Oct 15
Recently we held our first READI Best Practices Webinar and it was by all accounts a success! With over 70 participants there was a great showing from our current users. The READI Best Practices Presentation was designed to give clients new ideas of how to implement READI, how to monitor data, and what to do with the READI student data. The case studies were by far the most popular element of the presentation. Christine Lustik, long time client Western Wyoming Community College, demonstrated how READI is used in their orientation process and gave specific examples of how they get remedial helps to their students. Ray Mercer from Columbus Technical College, showed how his students use READI integrated in their OLE orienation system (Online Learning for Everyone).
The majority of participants agreed that they came away with new insight and ideas of how to better utilize READI. One client said "READI is going to the top of their to-do list!". When asked if clients would like to participate in this kind of webinar on an annual basis most everyone said YES! One client offered a great suggestion to schedule the webinars two times a year corresponding with beginning of terms.
During the presentation we briefly discussed a list serv or discussion loop. Based on the positive feedback received we've decided to create a new product related forum. It will debut in our next newsletter due out next month. Watch for details coming soon about how you can register and subscribe!
Thanks to all those who participated! We have the best clients and appreciate your time and feedback.
Jul 7
Recently I've been doing some reading about the evolution of online learning. I stumbled upon a study conducted by U.S. Department of Education called Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning. It immediately sparked my interest as it seemed to be just the verification I've been looking for to confirm a set of facts that many educators have believed to be true for over a decade. The report is full of concrete findings despite some critics reaching for arbitrary arguments based on limited samplings, which is completely unfounded. The report stands on it's own and includes some unique findings. In particular students who took all or part of their class online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction. Noting in addition that learners who took blended courses performed the best.
In reading the report, one of the most interesting points I found was online learning can be enhanced by giving learners control of their interactions with media and prompting learner reflection. Learning in 2009, is about creating one's own environment to explore and glean from. Providing students with access to options and collaborative activities sets the stage for personal path learning. Personal path learning bring to light an unrestricted environment where one can expand their mind to include unlimited information and knowledge. Further proof that traditional text book teaching without integrated technology and veteran instructional design techniques is less about learning and more about regurgitating facts in a restricted milieu.
Sitting in an old fashioned desk does not prevent a student from 21st century learning however. It is crucial that face-to-face traditional learning include team assignments to foster independent thinking and an appreciation for diversity. While online learning work through the challenge of creating a personal experience that involves human interaction and accountability.
No doubt having the report released from the US Department of Education provides credibility and reinforcements to those that have worked hard to create a strong reputation of alternative learning styles and environments. Nevertheless, the sigh of relief will be short lived as online proponents continue to press forward delighting in innovative technology and discovering new ways to engage learners.
Jun 26
Do you ever get support requests from your students asking how to use READI? Have any of your students complained of time out issues or logging in problems? Did you know the error rate while using READI is .0001%? WOW! That's great...but if you are in that .0001% then you may need assistance!
Although we have a full support staff to assist students with any issues they may have concerning READI, we recognize that often times students go directly to their administrators for answers to their questions. We want to help! Below is a list of commonly asked questions and steps to alleviate the problem. Hopefully these will assist you in relieving any frustration and finding a solution for your students.
Student says - “My computer timed out or I received a page request error.”
Step 1: Contact READI support via email at support@readi.info.
Step 2: Check high security settings in your browser.
In Internet Explorer click Tools > Options > Security then set the security level to medium or low.
Step 3: Did you receive an email containing your READI PIN?
Step 4: Try to log back in as a returning user with your email address and READI PIN.
Step 5: If a student is using Hughes Satellite Internet Service, they may experience problems that we cannot fix. This issue resides with Hughes and not READI. If this is the case, we often suggest students try completing READI on an alternate computer such as at a library or a friend’s house.
Step 6: Wait for READI support to contact you within 24 hours to determine if there were any technical issues on our side.
Student says - “My username and password do not work.”
Step 1: Check with the school’s administrator or school’s instructions to verify you have the correct username and password.
Step 2: Verify the correct URL for the READI site to make sure you are going to the correct school’s READI sub domain such as http://sample.readi.info
Step 3: Don’t forget that usernames and passwords are case sensitive.
Step 4: Contact READI support via email at support@readi.info
Student says - “My READI PIN does not work.”
Step 1: Are you logging in under the “Returning Users” box on the right-hand side?
