The “BUZZ” In Distance Learning for NC

I returned from the NC3ADL Conference in Durham last night and am still “jazzed” from all the informative and engaging sessions I attended the past 2 days. Even though I’ve been working in the trenches over 10 years both teaching online (and developing) online classes and administering DL programs, I always pick up new and innovative ideas and techniques from the workshops, seminars and keynotes I attend. I also enjoy just networking with my Distance Learning colleagues across the state. In all honesty, it’s the casual conversations and informal discussions after the workshops (and at the bar) where some of the best networking, personal connections and even important decision making happens.

The BIG BUZZ for this particular conference was Moodle (CMS) and the millennials. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I have challenged myself to learn and teach a class on Moodle just so I can educate myself and be in a position to train faculty IF for some reason we were to move away from Blackboard in the future. This by the way is NOT something I’m recommending for Carteret Community College, although it is always good to have a back-up plan if the NC Community College System were not to renew with Blackboard.

I particularly enjoyed the conference keynotes Dr. David Milliron and of course David Warlick . We hear it over and over again. The world of education is CHANGING and we as educators MUST be poised and ready to change and adapt with it. Both Dr. Milliron and David Warlick both addressed the importance of keeping the “human element” at the forefront of our teaching no matter how much technology we incorporate into our classes.

As I stated at the end of my presentation To Moodle or Not to Moodle - That is the Question - As we’ve heard again and again these past 2 days. The bottom line IS..it’s all about LEARNING. It’s all about VALUE. It’s about making a difference in the lives of each and every one of your students. Will students leave your class with more knowledge and understanding about your course content? I believe they will IF we as online instructors don’t lose sight of what is really important throughout the teaching and learning process. Its about the students. Its about good, solid, proactive and dynamic teaching and not really about the technology and/or course management systems we as educators use to deliver our course content.

on a side note…I had a really great time hanging out with Karianne Naughton and Sharon Della from Blackboard. Their hospitality and fun loving attitude was most appreciated as well as their willingness to help our distance learning faculty and administrators across the state with any issues and concerns regarding Blackboard.
btw…Dennis, you were missed!

Seana Downing, Karianne, yours truly and the infamous (party boy) Dennis Keough networking (yea right) after the Dl Alliance Conference in Ashville, April o7.

SPE 07 Savannah, GA

Its a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon in Downtown Savanna Ga., I am here for the 2007 SPESE Regional Conference. Joe Champagne is sitting next to me in the hotel lobby with Mark Taylor talking about shooting “Raw Files” and the best way to work with them in Photoshop. That’s what I love about these regional conferences. There is always a buzz in the air about all aspects of photography.

Mark Taylor and I - SPE Reception

Missing the 3rd Mustache Man

There are students and faculty sitting around with laptops and portfolios sharing work and their passion and enthusiasm for photography. I’m sitting here blasting out this little blog entry and who just walked in but Jessica Hines. It doesn’t matter where you go in and around the hotel, there is always great creative energy and conversation about making pictures. The one person who is sorely missed is our former Regional Chair John Scarlata. Our new chair Mark Malloy gave us an update on John’s health at the business meeting yesterday and we took this photo below after last night’s keynote to let him know we are all thinking of him. There is absolutely no doubt that a lot of very good and positive energy is being sent to John from this conference.

Group Photo Taken for John Scarlata - Hi John! We Love You Man!

Try to find Gil, Joe, George, Cathy and Cameron

Sam Wang is this years “well deserved” honored educator. I grabbed a shot of the two of us the first night of the conference. I always get inspired at these conferences. As an educator and administrator I don’t ever seem to have enough time to pursue my painting, writing and photography and I always leave with a renewed commitment to make new work.

SPE Region Chair Mark Malloy / Carteret Students Renee, Tina and Kim

I handed my digital camera to a student the first night to take a group shot of my group and he dropped it on the ground. Uhhg! Needless to say… it’s toast. I have no camera to take anymore photos so I’m using my cell phone (see below) to record the rest of the conference.  Joe Champagne and I took a long stroll to photograph  before and after lunch on Saturday. It was weird not having a camera with me - I know Joe got some great shots because the light was activating all the ancient spaces in and around the downtown area.

Taking Photos with my Cell Phone - Photo by Joe Champagne

Honored Educator Sam Wang

Sam gave an inspiring talk as this years honored educator. I was very impressed how he acknowledged his students and made it a point to let everyone know that he learns from his students and photography is an never ending learning journey in a complex world. Sam doesn’t like to discuss the concepts behind his work - he wants the viewer to interpret and just enjoy his images. So here are a few nuggets of wisdom I wrote down on a hotel pad during Sam’s presentation.

• Its the process, journey and search that is important in photography, not necessarily the final image.

• I think about concepts with my GUTS.

• Mundane subject matter can blossom when photographed.

• There should be no distinction between teaching photography and making work - they feed off each other.

• Photographers are observers. I like to find out about things. That’s why I make photographs. I look at every subject as if its the most important thing in the universe.

• Its about having FUN - making photographs with special friends.

I think Sam said it all and there is nothing else I really need to add to his highly prolific observations on photography.

 

 

 

Digital Camera Worshop

I gave a 2 1/2 hour workshop on Basic Digital Camera operation and theory yesterday at the Jacksonville Arts Council. The participants seemed to enjoy the presentation and hopefully have a better understanding of digital camera operation and the theory behind digital imaging. One of the main points I addressed was the fact that the compositional guidelines for good photography whether is be with a traditional film camera or digital are the same - it is the process that is very different. You can read more about this in my powerpoint.

I am linking my Powerpoint Presentation to this post.

Click here for Powerpoint!

Digital Camera Workshop

Feel free to posts comments about the workshop.

We have another workshop scheduled for March. Contact Connie at the Jax Arts Council for more information.