NEW WINTER/SPRING DL CATALOG - UW-Extension
NEWLY REVISED RFP FOR GRANTS - UW System
NEW FROM TTT - UW-Stevens Point Technology Series
NEW SOFTWARE - Need Some Help in Grading? New Software that Talks Back, New Authoring Tool, New Assistive Software for the Blind
NEW SECURITY PROPOSAL - $1.4 Million proposed for Computer Security
NEW WEB-BASED COMMISSION - Determined for the Public Interest
NEW FROM THE SOURCE - Adapting to Technology
NEW SOLUTIONS-NEW PROBLEMS? - Does the Web offer New Solutions only to create New Problems?
NEW POSITION - IMDC Director, UW-Madison
NEW PERSPECTIVE ON Y2K - Panic Now, Not Later
REMINDER - Wisconsin Conferences' Call for Proposals
FYI - News, Conferences, Institutes, Events

NEW WINTER/SPRING DL CATALOG

If you haven't already received the UW-Extension Catalog of Distance Learning from UW System Institutions contact Instructional Communications Systems at the Pyle Center 608-262-4342. The catalog lists distance education courses in the UW System that can be taken for professional development certification, for personal enjoyment or to help obtain a college degree.

NEWLY REVISED RFP FOR GRANTS

The RFP for Curricular Redesign Grants has been newly revised with updated funding information posted at: www.uwsa.edu/olit/ltdc/

These University of Wisconsin System Grants 1) move from rolling RFP to granting cycles and 2) require electronic submission of proposals. Grant proposals are due April 16th, 1999 for the first phase of the next funding cycle. This includes proposals for remaining funds for FY 98/99 and for funds expected in FY 99/00. The revised RFP includes recent grant awards and expected balances remaining for both fiscal years. The due date for the second phase of the funding cycle will be in the fall semester and will be announced after the April meeting of the UW LTDC. For more information contact: hschlais@facstaff.wisc.edu.

NEW FROM TTT

Lawrence Leviton, Associate Professor of Music is Using Distance Education Technology and the Web to Teach Music 103. With the help of a UW-SP technology grant, Lawrence Leviton has been able to enhance his course webpages for his "Music in Film' class. Using the WONDER distance education network, Leviton taught the class to UW-Stout last year and has offered it again this year to UW-La Crosse students; at La Crosse, however, students now have the added opportunity to access music clips (RealAudio) and view corresponding video via the course webpage. To read the article, please visit: http://www.uwsa.edu/olit/ttt/tttv4n2.htm (TTT vol. 4 no. 2 - archive is at http://www.uwsa.edu/olit/ttt/index.htm)

NEW SOFTWARE

NEED SOME HELP IN GRADING? - William Grassie of the Intellectual Heritage Program at Temple University uses TypeIt4Me for the Macintosh and ShortKeys for Windows to automate comments on student papers. Both can be downloaded free at either MacWorld or PCWorld download centers. For creating a grading database he uses FileMakerPro available for both Macintosh and Windows. With it he's created forms for collecting student data, printing out class lists and attendance sheets, computing final grades and converting final grades to letter-grades. You can contact Grassie at: grassie@voicenet.com

Hal Schlais, Coordinator for Learning Technology Development, University of Wisconsin System, has spent many hours poring over drafts of a debate brief from each of his students. To help ease the process, he recommends Micrograde "which is a very nice and powerful grading program PLUS a built-in email program (so you can email the comments to your students instead of using class time to hand things out) and a web publishing function so students can access their grades at any time." You can test micrograde at: www.chariot.com/ Hal can be reached at: hschlais@facstaff.wisc.edu (8 Feb 99, wislrntec@relay.doit.wisc.edu)

NEW SOFTWARE THAT TALKS BACK - WebAssign, is a new program designed largely by N.C. State professors for use in introductory math and science courses. In addition to automatic feedback, the software records every submission, providing professors with detailed information about student performance. More than 45 high schools and universities around the United States are giving it a try, helping NC State test the feasibility of selling the software commercially.

