostensibly by the Learning Technology Center to educate faculty members about instructional technology and distance teaching and learning. University one-time funding and laboratory modernization funding is being sought to equip the classroom. (Robert Skorczewski - Outreach Program Manager, Office of Outreach & Extension, UW-Green Bay)

UW-LA CROSSE -

UW-MADISON -

UW-MILWAUKEE -

UW-OSHKOSH -

UW-PLATTEVILLE -

UW-RIVER FALLS -

UW-PARKSIDE -

UW-STEVENS POINT -

UW-STOUT -

UW-SUPERIOR -

UW-WHITEWATER -

FROM THE DISTANCE EDUCATION CLEARINGHOUSE
NETNEWS
Michele Jacques

"Popular Sites of the Clearinghouse"

Distance Education Clearinghouse on the web at:
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/home.html

The Distance Education Clearinghouse continually gathers links to information on a wide range of distance education and related topics. In addition, there are also several major sections within the framework of the Clearinghouse which are sites in and of themselves.

The newest of these sites is the VITAL information. http://www.uwex.edu/disted/vital/

As noted in this issue of DESIEN, this site will be expanded in the future.

Here's a quick overview of some of the other sites:

Wisconsin Satellite Program Database
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/sat/

This is a searchable database of hundreds of upcoming programs which are delivered via satellite.

InfoSource
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/infosrce/

Over 600 documents provide answers to questions about youth development, home and family living, parenting, environment and gardening.

13th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/distanceconf/deconf.html

The Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning is recognized internationally for the quality and integrity of its program. Information regarding calls, deadlines, program information, registration information, etc. can all be found on this website.

Collaborative Nursing Program
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/cnp/

Course descriptions, maps to sites, and contact information are provided for this statewide program which offers students the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

Conferences, Workshops, and Seminars database
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conf/

Conference information is gathered, sorted, and updated. The conferences are held worldwide, all are on distance education and related topics.

Distance Education Professional Development (DEPD) Program
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/depd/certpro.html

The Distance Education Professional Development (DEPD) Program is designed to build or enhance your professional knowledge, skills, and leadership in distance education and training. Catalog information and descriptions are posted on this site.

Online Catalog of Distance Education Courses and Programs
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/catalog/

At this site, information about the University of Wisconsin's distance education courses and programs are always available.

We would like to thank all of the people and organizations which make these sites so rich in resources and materials. Without their contributions, it would not be possible to develop many of these sites.

Michele Jacques
Project Coordinator, WWW
Distance Education Clearinghouse
Instructional Communications Systems (ICS)
University of Wisconsin-Extension

 

FUNDING UPDATE (PK-12) - The Technology Literacy Challenge Fund (TLCF) provides grants to States to accelerate the implementation of statewide educational technology plans by providing financial assistance through the States to school systems. The purpose of the TLCF is to provide resources to speed the implementation of statewide strategies designed to enable all schools to integrate technology fully into school curricula, so that all students become technologically literate. A key purpose of the program is to enable the States to assist school systems that have the highest numbers of percentages of children in poverty and demonstrate this greatest need for technology. This is a new five year program with nearly $3.5 million allocated for Wisconsin for spring of FY 97. (Neah Lohr, Team Leader, Instructional Media and Technology, DPI)

FYI - NEWS AND REMINDERS:

* The Wisconsin Association for Adult and Continuing Education (WAACE) 32nd Annual Spring Conference is scheduled for March 13-14 at the Paper Valley Convention Center in Appleton, WI. The conference focus is on "Developing a Tool Box for the 21st Century". Areas of interest are: continuing education, adult literacy, workplace education, community education, administration, marketing, technology, collaboration, etc. For further information contact: Julie Hellweg 715-346-3730.

* The 5th Annual Leading Edge Training Technologies Conference will take place March 18-19, 1997 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. "Training Technologies for the Future: Opportunities and Challenges" is the conference theme. For further information contact Ms. Drew Williams: 250-721-8779.

* The 7th Annual IDLCON Conference is scheduled for March 24-26, 1997 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Washington D. C. IDLCON is held in Washington, D.C. each year to enable members and attendees access to key policy makers. A legislative briefing for IDLCON attendees is part of Distance Learning Week, March 23-29, 1997. This year's emphasis is on distance learning in Russia and the newly independent republics of the former Soviet Union. For more information and registration call: 1-800-829-3400; International call: +1-510-606-5150.

* The theme for the 82nd Annual University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) Conference scheduled for April 11-14, 1997 is "New Realities-Redefining Partnerships with Our Communities". The conference, to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, will focus on the challenges for education in the digital age. For further information call: 202-659-3130.

* The K-12 Distance Education Program at Penn State is scheduled for April 13-14 at the Penn State Scanticon Conference Center Hotel. Issues to be addressed are: learners and learning, teachers and instruction, instructional design and administration/management. To receive a brochure call: 1-800-PSU-TODAY.

* The 3rd Annual International University Consortium (IUC) and University of Maryland System Institute Professional Development Workshop is scheduled for May 19-21 at College Park, Maryland. The workshop theme is - "learning.teaching.interacting@hyperspace/The Potential of the Web". The workshop is limited to 250 participants with no exceptions made to this limit. For registration information contact ICU at: 301-985-7811.

* The 18th ICDE World Conference, May 29-31,1997 will be held at The Pennsylvania State University and will be presented in partnership with The World Bank. The conference is sponsored by The American Center for the Study of Distance Education (ACSDE) and the World Bank. Participation is expected from over 100 countries.

