The East Texas Regional Group
of the Texas Distance Learning Association

Fall 2004

View the Agenda and pictures from the Fall 2004 meeting hosted by Andy Bozylinkski and Irene Cravey at TSTC-Marshall. For the thirty or so participants, the hospitality and breakout sessions were superb. I attended the morning session on “Criterion Referenced Objectives” presented by Mike Simpkins. Mike is a former Air Force trainer and his background in identifying and writing performance–based learning objectives taught all of us in attendance something we could bring home and use for our own programs.

The breakout sessions presented by Ken Critten “Technical Instruction via ITV” and Online Bibliographical Instruction by Christi Ferguson were also well attended and equally appreciated by the participants. Andy’s vivid gyrations while presenting “Best Practices in Hybrid Course Delivery” after a great BBQ lunch kept us awake and on the edge of our seats.

Our group project taught us the importance of communication in team efforts. Thanks Melissa! (My team’s tower wouldn’t have passed a kindergartner’s scrutiny, maybe that’s why we didn’t win anything.)

Thanks to those of you who voted for me as Coordinator. I’m sure no one can fill Alecia’s shoes and I will not even try. I don’t wear high heels and my foot is too big. Alecia has been a wonderful trainer, booster and supporter of our efforts in distance learning and will be missed.

Looking forward to seeing all of you at TXDLA.
Terry

Summer 2004

View the agenda and pictures from the Summer 2004 meeting hosted by Ben Talley at the Region VII Educational Service Center in Kilgore. This meeting emphasized the technical side of distance learning, and also featured some very interesting speakers. The meeting was well-attended, particularly given the inclement weather! Thanks to Ben and ESC7 for hosting our group!

We were fortunate to have Polycom's Distance Education Specialist Russ Colbert join us via videoconference from Austin to discuss collaborative opportunities in videoconferencing. Russ was joined by SBC Education Advocate Vicki Allen, who shared ways of integrating this technology into the classroom.

Kilgore College's Technical/Vocational Department Chair Chris Marshall led a lively and informative discussion on security - the participants in that breakout session didn't want to leave!

Our team-building group project was a lot of fun (we even learned how to measure trees using a pencil, thanks to SFA's Randy Watson!!). A delicious lunch from The Rib Shack was provided by Digital Curriculum.

SBC's/Round Rock ISD School Board president Raymond Hartfield spoke to the group about legislative issues that will impact distance learning efforts.

Spring 2004

View the agenda from the first meeting of 2004 hosted by the University of Texas at Tyler. In addition to the Door Prizes and assorted fun freebies that were handed out, participants received either a handy tweaker screwdriver or a pocket-size Academic Calendar sporting the ETxDLA logo embossed in gold. Approximately 65 people attended the meeting - thanks UT Tyler!

One highlight of this meeting was an ITV discussion with Katrina Townes-Young of NASA LIVE. She explained the policies and procedures for taking advantage of the free virtual field trips offered by NASA, and even showed us a sample of some of the programming. Want to find out more about virtual field trips and webquests? Visit NASA LIVE online or visit these resources.

Tyler Junior College's Dr. Mickey Slimp presented the results of the recent connectivity survey of the East Texas Regional Group member institutions.

We also established a Distance Librarian break-out group headed by Panola College's Cristie Ferguson. This first meeting was an informal get acquainted session, although they did get into some interesting discussions about SACS requirements! Other topics discussed included:

  • the need to educate faculty and students about the resources and databases each library provides (and the difference between the "Internet" and "online databases")
  • the need to define clients and their needs
  • Panola College's Distance Learning Certification Program
  • how meeting the needs of DL students dovetails with the goal of promoting information literacy
  • the availability of a Distributed Librarianship course offered by the University of North Texas
  • the Richland College Certificate Program in Information Literacy

Distance Learning Librarians in attendance:

Candy Dyson, Tyler Junior College
Cristie Ferguson, Panola Junior College
Lani Hall Draper, Stephen F. Austin State University
Susan Hughes, Texas State Technical College - Marshall
Joe Jackson, Paris Junior College
Marty Turnage, Stephen F. Austin State University
Penny Reynolds, The University of Texas at Tyler
Susan Wilson, Kilgore College

We decided to include special interest links on our website for quick access to information specific to your area of interest; administrators, faculty, librarians, and technicians. Email any information you would like to see posted on the site.

See how Jacksonville College utilized the information presented at the Spring meeting

Read our press

Read a short summary of last year's meetings:

Panola College - Spring Regional Meeting April 3, 2003. Host: Ann Morris, Distance Education Director

Texas A&M University - Summer Regional Meeting, August 18, 2003. Co-Hosts: Dr. Jim Snell and Dr. Rhonda Blackburn, Instructional Technology Services

Tyler Junior College - Fall Regional Meeting, November 20, 2003. Host: Dr. Mickey Slimp, Dean of Learning Resources

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