CONTENTS

UPFRONT - Effective Practices - a Five-Part Series
FOCUS - Last in a Five-Part Series - Managing Graduate School With a Learning
Disability: A Profile of Judy Risch (and her use of assistive technology) by Jennifer
Smith
UW - UW CMS Paper Published by Educause, DE Certificate Program Scholarships
Available and Online Groups Now Forming, TTT, Wisconsin Partners in Creating
Digital Media Standards

LINES - May News Highlights
ED - Trend Toward Evaluations Online, Educause Releases Results of Current Issues
Survey
BIZ/GOV/ED - MIT/ARMY Unveil Futuristic Soldier Center, Deployed Airman
Realizes Educational Dream, eRate Forum Raises the Call for Reform
RECENT LEARNING STYLES RESEARCH - Generational Learning Styles
LEGISLATION - Senate Supports Funding Bill for Minority-Serving Institutions
ACCESSIBILITY - Kurzweil Higher Ed Group Advises on Assistive Technology,
Group Advocates for Blind-Friendly Web Sites
DIGITAL DIVIDE - Broadband Grants for Rural Areas
TECH/TOOLS - High Definition Camcorder Out in June, The Foldable Screen
READS/RESOURCES - Copyright, F-Light, Online Versus Face-to-Face Courses

NEW ON THE LIST - Welcome to New Subscribers
FYI - News, Events, Conferences
ENDNOTE - And...What are Blogs?
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JUNE DESIEN FOCUS ARTICLE - No June issue - DESIEN takes a Holiday!
_______________________________________________________________________

UPFRONT - We've run the gamut in this series, from online training, to audio and video
streaming for class resources, to a unique use of videoconferencing, and holding meetings
via webconferencing. In this last of the five-part effective practices series, we focus on
assistive technology and how one student with a learning disability was able to use a
multifacted technological approach to manage and complete her joint graduate degree
program in Law and Education.

See a related article, Kurzweil Higher Ed Group Advises on Assistive Technology, in the
ACCESSIBILITY section of this month's DESIEN.
_______________________________________________________________________

FOCUS

Managing Graduate School with a Learning Disability:
A Profile of Judy Risch, UW-Madison
by
Jennifer Smith, TTT Editor

Abstract
Keeping up with the intense reading load of graduate school can be hard. But what if
you have a learning disability like dyslexia that compromises your ability to read quickly
and absorb content via the printed word? Learn about the personal experiences and
study strategies of one UW-Madison graduate student who has developed a
multifaceted, technological approach to keep up with her studies. Risch is enrolled in a
joint degree program between the Law School and School of Education and attributes
her success to a wise use of technology. This article was previously published in Teaching
With Technology Today (TTT), Jennifer Smith, editor (1999-2001), vol 5, no 7, and is
included in this publication with TTTs permission. The TTT Web site is at:
http://www.uwsa.edu/ttt/

Introduction
Keeping up with the intense reading load of graduate school can be hard. But what if
you have a learning disability that affects your ability to read quickly and understand
content via the printed word, a disability that can even make letters appear transposed?
This condition, dyslexia, can make an already-tough course of study seem insurmountable.
And it is hardly uncommon - according to recent statistics from the National Institutes
of Health, 15-20% of the U.S. population has some form of learning disability, and
dyslexia is one of the more frequently-occurring disabilities. On the UW-Madison
campus, the McBurney Disability Resource Center works with about 350 students
with learning disabilities yearly.

Judy's Story
For Judy Risch, 23, technology has been a boon to her success as a graduate student
in a dual program at UW-Madison. Risch is enrolled in a joint School of Education/Law
School program in which she will earn both the PhD and JD degrees. Hailing from
New Jersey, Risch began her studies at Madison in Fall 1998, after completing a
teaching degree in special education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. From an
early age, it was apparent to Risch's parents that her auditory learning skills surpassed
her reading ability. They frequently read to her, and, at the age of seven, took her for
private testing that identified her dyslexia. Although she did not receive many educational
accommodations during her grade school and high school years, outside of school, Risch
and her family took advantage of materials available through Reading for the Blind and
Dyslexic (RFBD), which she describes as "a wonderful service."

