Creating a Sense of Collaboration

When we want to create an environment which engages faculty with learners, we need to consider creating spaces that promote discussion and collaboration. First we need to have curriculum which promotes opportunities of collaborative learning.  Then, we can focus on some of the ways we can enhance this experience through a series of design and technology options. 


An innovation room conceived to complement collaboration

Selecting tables and chairs with wheels helps to promote an environment of flexibility and innovation.  In addition, providing plenty of "analog" white boards encourages the sharing of concepts and ideas.  Providing a main projection screen, along with flat panel monitors located around the room provides the opportunity to direct attention to the front of the room, or to group work. 

In this room faculty have the flexibility to select multiple video sources in the front of the room, or to the "group work" at one of the three flat panels around the perimeter of the space. The faculty also have full control of lighting and presentation sources via a touch panel at the podium.  This innovation room make the learning environment flexible, engaging, and very collaborative.

Learning and Social Meeting Spaces Redefining Learning Experiences

250-seat auditorium and teaching podium

As new academic buildings are conceived and constructed, considering teaching and learning activities along with social interactions are important issues to think about.  We are at a point where we need to consider what we want as outcomes of our space design, before we put faculty, staff, and students into our environments.  At the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Centennial Hall was developed with an eye on the past 100 years of the university's existence, and an eye on the next 100 years.  There are a number of key concepts that personifies how we can blend teaching and learning, and student and faculty interactions.  In the building there are traditional lecture halls of 250 occupants. These lecture halls are carefully sloped for easy access, provide exceptional sound treatment and accoustics, comfortable seating, full HDCP digital switching capability, and dual screen projection.  In addition to traditional seating, the building also has innovative collaborative, flexible collaborative spaces.  



Open areas with comfortable seating promote interaction



The building also provides large open areas for students and faculty to interact, network, and collaborate. These open areas provide comfortable seating, wireless Internet, and pleasing color scheme and lighting.  In providing multiple effective learning environments, coupled with open meeting spaces, a cohesive and integrated space can promote learning and social interaction.



Open areas with good lighting and digital signage

In future reviews, I will anlayze in more detail specific learning spaces within the building, and explain how certain spaces can enhance interation and collaboration during the teaching and learning activities.

September 11, 2001 Remembered

On September 11, 2001, we all watched in disbelief of the terror attach on the U.S.  We had just finished remodeling our Wing Technology Center with the latest in classroom technology and new learning space environments.  I was very proud and gratified of the result. Then, early on September 11th, we all watched the stunning events of the fateful day unfold as the video and images were projected in our new classrooms throughout the building.  Here we had the latest technology to enhance our learning, and there on the screens were images of tragedy and destruction. Several days later, I asked and received permission to put an American flag, framed on red, white, and blue burning, on the front of our new building.  When I look at this photograph a decade later, I can still clearly remember what I felt and thought on that day. 

Social Media in Politically Charged Environments

I recently presented a first-in-a-series session on the use of "Social Media in Politically Charged Environments." This in-depth and well documented project, includes images, videos, blogs, YouTube video, and Twitter feeds as it portrays the impact of social media on the political environment in Wisconsin since February 2011. Included in the presentation are CNN iReports which were tracked through the U.S. news media, and worldwide. Screen shots captured the dramatic speed and distribution of information throughout the world. In addition, comments highlighted and documented the high emotions of people globally, on the political issues and environment in the state. Analytical data highlighted from selected YouTube videos through "YouTube's Insight" illustrated the age group, gender, geographic location of the viewership. Faculty at the presentation were engaged and, at times, overwhelmed of the emotion from the documented videos.

One faculty commented, "I was at the March 12th protests in Madison, and seeing the video makes my hair stand up on the back of my neck." Another faculty member, who originally was from Iran reflected, "I thought this footage was from Washington, DC!" I informed her that no, this was shot in Madison. She continued by saying that these protests look like the ones in Iran over 30 years ago.

More presentations and writings are planned for this topic. If you'd like to know more, or contribute, please let me know. Let's discuss, collaborate, and learn.

21st Century Classroom Technology with Cisco

Recently we hosted a workshop, in cooperation with Cisco entitled, "21st Century Classroom Technology." We had a variety of guests from around the U.S. via Cisco/Tandberg HD teleconferencing. The first guest speaker was Dr. Lance Ford who provided a dynamic and engaging presentation on how to incorporate smartboards and video into the teaching and learning process. To see and learn more, click on the Cisco presentation link below. http://tinyurl.com/3rss4vy

To Empower With Technology

I just completed a new video entitled, "To Empower With Technology." The concept of the video is to illustrate how today's college students perceive technology in their lives and in their education. The program touches on social networking and communications, and challenges the viewer to consider how technology empowers us all. The program recently "kicked off" the EDUCAUSE Midwest Conference held in Chicago, IL. It preceeded a keynote address by Michael Wesch, best known for his engaging videos, The Machine and Us (over 11 million views) and also A Vision of Students Today, (over 4 million views). Michael was referred to as "the explainer" by Wired Magazine. He is an Associate Professor of Cultural Antropology at Kansas State University.

