CONTENTS

UPFRONT - Change for Accessibility is in Progress for DESIEN and...Introducing This
Month's FOCUS Article
FOCUS - Web Accessibility: Creating Pages More People Can Access, Alice Anderson
UW NEWS - GWETC Registration, IDEAS Portal Web Site for Educators, VITAL
Funding

LINES - August News Highlights
ED - To Palm or Not to Palm, Bringing Ancient Cities Back to Life
BIZ/GOV/ED - The Changing Faces of Virtual Education, NGA Issues Report on
e-Learning in the States, Learner Assumptions
FUNDS - NEC Provides $1 Million in Grants
TECH/TOOLS - Photo-Realistic 3D is Here, Oxygen Project...Easy as Breathing,
Natural Language Speech Recognition Technology, Easier Video Searching
READS/RESOURCES - Streaming Media Resource, Free Guide of Best DE Grad
Schools and Business Management Programs, Node Learning Guides
ISSUES/CHALLENGES - Mobile Computer Lab Combats Digital Divide, Project Goal
Hopes To Cross Digital Divide
POSITIONS - UW-Extension Web Developer, Miami University at Middleton Program
Manager

NEW ON THE LIST - Welcome to New Subscribers
FYI - News, Events, Conferences
ENDNOTE - Thinking from the Edges, Judith V. Boettcher
_______________________________________________________________________

SEPTEMBER DESIEN ISSUE FOCUS - Cultural Sharing Video Connections Between
Washington and Watertown High Schools - Linda Albertson, English and Journalism
teacher for grades 10-12 at Washington High School, Milwaukee, WI

Using email, videoconferencing and field trips to each others' schools, Washington and
Watertown students share, and move to appreciate each others' racial, religious and
geographical differences. The project is in its 5th year.
________________________________________________________________________

UPFRONT - Change for Accessibility is in progress! The DESIEN Web site and Archive
are receiving a 'new look!' DESIEN Web Developer, Rich Berg has been working to make
the pages more easily accessible for everyone. In addition, Rich is reformatting the pages to
provide a more uniform look. So when you access the Home page or Archives, you may
notice that changes are occurring; however, all pages will continue to be available during this
time.

In this month's DESIEN FOCUS article, Alice Anderson, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
discusses Web accessibility and suggests using "universal design principles" when designing
Web sites. (Rosemary Lehman)
_________________________________________________________________________

FOCUS

Web Accessibility: Creating Pages More People Can Access

Alice Anderson
Technology Accessibility Program, Learning Technology and
Distance Education
Division of Information Technology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

The internet is capable of reaching the largest mass media audience in history, surpassing radio
and television. It is estimated that internet usage doubles every 6 months, Computer Industry
Almanac at: http://www.c-I-a.com/ Every 24 hours the Web increases by more than 3.2 million
new pages. As powerful and far reaching as the internet is, many people are not able to access
it because of situational or functional limitations.

A functional limitation refers to disabilities. At present, there are nearly 54 million people in
the United States alone, with some form of disability or functional limitation, The
Accessible Future, National Council on Disability at: http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/accessiblefuture.html The National Center for
Education Statistics Report (NCES 1999-046), estimates there were four hundred and thirty
thousand students with disabilities enrolled in US institutions of higher education during the
1997-1998 school year. The U.S. Bureau of the Census estimates that 50% of the population
65 years of age has some form of disability, and by age 75; it is estimated that 70% will acquire
a disability. Everyone has the potential to develop disabilities. If we live long enough, the odds
increase that we'll develop one or more temporary or permanent disability.

Situational limitations will prevent others from gaining access to many web pages. Working in
a noisy environment, eyes occupied on another task (driving a vehicle), reading difficulties or
cannot read at all, are conditions that limit accessing the web. Limitations and barriers also
include older browsers, slow modems, Kiosks, PDA's and WebTV. A poorly designed web
page may be the largest single barrier to access.