During college and graduate school, Risch developed a technology-assisted routine to
make her schoolwork more manageable. A key piece of her strategy is software called
Kurzweil 3000, offered by the firm Lernout & Hauspie. Useful to students at a wide
variety of levels, Kurzweil 3000 is PC-based reading software that reads aloud text
brought into it, whether from a scanned document, a word-processing document, or
other source. The user can manipulate the reading speed, the software's "voice," and
can even set the software to highlight the word, sentence, or paragraph that is being
read.

For Risch, the most time-consuming aspect of her study regimen is the initial scanning
of her textbooks at the beginning of the semester. However, once the texts are stored
on her computer, she's ready to go. Using Kurzweil to read aloud her texts while she
follows along on the screen allows Risch to get all of her reading done in a timely manner.
Although at approximately $2,000, the version of Kurweil used by Risch is a substantial
purchase, she feels strongly that it is a worthwhile investment in her graduate school
career.

Other software also plays a role in Risch's learning strategy. A CrossPad (from the
Cross Pen Computing Group) allows her to easily load course notes onto her computer,
which she can later work with in Microsoft Word or Kurzweil. The CrossPad is a
notepad-like device that lets her take notes on regular paper and then converts those
notes into a digital format. Spellcheck features on word processing software come in
handy, and she can transfer her course papers from Word to Kurzweil 3000, letting
the software read them back to her so she can check the flow of her papers and edit
them. A flatbed scanner at home makes it convenient for her to get her textbooks into
a Kurweil-usable form. She may eventually buy a hand scanner to gain even more
flexibility.

Future Plans
After completing her UW degrees, Risch plans to go into educational law with a focus
on advocacy for students with disabilities. She will be able to use her first-hand
knowledge of being a student with a learning disability and commented that it was
unfortunate that some children need to fail a course before educators and others
recognize a learning disability. In the meantime, Risch will continue to use her range
of technological accommodations to manage the heavy workload of graduate school
and maintain her academic success.

Selected Resources on Learning Disabilities:

Heath Resource Center: A division of the American Council on Education that
serves as a national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for people with
disabilities: http://www.health-resource-center.org

Association on Higher Education and Disability: http://www.ahead.org

National Center for Learning Disabilities: http://www.ncld.org

LDOnLine: This site describes itself as "the interactive guide to learning disabilities
for parents, teachers, and children" and contains more information on young children
with learning disabilities than the other sites listed here: http://www.ldonline.org
______________________________________________________________________

UW

UW CMS PAPER PUBLISHED BY EDUCAUSE - Educause's Center for Applied
Research has published a study on faculty and instructional staff use of course
management systems (CMSes). The research, by Glenda Morgan, a learning
technology analyst in the Office of Learning and Information Technology at University
of Wisconsin (UW) System, looks at how faculty members use course management
systems in their teaching. It is based on a quantitative survey of 730 faculty and staff,
140 qualitative interviews, as well as usage logs of the CMSes in the UW System.
The study focuses specifically on faculty use of CMSes: the extent to which they use
them, which features they use, in which learning environments they use them,
and what motivates them to increase or decrease their use. To download a summary,
visit: http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ecar_so/ers/ers0302/ekf0302.pd
(Syllabus News Update for 23 May 03)

DE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE AND ONLINE
GROUP NOW FORMING - A Fall 2003 online group is now forming to participate
in the Distance Education Certificate Program offered by UW-Madison. The group
will start the program on September 24 (enrollment deadline is September 5,) working
as a cohort in completing online core modules. Three half-tuition scholarships are
available. Scholarship applications are due August 29. The Certificate Program features
a professional development curriculum covering distance/online teaching, learning,
technology, instructional design, evaluation, learner support, and management. No
travel required. For information about the program and scholarships, see the DECP
Online Catalog at: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/depd/ or contact Chris Olgren at:
cholgren@facstaff.wisc.edu

