2a Effective Communication

Activities

Description

Documentation

A. Web communication

Overview
One of the ways I communicate is via websites. The artifacts in this section are just a few of the websites that I have created.

Competency Connection
The websites I've created fit with the communication competency because they show how I am able to communicate online.

Artifact Descriptions
i. I co-founded TWICE in 2001 and have done the website since then. It supports the goals of the organization.

ii. In AVLN, I have used my communication skills extensively. I've been the email voice of AVLN for several years, sending out announcements about events, resources, and online classes. In addition, as the webmaster, I've been through at least three reorganization and redesigns of the website as it has grown in meeting the needs of AVLN's members. In 2007, I handed the responsibility of the website to another AVLN board member.

iii. I've been involved in maintaining the Pioneer Memorial Church website since it's inception in 1998. As I see newsletters, announcements and other activities happening, I realize they need to be communicated online. The website and web team has grown and continues to be a blessing to both the local church family and web and TV viewers around the world. The latest design revision I did was in 2004 when it won the North American Division eChurch Award, which is expert and external evaluation. The most recent design revision was a team effort of the media ministry team.

iv. This is the website for my distance learning program at Berrien RESA, my workplace.

Sample websites I've created and maintained

i. TWICE

ii. AVLN

iii. PMChurch.org and PMChurch.tv and 2004 NAD eChurch Award

iv. SouthwestNet Distance Learning

B. Online conference

Overview
The Adventist Virtual Learning Network (AVLN) online conference focused on bringing together faculty and teachers interested in online learning from around the world.

Competency Connection
This set of artifacts shows my ability to organize an online conference community.

Artifact Descriptions
The most unique communications for AVLN have been for the two online conferences. In 2005, as conference chair, I was responsible for the first Adventist education conference. Due to the great success, we organized a bilingual online conference in 2006 with assistance from our AVLN members at the Universidad de Montemorelos in Mexico. Both conferences involved live events via a voice chat tool called Voxwire, multiple discussion spaces for various conference topics, papers presented in web format, and many communications ahead of time to plan, prepare presenters, advertise, and answer questions by potential participants.

i. Screen shots & evaluations from the AVLN Online Conference 2006

   a. Front Screen of the Conference and sample discussion space

   b. Conference Schedule

   c. Sample Conference Presentation Page

C. Videoconferencing Out on a Lim Blog

Overview
My latest communication project is my blog,Videoconferencing Out on a Lim. Upon learning about blogging in the winter of 2005, I discovered that no one was blogging about K12 videoconferencing. So I started, initially with only a few friends reading. Now I have around 150 regular readers, with others finding my blog entries through web searches as they find answers to questions about K12 videoconferencing. I have also persuaded several colleagues around the country to start blogging and sharing their ideas and programs using videoconferencing. We've developed a small community where we discuss across our blog sites various issues about videoconferencing. For an example, see my reflection on the final report for Berrien County videoconferencing in 2006-2007.

The blog has brought me many opportunities, including networking with colleagues to bring additional content to my schools, and giving me opportunities to speak via videoconferencing to educators around the world.

Competency Connection
My blog is one of the ways I'm becoming a leader in my field of K12 videoconferencing.

Artifact Descriptions
i. My blog is about one distance learning coordinator’s experiences, curriculum thoughts, and technology rants related to k12 videoconferencing.

ii. The statistics are from 2006 through June 15, 2009. The stats follow the ups and downs of the school year and show the growth of viewership. (Peer evaluations )

iii. The comments on these selected posts show how the videoconferencing community has responded on my blog. The second example is the author of a book responding to my post. The sixth example is a class of students in Edmonton Public Schools that I featured on my blog. (Peer evaluations )

iv. These are high profile bloggers or organizations who link to my blog. (Expert evaluations )

v. For the MACUL Conference the last two years, I've been an invited blogger. This is a note from the MACUL Executive Director thanking me for my contribution. (Peer evaluations ). Unlinked for privacy reasons.

vi. My participation on Twitter is another way that I lead in the K12 curriculum videoconferencing world. I share in daily conversations on best practice, share resources, and connect people to each other. See my reflection paper for more information.

i. Link to my blog and some selected posts

ii. Statistics / history of others reading my blog and the map of my readers' locations.

iii. Sample feedback and comments: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

iv. Some other bloggers who link to my blog: AVI-Integration, TelBitConsulting, OldsCollege, and screenshot of a Finnish link to my blog.

v. MACUL Blog Note

vi. My Twitter feed and my Twitter network in pictures

D. Presentations in person and via videonconference

Overview
I often receive requests to present via videoconference to educators in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. These artifacts give a sampling of these presentations.

Competency Connection
Presenting via videoconference is a way that I show my ability to present and via videoconference.

Artifact Descriptions
i. These are a few clips of my presentations via videoconference.
a. This presentation is a sample of my training to my local educators.
b. This presentation is a sample of my presentations to schools in Michigan.
c. This set of video clips were recorded in a studio at ESU 10 after presenting a keynote session.
d. This recorded presentation is of an invited keynote presentation for the Broadband Institute in Canmore, Alberta.

ii. Conference and invited presentations are listed here. (Summative feedback ) Unlinked for privacy reasons.

i. Video clips of presentations

   a. ASK Training
   b. Projects Presentation for Utica Community Schools
   c. Nebraska Video Interviews
   d. VC Alberta Broadband Institute Invited Keynote Presentation.
   e. Polycom User Group Combined SIG Presentation.

ii. Invited and conference presentations

  a. Handout to a session at the 2006 North American Division of Seventh-Day Adventists' Teacher's Convention and feedback from a participant

E. Blog entries

Overview and Artifact Descriptions
These blog entries connect the research on communication in videoconferences applying it to K12 videoconferencing projects & field trips.

Competency Connection
These blog entries show my ability to connect theory to my practice.

i. Links to blog entries

F. LEAD 756 and awards

Overview
The projects here are my contribution to my Leadership and Learning Group and two awards.

Competency Connection
The book summaries show my ability to connect theory to practice.
The awards are external and expert evaluations of my communication skills.

Artifact Descriptions
i. These book summaries were shared with my Leadership and Learning Group via our Moodle site. Unlinked due to login required.

ii. I received this award for outstanding contributions to the distance learning community in Michigan and across the United States. This award is a result of my ability to communicate and share with others outside of my area, which benefits others.  (Expert evaluations )

iii. I received this award for my work in communicating the programs available to schools through the (now called) VC Content Providers.org website and for my work with (now called) Read Around the Planet. Both of these projects require extensive skills to communicate well in working with others, and to use effective communication to advertise and support the programs. (Expert evaluations )

i. Contribution to LLG: Book summaries.

ii. TWICE Presidents' Award 2003

iii. COSI Columbus Excellence in Education Technology Award 2004