Re: What have you thought?
Michael Haney (mhaney@nsf.gov <mhaney@nsf.gov>)
Thu, 11 Apr 1996 09:19:23 -0500
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TEECH "LEAVING A LEGACY: Sustaining a Project After the Funding Ends"
Sent by: mhaney@nsf.gov <mhaney@nsf.gov> (Michael Haney)
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This morning, finally, I listened to the first three segments on the
on-line seminar with Bev and Bob. This is technically fascinating and
educationally inspirational. On a MAC running at least 7.1 it all goes
quite smoothly. When I ran to my colleagues' offices to get them started,
none could. One runs a Mac with 7.0, one does not have an audio card on
his IBM, and another IBMer with the audio card gets an "unsupported" error
for the files even though she can listen to some other RA files such as
Capitol Steps. Well, we'll get all these problems fixed because in this
case, it is worth it.
The format used with the text version available, the breakdown into
segments, and the on screen outline are excellent. Since there are 27
minutes of audio, this segmentation of the discussion helps. There is so
much meat in the conversations, it might be worthwhile if other members of
the audience raise questions or add comments about specific segments. For
instance,
Bev suggests, from an early PI meeting, that inviting PIs to attend part of
other summer workshops might be a great way to share. Is this workable?
Would such an open door policy be useful to PIs nationally? How would the
recruitment (notification of space, topic, etc.) be done? This is another
reason that NSF needs to get it guide to summer offerings on-line and
available sooner.
Bob and Bev talk about the use of the network to sustain projects after NSF
funding, both for delivery (Bob) and for long term support when combined
with local support (Bev). Is this model something that could be added to
many of the current projects or is it something that should be built into
many of our future projects? The presence and persistence of the network
is undeniable and we might as well plan a future that uses and leverages
it.
Bev also raises the point that workshop participants should be seen as
contributers to the knowledge we all share about education. Bev has
expressed this position for years, but the presence of the Web and its
rapid growth (both of which she anticipated!) put into place mechanisms
that make this very feasible. Publishing has a whole new meaning
now...documents are dynamic and they can be produced by anyone and are
accessible to everyone. So how do we filter the gems out of the crap?
Anyway, this alone could generate extensive discussion.
I hope others will get tuned in and turned on to this conversation. The
format, and the fact that I can rerun parts or even see the text, is ideal.
Let's hope this is the start of much more to come.
--
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Michael R. Haney, Program Director
NSF:EHR:ESIE:TE
National Science Foundation, Room 885
4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22230
mhaney@nsf.gov <mhaney@nsf.gov>
(703) 306-1620 or FAX (703) 306-0412
"All children are different, schools should make them more so"
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