TTT - This month's Teaching With Technology Today (TTT), vol 9 no 8 includes:

* Posing Policy Problems in a Web Exercise: AIDS in Africa by Angela S. Burger,
UW-Marathon County - http://www.uwsa.edu/ttt/articles/burger.htm

* Implementing a "Weekly Web Link" Assignment by Michael Ritter, UW-
Stevens Point - http://www.uwsa.edu/ttt/articles/ritter.htm

* Teaching GIS Technology at UW-Superior by William Bajjali, UW-Superior -
http://www.uwsa.edu/ttt/articles/bajjali.htm

* IT Info - Submitted by Tammy Kempfert, TTT Editor -
http://www.uwsa.edu/ttt/news.htm

* Meet the Experts - Featuring Glenda Morgan, UW System -
http://www.uwsa.edu/ttt/meet/morgan.htm

(TTT welcomes ideas from all UW faculty, academic staff, and students. To propose
a topic or contribute an article, contact: tkempfert@uwsa.edu)

WISCONSIN PARTNERS IN CREATING DIGITAL MEDIA STANDARDS -
Sixteen universities and colleges have formed the International Digital Partnership to
establish best practices, certification, and targeted workshops for students and faculty.
Participants include: Ball State University, Carnegie Mellon University, Florida State
University, State University of New York, Stetson University, Union University,
University of California-Los Angeles, University of Georgia, University of Montana,
University of Florida, University of Warwick in England, and University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee. Scott Olson, Ball State's Dean of the College of Communication,
Information, and Media, has been elected its first chairman and chief executive officer.
For more information visit: http://www.idmaa.org
______________________________________________________________________

LINES

- The numbers of students choosing to major in computer science have dropped
significantly. The slump in technology has increased the number of graduate students,
however, as many stay in or return to school to avoid the difficult job market.
Computer science departments report enrollment declines of as much as 40% for
undergraduates from two to three years ago. The quality, however, appears to
have increased. Randal Bryant of Carnegie Mellon said current students in computer
science are very enthusiastic about computers and aren't looking to become
millionaires by age 25. Some expressed concern that the low undergraduate numbers
in such programs will become a significant problem when the demand picks up again - http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/22/technology/circuits/22comp.html

- A new survey from the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)
forecasts the hiring of fewer than 500,000 IT workers over the next year. In 2000,
the IT sector was predicted to add 1.6 million jobs, and in 2002 the number was
1.1 million. Aside from weakness in the high-tech economy, the ongoing shift of
jobs overseas is adding to the slowdown in hiring. The first quarter of 2003 saw a
net increase of 86,000 IT jobs, but this was below the gain of 97,000 in the last
quarter of 2002, which had the slowest growth of the four quarters last year. Harris
N. Miller, president of the ITAA, said, "If the demand for IT workers is an indicator
of business growth, our survey results are not encouraging" -
http://dc.internet.com/news/article.php/2201051

- A new report from research firm IDC paints a fairly rosy picture for web services,
despite the overall slump in technology. According to IDC, about 55% of North
American organizations are working with or are implementing web services. The
IDC study states that "the idea of web services as a solution has touched the large
proportion of North American organizations by the end of 2002, and there may be
an open market for providers of such solutions in 2003." The data show a strong,
positive correlation between the size of business and the use of web services.
Similar data were reported by Forrester, though Laura DiDio of the Yankee
Group estimates that only 12% of businesses are involved with web services noting,
however, that web services standards are maturing and getting closer to being
finalized, which will encourage adoption -
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/21482.html

- IT researchers at Stanford are exploring augmenting a dedicated physical meeting
space with "large displays, wireless or multimodal devices, and seamless mobile
appliance integration." It's all aimed at enhancing collaboration. "In an interactive
workspace, physical input devices belong to the space rather than a specific
machine" - http://swig.stanford.edu/pub/publications/iwork-overview-layout.pdf
______________________________________________________________________

