WI - UW System/Partners Receive LAAP Grant; OLIT Funds Available; Register Now for GWETC 2000! Hundreds Tour Pyle Center
ED - New Standards for DE Programs; Get Serious About Education Technology
BIZ/ED - Online Learning: the Competitive Edge; Results of Survey on Pricing eLearning
GOV - eTestify!
DATA - Capella University National Survey; New Protocol for Sharing Large Data Sets
TOOLS - Portable Technology Steps Into Electronics You Can Wear; A Mouse That Feels; Easy-on-the Eyes Typeface
TECH - Two-way Satellite Internet Access to Launch; 'The Grid' is the Next Wave of Computing; Will mCommerce Boom Leave Us Trailing? No Rush to Digital TV
READS - Networked Learning: A Workbook for Workshop Facilitators
ISSUES - High-Speed Net Links Benefit Urban Rich; Giving the Disabled Increased eAccess
POSITIONS - UW-Platteville
FYI - News, Institutes, Conferences, Events

NEXT DESIEN ISSUE - September 30, 2000 FOCUS: - A Report on Project USA 2000 - Martin Carlsson and the Project Team from the Stockholm School of Economics Executive Education in Sweden, will report on Project USA 2000. The project included a recent tour to the United States to carry out benchmarking among top US universities using eLearning.

WI
UW SYSTEM/PARTNERS RECEIVE LAAP GRANT - University of Wisconsin System was one of 10 recipients of the U.S. Department of Education $10.6 million partnership grants for distance learning. The three to four year grants were awarded through the Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships (LAAP) that provide support for programs that expand access to quality distance learning opportunities. Grant Partners are: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, University of Wisconsin-Extension, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, the 13 University of Wisconsin-Colleges, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc. and Midwest Food Processors Association Inc. The total amount awarded for four years was $1,002,278. For more information CLICK: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/FIPSE/LAAP

OLIT FUNDS AVAILABLE - The Office of Learning and Information Technology (OLIT) at the University of Wisconsin System Administration and the Learning Technology Development Council (LTDC) would like to announce a Request for Proposals for a second round of funding for the Curricular Redesign Grant Program for FY 2000-2001. Deadline for proposals is October 16, 2000. For the Request for Proposals CLICK: http://www.uwsa.edu/olit/ltdc/crrfp00.htm Electronic submission of proposals is strongly encouraged. Those interested in submitting proposals are also strongly encouraged to consult with the LTDC Representative on their campus. For a list of LTDC representatives CLICK: http://www.uwsa.edu/olit/ltdc/ltdclist.htm

If you have any questions about the Curricular Redesign Grant program or the Request for Proposals please contact Glenda Morgan at gmorgan@uwsa.edu or call: 608-265-955.

REGISTER NOW FOR GWETC 2000! - CLICK: http://www.gwetc.org to register for The Governor's 2000 Wisconsin Educational Technology Conference (GWETC 2000). The conference will be held October 10-12, 2000 at Madison's Alliant Energy Center (formerly the Dane County Expo Center) and Sheraton Hotel. This eighth annual GWETC conference provides a comprehensive look at today's technology and tomorrow's vision for advancing the application of technology in all of our PreK-12 and post secondary educational systems. Wisconsin's First Lady, Sue Ann Thompson will participate and Governor Thompson is invited to attend.

Events include nationally known keynote speakers: Edward Barlow - Creating the Future, Inc., Dr. James Schnitz-IBM Education Strategy Executive and Mary Moen-the Discovery Channel; nearly 200 concurrent breakout and poster sessions; more than 130 technology and software exhibit booth areas; 17 hands-on workshops and labs and networking opportunities. Each day of the conference focuses on educational levels. Day One - Post Secondary; Day Two Ð All Levels; Day Three - PreK-12. More than 2,200 educators, planners and administrators are expected to attend.

The successful collaboration of the state educational systems to integrate technology into Wisconsin's schools is a valuable contribution to the state's status as a national leader in education. The GWETC conference plays an important role in this collaborative effort. GWETC is cosponsored by TEACH Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Wisconsin Technical College System. For additional information about the conference or to register, CLICK: http://www.gwetc.org or call Ms. Kris Schwartz, Conference Manager at: 608-264-9730.

