e-Learning 2008

I attended the E-Learn 2008 Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada from November 17-21. It was quite an enjoyable experience. In addition to presenting a paper on “Virtualization as a Means of Augmenting the Computing Laboratory Budget,” and mediating a session, I was able to sit in on a number of informative sessions.

The opening keynote address by Dr. Richard Baraniuk of Rice University was a very insightful presentation. Dr. Baraniuk discussed the changing nature of publishing with particular focus on text books. He noted the static nature of traditional text books, how expensive they are, and how difficult it is to recall mistakes, which are often found in them. Dr. Baraniuk advocated in favor of more dynamic and open access tools, such as Wikepedia and Creative Commons. He gave helpful examples of individuals who have pioneered the process of making their materials available around the world through the super text book process, and who have benefitted financially and by contributing to the body of information in their fields.

Other helpful sessions included one titled, “Faculty Acceptance of Graduates of Online Learning Programs for Faculty Positions in Higher Education: An Ethical Dilemma, by Dr. Larry Tinnerman of Indiana State University. This presentation addressed the other side of most of the other presentations which strongly advocated the benefits of E-Learning. Dr. Tinnerman on the other hand, pointed out that even though many institutions are pressing to put their courses online, many are reluctant to hire faculty with online degrees, and many businesses are just as reluctant.

There were other sessions I found very helpful, especially the keynote speakers, as well as sessions which dealt with Use of Web 2.0 tools, Virtual Classrooms, Second Life, and Assessment Strategies, but I have shared those which made a difference for me and which will guide some of my scholarly activities in the near future.