ED

TREND TOWARD EVALUATIONS ONLINE - eCollege, a provider of technology
and services for online higher education programs, announced it will release research
showing a growing number of institutions are moving or planning to move their course
evaluation activities from paper-based to online methods. Survey participants cited
improved efficiency and timeliness of feedback to be among the key factors driving
the need for an online evaluation process. Based on eCollege's survey of 500
institutions, nearly 23% are either conducting course evaluations online or plan to
do so before the end of 2003, with another 24% reviewing this option in 2003. To
receive more information about the survey visit: http://www.ecollege.com (Learning
and Training Innovations, 19 May 03)

EDUCAUSE RELEASES RESULTS OF CURRENT ISSUES SURVEY -
Educause has published the results of its fourth annual Current IT Issues Survey
in the latest issue of Educause Quarterly. The survey gathered responses from
542 of Educause's 1,620 member institutions, representing colleges and
universities of all sizes and types. IT funding challenges was the top issue in three
of four categories: strategic importance, potential to become much more significant,
and demanding more time of campus IT leaders. Security and identity management
this year is a top-ten issue for those three categories and also for the fourth, human
and fiscal resource consumption. The survey also revealed that maintaining and
upgrading network and IT infrastructure has risen in significance since last year,
and that distance education is - for the first time in four years - no longer a top-ten
issue for any of the four categories. See the complete article at:
http://www.educause.edu/asp/doclib/abstract.asp?ID=EQM0322 (Educause, 7 May
03)
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BIZ/GOV/ED

MIT/ARMY UNVEIL FUTURISTIC SOLDIER CENTER - MIT last week
opened the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN), the result of a $50 million
Army contract won last year to build a center to develop combat gear with atom-
sized materials. Such gear would allow soldiers to become partially invisible, leap
over walls, and treat their own wounds on the battlefield. "If you want to visualize
the impact of nanotechnology, think about the movie 'Predator,'" Army Chief
Scientist Michael Andrews told the Reuters news agency. ISN scientists envision
uniforms lined with a slurry of fluids that can go from flexible to stiff during combat.
Several corporations are joining the effort. DuPont Co., for example, will explore
uniforms that change colors to camouflage soldiers in changing environments. Other
ideas include weaving radio communication materials directly into a uniform's fabric.
(Syllabus News Update, 27 May 03)

DEPLOYED AIRMAN REALIZES EDUCATIONAL DREAM - One airman
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio kept his educational dream a priority
in his busy schedule. Master Sgt Craig Pate is the first student to complete an Air
Force Institute of Technology distance learning certification program while deployed
overseas. Pate began taking courses via the Software Professional Development
Program while at his home station in NC In the midst of his educational courses,
he was deployed to Southwest Asia for OIF. Overseas since March, Pate
successfully completed a month-long course on software testing, part of an
11-course series in software engineering and management skills. The program
has transformed from in-residence short courses to satellite distance education and
now to Internet-based distance education. The educational possibilities are practically
endless, said AFIT officials. Students can take courses wherever they are or whenever
they need them. Flexibility is key, and these tools offer that flexibility. The move to
Internet streaming has also saved AFIT 95% of its former satellite broadcast costs.
Students no longer require videotapes when missing a lesson; they can simply watch
online at their convenience. (Tegrity, May 03)

eRATE FORUM RAISES THE CALL FOR REFORM - This week the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) held a forum to investigate the troubled eRate
Program, which has been accused of rampant fraud and has seen recent rules changes.
Representatives from schools and libraries, the intended beneficiaries of the program,
said policy and procedural complexities left many applicants confused and willing to
cede responsibility to vendors. A representative from BellSouth, one of the program's
largest vendors, said policies should be changed to discourage schools and libraries
from taking advantage of the system. "Applicants do not have enough incentive to
control project costs, and service providers have too much incentive to inflate costs,"
said Margaret Greene of BellSouth, which supports lowering the discount cap of 90%
to around 75-80% All speakers at the forum supported recent rules changes made for
the program. The complete article is at: http://dc.internet.com/news/article.php/2203861
(Edupage 9 May 03 - Internet News, 9 May 03)
_____________________________________________________________________