Step 2: Are you using the same valid email address that you used in the original assessment?
Step 3: Don’t forget the READI PIN is case sensitive. Try to copy and paste it in the designated box.
Step 4: Contact READI support via email at support@readi.info
Student says - “I accidentally deleted the email containing my READI PIN or I did not receive an email with a READI PIN.”
Step 1: Go back to your school’s READI site.
Step 2: Click on “Retrieve a lost or forgotten READI PIN”
Step 3: Type in your email address.
Step 4: Follow instructions and you will receive the READI PIN again via email
Step 5: If you still do not receive your PIN, check your junk/spam email box. Sometimes emails get stuck there.
Student says - “How do I get back in to see my READI results more than once?”
Step 1: Go back to your school’s READI site.
Step 2: Log back in under “Returning User” on the right-hand side with email address and READI PIN provided to student in email from READI.
Most importantly we want you to know that the READI Support Team is available and ready to help you and your students. Anyone can contact our support team just by emailing support@readi.info. No matter what the concern, problem, or issue is, we will work to keep things running smoothly.
May 26
Last week in my report about technologies that are impacting K12, we learned The Horizon Report highlighted 6 technologies that are rising to the surface in K12. The report discussed them in detail and included suggested time lines for implementation.
With a two to three year time-to-adopt, come Mobiles and Cloud Computing. A mobile is any type of multimedia device that travels easily and has internet access. While continually evolving the most recent rush to the market are hand held, touch screens with unlimited applications encompassing everything from measuring, games, checklists, reading, and social networking just to name a few. One application even turns the iPhone into a flute. The question isn't when to incorporate these devices into the classroom but how. Isn't having information at our fingertips something we want for our children? The new touch technology translates that concept literally.
A key to successful implementation of mobiles will include a shift in training. Educators won't need to train students on how to use the device but rather how to manage the information overload. Discerning the good, bad, and ugly will be an art defined by the user's ability to narrow down what is really important. In wading through the water, a new learning experience will emerge--promoting life skills such as prioritizing and time management.
Cloud computing is a relatively new term which is a style of computing that allows for various infrastructure resources to available over the internet as services. The concept incorporates infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS) in addition to other technology trends that have the common theme of reliance on the Internet for satisfying the computing needs of the users. Cloud computing is an economical choice for schools since this can alleviate the need to purchase costly hardware. Jumping on the cloud will help schools have access to reliable services that are affordable.
What do you think about these two technology trends? Does your long term plan include using mobile devices or cloud computing? What are the challenges you envision associated with these technologies? Join in next week as we discuss the final two emerging technologies impacting K12.
May 19
For the first time, in March of this year, the New Media Consortium (NMC) released their annual report in conjunction with EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative on emerging technologies for K-12. The Horizon Report focuses on a time frame of 1-5 years and outlines trends and challenges associated with implementing these technologies. The report primarily draws from published resources, current research and practices, and expertise from field experts on the project. Funding through a grant from Microsoft Corporation, the Horizon Report is a powerful tool in the future planning for K-12 success.
The report focused on six emerging technologies that have the power to transform education in the next 5 years including collaborative environments, online communication tools, mobile devices, cloud computing, smart objects, and the personal web. Over the next few weeks, we will examine each of these technologies. Discussing what they are and how they can change the face of K-12 learning.
Collaborative environments is not a new concept at its core. Originally created out of a realization that there is a tremendous amount we can learn from others. Learning from a textbook is simply reading about other's experiences. With information at our fingertips, there is no need to stick to one resource for learning. Networking has paid its dues to be recognized as one of the best ways to learn new things, meet new people, and advance your agenda (which is not as sleazy as it sounds). Collaborative environments work in the same way. Open up a virtual table full of students with thoughts, experiences, and desire, and you have one good old fashion brainstorming session. Freedom to learn and grow at one's own pace opens roads that lead to new countries, concepts, and contradictions. This environment pushes students to learn differently, promoting teamwork, critical thinking, and skills that instill lifelong learning.
The Horizon report suggests implementing this technology in a year or less. Many school systems have already begun the collaborative environment platform. Try starting a blog log or launch a youtube contest to begin the dialogue. Create assignments that discuss or analyze the content. Watch the students teach each other, see new ideas evolve, and take note of the empowerment behind this kind of learning.
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