Click here to read the post.

Click here to read the post

His twitter answer: “Distance technologies enable us to prioritize our lives around the things that matter most to us, such as our families, friends, community, and organizations we are passionate about.” His blog answer, offering more detail, can be found here.

Click here to view the post.

The Cave of Time, the first Choose Your Own Adventure book.

]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2009/12/02/choose-your-own-adventure-education-edition/feed/ 1 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2009/11/29/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2009-11-29/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2009/11/29/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2009-11-29/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:54:00 +0000 terence http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2009/11/29/twitter-weekly-updates-for-2009-11-29/

Bruce Edwards and Connie Molnar

BGSU’s investment in e-learning over the past decade has paid dividends for hundreds of northwest Ohio students seeking to finish their bachelor’s and master’s degree programs online.

Now, the experience and expertise that built an inventory of over 500 online courses and 15 online degree and certificate programs has been recognized by the Ohio Board of Regents (OBOR) and its Ohio Learning Network (OLN).

BGSU has been selected as the site for Ohio’s new OLN Center for Excellence in E-Learning, which will be supervised by Dr. Bruce Edwards, associate vice president for academic technology and e-learning, and Connie Molnar, director of the Center for Online and Blended Learning (COBL).

Sheryl Hansen, the OBOR staff member who announced the center’s creation, said “the Center for Online and Blended Learning at BGSU has knowledge, proven capacity and a rich history in supporting quality e-learning.”

As a result, Hansen added, campuses statewide can benefit from COBL’s established excellence in providing “support, training and ongoing professional development” that meet the criteria of national best practices and quality standards.

The OLN center will be launched next spring with the help of $80,000 in state funds for local staffing for BGSU, and for small grants to support pilot projects in quality assurance in online education across the state.

Albert Colom, vice president for enrollment management, agreed that the distinction BGSU has received is well warranted. “The state’s recognition of the achievements of Academic Technology and COBL testifies not only to the quality of our online programs, but also to the quality of the leadership of our staff,” he said.

Edwards, who has been leading BGSU’s distance education efforts since 2001, noted that “talented and dedicated faculty collaborating with skilled instructional designers make the difference in delivering quality coursework and maintaining student-centered support services.”

The center, said Molnar, “will benefit BGSU by drawing even more attention to the quality and diversity of its online programs, and giving our faculty the recognition they deserve for innovative instruction that maintains the integrity and rigor of their curricula.”

BGSU is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association to offer any of its degrees online. And Edwards and Molnar are both involved in OBOR Chancellor Eric Fingerhut’s strategic planning group that is creating a 10-year plan for expanding access to Ohio’s degree programs through online delivery.

“This is an auspicious time for BGSU to take on the leadership of this new center, and we look forward to the challenge and benefits of working with colleagues across the state in advancing Ohio’s reputation for innovation and quality in online education,” Edwards added.

Source: http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/monitor/10-26-09/page72816.html

There is a lot more than meets the eye to BLOGS.BGSU.EDU, the homegrown blogging platform developed by Assistant Director of COBL, Terence Armentano. Blogs and microblogs such as Twitter have taken the world by storm. Why? Because they blast open the floodgates of communication. They give everyone a voice and anyone with an internet or even a mobile phone connection can listen in and talk back. Upon closer inspection of BLOGS.BGSU, one will notice it is not just about new technology, it’s about a movement, a change in thinking, a paradigm shift, a leveling of the proverbial playing field. It’s about what happens to a university when everyone has a voice…  Read entire blog post at TerenceOnline

When Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley, Ohio Board of Regents (OBOR) vice chancellor for academic affairs and systems integration, held a distance-learning summit in Columbus in early May, she heard a buzz from other state participants that made her want to visit BGSU.

