Learning communities allow members to interact in relationships that facilitate collaborative learning. In this session we will discuss the structure of such communities and how to integrate them into college courses. Available technologies will be demonstrated and discussed, with primary focus on the integration of these tools into the instructional process.

An online seminar for:
* Distance Education Faculty
* Academic deans
* Chairs in any department
* Curriculum development personnel
* Academic computing administrators and staff
* Others involved in the development and assessment of distance education programs

You will learn:
• The nature of RSS technologies
• RSS-related technologies such as blogs, wikis, feeds, and RSS-enabled websites
• The nature of learning communities
• How technology tools such as RSS can facilitate collaboration among students
• How to implement RSS technologies in a classroom setting and in a variety of disciplines
• Where to access free tools that can be used for class blogging
• Where to access free tools that can be used for RSS feeds (syndication and aggregation)
• Where to access free tools that can be used for class wikis

Meet the presenter:
Norman A. Garrett, Ed.D. is currently a professor of Computer Information Systems in the School of Business at Eastern Illinois University, where he teaches courses in programming, networking and management information systems. He has been an educator since starting his first teaching assignment at Tolleson Union High School in Tolleson, Arizona, in 1973. Since that time he has worked as a teacher and administrator at the high school, community college, and university levels. Among other duties, he has served as a high school athletic director, a community college dean, a university academic computing specialist, and as associate director of a university computer institute. He has a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, a masters and a doctorate from Arizona State University, and a certificate from the University of Illinois as a Master Online Teacher. He loves to teach using a technologically hybrid approach.

In industry he has worked as a systems analyst, assembly language programmer, network administrator, and corporate CEO. He has extensive consulting experience and has expertise in networking and telecommunications as well as several programming languages, software development, and educational technology. He has won numerous awards, has written 5 books and a variety of scholarly articles, and is listed in several editions of Who's Who, including Who's Who in Education and Who's Who in the Computer Industry.

How does a Magna Online Seminar work?
Magna Publications developed this online program so you can participate in a timely, interactive program without having to leave your office. Simplicity and ease-of-use are combined with a user-friendly presentation. No special hardware, downloads, or other technology are required to access this program. All you need is a computer with speakers, Windows Media Player, and a broadband Internet connection.

The 90-minute program includes:
• A video presentation of a leading expert in the field
• PowerPoint slides
• Lively, interactive, real-time question-and-answer session
• Downloadable program handouts
• Ability to review the presentation for remainder of the day.

Three days prior to the seminar, you will receive the URL to connect to the program and to download the program handouts.

We look forward to your participation on January 25, 2007. Keep in mind you pay the $259 registration fee only once for a single connection. However, if you choose, you can receive the broadcast in a conference room and invite as many people as you like to participate, making this an extremely cost-effective training resource.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (Eastern Time)
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (Central Time)
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (Mountain Time)
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (Pacific Time)

Phone: 800-433-0499
Fax: 608-246-3597

Unable to make the scheduled seminar date? Click here to order the CD.

Date(s): 01/25/07
Time: See time zones above. -
Cost: $259.00
Phone: 800-433-0499
Email: custserv@magnapubs.com