Creating accessible web sites that follow the principles of universal design provide the
maximum potential audience by allowing more Web users to access your site. Accessible
sites allow users to access, regardless of browser used, resolution settings, eyesight, color
blindness, physical challenge or mobility limitations, sensory or cognitive challenges. Those
who use screen readers, have low literacy levels or English as a second language and those
using future technologies (palm pilots, cell phones, etc.) will also be able to access your site
when it is designed for accessibility using the principles of universal design; "The design of
products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without
the need for adaptation or specialized design." See:
http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud/univ_design/princ_overview.htm Although these
principles apply to all sorts of developments, they are especially relevant to the delivery of
information via the World Wide Web. Experts in a wide variety of professions developed
these principles. Essentially, developers should adhere to these principles wherever possible
as it is difficult, if not impossible, to predict which specific disabilities or impairments for
which one should otherwise design (e.g. learning disabilities, visual impairments, hearing
impairments, mental illnesses, mobility/orthopedic impairments, speech impairments and so
on.) When web pages are designed to be more usable by as many people as possible at little
or no extra cost, more than people with disabilities benefit. In other words, why not simply
design with universal design principles in mind and deviate from those conventions only
when absolutely necessary and defensible?

By designing accessibility into a web site, everyone can benefit, not just people with
disabilities. The web is transforming society, and the search engines are an important part
of the process. Search engine robots can find your sites when images on web pages have a
text equivalent. Older technologies can find you.

The current trend in web site design is to assume that the web site will be accessed via a
typical home or work computer with high resolution full color display, keyboard, sound
and pointing devise. This scenario will be challenged as new technologies are increasingly
adopted to access the World Wide Web.

How to get started? Turn off images on your browser. Turn your mouse upside down; Use
the tab keys to navigate the links on your page. Test your pages using a variety of browsers,
including text only browsers. Find a group of computer users with various disabilities who
use adaptive technology. Have them surf your pages and share their experience. Study
accessible design principles so that you can make a skilled judgment about your own pages.
Validate/check your pages using one of the many tools available. See:
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/ltde/access/web-design.htm

More information on web accessibility and universal design:

Technology Accessibility Program
http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/ltde/access/

WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind)
http://www.webaim.org

Trace Research and Development Center
http://trace.wisc.edu
_______________________________________________________________________

UW NEWS

GWETC - Register online for The Governor's Wisconsin Educational Technology
Conference-2001 (GWETC-2001), scheduled for October 29-31 at the KI Center and
Regency Suites, Green Bay, WI. Join 1,800 educators to participate in this event that will
feature: 200 concurrent breakout and poster sessions, 24 hands-on workshop, 100+
exhibitors showcasing the latest educational technology applications and keynote presenters:
Dr. Lynell Burmark-Thornburg Center, Dr. Elliot Soloway-U of MI, Elizabeth Burmaster,
WI Superintendent of Public Instruction and WI Gov. Scott McCallum (invited.) GWETC is
cosponsored by: the University of Wisconsin-Extension, the WI Department of Public
Instruction, the WI Educational Communications Board, TEACH WI, the WI Technical
College System and the WI Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Register
beginning Sept. 10 at: http://www.gwetc.org

IDEAS PORTAL WEB SITE FOR EDUCATORS - Technology-enhanced learning is a
critical issue in Wisconsin. Although there are numerous sites for resources on the Internet,
most do not meet the specific needs of Wisconsin educators. A new innovative partnership,
involving several organizations is now filling that need. Launched in August, the IDEAS
Portal Web site is providing Wisconsin educators access to high-quality, teacher-reviewed
content that aligns with the state's Model Academic Standards. IDEAS is currently funded
by the TEACH Committee on Collaboration and is contracted through the UW-Extension
Division of Continuing Education Extension. During the next two years, IDEAS hopes to
offer additional resources: a database of members, who will receive updated personalized
resources, threaded and live chat discussions and links to grant and funding sources. In
addition, IDEAS intends to provide professional development opportunities. Finally, the site
plans to increase video resources and expand content beyond the four core subject areas to
include: music, art, special education, ESL, physical education , foreign languages and
family and consumer education. (Extension News and Ideas, Sept. 01. Visit the News and
Ideas Web site at: http://www.uwex.edu/ni)