“Innovation, collaboration, sustainability” kept emerging as themes when other campuses spoke of BGSU, Gellman-Danley said. Dr. Bruce Edwards, associate vice provost for academic technology, who represented BGSU at the summit, recalled that “our reputation had preceded us. It was nice to have unsolicited praise for our work from other institutions.” —  Read Full BGSU Monitor Article

The study found that students who took all or part of their instruction online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through face-to-face instruction. Further, those who took “blended” courses — those that combine elements of online learning and face-to-face instruction — appeared to do best of all. That finding could be significant as many colleges report that blended instruction is among the fastest-growing types of enrollment.

Source: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/06/29/online

Link to the Study - http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf

Summer Session at BGSU from COBL on Vimeo.

Join more than 7,000 BGSU students who take advantage of Summer Session to ease their course load, become familiar with campus, speed up completion of their degree, and benefit from smaller classes.

Summer Session provides you with the flexibility and variety you need to stay on track—online, on campus or abroad. Choose from the extensive schedule of graduate and undergraduate courses and complete in 6 or 8 weeks.

First 6-Week Session —————– May 18–June 26
8-Week Session ———————— June 15–August 7
Second 6-Week Session ————- June 29–August 7

Registration now open

SCHEDULE NOW ONLINE

Register for Summer Session

Current BGSU Undergraduate and Graduate Students

• Any student who has a valid BGNet e-mail account may register for summer classes on the web using MyBGSU.

Guest Students

• Undergraduate Guest Students
• Graduate Non-Degree Guest Students
]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2009/02/25/take-bgsu-courses-online-this-summer/feed/ 2 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/09/12/search-cobls-new-blackboard-video-tutorial-database/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/09/12/search-cobls-new-blackboard-video-tutorial-database/#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:51:29 +0000 terence http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/?p=70 COBL, The Center for Online and Blended Learning at BGSU, has designed and developed a new Blackboard video tutorial database that makes it extremely easy for BGSU instructors to search for and find Blackboard video tutorials created by the COBL staff. The new database is extremely searchable with a built in ajax live search engine, tag cloud, categories, rss feed, and an email subscription service to connect faculty to the latest tutorials.  To use the dynamic search engine, one only needs to start typing a word in the search area, such as “gradebook” and immediately the page begins to display tutorials that relate to your topic as you type your search.  The database is currently populated with video tutorials regarding the most popular and newer functions in blackboard.  As a member of the Academic Technology Unit on campus, COBL hopes this resource will be useful to the entire BGSU campus.
]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/09/12/search-cobls-new-blackboard-video-tutorial-database/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/08/26/official-launch-of-the-bgsu-blogs-and-podcasts/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/08/26/official-launch-of-the-bgsu-blogs-and-podcasts/#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:20:12 +0000 terence 403335087 We hope everyone is enjoying the new blog and podcast system. Check out this tutorial I made on how to get started with your blog – Introduction to blogs.bgsu.edu
]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/08/26/official-launch-of-the-bgsu-blogs-and-podcasts/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/07/cobl-newsletter-july-2008/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/07/cobl-newsletter-july-2008/#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:14:54 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/07/07/cobl-newsletter-july-2008/ Greetings!
The Summer, 2008 issue of the BGSU eLearning Newsletter is available at:
http://cobl.bgsu.edu/newsletters/june08/index.php

In this issue:
1. Read about the new Center for Online and Blended Learning (formerly IDEAL).
2. Listen to a podcast interview with Dr. Bruce Edwards, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Technology.
3. View information about “Quality Matters”, a faculty-centered, peer review process for online courses.
4. Read about the Blackboard “grade center”, the new gradebook available in Blackboard 8, which will be implemented this coming fall.
5. Register for online faculty training.

The Center for Online and Blended Learning welcomes your feedback! If you have suggestions or ideas for future issues of the eLearning Newsletter or for the COBL web site, please send email to: cobl@bgsu.edu.

