Current Research Projects
Since mid-June, I have been teaching a course for UCLA Extension that uses new eLearning courseware. This has been a very interesting project in that it involves interaction between three learning/delivery resources (i.e., Blackboard, my course website, and eLearning courseware).
In September, this project will move into its next phase. I will teach three sections of the class. Two sections will be at CalState and one section will be at UCLA Extension.
- One class section will be taught in a somewhat traditional format (i.e., classroom delivery supported by my website and virtual office hours).
- One class section will be taught in an online format using Groove as the learning management system, eLearning courseware, my course website, and virtual office hours.
- One class section will be taught in an online format using Blackboard as the learning management system, eLearning courseware, my course website, and virtual office hours.
All three sections will follow the same class schedule, cover the same content, and take the same quizzes and examinations. The research design includes several interesting variables. I will write about this project as the Fall Quarter 2003 unfolds.
Reply to Robin Good's "Sharewood Tidings" Article - "Groove: Ten Good Reasons Not to Buy"
I have included a hyperlink to Robin Good's article "Groove: Ten Good Reasons Not to Buy." I related his comments about Groove to my use of Groove in distance teaching and learning.
Link to Article
Following is the reply that I sent to Robin Good.
I read your article about reasons not to buy Groove. While I agree with some of your comments, for the most part, I disagree with your conclusions.
I am an accounting professor at California State University at San Bernardino. I have been using Groove for approximately four years both to support traditional classes and to deliver distance-learning classes. To date, I am very pleased with what my students have been able to do with the Groove workspace.
I teach a variety of online courses for CalState - San Bernardiono and for UCLA Extension. I use Groove at CalState and Blackboard at UCLA Extension. In my opinion, "featurewise" Groove stands head and shoulders above Blackboard.
I can make both programs "sing for their supper." I do this by using the strongest features of the program, and then supplementing the program with other resources.
For example, I agree with your comment about Groove's Voice-over-IP. I prefer to use "Net2Phone" with my students. We can talk "live" PC-2-PC for free while working together in the Groove workspace.
Your comments about use of bandwidth and computer resources are true to a point. However, I think that you ignore the fact that personal computers are becoming stronger and are much more capable of handling the technology demands of programs like Groove.
I tell my students that their distance-learning experience will be much better if they have a fast internet connection, lots of RAM memory, a fast computer processor, and a large-capacity hard drive. With this said, I have been able to successfully use Groove with students who use AOL as their 56K dialup ISP, so long as, their computer has at least a Pentium III class processor and a minimum of 128 MB of RAM memory. Experience has proven that 256 MB of RAM works better with a 56K dialup user.
For me, using Groove is like having a personal assistant. Groove comes to me with information. I do not have to go to Groove to discover that something has changed. Blackboard and similar LMS programs cannot say this.
Like all programs, Groove has its technical strengths and weaknesses. However, it has a very significant financial strength that the major LMS programs cannot claim. Groove is inexpensive.
Part of my research work is looking to see if Groove can be used as a low-cost alternative to the high-priced LMS programs. If this can be demonstrated, then in the world of tight academic budgets, Groove (or something similar) could become very popular.
As a result of the work that I have been doing with Groove, I was invited to be a speaker at the upcoming "19th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning" at the University of Wisconsin - Madison (August 13 - 15,2003). I will be one of the speakers in the "New Directions Forum."
My topic is "New models of learning: blending asynchronous and synchronous formats." I will be talking about how I use Groove to deliver distance-learning courses.
Link to Conference Website
I do not believe that any software development company holds the keys to technology heaven. Nor am I a fan of the companies that offer what I call "Doc-in-a-box" programs (i.e., this program does everything, so long as you do it my way).
Your article voices your opinions about Groove. I have replied with a few of mine. If you would be interested in learning about how I have used Groove, please contact me.
I look forward to chatting with you.
Best wishes,
Dr. Rick Lillie
CSUSB
Read Robin Good's Response to My Comments
Link to Robin Good's Response Comments
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