VITAL FUNDING - Up to $842,000 was made available for Fiscal Year 2001/2002 from
UW System Administration to fund projects that provide professional development
activities for PK-12 teachers on the integration of technology into the curriculum. Grant
proposals are due November 15, 2001. The University of Wisconsin System's Virtual
Initiatives for Technology, Teaching and Learning (VITAL) describes projects, activities
and resources that are part of the PK-16 Professional Development Initiative in
Instructional Technologies for Teachers. See the site at: http://vital.wisconsin.edu/
_______________________________________________________________________

LINES - August News Highlights

- IBM has announced that its scientists have built a two-transistor component made from a
single molecule of carbon. This smallest computer logic circuit, it is believed, will give
Moore's Law a new lease on life. It offers the most promise for replacing silicone, the
principal ingredient for computer chips. This simple logic circuit brings closer the goal of
creating the first microprocessor using carbon nanotube technology, which will allow
computers to become even smaller while running faster and consuming less power. (The
WI State Journal, 27 Aug 01)

- The University of Phoenix recently implemented a plan to become a "bookless
college." Phoenix sees several advantages in providing customized, interactive digital
textbooks to its students: not having to carry heavy textbooks around and not having
to deal with selling used texts. One initiative that helps instructors develop their own digital
software is Adobe's eBook. Phoenix's Dr. Adam Honea believes that eTextbooks will
eventually take the place of print textbooks. (Wired News, 23 Aug 01)

- Sitel is working with universities and companies to help them connect with 3-D virtual
classrooms, creating a sense of really 'being there.' "We want people to feel as if they have
gone somewhere else to participate in a learning experience rather than just reading a page
on screen," explained Sitel's senior vice president of human resources, Sheena Wilson.
Sitel has recreated the visuals associated with going somewhere, to help students
communicate with each other through representative avatars and visit virtual classrooms
or more expansive environments online. Activeworlds.com offers universities free
Web connections between a certain number of students and the virtual classrooms.
Additional charges are added for more students and for more sophisticated 3-D worlds.
Sitel also offers corporate training via virtual classrooms to managers worldwide. (Online
Learning, 1 Aug 01)

- Web-connected kiosks are being used worldwide as an alternative for governments that
want to provide citizens without computers, access to their online services. These kiosks
are also being installed at Marine bases in an effort to allow soldiers to conduct business
and contact people back home. On the international front, the Indonesian government has
installed 2,500 such kiosks across the country. The kiosks, designed by WorldCom with
Compaq Computer and Info Touch Technologies, will charge users about 15 cents per
minute for Internet access. Another feature of the kiosks is that users will also be able to
take/send video of themselves with digital cameras that are installed on the kiosks.
(Washington Post, 14 Aug 01)

- Yahoo! has developed a new portal for creating a virtual classroom - Yahoo! Education.
This portal will feature such resources as online rosters, calendars, syllabi, message
boards and eMail. The portal is aimed at teachers and students at the college, high
school and middle-school levels. The project includes agreements with Bartleby.com,
Britannica.com and Houghton Mifflin Company, which will provide their content to the
portal. (Internet.com, 7 Aug 01)

- The Internet's role in the life of college students is growing, according to Greenfield
Online. From academic research to socializing, these students are relying more and more
on the net. Study findings revealed that 78% of college students have been accessing the
Web for at least three years, and 90% are online three hours daily. Web sites that are
accessed cover a wide spectrum, from the Internet Public Library and Britannica.com to
sites that focus on music, film and entertainment, sports, travel and lifestyles. (Gannett
News Service, 1 Aug 01)

- According to Circuit City's Jim Babb, between 10 to 15% of all higher education
campuses now require their students to have computers. (Investor's Business Daily, 31
Jul 01)
_______________________________________________________________________

ED

TO PALM OR NOT TO PALM - According to Elliot Soloway, an engineering and
education professor at the University of Michigan, palm devices can be very useful as
educational tools because they allow students quick access to computing at a much cheaper
price than desktop systems and...students are able to relate to the use of electronic media
more than printed material. Others, see the devices as problems and objects of theft. In this
polarized debate, some schools have banned the palm devices, while others have mandated
their use. A recent International Communication Research report noted that 23% of schools
reported banning the devices. This was, however, a lower % than has banned cell phones or
beepers. (Wired News, 23 Aug 01)