RECENT LEARNING STYLES RESEARCH

GENERATIONAL LEARNING STYLES - Julie Coates, the author of a new book on
the subject of "Generational Learning Styles," offers these tips on reaching people in
different generations.
1. BOOMERS IN THE CLASSROOM - Boomers are interactive and nonauthoritarian,
have authority issues, respond well to traditional learning settings that include interaction,
ice-breakers and small group discussions are effective - but not role-playing.

2. GEN X IN THE CLASSROOM - Gen Xers are very self-directed, are non-
traditional in terms of time and space (they're focused on getting the job done),
not much for ceremony, like having fun, learn best by doing, find visual stimulation
important.

3. LEARNING OPIATES HELP MOTIVATION - Eric Jensen, author of
"Teaching with the Brain in Mind," says that the brain contributes to student
motivation in learning and notes that the brain generates its own reward when
learning and achievement occur. The brain produces opiates which are quite
pleasant, and thus success produces self-reward, which in turn motivates the
student to repeat the experience.

4. STRESS HINDERS LEARNING - Stress, including verbal and nonverbal
warnings from teachers, inhibits learning. Stress focuses a student's attention
on reducing the stress threat rather than on learning new information. Stress
also inhibits neuron growth, further preventing learning.

5. SHORTER ATTENTION SPAN - There are certainly generational
differences in how people like to see information presented, says Coates,
and short and sweet is definitely the preferred method of young people. More
interaction increases attention. Our brains, which are wired to seek novelty
and contrast, become bored with low contrast activities (like lectures). The
brain is more engaged with high contrast activities, such as interactive media
and interaction in collaborative groups (one reason that online learning has
great promise for younger generations of learners.)

For more information go to: http://www.teachingf2f.org (E-LERN Faculty
Newsletter, 6 Apr 03)
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LEGISLATION

SENATE SUPPORTS FUNDING BILL FOR MINORITY-SERVING
INSTITUTIONS - The US Senate recently approved a bill (S.196) that would
provide significant technology funding for minority-serving institutions. The bill,
which was sponsored by Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), passed on a vote of 97-0.
Under the terms of the bill, the National Science Foundation would oversee a $250
million grant program to help historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-
serving institutions, and tribal colleges install technology infrastructures. No
information was available on when the House of Representatives might take up the
bill. Go to: http://chronicle.com/free/2003/05/2003050102t.htm (Chronicle of
Higher Education, 1 May 03 - Edupage, 2 May 03)
___________________________________________________________________

ACCESSIBILITY

KURZWEIL HIGHER ED GROUP ADVISES ON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY -
Kurzweil Educational Systems Inc., which makes systems for people with reading
and learning disabilities, said it formed an advisory board of prominent higher
education experts in the field of literacy to foster new research and guidance into
assistive technology. Among the board members are: Dr. Lynn S. Fuchs, professor in
the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University, specializing in
classroom-based assessment and reading instruction; Dr. Lynda Katz, president of
Landmark College and neuropsychologist focusing on learning disabilities; Dr.
Charles A. MacArthur, professor at the University of Delaware's School of
Education; and Dr. Richard K. Olson, professor of Psychology at the University
of Colorado. The collaboration will focus efforts on developing the effective reading,
writing, and testing technology for students with learning disabilities. (Syllabus News
Update 16 May 03)

GROUP ADVOCATES FOR BLIND-FRIENDLY WEB SITES - The National
Federation of the Blind has released a seal of approval for organizations that have
designed their Web sites to be accessible by people with visual impairments. Such
sites take steps to make the content available and navigable either through
magnification or the use of screen readers. Wells Fargo Bank, Hewlett-Packard,
and the Social Security Administration received the first certifications from the
federation. The accessibility of the Social Security site is due in part to a federal
law that mandates equal access for persons with disabilities. Javier Bustamonte of
the Social Security agency said the requirements of that law made it easy to qualify
for the federation's new seal of approval. The federation hopes that the seal will
encourage many businesses to design - or redesign - their sites to be available to
persons with visual impairments. For the full article go to:
http://www.nandotimes.com/technology/story/886118p-6174154c.html
(Nando Times, 12 May 03)
___________________________________________________________________

