SCC Technology News

SEPTEMBER 2007 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 A New Era in Communication Odette Borrey Did you know there is a "new kid" on a microphone and the block among today's telephone some PC speakers. services companies worldwide? The free software telephone companies have is available from: created a new type of software, GloPhone,Gizmo, referred to as Voice over Internet BuddyTalk, Wengo, Protocol or Voice over IP (VoIP), etc. that carries voice signals over the Internet instead of over a typical First, download and phone line; and it is already being install your chosen used in some college classrooms. software. Then just launch the program Professor Steve Sloan, who teaches and complete the at San Jose State University, uses setup process, which a VoIP software called in incl udes openi ng his classrom. He says: "Skype is an account, choosing more than a program; it is a global a username and, communications and collaboration of course, choosing platform. It is also a pipe into a flat yourself a password. world where easy communications You are then ready to is a strategic advantage and the make some calls. Of loss of which is a disadvantage" course, the persons [sic]. you are calling must SCC Graduation, May 2007 also have the same VoIP software Access to VoIP is FREE of charge installed on their computers. in parallel with the conversation, and available to anyone who wants managing address books and to place a call anytime, anywhere You can even create an address passing information regarding in the world for as long as one book to call your friends and family who else is available online when wants to talk. in a few seconds. Just click on their you are. name, and it will start ringing. To access VoIP, you only need a Continued on page 2 computer with Internet access, Most VoIP companies offer both free software and free unlimited service. The Technology Committee promotes the use of technology INSIDE THIS ISSUE Many VoIP programs let you select to increase efficiency of multiple users for conference college operations and A New Era in Communication 1 calls, which can come in very handy in business and education. to support teaching and Did You Know? 2 With some providers you can also enhance learning integrate other Internet services, Community & Camaraderie 3 including video conversation, sccollege.edu/technologycommittee message or data file exchange

New Era in Web 2.0 - Part Two Communication Scott James (Continued from page 1) According to Internet Marketing NewsWatch, over There are a few potential problems, 66% of surveyed people said their lives would though. For example, broadband be disrupted if they did not have access to the connections may have less than internet for one week. Stanford University reports desirable quality. IP packets may that the average internet user spends 3½ hours a day on the internet! be lost or delayed in the network between users with a momentary What happened to the good old days when 30 drop-out of voice, especially in minutes was sufficient to read a newspaper that was highly congested networks; but conveniently delivered right to your doorstep? more recently, reliability and voice quality have improved. I think most of us now realize that the information we were given in the past is not necessarily the Some VoIP solutions are not even information we desire. Newspapers are good, TV encrypted, making it relatively is good, but we want to access resources based easy to eavesdrop on VoIP calls specifically on our interests and not our location. and even change their content;

But 3½ hours? That is way too much time to be so make sure you inform yourself spent accessing information. I’ll bet a lot of your about encryption before choosing time spent on the internet is spent checking to VoIP software. see whether or not new content has been posted on your most visited web page. RSS can simplify University administrators at San and streamline our web experience so that content Jose State University, University of comes to us as soon as it is available. Santa Barbara and, also, California State University at Dominguez RSS is short for Really Simple Syndication. Simply Hills are quite concerned about put, it allows one to subscribe to web content. Have the consumption of by you ever seen this symbol on your favorite web Skype and its detrimental impact page? This symbol means that the content in that on connectivity. As a result, these section of the web page is an RSS feed. Once you subscribe, all of that web page’s updates will be campuses banned Skype use except automatically delivered to your computer similar to in their dormitories and residences. how an email is delivered to your outlook inbox. These universities still permit the use of Gizmo or Wengo applications Here is an example of how one might use RSS in on their campuses, though, due to practice. Imagine that you regularly read the smaller bandwidth use. Not all of Technology Review by MIT, which I recommend, by the professors at these campuses the way. Imagine, also, that you have a classroom agree with the ban. of 30 students who are required to blog (electronic journaling posted on the internet) weekly. To Personally, I regularly use Skype to add to this, you also like to keep up to date on talk to family members who do not your favorite educational webpage. Technology live nearby. We all have WebCam Continued on page 4 video cameras (manufactured by Creative) installed on our computers to see each other while conversing. The system is very easy to use and reliable. It is really comforting to see your distant loved ones “live” while you talk to them for as long as you want and for free! The maximum number of participants for conference calls when using Skype seems to be four. I really Did you wouldknow? not want to live without this technology anymore.

Transportation Technology Yo u m i g h t a s k , h o w c a n t h i s specific technology be applied to