BRINGING ANCIENT CITIES BACK TO LIFE - Indiana University researchers in
Indianapolis and Bloomington, along with IBM's High Performance Storage System
(HPSS), are bringing threatened archaeological sites back to "life" via virtual reality. Chichen
Itza, Uxmal and other critically important and threatened sites are among them. Using digital
techniques to archive and develop virtual replicas of the sites, the digital preservation project
will collect data, create scalable multimedia applications to recreate the history, sights and
sounds of the cultural locations and take visitors on a virtual "walk" through the digital
recreations. Participants will be able to see, hear and experience the ways in which people
lived during those ancient times. The IU Cultural Digital Library Indexing Our Heritage
(CLIOH) project is one of several such projects. CLIOH is an IU School of Informatics
initiative. It will also draw upon the visualization resources of the IUPUI New Media
Program, and extensive faculty expertise in interactive media. For more information, visit
the Web site at: http://www.cs.iupui.edu/~clio/
_______________________________________________________________________

BIZ/GOV/ED

THE CHANGING FACES OF VIRTUAL EDUCATION - In a follow-up on the The
Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 1999 study on the "virtual" delivery of higher education,
several trends in online education were tracked, including:

- new venues for learning;
- the use of "learning objects" to define and store content;
- new organizational models;
- online learner support services; and
- quality assurance models for virtual education.

The Commonwealth of Learning is an intergovernmental organization created by Commonwealth
Heads of Government to encourage the development and sharing of open learning/distance
education knowledge, resources and technologies. For more information link to:
http://www.col.org/ (CIT INFOBITS, Aug 01. Visit the CIT INFOBITS Web site at:
http://www.unc.edu/cit/infobits/)

NGA ISSUES REPORT ON e-LEARNING IN THE STATES - The National Governors
Association Center for Best Practices released a report last month based on a 50-state
survey that sought to determine what measures states are taking relative to postsecondary
work related e-learning and what challenges they are facing. A key finding of the report
called "The State of e-learning in the States" is that quality issues are the states' top concern.
Other issues identified were the cost of developing content and training instructors, the
necessary enlargement of infrastructure capacity, agreements on articulation and residency,
the responsiveness of traditional institutions and issues of privacy and intellectual property
rights. The study found that the states are using multiple strategies to address delivery
systems, access, quality and governance, and that, despite differences, most of the states are
making progress in most areas. A summary table of findings by state, and a list of state
e-learning contacts, are provided in the full report. Read it on the NGA website at: http://www.nga.org/center/divisions/1,1188,C_ISSUE_BRIEF^D_2128,00.html
(infocus, a Newsletter of UCEA, July/Aug 01. For the UCEA Web site go to:
http://www.ucea.org)

LEARNER ASSUMPTIONS - The MASIE Center has recently begun to uncover
industry assumptions about Learners. It might be interesting to do a parallel conversation
in your own organization about what you assume about Learners. Below Elliott Masie
shares the questions his Center is pondering:

* Do learners feel like learners when doing eLearning? Do they perceive themselves as
learners, readers, workers or what?
* How do learners predict success or failure for themselves when participating in a
learning experience? And, when do they make that prediction?
* What is the role of difficulty and challenge for learning in the eLearning field? Does
it trigger early departure or increase engagement?
* How much time do learners want for reflection and practice?

Masie would like to hear your thoughts on these questions. The Center will share its
research in a future TRENDS newsletter! eMail TechLearn TRENDS at:
trends@masi.com (TechLearn TRENDS, 22 Aug 01)
_______________________________________________________________________

FUNDS

NEC PROVIDES $1 MILLION IN GRANTS - To commemorate its 10th anniversary,
NEC Foundation of America recently announced grants totaling $1 million to three non-
profit organizations for projects that use technology to maximize individual potential. The
anniversary grants supplement NEC Foundation of America's regular grants program this
year, and reaffirm its commitment to support nonprofit organizations with national reach
and impact in the areas of science and technology education and technology to assist people
with disabilities. For more information about the NEC Foundation of America, including
guidelines, visit the Web site at: http://www.necfoundation.org.
________________________________________________________________________