HUNDREDS TOUR PYLE CENTER - Since its opening in November of 1999, the University of Wisconsin-Extension distance education and conference center - The Pyle Center - has hosted tours for more than 200 people from around the globe. Last week a group of seven from Norway, affiliated with the Norwegian Folk Schools, toured the facility. The group gained firsthand knowledge of infrastructure, room, technology and instructional design that they plan to share with their institutions when they return home. They were very impressed with the spectrum of technologies that the facility offers, the thought and planning that had gone into the building and renovation of the center and the technical and instructional design assistance available. To find out more about the Pyle Center CLICK: http://www.uwex.edu/pyle

 

ED
NEW STANDARDS FOR DE PROGRAMS Ð Dan Carneval, in his recent article, "Accrediting Bodies Consider New Standards for Distance-Education," reports that the six bodies that grant accreditation to colleges and universities in the United States are near agreement on guidelines for evaluating distance education that differ from traditional accrediting standards by focusing on how much students learn. If enacted, these regional accrediting agencies would use the guidelines to set standards for granting accreditation to distance-education programs and institutions. The regional accrediting agencies are creating these guidelines because distance-education programs reach students across regional borders, and the agencies wanted to make sure similar standards were adopted throughout the country. Plans are to finish the guidelines in September. Each regional accrediting agency will have to decide whether to accept the guidelines and how to apply them to their own standards, he says. Universities can also use the guidelines to help them create their own distance-education programs while making sure high quality is maintained. The guidelines are meant to be broad so they can maintain quality without putting a stranglehold on institutional creativity. Accreditation agencies will continue to try to keep up and standards will be updated as the accreditors and institutions determine what works and what doesn't. For the full story CLICK: http://chronicle.com/free/2000/08/2000081101u.htm (The Chronicle of Higher Education 11 Aug 00. For the Chronicle Web site CLICK: http://chronicle.com)

GET SERIOUS ABOUT EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY - States wanting to speed the use of information technology to improve education, should work to share the most qualified teachers and the best resources by developing a collaborative environment that supports email, videoconferencing and Web hosting. Otto Doll, chief information officer of South Dakota, says the collaborative environment should also support portable group computing platforms, which combine Internet, TV and personal computing. Each school needs a server and ample local storage and processor cycles. States should form an intranet that links K-12 schools with colleges as well as state and local governments, providing access to the Internet and to legacy systems. To connect the whole infrastructure, states should use high-speed, scalable communication lines. Another important consideration in using IT to improve education is teacher training. Each teacher and administrator should have at least 200 hours of network and computing training. In addition, public teaching universities should train all future educators to use technology, Doll says. (Government Computer News, Aug 00 - Edupage 25 Aug 00)

 

BIZ/ED
ONLINE LEARNING: THE COMPETITIVE EDGE - Companies across all industries have come to view eLearning initiatives as essential to continued success. IBM's James Sharpe says the eLearning market has matured and that, "eLearning is one way to be smarter than the competition." Communications and marketing firm Burson-Marsteller agrees. The company employs a five-person training department to develop skills development curricula for whatever business disciplines the company deems important, including media relations, writing, strategy and presentation. The training department delivers the educational content to Burson-Marsteller's 75 global locations via on-site seminars and online programs. "Our product is our ideas," says the company's chief learning officer, Barbara Smith. "eLearning is an option that provides us with a real competitive edge - it helps us maximize our intellectual capital." IBM's Sharpe says the best eLearning initiatives are those that are integrated with ongoing training processes. Companies are projected to spend $11.5 billion annually on eLearning initiatives by 2003, according to International Data. This is up from the $3 billion spent on eLearning last year. (InformationWeek Online, 28 Aug 00)

RESULTS OF SURVEY ON PRICING eLEARNING: Learning Decisions July survey addressed expectations and perceptions surrounding the price of eLearning offerings. Nearly 1200 learning and training professionals provided benchmarking data from July 20-25, 2000. Respondents assumed that there is an excellent, trainer-led course called Project Management that lasts 3 days, with a tuition of $925 per student delivered in a classroom environment. Survey highlights:

1 - If the classroom version of the course is $925, I would expect the eLearning version to cost: Average Price Indicated-$785; Median Price Indicated-$595

2 - How do the following components impact the price that you are willing to pay?