]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/07/cobl-newsletter-july-2008/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/07/dr-bruce-edwards-associate-vice-provost-for-academic-technology-discusses-the-focus-of-academic-technology/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/07/dr-bruce-edwards-associate-vice-provost-for-academic-technology-discusses-the-focus-of-academic-technology/#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:35:21 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/07/07/dr-bruce-edwards-associate-vice-provost-for-academic-technology-discusses-the-focus-of-academic-technology/ Dr. Buce Edwards explains some of the upcoming changes that are happening at IDEAL/COBL as well as discusses the focus of Academic Technology.
]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/07/dr-bruce-edwards-associate-vice-provost-for-academic-technology-discusses-the-focus-of-academic-technology/feed/ 0 2:46 Dr. Buce Edwards explains some of the upcoming changes that are happening at IDEAL/COBL as well as discusses the focus of Academic Technology. Dr. Buce Edwards explains some of the upcoming changes that are happening at IDEAL/COBL as well as discusses the focus of Academic Technology. COBL,News,,COBL,Podcast terence@bgnet.bgsu.edu no No http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/07/cobl-podcast-4-dr-kristine-blair-professor-and-chair-of-the-english-department/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/07/cobl-podcast-4-dr-kristine-blair-professor-and-chair-of-the-english-department/#comments Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:33:21 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/07/07/cobl-podcast-4-dr-kristine-blair-professor-and-chair-of-the-english-department/ COBL Podcast #4 – Dr. Kristine Blair – Professor and Chair of the English Department
by: Carolyn Kraut
Instructional Designer – COBL, BGSU

Dr. Blair stopped by to talk about the new online Master of Arts in English Plan II, faculty reactions to teaching online, and what it takes to get an online degree program up and running. Click here to visit the English Department’s Blog referenced in this episode.

]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/07/cobl-podcast-4-dr-kristine-blair-professor-and-chair-of-the-english-department/feed/ 0 11:53 COBL Podcast #4 - Dr. Kristine Blair - Professor and Chair of the English Department by: Carolyn Kraut Instructional Designer - COBL, BGSU Dr. Blair stopped by to ... COBL Podcast #4 - Dr. Kristine Blair - Professor and Chair of the English Department by: Carolyn Kraut Instructional Designer - COBL, BGSU Dr. Blair stopped by to talk about the new online Master of Arts in English Plan II, faculty reactions to teaching online, and what it takes to get an online degree program up and running. Click here to visit the English Department's Blog referenced in this episode. COBL,News,,COBL,Podcast terence@bgnet.bgsu.edu no No http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/03/oln-resource-of-the-day/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/03/oln-resource-of-the-day/#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:54:15 +0000 terence 1889140327

The Ohio Learning Network featured the BGSU Weblogs and Podcast Solution, created by IDEAL, as their Resource of the Day on April 22. Click Here to read more about it.

]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/03/oln-resource-of-the-day/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/03/cobl-oln-teaching-and-learning-expo/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/03/cobl-oln-teaching-and-learning-expo/#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:53:04 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/07/03/cobl-oln-teaching-and-learning-expo/

Terence Arementano, Assistant Director of IDEAL has been invited to do a break out session at the OLN Teaching and Learning Expo about the development, implementation, and administration of the BGSU Weblog and Podcast System.

]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/07/03/cobl-oln-teaching-and-learning-expo/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/05/20/increased-enrollment-of-over-30-from-last-summer/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/05/20/increased-enrollment-of-over-30-from-last-summer/#comments Tue, 20 May 2008 13:16:42 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/05/20/increased-enrollment-of-over-30-from-last-summer/

The number of online classes offered at BGSU this summer has risen due to a growing demand. With an increased enrollment of over 30% from last summer, students are staying on track- online.

]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/05/20/increased-enrollment-of-over-30-from-last-summer/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/05/13/ideal-presents-at-oln-learning-expo-2008/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/05/13/ideal-presents-at-oln-learning-expo-2008/#comments Tue, 13 May 2008 12:42:00 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/05/13/ideal-presents-at-oln-learning-expo-2008/ Terence Armentano, Bowling Green State University, Assistant Director, Distance Education

Brief Descriptor of Presentation: Terence Armentano will be presenting at the OLN Learning Expo 2008 on his work in the development of a user friendly weblog and podcast solution for BGSU using open source tools. The BGSU Weblogs and Podcast system enables anyone with a BGSU email address to sign up online and begin blogging and/or podcasting/vodcasting in minutes. The system was designed to be very clean and simple to use. I will also discuss how various faculty, staff, and students use the system in different ways in the educational environment.