For students, WebAssign is like having a textbook or quiz sheet that talks back. The software offers many of the same homework problems that appear in their textbooks, and it checks the answers at any time, day or night. Those who have used it say that it's a tool that entices students to learn. For more information see: http://www.webassign.net/info/ or http://chronicle.com (Section: Information Technology Page: A21)

NEW AUTHORING TOOL - Asymetrix Releases New Tool. "Last week I was briefed by the folks from Asymetrix on their new authoring tool, Toolbook II 7.0," says Elliott Masie of the Masie Institute. "This upgrade makes a shift to the use of DHTML (Dynamic HTML) and Javascript even for the non-programmer. There are new templates and instructional format assistance embedded in this tool. It is in beta now and will be released in the weeks ahead." Check it out at: http://www.asymetrix.com (TechLearn Trends #103, 4 Feb 99)

NEW ASSISTIVE SOFTWARE - IBM's new "Home Page Reader" software for blind Web surfers uses a speech synthesizer to read text and describe graphics found on an HTML-built Web page. The synthesizer will say things such as, "There's a picture of a person on bicycle." The software costs $149. (New York Times 4 Feb 99)

NEW SECURITY PROPOSAL

As part of its call for new spending on advanced technology Research and Development, the Clinton administration is proposing that $1.464 billion be spent on "critical infrastructure protection and computer security," an increase of 40% over what's currently spent in this area. Most of the funding is earmarked for applied research on computer security through the Defense Department, but about $3 million would go toward new computer science scholarships with the goal of creating a "cyber-corps" of electronic network defenders. Congress is likely to approve or even increase the proposed funds, according to Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Penn.), who chairs the House Armed Services Subcommittee on research. (Science 29 Jan 99)

NEW WEB-BASED COMMISSION

The Secretary of Education has determined that the establishment of the Web-Based Education Commission is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Department by law. This Commission is required to conduct a thorough study to assess the educational software available in retail markets for Secondary and Postsecondary students who choose to use such software, then report back to the President six months after the first meeting. Steering the new commission will be Maureen McLaughlin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and Innovation, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202 Telephone: 202-205-2987. (26 Jan 99, UCEA Futures Listserv)

NEW FROM THE SOURCE

The rapid rise of distance learning via the Internet has led to "predictions of doom" about the future of traditional universities. But in this month's "Vision" article, Jos‚-Marie Griffiths and Gary Gatien maintain that such prophecies may be premature; in the flourishing world of distance education, traditional research universities may well prove a force to reckon with if they successfully adapt their curricula to the new media.

In this month's "Commentary", Nancy Sulla looks at technology in education and argues that we ought to be not merely using computers, but working to infuse them into the learning process.

Stephen Kessell, in the "Faculty and Staff Development" section, describes his work instructing educators in Western Australia via the World Wide Web and relates their feelings on the subject. Why teach over the Web? What segments of the class were most useful? What developmental issues need to be addressed in creating such a class?

In this month's "Case Study", Robert Lewis and Russ Hunt offer their experience with using course listservs to actively engage students, arguing that the ideal course list is similar to improvisational theater. They illustrate how instructors can play various roles as editors, promoters, game show hosts or producers.

The "Site of the Month" for February is EDUCAUSE, the site formed from the recent merger of CAUSE and Educom. In this well-designed and informative site you can find information on technology implementation in many aspects of education, from instruction to administration and it's an excellent resource for those involved in any facet of the educational experience.

In Letters to the Editor, Joseph Moxley invites readers to participate in a virtual discussion on the values of MOOs for education; Mary Ellen Nourse offers information on the newly-formed World Association for Online Education; and Nancy Levenburg responds to Paul Shrivastava's letter from last month on the seeming paradox between the enthusiasm towards online education and the lukewarm enrollment such programs inspire. See: http://horizon.unc.edu/TS (4 Feb 99, The Technology Source)

NEW SOLUTIONS-NEW PROBLEMS?

Does the Web offer new solutions only to create new problems in turn? This is one of the questions explored by Educational Technology and Society, an international online journal for developers of new learning systems and the educators who use them. The journal's aim is to "help both these communities to foster greater understanding of each other's role in the overall process of education, problems faced by each, and how they may support each other." Each issue includes peer-reviewed papers and books; Website and software reviews; short articles, comments, and descriptions of implementations. To read the journal free of charge or submit manuscripts, go to: http://zeus.gmd.de/ifets/periodical/

NEW POSITION

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Education announces the Position of Director of Instructional Media Development Center. Primary responsibility is to lead, establish priorities for, and manage the operational, financial, personnel, and planning functions of the Instructional Media Development Center (IMDC). The IMDC is involved in several major activities that serve the School of Education and University of Wisconsin programs including video and audio design and production, graphics and design and development and development of computer applications, including CD ROM's used for instruction and research.