• Live (synchronous) seminars delivered online - Significant - 57.7%
  
• Simulation - Significant - 52.6%
  
• Immediate access to an instructor (less than 2 hr. turn around) - Significant - 49.1%
  
• Technical support - Significant - 45.3%
  
• An instructor to monitor progress and prompt students along Significant - 42.9%
  
• Telephone access to an instructor - Significant - 41.8%
  
• Testing and assessment capabilities - Significant - 39.7%
  
• Streamed audio or video segments - Significant - 39.0%
  
• Threaded discussions and chat - Significant - 20.6%
  
• Printed text book - Significant - 20.4%

A complete analysis of these results are available from TechLearn Trends. CLICK: http://www.masie.com (TechLearn Trends - #180, 14 Aug 00)

 

GOV
eTESTIFY! - The bipartisan congressional Web-based Education Commission is inviting experts to submit online 'eTestimony' on public policies needed to help fulfill the educational promise of the Internet. The Commission wants to hear from individuals and organizations that have a stake in the future of education and that may be affected by the Commission's efforts. Specifically, the Commission seeks concrete recommendations on a number of policy issues and questions related to access, professional development, distributive learning, assessment and accreditation, cost and financing, standards, intellectual property protection, online privacy, research and development and marketplace forces. For more information CLICK: http://www.webcommission.org

 

DATA
CAPELLA UNIVERSITY NATIONAL SURVEY - In a recent national survey of nearly 700 working adults, commissioned by Capella University, 56% of respondents believe that college courses offered via the Internet are the future of higher education. When choosing a university, working adults said the institution's name is less important than what it can do. According to respondents, the three biggest factors in choosing an institution are programs relevant to their profession-26%, convenience- 21% and affordability-21%. Looking 50 years ahead, 78% of respondents believe the Internet will play a major role in higher education, including 39% who said the Internet would make classrooms obsolete. Only 2% believed that higher education would not be changed. For more information on the survey: CLICK: http://www.capellauniversity.edu/newsmaker

NEW PROTOCOL FOR SHARING LARGE DATA SETS - Sharing large data sets may soon be possible over high-speed research networks with the help of a University of Illinois at Chicago Internet protocol. The data-space- transfer protocol is capable of moving large data sets over research networks quickly enough to sustain a computation running on Linux and Windows NT systems at the other end. The protocol divides the data and transmits it over multiple open network connections at the same time. It eliminates the need for scientists to develop complex relational databases and allows them to post data in a simple flat file format. The new protocol could eventually become a standard for scientists publishing data on the Web. (Chronicle of Higher Education Online, 25 Aug 00 - To access the Chronicle CLICK: http://chronicle.com)

 

TOOLS
PORTABLE TECHNOLOGY STEPS INTO ELECTRONICS YOU CAN WEAR - Levi Strauss and Phillips next month will introduce the ICD+, a jacket that features a built-in cell phone, MP3 player and headset. The jacket, which will retail for $900 at exclusive European boutiques, also includes remote and voice-activated controls. Woven into the ICD+ are an electronic circuit and approximately four feet of wires, which together establish a personal area network, or PAN, to conduct data and power throughout the jacket. The electronic components weigh only five ounces. Although Levi Strauss and Phillips are aiming this early model at young people and those who must have the latest trends, they believe interactive clothing will soon find a place in every wardrobe. Several other companies are working on similar technology. Motorola and Swatch are teaming on a wristwatch cell phone, while Nike is designing clothes equipped with MP3 players. Tech labs have built concept clothes such as a solar-powered T-shirt. Levi Strauss is already envisioning the next generation of wearable electronics. The company wants the devices in its next line of clothes to be wireless. (Wall Street Journal, 22 Aug 00 - Edupage 23 Aug 00)