TECH/TOOLS

PHOTO-REALISTIC 3D IS HERE - Matrox Graphics Inc. recently announced the new
Millennium G550 graphics card. This card will allow computer users to create realistic 3D
versions of their own heads and communicate to family and friends over the Internet via
their digital clone. Matrox, with its HeadCasting technology is partnering with LIPSinc
and Digimask to enable visual online communication for any Internet user with a 56K
modem or higher. G550 comes bundled with LIPSinc's HeadFone for real-time online
communication; Digimask, which creates a 3D replica of a person's head from two photos
and the Matrox Virtual Presenter for Microsoft PowerPoint, which lets the user to create a
PowerPoint slide show, along with his/her 3D head. For more information, visit the Web site
at: http://www.matrox.com/mga.

OXYGEN PROJECT...EASY AS BREATHING - MIT's Artificial Intelligence and Computer
Science Laboratories are partnering to develop new hardware and software that they assert
will increase computing productivity by up to 300%. The name, Oxygen Project, is based on
the premise that future computing should be as pervasive as oxygen and as easy to use as
breathing. The Handy 21 and the Enviro 21 are the first components that will be developed.
They feature easily reprogrammable hardware that will allow for switching functions so that
the devices can serve in a variety of ways: as TVs, cell phones, radios or network computers.
The MIT Computer Science Laboratory is in the process of publishing a book about the
project and sees new advances, such as limited natural speech recognition and response, as
the early beginning of a revolution in which computers and humans will work together.
(Chronicle of Higher Education, 22 Aug 01. For the Chronicle Web site go to:
http://www.chronicle.com/)

NATURAL LANGUAGE SPEECH RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY - Avaya Inc. and
the University of Colorado at Boulder recently announced a joint research initiative to speed
development of natural language speech recognition technology for self-paced training
programs and other business applications. To fund this research, Avaya has donated
$250,000 to the university's Center for Spoken Language Research (CSLR) and Alliance
for Technology, Learning and Society (ATLAS) initiative. The two university entities will
work with local Avaya research and development experts in developing and testing new
speech recognition technologies. The joint project is expected to create a new generation of
voice recognition tools that intelligently engage users with greater levels of verbal and
visual perception. CU-Boulder students enrolled in the ATLAS Technology, Arts and
Media program will assist in developing test strategies for the interactive training tools. In
addition, CSLR will use a portion of the donation to create a tool kit that simplifies speech
recognition application development and integration. For more information, visit:
http://www.avaya.com ( Syllabus e-News, Resources, and Trends, 7 Aug 01. For the
Syllabus Web site see: http://www.syllabus.com/)

EASIER VIDEO SEARCHING - Researchers at Columbia University recently developed
software that will allow users to select a still image from a lineup of video clips and then
retrieve close matches from video data. An even more comprehensive project involving
natural-language processing, speech recognition and image analysis is in process at
Carnegie Mellon University. The Informedia Digital Video Library Project has created a
digital library of news broadcasts and a system that responds to a voice request for images
with frame icons of news clips. The system also uses face recognition to deliver video of an
individual. These advances will be helpful in conducting more efficient searches of video
footage without having to use keywords, a process that is often difficult due to a lack of
indices in video archives. (Technology Review, 1 Aug 01. For the Technology Review
Web site go to: http://www.technologyreview.com)
________________________________________________________________________

READS/RESOURCES

STREAMING MEDIA RESOURCE - iCanStream.tv, an online streaming media education
channel is a rich resource to visit, if you'd like to view interactive streaming media tools and
techniques. It is a media application channel that plans to inspire, teach and foster connections
among those who want to be a part of the streaming media scenario. At the site, you can play
the latest webisodes from artists and leaders in the field of streaming technology; find out
information about techniques for shooting, editing, encoding and publishing videos and share
advice and tips that you may have. Visit the Web site at: http://www.iCanStream.tv/LEARN/