The Director is responsible for leading and administering activities in all these areas and making independent judgements regarding the program of work, the budget, staffing, and purchase of equipment. Essential tasks also include assessing instructional media needs of the School and University and working effectively with faculty and staff in meeting those needs. The Director must keep informed about developments in media, instructional technologies, and computing in order to bring new ideas to the IMDC and should be able to collaborate with multiple units both inside and outside the School of Education, to thrive in an exciting and constantly changing environment, and to interface with other media units in the University and State.

Bachelor's degree required, master's or doctorate preferred. Preferred areas are design and production of educational media and related fields. Minimum five years experience in related fields. The UW-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. See the IMDC website at: http://imdc.soemadison.wisc.edu Full time salary minimum is $50,000.

NEW PERSPECTIVE ON Y2K

Expert advisers on the "year 2000 problem" are saying that panic about the problem could be worse than the problem itself. Planners are warning that overreaction to the perceived problem could cause bank runs, food and gasoline hoarding and social disruptions. But overreaction now may be preferable to overreaction later, says Y2K expert Charles Halpern, who is urging those most likely to worry about the problem to go ahead and stock up now on the supplies that would make them emotionally comfortable. "There's sufficient information for people to say there's a substantial risk of disruption. Overreaction now is so much preferable to overreaction in November that it's a risk worth running. People who want to lay in supplies of canned vegetables can do it now without disrupting anything." (New York Times 9 Feb 99)

REMINDER

* THE 15th ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON DISTANCE TEACHING AND LEARNING, August 4-6, 1999, Madison, Wisconsin has issued a Call for Proposals, due by February 26, 1999. You are invited to contribute to the professional knowledge provided at this event by presenting a session that relates to the field of distance teaching and learning. Exhibits of distance education resources, courseware, and technology are also encouraged.

Plan to join more than 1000 colleagues from around the world at this leading forum on distance education and training. Practitioners, managers, and researchers from education, business and industry, and government agencies will come together to exchange information and explore new developments at this 15th Annual Conference. To receive a printed brochure that describes how to prepare and submit a proposal, please call 1-800-462-0876 or 608-265-4159 or see the conference website: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/ Select the link, "Call for Conference Sessions, Workshops, and Roundtables"

* THE GOVERNOR'S WISCONSIN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE (GWETC '99) invites you to share your expertise at it's October 12-14, 1999 conference to be held at the newly constructed, state-of-the-art Midwest Express Center in Milwaukee. GWETC '99 is now accepting proposals for one-hour sessions and two-and-a-half-hour workshops. Please download and print a copy of the GWETC '99 Application to Present located at: www.gwetc.org Presenters will receive a discounted registration for the conference. Ample exhibit space is available this year, and exhibitors are encouraged to partner with educators for presentations.

GWETC brings together faculty, staff, and administrators from preK-12 schools, technical colleges, public and private higher education, state agencies, and libraries, as well as training directors from business and industry. Those who attend discover that GWETC gives educators from all levels a chance to participate together, generating alliances that result in greater effectiveness and efficiency for all. For more information visit the Web site at: www.gwetc.org or contact the conference manager by phone at 608/264-9724 or by fax at 608/264-9685.

FYI

* The Higher Education Financial Executive Symposium will be held Feb 21-23, 1999 in Arlington, VA. See the Web site at: http://www.nacubo.org/website/events.html The event is sponsored by NACUBO and EDUCAUSE.

* The Council of Independent Colleges and EDUCAUSE have scheduled a conference for March 25-27, 1999, Pittsburgh, PA. See the Web site at: http://www.cic.edu/conferences/

* Blackboard, Inc. invites you to the first annual Blackboard Summit, April 8-9, 1999 at the Westin Hotel, Washington, DC. The summit theme is: The Internet and Today's Academic Computing Imperative. The conference consists of two days of keynote presentations and panel discussions by leading thinkers and practitioners in online education today along with an online symposium. Registration information and the conference Call for Papers are available at: www.Blackboard.net/Summit99

* Make plans to present and attend the Powerful Learning, Powerful Partnerships, Educating the University Community in a Dynamic Information Environment, November 11-12, 1999, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. The symposium is sponsored by the University of Iowa Libraries and the University of Iowa Center for Teaching. It will be held in the Iowa Memorial Union, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. Proposal deadline is May 1, 1999. For additional information see: www.lib.uiowa.edu/symposium99/