A MOUSE THAT 'FEELS' - Global leader in computer mice, Logitech, is offering a new mouse that lets users feel various textures as they scroll the screen. The iFeel MouseMan includes a motor that moves inside the plastic outer shell, allowing users to 'touch' digitized items. Computing is now almost entirely visual, but in the future most Web pages could incorporate the sense of touch. Based on the force-feedback technology, used in military simulators and video games, iFeel MouseMan could, for example, help online shoppers inspect merchandise. Critics, however, say the technology has a long way to go. (Associated Press, 21 Aug 00)

EASY-ON-THE-EYES TYPEFACE - A number of companies are trying to speed up the e-book market by developing easier to read digital text. One company, Microsoft, has created ClearType for Microsoft Reader Software. This typeface is designed not to distract readers and can be size-adjusted. In addition, Microsoft Reader books that are downloaded are clear of toolbars and other distractions that compete with text for the reader's attention. The software does offer tools to improve the reading experience - a dictionary and highlighter. E-publishing software leader Adobe offers Adobe Acrobat Reader, which provides a format that maintains a book's original design. Another company targeting the e-book market is Lightning Source, offering print-on-demand, rapidly generating a single copy of a text. (USA Today, 30 Aug 00)

 

TECH
TWO-WAY SATELLITE INTERNET ACCESS TO LAUNCH - Starting in October, Microsoft and AOL will be each offering a new solution for broadband satellite internet access. Reports indicate that both Microsoft and AOL, with key partners, will offer the ability to access the net using the same format satellite dish as DirectTV. This 18" dish will provide two way internet access, rather than the one way access currently available by satellite, which requires the user to use a telephone line for URL requests and then receive the file from the sky. Bandwidth would be equal or faster than DSL and priced in the $99 to $50 per month area and would be bundled with TV and music services on the same dish. This will add another element bringing broadband to the home...adding increased opportunities for digital collaboration and e-Learning. (TechLearn Trends #182, 30 Aug 00. To access TechLearn Trends CLICK: http://www.masie.com)

"THE GRID" IS NEXT WAVE OF COMPUTING - Scientists at the CERN laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland, where the World Wide Web was created in 1989, are now working on the next level of computer interconnection - the Grid. As with the Web, the CERN scientists are building the Grid to meet the data-processing needs of a specific project, in this case, the data that will result from the Large Hadron Collider, which will recreate conditions immediately after the Big Bang. The Grid will distribute this data among a network of computers through a system of multiple tiers connected through fiber-optic cables. Data will move from the main laboratory to regional and sub-regional centers to universities and departments and finally to individual researchers. What makes the Grid so revolutionary is that a university researcher, even using a standard PC, would have access to data from the original supercomputers. That much data would overwhelm a computer downloading it from today's Web. The CERN scientists admit that the Grid is still a project very much under development - the Large Hadron Collider itself is not due to begin work for another five years - but they are very optimistic about its potential. (International Herald Tribune, 14 Aug 00 - Edupage 16 Aug 00)

WILL mCOMMERCE BOOM LEAVE US TRAILING? - Berena Salzmann, author of a study undertaken by the Datamonitor Group, predicts that for the near future Europe will continue to maintain its wireless 'mCommerce' lead over the United States. The acceptance of wireless standards by the European telecom industry has contributed to the US falling nearly 22 months behind in mobile commerce. The study further estimates that by 2005, the mCommerce wireless infrastructure market in America will be valued at $1.2 billion, in contrast to Europe's $1.9 billion. Datamonitor also affirms, however, that mCommerce could eventually encourage substantial growth in the US financial services market. (Financial Times, 17 Aug 00)

NO RUSH TO DIGITAL TV Ð US consumers have been slow to purchase digital TV. Only 230,000 digital televisions have been purchased in the last two years, frustrating the government's attempt to convert the nation's analog channels to digital. Hardly any of the 150 stations now broadcasting digital signals offer programming designed for digital televisions. The cable industry, which services two-thirds of American viewers, has said they will not carry digital channels. The movie industry has also objected. Manufacturers like Sony are delaying the introduction of new digital units, while analog channels are offering their digital channels for other uses. (New York Times, 7 Aug 00)