SANTIAGO CANYON COLLEGE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE - Technology News Page 2 the field of education? First, VoIP Skype Launches Next Generation existing “threads” (conversations) could be installed on computers Free Internet and Video Calling or start new “threads.” As your in classrooms in order to allow for Everyone. (2005, December). site’s “administrator,” you can professors to call any relevant Retrieved July 2007 from http:// determine the number and type person to the subject taught about.skype.com of Forums (chat rooms) that you and invite students to engage have in your discussion board. For in a “live” discussion with that my classes, I have three forums person. Just imagine an English Community and established for three different professor calling the author of Camaraderie: purposes, and each produces a book studied in class to allow excellent results in and outside of students to both discuss and ask Blackboard's the classroom. q u e s t i o n s o f t h e a u t h o r ! B y using this innovation, the session Discussion The first forum I have established becomes an unforgettable as well is The Student Union. This is the as an interactive experience for Board area where my students and I students. continue or start conversations Corinna L. Evett pertaining to in-class discussions. Also, VoIP is a wonderful tool If we run out of time in class, I’ll that can be used in "distance Looking for an additional way to post a question in this forum from education" for group discussions. strengthen the sense of community which the students can read and Most students today already have in your classroom? Trying to figure respond. Sometimes, I’ll post a a computer with Internet access; out a way to encourage your shy question that will guide us into our the only additional thing they need students to participate more? class discussion for an upcoming is to download the VoIP software Needing more time to finish or class. Also, students will continue (which is free) and set up a time continue an excellent conversation the discussion on their own by when their group members are in class? If so, then Blackboard’s posting their own perspectives available to start the conversation. Discussion Board is the tool for and ideas. I find that the students It is easy and efficient. you. From my own experience, I’ve who rarely speak in class feel more found that this resource benefits comfortable sharing their insights Last but not least, the faculty my classroom communities on a in The Student Union. Therefore, could also benefit from this variety of levels. it’s a place for people to participate technology by calling colleagues in the learning community on a with VoIP instead of having to For those of you who aren’t aware level that brings them even more physically attend meetings on the of what Blackboard’s Discussion comfort and security. Furthermore, campus. Think of those of us who Board is like, it is set up much like in this section, students are asked commute on the freeways . . . a chat room or blog found on many to practice their writing by using We might never miss a meeting websites. In the Discussion Board, complete sentences and practicing again since we could attend from you and your students can reply to their grammar and punctuation the comfort of our homes or from Continued on page 4 the privacy of our offices. It could be a dream come true at least for smaller administrative and department meetings with limited number of participants and flexible schedules.

RESOURCES: Ryan, P. (2006, September). More Universities banning Skype. Retrieved July 2007 from http:// artstechnica.com

Skype Limited. (2006, November). Skype Privacy FAQ. Retrieved July 2007 from http://www.skype.com

Parker, J. (2005, November). Get started with Internet Calls. Retrieved July 2007 from http:// www.download.com Rendition of SCC Gym

Page 3 Community & classes of 19 students, there were over 80 posts where students Camaraderie . . . shared their academic, personal, (Continued from page 3) a n d professional g o a l s a n d skills. When they respond to my interests. Also, students uploaded comments or to each other’s, and shared their artwork, their they are asked to give original creative writing, their pictures of responses, not simply “me too,” loved ones, and even photos of “ditto, or “I agree.” As a result, their pets. What’s more, after students have another place to having a cyber conversation in practice their writing and thinking the Cyber Café, when it came to skills in a familiar venue for most. class time, students were excited to meet one another and continue As many of us have experienced, if that conversation face to face one student has a question, there’s before and after class. at least one other student with the same question. Therefore, I have Even though there are so many set up the Curious Cat Forum. benefits to utilizing Blackboard’s This is the place for students to Discussion Board, I have to be ask questions. It is also the place honest with you. It can be a lot for other students in the class to of work, especially when you have provide the answers. Even though students who love to be online. I encourage students to help one If I want to participate in the another (we are a community, after community, I have to keep up with all), I do monitor this forum closely the threads of conversation, and so that no one is misinformed. it’s time consuming to respond to Fortunately, many of the student their answers in The Student Union, responses to questions have been their questions in Curious Cat, and favorable and accurate. As a their interesting (and entertaining) result, with this forum, students communication in the Cyber Café become more active participants for each online class. However, in the learning process as they when I walk into the classroom take responsibility to seek and and students are discussing their provide answers. posts from all three forums as well as participating more in the Cyber Café is the last forum that classroom discussions because of I’ve set up for my Discussion the increased sense of community Board. Even though my students and camaraderie, I consider it participate (even on their own) in time well spent. Santiago Canyon College The Student Union and in Curious Technology Committee Cat, this is the forum that sees the most action. This forum is all about Web 2.0 - Part Two Members the students: what their hopes, (Continued from page 2) Odette Borrey Al Huerta goals, interests, frustrations, and Curt Childress Scott James passions are. I also encourage Review has new content daily. Amy Cuneo Bonnie Slager them to share their music, movie, Your class of bloggers submit their Corinna Evett (Alt.) Cindy Swift Mary Halvorson Connie Wilson television, art, literature, and blogs at irregular times; and your Alice Ho Joe Yorba, Chair their museum tastes here. I favorite web page might not post tell them that the possibilities of new content for weeks. Once you Design, Photography, conversations here are as varied set up your RSS subscriptions, Desktop Publishing, Editing as the facets of their personalities. all of these get delivered right to Raul Mijares, Luis C. Rodriguez, I also encourage them to write your computer and are ready for Connie L. Wilson, Joe Yorba whatever they feel like writing you to view via MS Outlook or in about in whatever form they a specialized aggregator, such as choose to write it (as long they say Mozilla Thunderbird. Santiago Canyon College nice things about me). They can 8045 E. Chapman Avenue The process of subscribing is easy Orange, CA 92869 use their text messaging, instant 714.628.4900 (Phone) messaging, and MySpace lingo all but can be confusing at first. For 714.628.4723 () they want here. Every semester, a quick tutorial go to: http:// www.sccollege.edu I am amazed because they do. office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/ In one of my former literature HA102200751033.aspx

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