George Kontos, Ed.D.

IT Challenge Competition for Faculty

George Kontos et al. — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:58:56 PST

This paper describes the first ever United Arab Emirates Information Technology Challenge. This unique national challenge for the UAE is an awards program designed to recognize and harness the best IT based ideas and practices from the classrooms of secondary schools, colleges and Universities of the UAE. Modelled on the successful global Stockholm and Rome Challenges, it invites projects from teachers, students and educational organisations of the UAE. The UAE Challenge is an initiative of the Higher Colleges of Technology, in collaboration with the Universities and the Ministry of Education. Dubai Internet City is proudly supporting and sponsoring the Challenge. Many other national and international business organisations have also joined in sponsoring this national event. It involves the three main educational sectors, schools, colleges and Universities of the UAE. The challenge is designed to promote team-work, sharing and co-operation, best practice, increased links between the educational sectors, and reward excellence in the use of IT. This paper describes the types of projects submitted by faculty including these listed below: teacher(s) web sites used by students in their classes webCT courses, courses on CD-ROM or video, virtual reality sites projects that involve linking to other classes in other schools/colleges/universities remedial programs that involve the use of IT Intranets that support students and student centered learning webCT courses, courses on CD-ROM or video, virtual reality sites projects that involve linking to other classes in other schools/colleges/universities remedial programs that involve the use of IT college newspapers, laptop initiatives student/teacher training programmes in demistifying IT video-conferencing between schools/colleges/universities organisation initiatives such as laptops in classrooms and college newspapers

How Computer Literate are your Students?

George Kontos — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:49:54 PST

A tool that measures the computer background of students is described. The instrument consists of a short survey that collects data, an easy method to analyze the data, and hints on how to interpret the results. Suggestions on how to use the survey with face to face students and with online students are given. The students surveyed were freshmen in an introductory computer class. Limitations of the study are discussed. Adapting the tool in other than the intro to computers classes is one of the implications of the study that are discussed here. The presentation concludes with suggestions for future research.

Best Practices in Online Teaching

George Kontos — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:43:49 PST

In this paper the seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education that were developed by Arthur Chickering and Zelda Gamson are reviewed and the use of technology, especially web-based online technology, to apply these principles in teaching and learning is examined. An example of such an implementation in an introduction to computers class, taught online at a community college in south-central Kentucky is discussed. Limitations of the study and suggestions for future implementations are also discussed.

The Laptop University: A Faculty Perspective

George Kontos — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 20:37:04 PST

Abstract This paper looks at mobile computing and laptop programs in higher education. Some of the benefits and drawbacks of laptop programs are examined. Examples of universities that have implemented laptop programs are given. One such university, located in the United Arab Emirates, is considered a laptop university pioneer in the Middle East. The university's approach to implementing laptops in teaching and learning and the reactions of its faculty are examined. The attitudes of the surveyed faculty toward laptops can be summarized as being positive to very positive. Some thoughts about the future of mobile computing and its impact on education conclude the paper.

Web Page Design - Student-Community Collaborations

George Kontos — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:24:43 PST

A collaborative project is described. Students in a web design class were asked to contact local businesses and help them create their web site (collection of related and interconnected web pages). Two phases of the project are described, planning and implementation. Planning defines the purpose and the target audience and also includes a sketch of the website's organization. The project is suitable for both traditional and online classes. Ideally, session participants should have some experience or interest in teaching web design but anyone who wants to know how to help students work collaboratively with the community is welcome to attend.

Tips for Successful Online Teaching

George Kontos — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:44:14 PST

The seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education, developed by Arthur Chickering and Zelda Gamson, will be reviewed. The use of technology, especially web-based online technology, to apply these principles in teaching and learning will be examined and an example of such an implementation in an online computer class will be discussed.

A Survey: A Simple Tool to Measure Computer Literacy

George Kontos Ed.D. — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:52:48 PDT

Kontos describes a tool to measure the computer background of students. The tool is a short survey that collects data, a method for analysis, and suggestions for interpretation. Students surveyed were in an introductory computer class. Limitations are also shown, as well as adaptations for classes other than computer-based subjects.