 

READS
NETWORKED LEARNING: A WORKBOOK FOR WORKSHOP FACILITATORS by Terry Anderson and Margaret Haughey This workbook provides guidelines and blueprints for planning, preparing delivering and evaluating workshops on networked learning for educators and trainers. This is a companion publication to Anderson and Haughey's 1999 book Networked Learning: The Pedagogy of the Internet, to which it contains frequent references; however, the workbook functions nicely as a stand-alone text. The workbook covers three phases in the life cycle of a networked learning workshop: planning, structuring and evaluating. The planning section covers topics that range from identifying audience and goals to preparing contingencies for equipment and network failures. The structuring section has particularly useful suggestions for encouraging interaction among participants and provoking follow-up action and learning. The brief evaluation section focuses on the design and administration of participant evaluation forms. The text is peppered with tips from the authors' experience, suggested activities, and excellent samples of forms, checklists, templates and workshop agendas. Examples of print handouts and PowerPoint slides (in print and on disk) are also included.

This book would be an invaluable guide for newcomers to workshop delivery, while many of the tips and strategies make it suitable for seasoned trainers as well. It is only one in the Lifelong Learning on the Information Highway series, which includes books, workbooks and multimedia materials. All titles in the series are available from the publisher, Judy Roberts and Associates/Associés Inc., CLICK: http://www.RobertsAssoc.on.ca (NETWORKING ISSN 1206-9450 Vol. 4, Number 12, 2 Aug 00)

 

ISSUES
HIGH-SPEED NET LINKS BENEFIT URBAN RICH - A recent study by the Federal Communications Commission, indicates that the Broadband Internet links are reaching affluent, urban areas more quickly than poor and rural regions. According to the report, 90% of the wealthiest zip codes have high-speed links, compared with 42% of poor neighborhoods and 19% of rural areas. The findings add fuel to the ongoing controversy over the digital divide and deregulation of the telecommunications industry. Legislators have been debating, over the last year, whether to change the last Telecommunications Act of 1999. This Act prevents Baby Bells from entering the long- distance market before they open up local markets. Many argue that deregulation would allow these companies to bring high-speed DSL access to rural areas sooner. However, opponents say that it would allow Baby Bells to move into the long-distance market without opening local networks to competitors. As well as revealing inequities in high-speed access, the report also shows a 375% increase in the number of households with broadband service, which brings the number to 1.8 million households. (Financial Times, 25 Aug 00)

GIVING THE DISABLED INCREASED eACCESS - The federal government has ordered its member agencies to improve their Web sites' accessibility for people with disabilities. Among the innovations being advocated are alt text, which allows a blind computer user's screen-reading device to interpret graphics and read them, and close-captioning to accompany streaming video and voice-operated commands. The scope of the project is enormous, with the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance board estimating costs between $85 million and $691 million. That represents a significant new market for Internet solutions providers such as Optavia, which says it will concentrate nearly one-quarter of its efforts this year on disability-related business. Although the government has not extended this new policy to commercial Web sites, court precedent suggests the Americans with Disabilities Act does apply to the Internet. (Washington Post, 24 Aug 00 - Edupage 25 Aug 00)

 

POSITIONS
UW-Platteville is searching for instructors to teach online courses in the following areas: Master of Science in Project Management, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. For a complete description of job application requirements and courses, CLICK: http://www.uwplatt.edu/~pers/employ.htm

 

FYI
GWETC 2000 is scheduled for October 10-12 at the Alliant Energy Center and Sheraton Hotel in Madison, WI. (See article in WI section of this newsletter) For registration and more information CLICK: http://www.gwetc.org

CREAD Tenth Anniversary Commemorative Conference will be held November 19-22, 2000 at the Hotel Caracas Hilton in Caracas, Venezuela. For the Web site and full information CLICK: http://www.outreach.psu.edu/cread

SITE 2001 The Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference is scheduled for March 5-10, 2001 in Orlando, FL at the Holiday Inn International Drive Resort. Call for Proposals deadline is October 5, 2000. The conference is cosponsored by the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida. For more information CLICK: http://www.aace.org/conf/site/