]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/05/13/ideal-presents-at-oln-learning-expo-2008/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/03/25/online-teaching-for-educators-course/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/03/25/online-teaching-for-educators-course/#comments Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:21:54 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/03/25/online-teaching-for-educators-course/ March 31-April 13, 2008
IDEAL offers a 2-week online course to educators outside of the BGSU faculty community who want to learn about online pedagogy and current online classroom technologies.
Click here for more information
]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/03/25/online-teaching-for-educators-course/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/03/25/virtual-tour-for-the-online-biology-101-course/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/03/25/virtual-tour-for-the-online-biology-101-course/#comments Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:16:48 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/03/25/virtual-tour-for-the-online-biology-101-course/ IDEAL has created a virtual tour for the online Biology 101 course, enabling online students to experience the site visit from home.

Click here to tour the Bowling Green Recycling Center.

]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/03/25/virtual-tour-for-the-online-biology-101-course/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/03/25/learning-20-ideal-lunch-hour-series/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/03/25/learning-20-ideal-lunch-hour-series/#comments Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:14:40 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/03/25/learning-20-ideal-lunch-hour-series/ Bring your lunch and join us this spring for the Learning 2.0: IDEAL Lunch Hour Series.

March 27, 2008 – Using the Creative Commons.
Click here for additional dates and topics, and to register online or contact IDEAL at IDEAL@bgsu.edu or 2-6792

]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/03/25/learning-20-ideal-lunch-hour-series/feed/ 0 http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/01/16/interview-with-amanda-riznick/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/01/16/interview-with-amanda-riznick/#comments Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:06:44 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/01/16/interview-with-amanda-riznick/ This interview with Amanda Rzicznek, an English Instructor, is about her preparation for building an online course and the interaction with her online students.



]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/01/16/interview-with-amanda-riznick/feed/ 0 13:27 This interview with Amanda Rzicznek, an English Instructor, is about her preparation for building an online course and the interaction with her online students. This interview with Amanda Rzicznek, an English Instructor, is about her preparation for building an online course and the interaction with her online students. COBL,News,,COBL,Podcast terence@bgnet.bgsu.edu no No http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/01/15/interview-with-david-haus/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/01/15/interview-with-david-haus/#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:32:35 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/01/15/interview-with-david-haus/ This interview with David Haus, an instructor for the History Department, is about his experience teaching the history of World War II online, the technology he uses, and his interaction with online students.



]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/01/15/interview-with-david-haus/feed/ 0 6:39 This interview with David Haus, an instructor for the History Department, is about his experience teaching the history of World War II online, the technology ... This interview with David Haus, an instructor for the History Department, is about his experience teaching the history of World War II online, the technology he uses, and his interaction with online students. COBL,News,,COBL,Podcast terence@bgnet.bgsu.edu no No http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/01/15/interview-with-anthony-fontana/ http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/01/15/interview-with-anthony-fontana/#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:30:31 +0000 terence http://cobl.mybgsuonline.com/2008/01/15/interview-with-anthony-fontana/ Interview with Dr. Anthony Fontana about art, technology, online teaching, and the classroom of the future. Anthony Fontana is an Instructor for the School of Art. Click here to read his blog on the The Polychronic Classroom.




]]> http://blogs.bgsu.edu/cobl/2008/01/15/interview-with-anthony-fontana/feed/ 0 11:08 Interview with Dr. Anthony Fontana about art, technology, online teaching, and the classroom of the future. Anthony Fontana is an Instructor for the School of ... Interview with Dr. Anthony Fontana about art, technology, online teaching, and the classroom of the future. Anthony Fontana is an Instructor for the School of Art. Click here to read his blog on the The Polychronic Classroom. COBL,News,,COBL,Podcast terence@bgnet.bgsu.edu no No