Course Cast 2.0 Adds Pod casting, Streaming Media Features to Free Lecture Capture System

According to Campus Technology, software company Panopto has introduced a new system called Course Cast 2.0 to their product line. Panopto is software that is used in online education which helps to capture and edit streaming audio and video from instructor’s online lectures. The new Course Cast software will allow recorded materials to be embedded and be compatible with other course management systems such as Blackboard Inc.

Different learning institutions have adopted to use this software stating that the program has “simple set-up and an intuitive user interface”, while only requiring a minimal amount of training. Another bonus is that Course Cast is able to be used free of charge if used with Panopto’s Socrates Project.

Features of this software include

• Automatic detection of recording devices
• Podcasting Availability
• Podcasting of audio as well as still images
• Integration with Blackboard Inc.
• Course-Wide search of content
• Increased security for content access

Read article at
http://campustechnology.com/articles/66128

New Systems Keep a Close Eye on Online Students at Home

Recently, there was an article in the Chronicle of HIgher Education that talked about ways to make online testing more secure. The increased popularity of online courses along with a new bill by Congress may require distance learners to be monitored while in their homes. As part of the plan to renew the Higher Education Act, which will become a law in the Fall, Congress states that “any institution that offers an online program must prove that an enrolled student is the same person who does the work”(Foster). The process of proving that students are actually doing their own work, as opposed to someone else who isn’t enrolled, has fostered the use of technological devices such as fingerprint authentication and web camera monitoring.

Many colleges with online institutions have already started to use software such as Secureexam Remote Proctor (image courtesy of Software Secure, Inc.) which uses a paperweight-sized device that connects to any home computer. This apparatus scans the users fingerprint and also comes equipped with a camera and microphone that monitors 360 degrees around the student. Once the student begins taking a test, they aren’t able to access any online content while in process.

Another software that is similar to Secureexam is Webassessor, which is implemented within the Penn State University System. This software uses online proctors to monitor students’ typing styles along with speeds. The proctor is also able to view the students’ face, keyboard and surrounding work environment. Kryterion Inc.’s software is able to monitor 50 students at a time and has the ability to stop any student at anytime from preceding through the rest an exam if their behavior is deemed as suspicious.

While many see this as a way to decrease academic dishonesty, others feel that it is an invasion of privacy. These detractors point to the fact that there is no evidence that “cheating or fraud happens more often with its students than with students in face-to-face classes." Another factor that has institutions apprehensive is the cost factor. Institutions who used Secureexam Remote Proctor would force students to pay $150 for their device, while those who used Webassessor would have to pay up to $80 on a web-camera, along with Kryterion which charges universities approximately $20,000 to have their software customized as well as for software training.

http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i46/46a00103.htm

Woz Speaks at BbWorld '08

I attended the BbWorld 2008 Conference this past week, where Steve Wozniak (aka Woz) was the keynote speaker. Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer, spoke about his role in the development of the personal computer and applied many of the stories in his address to K-12 and higher education. A reporter from The Wired Campus spoke to Woz right after his keynote about his thoughts on computers in education. A short video of that interview can be viewed here:

Blackboard Says New Tool Will Synchonize With Competitor

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Blackboard Inc. has agreed to join forces with Sakai, a free open source that is being used at Syracuse University. Blackboard Inc. has agreed to allow Sakai to link these two programs together in order to use the course-management software along with student electronic portfolios.

In order for these two software's to work in synchrony, Blackboard Inc. has developed the "Blackboard-Sakai Connector" which will be released in the near future. This link will allow users shift between Blackboard and Sakai without having to log out and sign on when switching between the two.

This linkage comes as a surprise to many due to the fact that Blackboard Inc. recently acquired a patent on course management systems which makes it difficult for other course management systems to compete in software production.

While the first collaboration has only occurred with Sakai, Blackboard claims to hopefully collaborate with Moodle, another open source course-management system.

Blackboard Accuses Desire2Learn of Contempt

The ongoing court battle between rival learning management systems Blackboard and Desire2Learn continues as Blackboard has filed lawsuit against Desire2Learn for contempt. These allegations stem from a claim, according to Blackboard that Desire2Learn didn’t makes changes to their software in order to avoid copyright infringements and patent violations.