The ICDE World Conference will include the Fourth Pre- Conference Symposium on Research in Distance Education. The Symposium will focus on issues concerning distance education as a strategy in national development. Topics will include existing research on technology, program design, instructional methods and policy development with particular emphasis on Access and Equity, Cost and Quality, Cultural Identity and Technology Selection. A statement describing an agenda and strategy for further research focused on national economic and social development will be constructed by participants at the conclusion of the Symposium. Symposium leaders will be from the American Center, The World Bank UNESCO and the UK Open University. For further information and registration call: 814-863-3764.

* The NUTN Annual Conference, June 28-July 1, 1997 will be held at Marriott's Mountain Resort at Vail, CO and will focus on the theme "The Digital Millennium: Higher Education's New Paradigm". For further information contact NUTN at: 757-683-3012.

* The 3rd Annual Teaching, Learning, Technology Roundtable (TLTR) Summer Institute will be held in Phoenix, AZ, July 12-15, 1997. Pre- and post-leadership workshops will be held July 11 and 16. The Institute will include activities for identifying and training TLTR event facilitators, leaders and chairs of local TLT Roundtables. Tracks will include: institutional planning/administration/finance; changing curriculum and student/faculty roles; education, technology and the human spirit; evaluation, assessment and research and external relations/partnerships. Participants will also be introduced to national project-based workshops - Flashlight, Epiphany, Crossroads, Student Technology Assistants, Financial Planning & Management, etc. For further information and registration contact Amanda Antico at: 202-293-6440 ext. 38.

* The 13th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning, "Competition-Connection-Collaboration" will take place August 6-8, 1997 in Madison, WI. To receive a brochure about the conference call: 608-265-4159.

* The "WebNet '97 World Conference of the WWW, Internet, and Intranet", Oct. 31-Nov 5, 1997, Toronto, CANADA is issuing a call for papers, short papers, panels, tutorials, workshops, demonstrations and posters. This annual conference serves as a multi-disciplinary forum for the exchange of information on the development, applications and research of all topics related to the Web and encompasses the use, applications and societal and legal aspects of the Internet in its broadest sense. The conference is organized by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) in cooperation with WWW/Internet businesses and industry.

Submission Deadline is March 7, 1997. For further information about WebNet 97 call 804-973-3987, E-mail AACE@virginia.edu or see the WebNet '97 WebPage at: http://www.aace.org/conf/webnet

* "WETC 1997 Conference" - Mark Your Calendars Now...for the Wisconsin Educational Technology Conference (WETC) which will be held November 4-6, 1997 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. WETC is cosponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the University of Wisconsin-Ex- tension, the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the Wisconsin Technical College System, along with over 70 endorsing organizations. The purpose of WETC is to advance the application of technology at all levels of education and training (PK-adult) in instruction, curriculum, learning resources, special needs, administration and planning. This year WETC is recommending that "institutional teams" be sent to WETC '97, so that upon returning to each institution or district, team support can be utilized.

For an Application to Present (Application deadline is March 10) contact Richard Sorensen: sorenrj@mail.state.wi.us; for further information visit the WETC Website: http://www.board.tec.wi.us/wetc/wetc.htm

NEW ON THE DESIEN-List - Kate Reilly - Kate is working toward her doctorate in the School of Human Ecology, CAVE, UW-Madison. She is also Chere Gibson's Project Assistant for two USDA distance education challenge grants: the "Virtual Classroom" which combines faculty development as well as policy discussions for the Agricultural Consortium of the UW System (four courses are being offered via a combination of compressed video, audioteleconference and computer with faculty and deans involved from Madison, Platteville, River Falls and Stevens Point campuses); and "Collaborative Teaching and Learning" which combines the expertise of faculty from the animal science departments at UW-Madison, Iowa State U, U of ILL at Urbana-Champaign, U of Missouri-Columbia and Purdue. Their efforts will produce a satellite course in animal growth, development and evaluation to be offered nationwide next fall.

ENDNOTE - According to Chris Olgren, Program Manager for the Distance Education Certificate Program, the Athabasca University Website is an excellent source of information about distance education theory and practice. Chris uses it as a resource for the Certificate Program participants. The site lists a wide number of topics with "hot buttons" that link to resources on the Web. Topics include: Theories of Learning, Constructivism, Situated Learning, Flexible and Open Learning, Computer-Mediated Communication, Artificial Intelligence, MOOs, MUDs and IRC, Systems Theory and Virtual Reality for distance education.

The Website is located at:
http://ccism.pc.athabasc au.ca/html/ccism/deresrce/theory.htm

The theory and practice section is part of Athabasca University's larger database called Resources in Distance Education (RIDE). The RIDE page is: http://ccism.pc.athabascau.c a/html/ccism/deresrce/de.htm

MARCH ISSUE CONTENT THEME - "Teaching via Technology - Experiences and Reflections"

DESIEN ARCHIVE: An Archive has been created for past issues and interaction comments. Located at:
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/desien/index.html

DESIEN (The Distance Education Systemwide Interactive Electronic Newsletter) has been created to encourage information exchange and discussion of distance education issues concerned with: 1) UW Systemwide distance education progress and institution course/program development, 2) faculty/ team development, 3) technology, 4) policy, 5) funding and 6) research. List recipients outside of the UW System are also welcome to join in with information contributions and discussion.

Each monthly issue will focus on an "theme of interest", feature a regular column on the Distance Education Clearing- house by Michele Jacques, contain an FYI section, and list future areas of focus. Your continuous input through updates, features, questions and dialogue will be instrumental in helping DESIEN evolve and grow.

The coordinators of DESIEN are Rosemary Lehman and Pat Takemoto. The owner of DESIEN is Rosemary Lehman, lehman@ics.uwex.edu Please contact Rosemary if you have concerns or problems. ListServ: DESIEN-List@uwex.edu