FREE GUIDE OF BEST DE GRAD SCHOOLS AND BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
PROGRAMS - In October 2001 GetEducated.com, parent company of the Virtual
University Gazette, will be issuing, free, from its web site, the PDF book, Best Distance
Learning Graduate Programs - Business and Management Programs 2002. Your
university program is eligible for a free profile in this PDF book if you: a) offer a post-
bachelor degree or certificate in any area of business or management - accounting,
marketing, engineering management, eCommerce, human resources, etc.; b) are either
accredited by or are a candidate for accreditation from an agency recognized by CHEA or
its international equivalent and c) are accessible to a student audience in the USA. Programs
that offer only discrete courses and not degrees or certificates are not being profiled at this
time. If you have a graduate level university program that should be profiled, eMail Vicky
Phillips at: gazette@geteducated.com (GetEducated.com, Aug 01. For the GetEducated
Web site go to: http://www.geteducated.com)

NODE LEARNING GUIDES - The Node has launched a series of learning guides to
provide practical advice on using technology to teach effectively. The first two guides can
be purchased through the Node website now. The Node's Guide to Online Discussions
and the Guide to Blended Learning can be ordered now. Each guide comes in two parts:
a manual in PDF format and a companion website which will be updated regularly to
provide users with the latest resources available on the topic. General information on the
learning guides is available at: http://thenode.org/guides/ Details on the Guide to Online
Discussions are available at: http://thenode.org/guides/discussion/ and features of the
Guide to Blended Learning can be found at: http://thenode.org/guides/blended/
(NETWORKING 5, 8 Aug 01. For the NETWORKING Web site see: http://www.thenode.org/networking/)
_______________________________________________________________________

ISSUES/CHALLENGES

MOBILE COMPUTER LAB COMBATS DIGITAL DIVIDE - The Community College
Foundation of California promotes technology awareness in poor urban areas with eBuses.
An eBus is a mobile computer lab with workstations and a satellite linkup that travels
through underprivileged neighborhoods, offering computer training and Web access
services. The foundation is sponsoring a six-week eBus tour in Illinois. Corporate
sponsors and state organizations will work with the eBus to facilitate its statewide
promotion. The foundation's Joyce Schriebman noted that raising technology awareness
through initiatives like eBus is one way to bridge the digital divide in communities that
lack funding, local facilities and Internet connectivity. "We can just park the bus and
people come right up," she said. "We'll park in front of a library, do some training, and
then show people that the same technology is available inside that library." (Wireless
Newsfactor, 23 Aug 01 - Edupage, 4 Aug 01. For the Wireless Web site go to:
http://www.educause.edu/pub/edupage/edupage.html)

PROJECT GOAL, TO CROSS DIGITAL DIVIDE - By using their knowledge, training
and experience, the Advanced Network with Minority-Serving Institutions (AN-MSI)
project hopes to help minority communities enhance information technology. The four-
year project was created with a $6 million grant to EDUCAUSE from the National Science
Foundation. EDUCAUSE has formed partnerships with the Hispanic Association of
Colleges and Universities, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities' Executive
Leadership Council and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. AN-MSI
partners in the project include: the United Negro College Fund, the National
Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, the National Association for
Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and the Alliance for Equity in Higher Education.
First on the agenda will be internal reviews of networks and wireless setup for the Tribal
Colleges and Universities. (Syllabus Online, 1 Aug 01. For the Syllabus Web site see:
http://www.syllabus.com/)
______________________________________________________________________

POSITIONS

UW-EXTENSION WEB DEVELOPER - Join the Web Development Team at
Instructional Communications Systems (ICS), University of Wisconsin-Extension
(UWEX) The Pyle Center. ICS serves the distance education and teleconferencing needs
of UW institutions and other public agencies and partners. Work with the ICS team to
design, construct and maintain a broad range of Web sites; advise faculty, staff, partners
and clients; use advanced knowledge of HTML and graphics, and create and modify
relational databases; produce statistical reports and monitor Web site activities and
development; assist in constructing Web applications that integrate new or existing
relational databases with the Internet; identify, research and recommend methods of
appropriate information delivery via the Web. For full information go to: http://www.uwex.edu/ics/positions/web Applications will be reviewed beginning
September 13, 2001. Open until filled. (Michele Jacques, Information Resources Manager,
ICS, UWEX)