DIGITAL DIVIDE

BROADBAND GRANTS FOR RURAL AREAS- New grants from the US
Department of Agriculture will send more than $20 million to rural and underserved
communities for development of broadband service. The 40 communities awarded
funds under the Community Connect Grant Program are located in 17 states and
include 13 Native American and Native Alaskan communities. The grant winners
were selected from more than 300 applicants. According to Agriculture Secretary
Ann M. Veneman, the grants will bring "new opportunities for accessing education,
health, and economic resources." The communities selected lack broadband
connections for police, fire protection, hospitals, libraries, or schools. Communities
will use the grant money to provide computer and Internet access to local residents.
See: http://dc.internet.com/news/article.php/2208621 (Edupage, 19 May 03)
___________________________________________________________________

TECH/TOOLS

HIGH DEFINITION CAMCORDER OUT IN JUNE - Next month, JVC will
release the GR-HD1, the first high-definition "prosumer" camcorder. Until now,
capturing HDTV video has required a special professional TV camera for the price
of $100,000. The JVC model comes with a two-hour battery, a cleaning cassette,
an AC adapter-charger, a remote control and TV connection cables (including the
three-headed component video cable required by HDTV sets) - for $3,500. The
model costs about $1,000 more than three-chip camcorders, which until now were
the finest camcorders you could buy. It's long and black, with a removable aluminum
handle on top (it doubles as the support for an external mike or video light), a
removable lens shade, and a list of artistic tools from the professional world. For
the complete article see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/22/technology/circuits/22stat.html (NY Times, 22
May 03)

THE FOLDABLE SCREEN - In a step toward electronic newspapers and wearable
computer screens, scientists have created an ultra-thin screen that can be bent, twisted
and even rolled up and still display crisp text. The material, only as thick as three
human hairs, displays black text on a whitish-gray background with a resolution
similar to that of a typical laptop computer screen. The screen is so flexible it can be
rolled into a cylinder about a half-inch wide without losing its image quality. Although
it's not quite the dream of single-sheet, electronic newspapers or books that can
display hundreds of pages of text, its creators said it's the first flexible computer
screen of its kind. "I think it's a major step forward. We have cleared a big obstacle
in electronic paper development," said Yu Chen, a research scientist with E Ink Corp.
of Cambridge, MA He envisions such lightweight, thin screens being used for a credit
card that could display the available balance or recent purchases. Another possible use
is a jacket with a screen sewn into its sleeve to allow its wearer to read email while on
the run, check stock prices or access maps in an unfamiliar city. "This is a peek at the
future," Wisnieff said. (CIO Insight Quick Facts,14 May 03)
______________________________________________________________________

READS/RESOURCES

COPYRIGHT - In "An Education in Copyright Law: A Primer for Cyberspace"
(LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH, no 11, issue 2, March
2003), Robert N. Diotalevi (Legal Studies, Florida Gulf Coast University) provides a
brief tutorial on US copyright law that covers recent legislative changes that affect
online materials. The article is available online at:
http://libres.curtin.edu.au/libres13n1/index.htm For more on copyright, view the
webcast of the 2003 Harvard JOLT (Journal of Law and Technology) symposium,
"Copyright and Fair Use: Current and Future Prospects." Panelist presentations are
online and can be accessed, using RealPlayer, at:
http://jolt.law.harvard.edu/p.cgi/symposium/main2003.html For a free version of
RealPlayer go to: http://www.real.com/) (CIT INFOBITS, Apr 03)

F-LIGHT - The May issue of F-LIGHT features two brief case studies:
1. A team from Washington State University reports on their evaluation of the
educational and cost-control benefits of WSU's investment in the up-front
instructional design of online courses.
2. A team from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) reports on their
assessment: UMSL faculty making extensive use of their Course Management
System seem to be teaching differently (and with different results) than
colleagues making little or no use of the CMS. The differences range from
amount of faculty-student contact (as perceived by students) to the students'
predictions about whether they will stay at the university and receive a degree.

