Author Archives: Patrick Lowenthal

New Elective at Boise State this summer — Introduction to Openness

This summer we are pleased to offer a special topics elective called Introduction to Openness. This is an important topic that focuses on issues related to open content, open software, open online courses, and more.

Course description: This is a studio model course examining major areas of openness, the impact on education, and instructional design. Students will create and revise several project artifacts, and will interact heavily throughout the development cycle. Key elements include examining the centeredness of education, questioning what human-centered education might look like, and exploring openness in education through a human-centered design lens.

Video overview from the instructor: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1hd4epojNcsUERKTzl4eGhCZjg/view?usp=sharing

Syllabus: http://edtech.boisestate.edu/docs/teaching/syllabi/summer16/EDTECH_597_Syllabus_Summer_2016_R.pdf

Instructor bio: Fred Baker is an educator and Instructional Designer who has worked in higher education since 2008. He holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Development, and a B.S.B.A. in Entrepreneurship from the University of South Alabama. His research and consulting interests focus on the relationship between technology, organizations, and people. He is intrigued by the potential of openness and human-centered design to improve organizational culture and empower learning and performance. He has authored more than 24 peer-reviewed publications, and presented more than 35 times at conferences and events in this subject area. He is active in professional associations, serves as a column editor for the AECT scholarly journal TechTrends, and has served as a reviewer for various journals, books, and conferences. You can connect with him and view his portfolio at www.fredwbaker.com.

Registration information:

EDTECH 597: Special Topics – Introduction to Openness
Section: 4202
Class Number: 42131
Instructor: Dr. Fred Baker
2nd 7-week session: 06/27/2016 – 08/14/2016

If you have questions about the course please email the instructor at: fredrickbaker@boisestate.edu

WCET Outstanding Work Award call for nominations

Submit Your Creative Solution to a Significant Need in Higher Ed Today!

Look across your campus or organization for successful and innovative works that meet the WCET Outstanding Work criteria. Encourage your colleagues to submit a nomination. The WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Awardrecognizes outstanding efforts by member institutions and organizations in applying a creative, cutting edge, technology-based solution to a challenging educational need.

The WOW Award call for nominations is now open for works which…

address a significant need or problem in higher education.
incorporate creative and/or innovative uses of technology or resources.
demonstrate a positive impact towards addressing need.
represent a significant contribution to the field of technology-enhanced postsecondary education.
can be adapted or used as a model for others.

Use this form to nominate “WOW worthy” work from your institution/organization today!
For more on what kinds of works have won previously, check out the 2 minute videos from the 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 winners.

High quality nomination materials are encouraged for this competitive award among WCET members.

The deadline is Monday, May 2, 2016 at 5pm MDT.

Great Instructional Design & Technology Books

I regularly run across free access to great books online.

The following are a few that have caught my attention recently. I personally love books so I would recommend purchasing each of these for your own library.

Handbook of Distance Education
View PDF here

Image of How People Learn Book How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School
Bransford et al.
Download PDF of the book or specific chapters