Conversations with Michael Wesch

I had the pleasure to meet, and also convene a discussion with Michael Wesch at the EDUCAUSE Midwest Conference held in Chicago, IL. Michael had been referred to as "the explainer" by Wired magazine. He is a cultural anthropologist that explores the effects of new media on society and culture. As a professor of Cultural Anthropology at Kansas State University, his YouTube video, "A Vision of Students Today," has over 4 million views. He spoke to the audience at EDUCAUSE Midwest and commented on the challenges of living in an environment of "soundbite communications" and how media mediates our relationships. You can learn more about Michael's fascinating work at: www.ksuanth.weebly.com/wesch

Madison College Convocation-Constructing New Opportunities for Learning

On January 4-5, 2011 I had the opportunity of providing the keynote address, "Dynamic Technologies to Engage Learners" and also two breakout sessions entitled, "Building Bridges to Innovative Learning Environments." The theme of the Convocation was, "Constructing New Opportunities for Learning." I found the experience exceptionally well conceived and planned. The college writes that the event is used as a strategy for promoting learning, discussion and development of common ground about teaching and learning among faculty and staff." Some of the topics covered included, teaching and learning, learning space design, student sucess, active learning, and student engagement through technology.

My keynote session was given in the Mitby Theater. It is an excellent facility that seats approximately 1000. Madison College was recently successful in securing $133 million dollars in funding to aid in the construction of new facilities and to incorporate innovative teaching and learning environments to the campus. The Convocation was an excellent first step for both faculty and staff to understand and be a part of the process.

Mediasite Global Webcast

On December 15th, Sonic Foundry originated a global webcast from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The topics including a presentations by Bill Cherne entitled, "Understanding Mediasite Security", John Pollard on Mediasite 5.5 and integration with Camtasia Relay, and Kristin Zurovitch explained the new MUG Community web presence, and UNLEASH 2011. I provided a video tour of the Wing Technology Center and our new Academic Building. Terry Wirkus provided technical support, and well as "priceless" stories from La Crosse.

Fund Raising with Technology

At times, especially during these financially-challenging times, we need to find technology solutions that help us communicate. Recently, e-Campus magazine interviewed me on how web casting can assist us in finding potential donors for our institutions. To learn more of our successes, and of others, check out the latest issue.

EDUCAUSE International Conference Presentation

At the EDUCAUSE Conference in Anaheim, I was an invited guest presenter to talk about a national "hot topic"- namely how to create effective IT organizational structure. The presentation entitled, "Avoiding Your IT House of Cards- Building Your Own Solid Foundation" was extremely well received and included a dynamic collaborative discussion on how to build better functional enterprises. The PowerPoint is now available on the EDUCAUSE conference web site. Keys to success include: communication, collaboration, employee satisfaction, being a leader, understanding advocacy, empathy, identifying failure and learning from it, and identifying and eliminating silos.

Understanding each of these core issues will ensure success in your own IT environment.

"Peter's Story" Documentary Film is Released

I have just completed a new documentary entitled, "Peter's Story" which relates to my strong belief in using rich media that has a strong emotional component. If you click on the image, you will be sent to a Mediasite web cast of the video. I enourage you to watch this emotional story. You will not take smoke alarms for granted after watching this program. Enjoy, but also remember.

There's an App for That!

On August 31, I held an interactive poster presentation at the 12 Annual Teaching and Learning Conference held at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The title of the presentation was, "There's an App for That- Using iPads in Education." Matt Ebert (photo-right) and Kevin Mont from Apple Corporation collaborated with me on the session. Approximately 200 faculty members attended and interest was extremely high for this new mobile appliance. I showcased some free and very intriguing apps and also demonstrated how to project selected applications to an external monitor or video projector. Videos and web pages can display fairly well, but most other applications cannot be projected at this time. I am certain this situation will quickly change as more apps are added daily. There is also interest in how Flash video could play on the iPad but this is still under development. We shall see how this unfolds.