Other F-Light features include job openings and information about TLT/Flashlight
benefits. You can access this month's issue at:
http://www.tltgroup.org/resources/F-LIGHT/2003/May.html (F-Light, May 03)

ONLINE VERSUS FACE-TO-FACE COURSES - "Can online courses match
traditional face-to-face (F2F) courses in academic quality and rigor? Can online
courses achieve the same learning objectives as F2F courses? Can students learn
as much and as well online as they do in F2F courses?" From three decades of teaching
experience, sociology professor Mark Kassop (Bergen Community College, Paramus,
NJ) answers these questions with a "resounding yes." In "Ten Ways Online Education
Matches, or Surpasses, Face-to-Face Learning" (THE TECHNOLOGY SOURCE,
May/June 2003), Kassop outlines ten ways in which he believes that online education
excels. Areas he covers include student-centered learning, interactive discussions,
on-demand interaction and support services, and faculty development and rejuvenation.
The article is available online at:
http://ts.mivu.org/default.asp?show=article&id=1059 (CIT INFOBITS, Apr 03)
______________________________________________________________________

NEW ON THE LIST - Welcome to new subscribers: Mary Delgado, Alfredo Huguett,
Barry Liss, Roland Rodell, Matt Heling, Kurt Zeinert, Steve Golke, Frank Keeler,
Mark Prinski, Lauren Howles, Terrance Willborough, Cassandra Millhouse, Pat Campbell,
Gary Mandell, Helen Trevor, Thomas Rivers-Crandell, and Alice Martin.
_______________________________________________________________________

NEWS, EVENTS, CONFERENCES

* UCEA - the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) Summer Institute:
Alternative Visions and Roles for Continuing Education - Developing Strategies That Fit
Your Institution is scheduled for July 27-29, 2003, Boston MA Register at:
http://www.ucea.edu
* SYLLABUS - the 10th Annual Syllabus conference will be July 27-31 at the San Jose
Marriott, San Jose, CA Register at: http://www.syllabus.com
* DL CONFERENCE - Register now for the 19th Annual Distance Teaching and Learning
Conference August 13-15, 2003 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, WI Registration and
information is at: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference
* GWETC - The 11th Annual Governor's Wisconsin Educational Technology Conference
(GWETC) will take place in LaCrosse, WI at the LaCrosse Center, October 21-23, 2003.
To register and for more information see: http://www.gwetc.org
* ONLINE EDUCA BERLIN - the Online Educa Berlin 9th International Conference on
Technology Supported Learning and Training will be held December 3-5, 2003 at the
Hotel InterContinental in Berlin. See: http://www.online-educa.com
_______________________________________________________________________

JUNE DESIEN FOCUS ARTICLE - No June issue - DESIEN takes a Holiday!
_______________________________________________________________________

ENDNOTE - AND...WHAT ARE BLOGS? According to blogger.com: "A blog
(short for 'web log') is a web page made up of usually short, frequently updated posts that
are arranged chronologically - like a what's new page or a journal. The content and
purposes of blogs vary greatly... Blogs are also excellent team/department/company/family
communication tools. They help small groups communicate in a way that is simpler and
easier to follow than email or discussion forums." Instructional Communications Systems
(ICS) University of Wisconsin-Extension has successfully created and is now using its
first blog. The ICS Customer Service Team is experimenting with this mode of
communication as a way to gather thoughts on the topic, giving each member a chance
to read and add to the comments from all other team members. (ICS Update, May 28
Michele Jacques, ICS Webmaster)

Watch for more on 'blogs' in a fall issue of DESIEN.
_______________________________________________________________________

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:
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