Terence Cavanaugh

Interactive Maps for Community in Online Learning

ABSTRACT The online courses studied here used the visual medium of the interactive geographic map as a form of dialogue to reduce students’ sense of transactional distance during the course, build their skills with Web 2.0 media, and increase their motivation. Using the dynamic map and the related online spreadsheet, the course participants created digital maps in which they interacted spatially. The maps supported active participation in the course and put the students in control as they visualized the relationships between other course members’ locations and themselves. Interactive course maps are recommended for reducing transactional distance and to support team building.

Self-Branding Reflection Through the Use of Infographic Résumés

Infographics can add a resource for today’s competitive marketplace, helping differentiate individuals in a visually effective way. This can be a reflective education strategy for students to gain an understanding of who they are. This includes having a better understanding of their personal strengths and areas for personal improvement. This pedagogical approach for self-analysis and self-branding uses infographic resumes, where visual images such as diagrams, charts, and graphs are used to represent personal information or data. The students acquire new knowledge and technology skills in the course of designing, planning, and producing their own personal infographics. The process of creating infographics can be a valuable tool for self-promotional, reflection, and its integration into appropriate course curriculum (i.e., sport marketing) is addressed.

Baking a magnetic-field display

Copy machine developer powder is an alternative for creating permanent displays of magnetic fields. A thin layer of developer powder on a sheet of paper placed over a magnet can be baked in the oven, producing a lasting image of a magnetic field.