April 17, 2007

What Web 2.0 Can Teach Us About Learning



The Chronicle article "What Web 2.0 Can Teach Us About Learning" is an interesting article looking at the use of course management systems and Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Edward Maloney explains that most course management systems (BlackBoard and WebCT) have been utilized as a means to disperse media and not as an interactive teaching tool. The article provides some insights into the future uses of Web 2.0 in the classroom.


• How have you used Web 2.0 Tools to teach online or in a face to face (F2F) classroom?
• What are some limitations of course-management software (BlackBoard)?
• What works well for your students? What have they said?
• Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!


April 16, 2007

Creative Commons License




Copyright, author's rights, and licensing of personal works continue to enter into discussions at all levels of university work. From faculty authorship to students' creative works available on the Internet, each individual can now specify the conditions for the distribution and use of their works using the Creative Commons.

[From the Creative Commons website:]

What You Can Do Here

Creative Commons helps you publish your work online while letting others know exactly what they can and can't do with your work. When you choose a license, we provide you with tools and tutorials that let you add license information to your own site, or to one of several free hosting services that have incorporated Creative Commons.

With a Creative Commons license, you keep your copyright but allow people to copy and distribute your work provided they give you credit — and only on the conditions you specify here. For those new to Creative Commons licensing, we've prepared a list of things to think about. If you want to offer your work with no conditions, choose the public domain.


For more information:
• Here's an example of a Limited Use License icon that can be placed on your webpage or within the digital work itself:
Creative Commons License -- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 License.

Generate a Creative Commons License

Choosing a License

Types of Creative Commons' Licenses


• How could the Creative Commons be used in your work?
• Why might students want to be aware of this resource? Click on the COMMENTS link below to get started!


April 5, 2007

New Models of Publishing (Workshop Extension)



On March 15th, the Center and the University Libraries collaborated to offer part two of the Information Transformation Discussion Series, New Models of Publishing.

Here are some of the discussion items from this session:
We get tenure based on what we disseminate as a scholar – the number of times your work has been cited is a critical measure; should reviewers of tenure include how often a website is cited? A blog? Since there is no standard format for online writing/publishing (APA, etc.), does that make it less accurate or important?

In some ways, scholars are terrified about what they put on the web or to open access.

This is a whole new way to look at or reconceptualize how we are considered as academics in the field.

We teach graduate students about APA during their first course/class, but don’t mention anything about online publishing options.

“Digital Scholarship” – moves beyond PDF files to also include multimedia such as audio, video, and flash animations (using Adobe Acrobat Professional).

What about peer-reviewed podcasts & YouTube video submissions – still need text; need to train peer reviewers as well.

We’re still in the habit of teaching writing in schools, but not multimedia skills to represent concepts and knowledge – why not? Oral histories or ethnographies are a great example of reasons to use mulitmedia – capture with video/audio: singing, dancing, emotion, intonation, etc.

Is there something wrong with scholarly activities and creations being fun? (video, audio, multimedia, etc.)

This emphasizes the importance of media/information/digital literacy for students (and faculty) – who will teach this?

Web Resources:

Brief Overview of Open Access

Detailed Overview of Open Access

SPARC - Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition
For more information on:
• Author Rights; including the Author's Addendum to submit with your publication agreements
• Journal Pricing
• Open Access
• Open Data
• Public Access to Research
• Repositories

Create Change.org who asks, "Shouldn't the way we share research be as advanced as the Internet?"
• This website will help you understand the changing landscape and how it affects you and your research. It also offers practical ways to look out for your own interests as a researcher.
• A scholarly revolution is underway. It enables you to get a greater return from your research. All you have to do is share it.

DOAJ – Directory of Open Access Journals


The third and final discussion, New Models of Owning Ideas will be held on Tuesday, April 17th from 12-1:15 in the Pallister Room at Jerome Library. Here is the description:
New models of publishing provide choices for authors. What are the advantages and disadvantages of new models of owning ideas? Does the author keep the copyright, retain some rights through Creative Commons, give the copyright to the publisher? Join this discussion to learn about these options and think about what is the best choice for you.
To register, contact the Center at 372-6898, ctlt@bgsu.edu, or use the online form.

Learning Communities Update - April 2007

The 12 CTLT learning communities are winding down the academic year with their last meetings and events. This year, over 170 BGSU faculty (from Main & Firelands campuses), graduate students, and staff participated in a variety of professional development activities. Their accomplishments and successes will be highlighted at the Learning Community Celebration Dinner held May 3 in BTSU.

For more information about the current learning communities offered through the Center, visit our Learning Community webpage or contact the Center for more information (2-6898 or ctlt@bgsu.edu).

Applications for next academic year's learning communities will be available in June. Watch this site or the CTLT website for more information.