MIAMI U AT MIDDLETOWN PROGRAM MANAGER - The Miami University
Middletown Campus, Continuing Education and Business and Industry Center have a
position open for a Program Manager (PM). The PM will be responsible for the
developing, marketing, managing and evaluating non-credit continuing education programs
for public subscription and contract training; managing meetings and special programs for
University business and industry and community groups; working with Miami faculty and
community consultants to develop course, seminar and workshop content and to deliver
programs and services on and off campus. The position requires a bachelor's degree in
education, business, communications or a related field; program development and
management skills; experience working with business and industry representatives;
excellent written and oral communication skills; familiarity with Microsoft Office software
and willingness to work flexible hours as needed. Experience is desired in continuing
education programs. Send letter of application, resume and three references with phone
numbers to: Sharon Attaway, Director; Office for Continuing Education; Miami
University Middletown; 4200 East University Boulevard; Middletown, Ohio 45042.
________________________________________________________________________

NEW ON THE LIST - Welcome to new subscribers - Antonio Hernandez, Rose
Schwietert, Lisa Perez, Susannah Mcgowan, Anita Hanawalt, Cathy Boak, Vincent Kiernan,
Sharlene Tebeest, Shirley Stathas, Lynn Cloud, Robert Newbery, Jenny Kluever, Carol
Cutshall, Jon Novick, Carolyn Amegashie, Linda Olver, Janet Rivers, Linda Rogers, Susan
Fox, Bobbie Beson-Crone, Patricia Carstens, Gordon Morris, Diler Oner, Robin Soine and
Byron Anderson.
________________________________________________________________________

FYI - News, Events, Conferences

- The TECHED Chicago International Conference & Exposition is scheduled for Sept. 24-
26, 2001 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers and the University of Chicago, Gleacher
Center in downtown Chicago, IL. Educators from around the country will come together to
learn about the latest technology solutions available to education. Deadline for the early bird
registration is Sept. 7, with a savings of $50 off the later registration. For more information
and to register go to: http://www.techedevents.org/chicago/AttendeeReg.htm

- The UCEA Regions IV and V Annual Conference, "Exploring New Partnerships and
Redefining the Old" will be held Oct. 14-16, 2001 in St. Louis, MO, at the St. Louis
Marriott Pavilion Downtown. To register, access:
http://www.umsl.edu/~conted/UCEAbkc.pdf for the brochure. The registration form is on
page 11. You can print the entire brochure or just the registration page.
_________________________________________________________________________

ENDNOTE - "Change is occurring in myriad fields that used to require the services of
humans. Time and efficiency are the driving forces. We are often encouraged to think outside
of the box. That is good advice, but often thinking outside of the box only leads us to another
box. Thinking from the edges provides a new perspective!" (Judith V Boettcher, Executive
Director of the Corporation for Research and Educational Networking (CREN). From
"The Spirit of Invention" in Syllabus, June, 01)
_________________________________________________________________________

SEPTEMBER DESIEN ISSUE FOCUS - Cultural Sharing Video Connections Between
Washington and Watertown High Schools - Linda Albertson, English and Journalism
teacher for grades 10-12 at Washington High School, Milwaukee, WI

Using email, videoconferencing and field trips to each others' schools, Washington and
Watertown students share(and move to appreciate) each others' racial, religious and
geographical differences. The project is in its 5th year.
_________________________________________________________________________

DESIEN ARCHIVE: An Archive has been created for past issues and interaction comments.
To access the archive go to: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/desien/

DESIEN includes subscribers from institutions and organizations around the globe. DESIEN
encourages information exchange of distance education issues concerned with: 1) distance
education progress and course/program development, 2) team development and collaboration,
3) technology, 4) policy, 5) funding and 6) research. Subscribers outside of the UW System
are encouraged to submit information and contributions.

* To submit articles or questions, email: lehman@ics.uwex.edu
* Encourage your colleagues to subscribe to DESIEN. To subscribe they
should do the following:

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