Enhancing Course Objectives through Cyber-Enabled Learning

1. Enhancing Course Objectives through Cyber-Enabled Learning Irena Bojanova, Ph.D., Program Director, TLMN and ITEC 620 Les Pang, Ph.D., Program Director, DBST Graduate School of Management and Technology Provost Presentation December 8, 2009

2. Agenda • Educational Goals • Explored Technologies • ITEC Virtual Learning Tour • Lessons Learned • Next Steps

3. 1. Educational Goals • Introduce students to the technologies that will lead to the “Next Generation Internet”: Web 2.0, Web 3.0, and Cloud Computing • Enhancethe course learning objectives of two core courses in the ITS graduate program. • Identify efficient tools and optimal teaching strategies for demonstrating and using these technologies.

4. 2. Explored Technologies • Web 2.0 = Twitter/Twibes • Web 3.0 = Second Life • Cloud Computing = Google Docs Web 3.0

5. 3. ITEC Virtual Learning Tour • A journey of shared Cyber-Enabled learning activities using: • Second Life • Twitter/Twibes • Google Docs

6. Students Objectives & Activities • Desired outcomes – students should be able to: • Explain and use Web 2.0, Web 3.0, and Cloud Computing. • Apply concepts to situations outside of the classroom. • Synthesize gained theoretical and practical knowledge. • Activities: • Create user accounts. • Explore educational destinations in Second Life. • Take snapshots and share impressions on ITEC Twibe. • Prepare a collaborative presentation on Google Docs.

7. Enhanced ITEC 620 Objectives ITEC 620: Upon completing this course, students will be able to: • Describe fundamental functions, architectures and applications of distributed data processing. • Define, evaluate, and compare major IT components: computer hardware, operating systems, and communication networks. • Identify and delineate modern computer architectures and the concepts involved in designing input/output devices and memory systems. • Compare and assess TCP/IP and OSI protocol architectures. • Apply concepts and techniques to business applications. • Evaluate trends in IT and their impact on the future developments.

8. Enhanced ITEC 610 Objectives ITEC 610: Upon completing this course, students will be able to: • Analyze the underlying nature of data and information such as its digital measure, characteristics, formats, and processing. • Explain the principles of operation of the various components of IT, such as computers, software, databases, and networks. • Demonstrate how the components of IT fit together to form useful systems that are responsive to organizational needs. • Assess the utility of IT in the operations, decision making, and investment of organizations. • Identify and appraise the principal economic, social, and cultural issues raised by the applications of IT. • Show currency with events and developments in the IT field. • Assess the relevance of current events and developments in the IT field to management practices and significance to social change.

9. Preparation At least 3-4 days to complete the preparation activities prior to the tour. User friendly tutorials and a checklist for readiness: Adhere to UMUC Code of Student Conduct and Second Life security guidelines. Create a Second Life account and complete the required tutorials. Create Twitter/Twibes accounts and join the ITEC Twibe.

10. The Tour Begins… Second Life (Web 3.0) • Second Life destinations: • IBM Systems EduCenter • Cisco Live Conference  • NOAA Island • Siemens Innovation Center • Students encouraged to: • Take snapshots • Tweet to the ITEC Twibe

11. Location #1: IBM Systems EduCenter • Educational sessions: • IBM System Z10 Mainframe • Power 595 Processor • IBM BladeCenter • Interactive simulations: • Look behind the doors of a Mainframe • Add a new Blade or diagnose and replace faulty memory in a BladeCenter

12. Location #2: Cisco Live Conference • Held in San Francisco and in Second Life • Conference keynotes and highlights • Experts’ technical chats and panel discussions

13. Location #3: NOAA Island • Learn about visualization and simulation techniques: • Evolution of a glacier • Life cycle of a tsunami • Real time weather map • Weather balloon

14. Location #4: Siemens Innovation Center • Discover key innovations in engineering • Interactively design and ride a rocket-propelled scooter!

15. Twitter/ITEC Twibe (Web 2.0) • During and after the tour the students tweeted on the ITEC twibe about: • Immediate impressions. • Favorite destinations. • Useful and exciding experiences. • On the way discoveries • Rescue requests.

16. Google Docs (Cloud Computing) After the tour the students joined the ITEC Google Docs account to collaborate on the creation of a PowerPoint-like presentation.

17. 4. Lessons Learned/Teaching Strategies • Preparation • Select sites based on educational value but with fun in mind. • Have clearly written and tested navigation guides. • Students need to check if their hardware is appropriate. • Students need to set up accounts and know the basics before the activities. • Activity Period • Assign multiple tour guides; monitor students closely. • Use microphone for communication. • Watch your time. •  Post-Activity • Provide a reflective assignment synthesizing student experiences. • Integrate the activities with the rest of the course. 

18. Pedagogical Benefits • Engaging and interactive experience • Collaborative and sharing environment • New social and cultural community • Exposure to emerging technologies • Global perspective • Fun learning experience • Sense of discovery

19. 5. Next Steps • Utilize the UMUC Second Life island: • Use it as a “launching pad” for next tours; include an introductory lecture. • Have real-time presentations. Invite renowned professionals as guest lecturers. • Investigate the use of mobile devices for tweeting to the ITEC Twibe. • Identify efficient tools for recording future virtual tours. • Identify ways for virtualized access to Second Life (to address hardware problems). • Further develop demonstrated ideas for enhancing online and face-to-face courses.

20. Next Steps (cont.) • Identify new sites to visit in Second Life: • IBM Virtual Green Data site - solve energy problems in the data center as part of interactive demos • Dell, Inc. - use a drafting table to build basic components of a real-world computer • Ann Myers Medical Center – teaches med student how to listen to their patients (apply techniques learned to a computer help center)

21. Conclusions • The utilized technologies provide a new, rich, and engaging educational environment. • A quantum leap over the use of traditional delivery techniques such as learning management systems and PowerPoint slides. • Students enjoyed their experiences and wanted to come back and explore more worlds.

22. Questions and Answers