Website for me

After creating websites, social media, etc for others, I finally took the time and created a website for me. Take a look...http://www.wix.com/mcampb2811/misty-campbell-olbert

Presenting at DLA2010

I am very excited to be able to present at one of my favorite Distance Learning Conferences - DLA2010! Come see my presentation on "Who Done It? Practices for engaging students in online groups" in June.

What's New

Well, I thought I would finally be better about keeping up with my posts. So here it goes, a whirlwind post to catch you up on the last 6 months (Has it really been that long!)

• Got my Masters (MSSL - Strategic Leadership)
• Took B for an orthodontist adjustment
• Went Trick-or-Treating with my grandnephew and B
• Traveled to UC
• Visited B's friend from the cruise on a mini vaca in NC
• Lots of Food at Thanksgiving
• Took B for another ortho appt
• More food at Christmas
• Put together a 7 foot cat tree
• Updated Linkedin
• Held a training in Web 2.0
• Wrote a proposal to present at DLA 2010
• Traveled to UC
• Made a snowball and snowman - YEA!!!!!!!
• Got stuck in Cincinnati and Atlanta by delayed flights!
• Another ortho appt!
• Made a new presentation for Web 2.0
• Worked on Taxes
• And somewhere in all of that I got three new kittens - who love the cat tree

Pictures and informative web 2.0 posts to come...

Oh and stressed out over B's oral surgery and double stint with Strep throat.

Braces for B - UGH!

So not only am I stressing over my Masters Thesis, B went for his first ortho appointment today and will have braces in 4 weeks! Ouch for the wallet! Glad we finally got around to it though and he only has to have them for 2 years. Lucky guy, I had mine for 5 years!

Last Two Weeks of my Master's Thesis Project - Woohoo!!!

Ok. I haven't posted because I have been engrossed in my Masters Thesis. I am very excited about the results I am finding. Across the board, all ages, are getting involved with technology and social media. My report will be ready soon. In the meantime, I entered a brief summary presentation of my Master's Thesis on Slideshare for their Best Presentation Contest. Please vote for me and tell all your friends. You can see it and vote for it below...

Communicating Beyond the Pulpit: A Look at Social Media in Church Settings

View more presentations from mcampb2811.

Methods to Address Academic Dishonesty in Distance Learning Programs

Highlights of DLA 2009 Conference

Session 1 - Methods to Address Academic Dishonesty in Distance Learning Programs

We all know that there is a hesitance with many instructors for integrating their classes online. One of the most cited reasons is they are afraid that online environments lend themselves to cheating. As we all know in the field, there is no fail-safe system, but there are some tips and techniques to curb cheating.

The presenter for this presentation was Darryl Hancock from Middle Georgia College. I think the most fascinating idea he presented from his research is that the studies showed that online program and schools who have honor codes and integrity policies clearly stated, are less likely to have cheating.

He also stressed that there needs to be clear cut guidelines on what is constituted as academic dishonesty. He stated that if a quiz or assessment does not clearly state that you cannot use your book, then it really is up to the interpretation of the student. If you do not want them to use a book, this should be stated in easy to understand language before they take the assessment.

This goes for assignments as well. If you do not want them to collaborate and it to be an individual assignment, you must stress this to the student in the instructions for the assignment. Often what an instructor thinks is cheating, may not be conveyed to the student and they do not understand when they are penalized.

In the end, it was stated that you should have multiple ways to assess the student and try your best to place layers and obstacles in their way (basically make it an annoyance for them to cheat), and this should curb some of the cheating.

DLA 2009 Part III

I have to say the dinner on the beach was very cool. I had BBQ sauce all over my hands and face. They had the most unique decanters for water and tea. I will post the pics when I get to my summaries later this week. I am back in Florida today and headed back to the office.

The last round of sessions were:

• How to Engage your Students Online - canceled
• Teaching Communication with Technology to Multiple Learning Styles
• Online Learning for All: Accessible Courses for Persons with Diasbilities - very interesting with a lot of wonderful take aways for easily meeting compliance
• Continuous Course Improvement, Enhancements, and Modifications: Control and Tracking

Then we had a duo for keynote speakers and lunch.

The conference was very interesting and I was able to pull some wonderful ideas from each of the sessions. I met a lot of great people - as always. It was a nice touch having it on the Island. As I wind down and look through my notes I will add highlights from each session.