Some of the most interesting apps discussed include:

Planets- see what constellations and planets can be seen at specific times and locations
AppsMosaic- get a random search of free and paid apps with a mosaic interface- it's fast!
Shakespeare- download the best of the playwright for free
Bombardier- a game that helps you to understand gravitational forces- very addictive
Action Buggy- a game that improves your hand (finger) and eye coordination
Epic Citadel- demonstration of high quality graphics, navigation, and sound- highly recommended!
VGA Expedition- display some apps on an external monitor or projector
X Invasion 2- free game for flying a fighter jet or Corsair aircraft- get a sense of flying and navigation
Dinosaurs- Tour the American Museum of Natural History for free
Gravity HD- game of logic and physics- highly interactive game, and allows for custom design
Crystal Portal HD- interactive mystery with high quality graphics, music, requiring problem solving skills
Louvre- tour artwork, learn about the masters, and take it on your own tour at the Louvre for free

100 Years- Once in a Lifetime

This video was produced to celebrate 100 years of world history as part of our University's Centennial Celebration. It was created within Adobe Affect Effects with nearly 40 independent annimation channels. To see more videos on YouTube subscribe to jjorstad13 or go to the The Learning Space within YouTube. Enjoy.

UNLEASH 2010 International Conference

I just returned from the Sonic Foundry UNLEASH International Conference in Madison, WI. The event was extremely well attended with attendees from all across the U.S., in addition to my colleagues from Brazil, Helder Conde, Atitude Digital Media; Leon Huijbers, Technische Universtiteit Delft, the Netherlands; and Mark Dashper, University of Aukland.

I gave a presentation entitled "Creating Rich Media-Bringing Good Things to Life." The key concept was to utilize the MUSE strategy when developing rich media for academic and administrative uses, M=memorable, U=understandable, S=sustainable, and E=emotional. To see a preview of the session, click here.

EDUCAUSE 2010 Midwest- Learning Space Workshop

I presented the workshop "Navigating Your Path When Designing Effective Learning Spaces" at the 2010 EDUCAUSE Midwest Regional Conference. The session looked at current trends worldwide regarding learning space design, but also core concepts such as learning space assessment, design consideration, learning commons, furniture, podium design, teaching and learning, sustainability, and Web 2.0 in the design.

Participants broke out in groups to discuss their specific opportunities and challenges in their own project design and implementation. General trends emerged from their individual projects that had universal implications to the group. Attendees came from throughout the Midwest, with one attendee from New Zealand.

Merging Learning Space with Web 2.0

Today, when designing new learning spaces perhaps we should reflect on how these environments can be enhanced with Web 2.0 technologies. While, some of these technologies may have no immediate effect on the spaces we create, perhaps when we think about how students utilize rich media in their social lives, and academic lives, we can maximize their learning (and social) environment. One area we can make an immediate impact is with furniture.

Steelcase has come up with the concept called Media:Scape. The concept brings students around a table with comfortable seating, but more importantly it provides a mechanism for each student to share their computer "image" by way of an innovative "puck." You simply click on the puck, and your computer is displayed on the main monitor. This Media:Scape provides the opportunity for students to share and collaborative. This same system is being used at Drexel University in the Hagerty Library atrium. As we design spaces to promote collaboration, simply changing the furniture can help to enhance the experience for the students.

Learning Commons at UW-Milwaukee Invites Collaboration

A new open concept to promote collaboration at the UW-Milwaukee Golda Meir Library is fully functional. Not only do the learning spaces promote collaboration but the process in developing them was equally collaborative. This success story is part of my session entitled, "Lost in Space- Finding the Right Learning Space for Learners." You can learn more about effective learning space design by reading my feature article in University Business Magazine. Enjoy.

Learning Space Repository Pilot

Through a collaborative pilot with Sonic Foundry (Mediasite), exemplary examples of innovative learning spaces are being solicited to be included in a global repository of Learning Space Design pilot. These examples will be recorded through Mediasite webcasts and made available for review and comment. If your are interested in submitting a potential submission, e-mail Jim Jorstad, Director of Educational Technologies at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Be sure to put LSR in the subject line. Technical specifications for your submission will be provided upon request.

Collaborative Learning Spaces Part Deux

Designing collaborative learning spaces which are scalable is an important element in planning. Initially a model collaborative space was developed in our Wing Technology Center to demonstrate to faculty, staff, and students the concept of collaborative spaces. From there, a larger space was created in our Murphy library. This space was tested and video analyzed to see how students would effectively utilize the collaborative area. Stage three was to expand the space, again using Herman Miller Resolve furniture. In this stage you can see the dynamics of students working together. Encouraging faculty to develop curriculum that requires group work only strengthens the campus utilization of collaborative learning spaces. Developing a scalable design will ensure a sustainable model for the future.