Due to this, a jury ruled that Desire2Learn wouldn’t be allowed to distribute their software Learning Environment 8.2.2. As a result of this Desire2Learn resorted to creating a new version, 8.3 where they modified certain features of the application by renaming the user role to “student”, along with deleting default roles. Back in 2006 Blackboard was awarded a patent that allowed them to have sole rights to this feature. When Desire2Learn did this, it violated the patent which Blackboard which subsequently led to the lawsuit of copyright infringement.

Blackboard recently acquired WebCT, another stronghold amongst course management systems, and ultimately is seeking to acquire Desire2Learn as well as being the dominant leader. Because Blackboard holds rights to these patents, it makes it difficult for other companies including those of the open source to develop software, and would ultimately result in them having to pay a significant amount of royalties to Blackboard.

While Desire2Learn has refused to settle, many outsiders support their stand against Blackboard in hopes that the lawsuit will not relinquish all rights of technology control over to Blackboard.

Developing an Online Course Syllabus

A syllabus is a document that most college students have become accustomed to receiving at the start of each course they take, which normally outlines basic information that one needs to know and be responsible for throughout the course. With the steady emergence of online classes, tips have been suggested as to how professors can create an online course syllabus with a convenient "ABC" approach through a virtual learning environment.

The first step is to formulate a syllabus that anticipates and addresses questions that students may have. Course objectives should be easy to understand as well as outline course expectations. All information on the syllabus should be clear and nothing should have to be inferred.

Common information that should be provided to students include professor contacts, as well as books and required texts. The syllabus should also reflect the professors grading policy.

Whether the syllabus is provided to students in hand or online, it is important for professors to update it as necessary if course work changes. Another important factor is to make sure course guidelines stay consistent. If possible, professors should attempt to present their course in a unique and or personal way. The overall objective of the syllabus is that it should set the foundation and future groundwork for the course.

An online syllabus can be easily formatted and broken down into 3 parts known as The Contract, The Map and the Schedule:

The Contract includes:

• Name of the course
• Instructor contact info- whether by email, chat, or appointment
• Course description and goals
• Grading policy and proper ways to submit assignments
• Student expectations and standards

The Map includes:

• Given this is an online class, the syllabus should be easily located through the click of a mouse
• Headings should be clearly identified such as "lectures, discussion forums and other resources"
• Contact information should be listed in the event of technical difficulties

The Schedule includes:

• Course assignments should be laid out in a WEEKLY (or topical) format and should include subdivisions
• Assign specific dates for when assignments should be submitted and deadline times
• Give students flexibility depending on what days sessions are held- Most full time students access material in labs, dorms, and on campus, while working adults tend to do most of their work on the weekends. Allow both types of students to utilize their weekends in order to complete assignments

Fostering Personal Learning Environments thru Web 2.0

The newest advancement in internet technology has been the development of Web 2.0. Web 2.0 is a network of web sites aimed at networking. Common Web 2.0 Websites includes social and peer networking sites including Facebook Myspace, but also blogging and file sharing which are all incorporated under the Web 2.0.

The development of this new innovation can be beneficial in helping students learn in and outside of the classroom since the internet has virtually become part of everyone's life in some fashion. Web 2.0 focuses on building communities thru networking and filesharing, but is also being looked at a means of creating Personal Learning Environments for academia which would allow instructors and students to become organized online as they are assigned work, and after it is completed it is then archived.

http://www.campustechnology.com/articles/63593

Free Online Tool Helps Users Record and Share Research

iBreadcrumbs is a new online application used in conjunction with the Mozilla Firefox web browser that allows individuals to keep track of websites during research and saves them in a way similar to book marking.

One is able to press a button and “record” all the sites visited. When you’re done, you hit "stop" and saved sites appear. Those who use this application can share sites with others, while maintaining their research in an organized manner.

The site also provides an easy way to cite all sources in either MLA or APA format.

Podcasting at PhilaU

The word podcasting is a combination of the words iPod and Broadcasting. In its most popular form, it is a way for people to be able to selectively subscribe to audio content over the Internet. This audio content can then be automatically added to a mobile device, like an iPod. Podcasting can also be used to distribute video content for iPod. - Apple’s definition.

Note: You do not need an iPod to listen or view a podcast.

A Podcast is RSS content that you’ve subscribed to & is delivered via the Internet; then captured by a program known as a “podcatcher” or a “content aggregator” such as iTunes. Podcasting has been likened to TiVo because it empowers the consumer to listen or view their selected podcasts whenever they like, and on the go with an MP3 player.

For more information about iTunes University at Philadelphia University, go here: