I cannot believe I just found a instructor's treasure chest!

http://www.merlot.org/merlot/materials.htm

This site is a virtual treasure chest for me especially as I look for ways to make my introductory business classes more entertaining or at least engaging.  This site has a collection of case studies, simulations, and other activities on many different business subjects.  This takes the online experience beyond discussions and written assignments.  Granted these would require a bit more from the instructor and the student.  but I believe that it would be a good way to add application to the text concepts.

An example would be for a unit on Marketing in my Intro to Business Class, http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=91435
This provides a hands on way to cover the concept besides just a lecture.

Again as an instructor I am always looking for ways to revise my courses.  I am going to spend some development time on this site seeing what I may be able to use.  With 3345 entries in just business alone I am sure there will be jewels.

Podcasts

I have long wanted to explore options for adding audio content to my online classes.  But it seemed like a dauntiong task.  But the more I explore the more that I see it is a doable options.  In addition to recording my own content, I have found some ready made content or podcasts.  An example would be the audio lectures that are available from MIT or the New York Times Poscasts.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519
http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses
http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

I think I have an idea for my project

Well it has been one crazy wee and unfortunately this is my first blog post since class ended last Saturday. However, I have decided to schedule blogging like any other appointment on my schedule that way I will be guaranteed to post every other day.

After reviewing some of the technologies, notes, and ideas from class I think that the best way to accomplish my project and something that would be useful to meet my objectives for taking this class would be a resource website for my students. During class last weekend, I joined Homestead and some basic layout on the main page at first the system experiment that has expired to try based on our immersion into technology last weekend.  However, why not create a site where students have a resource to course information, perhaps a way to contact me, and other things. I think that I can create some sort of wiki that has resources for online learners and specific resources for course content. I also thought that it would be a neat idea to have a blog in which we could discuss different topics related to their learning and again to course content. Perhaps, an example would be a blog entry on APA citations or what makes a substantial response to discussion post. These are topics that I use is announcements on the learning platform however an announcement has limited visibility and space whereas a blog post on one of these topics I could provide a great deal more explanation and examples.

These are just some initial thoughts for the project please feel free to e-mail me at DSMTRAINERJT@aol.com.

John