the internet and education

1. What experience do you have specifically with the Internet in education? Include courses taught and taken, papers written, presentations made, etc.

I have had experience with the Internet in education as a student and as a teacher.  As a student, I have both participated in online learning environments and learned about the topic of online learning environments. I have taken IT8090, IT8360, IT8000, and IT7100.  Other courses that I have taken online are Quantitative Research II and Psychology of Adult Learners. I am currently teaching IT3210, which is a hybrid class that meets both F2F and online.

• What experience do you have in designing and developing web pages? Include URLs for all the pages you would like for us to see. (This may include personal home pages, sites built for other classes, and weblogs/blogs that you have online elsewhere.)

“Planning to Plan” Website: This website was created for IT8360: Design and Development of Multimedia for Education and Training.

Updated the Georgia State IT Unit’s website using Dreamweaver, and later on, RedDot. 

• What are your strengths and experiences with content creation for online learning? For example, instructional design, HTML, Front Page, Dreamweaver, Flash, graphics, interface design, Podcasting, video or others?

I have dabbled in different productivity tools, but I do not think I am exceptionally proficient at any one program.  My first webpage building experiences were on Geocities.com (RIP), and I remember getting frustrated by the pathetic online editor.  My parents bought me an HTML book for dummies, and I was able to learn just enough to create a (don’t laugh) Hanson fan site.  While I may not remember all of the language, that experience certainly shaped my belief in just-in-time learning and my comfort with online environments.

1. What kinds of help do you need with content creation for online learning? For example, instructional design, HTML, Front Page, Dreamweaver, Flash, graphics, interface design, Podcasting, video or others?

I really would like to find more space on the GSU server to host webpages.  I am at my limit, and I only have one site hosted.  I feel confident that if I need to learn something, Lynda.com or other online tutorials will teach me just enough to be dangerous.

1. What is your current opinion on the use of the Internet in education. This is most important. It should be dated because you will add to it at the end of the class, and possibly during the class. Answer questions such as, is it a good thing? Why is it good? What are the strengths of the Internet? Its weaknesses? What are uses of the Internet in education and training?

To answer this question, I had to define “the Internet” and “education” for myself. While some might define the Internet as a “series of interconnecting tubes,” I think the Internet can be defined by how people use it.  Folks “google” when they need to know something.  Folks blog, tweet, and post when they want to share something.  This give and take of information (however terrible in quality it may be), is something that is happening more rapidly now than ever.  Education is a result of a give and take of information, although it does not have to happen using the Internet.  For example, cultural immersion results in an understanding that could be described as an education.  Education can be formal or informal, planned or unexpected. 

I think my opinion on the Internet and education depends on how the Internet is used and the type of education that is warranted.  In K-12 education, the Internet can be a powerful tool if used in a way where the students are learning with the technology, not from the technology.  The Internet allows for individualized learning, productivity, differentiation, and access to a global community.  However, the Internet can also be distracting, poor quality, and messy if navigated haphazardly. 

The Internet can house or complement quality instruction if appropriate planning and design is utilized.  However, the Internet alone cannot be seen as the redeemer.  Humans create the content.  Content can be good or bad, and it really depends on the instructor (formal or informal) and the design of the message that is shared.