The Texas Virtual School Network (2-10-2010) Barbara Smith, the Director of the Texas Virtual School Network (TxVSN) discusses with Dr. Caroline M. Crawford and Dr. Richard A. Smith how Texas is implementing online education at the secondary school level. From online teacher training, to creating online courses, to meeting the needs of online students, Barbara Smith reveals the philosophy of the TxVSN and how it achieves its goals by adhering to the standards of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL).

The Man Behind the Clickers (2-11-2010) Co-hosts Dr. Richard A. Smith and Dr. Caroline M. Crawford speak with Dr. Darrell Ward the man who originated the use of “remote response systems” in schools. These systems, now commonly known as “clickers,” originally simply allowed students to enter responses to teacher quizzes and surveys from their seats with the results instantly displayed to the class. Their present abilities are now far more varied and innovative. Dr. Ward discusses his beliefs about the type of educational technology that will best suit the schools of the 21st Century and how his new company, All In Learning is providing products that will be future-ready.

The Institute for the Medical Humanities at The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston (10-5-2009) Dr. Howard Brody, the director of The Institute for the Medical Humanities at The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, speaks with E&TT co-hosts Dr. Richard A. Smith and Dr. Caroline M. Crawford regarding the work of the Institute. They explore the principle concerns of The Institute which center around “moral inquiry, research, teaching, and professional service in medicine and health care.” Listeners will learn how the faculty of The Institute “engage in research on ethical and legal problems in clinical practice and biomedical research; and on philosophical, historical, visual, literary, and religious dimensions of medicine and health care.” This podcast was recorded on-site in Galveston, Texas.

Designing Innovative Math and Science Instructional Software (9-8-2009) UHCL Instructional Technology faculty members Caroline Crawford and Richard Smith talk with Frank E. Hughes, Vice President for Education and Training Products at Tietronix Software, located in Clear Lake, Texas about effective techniques for designing software that will engage and motivate high school students in the areas of math and science. The three review software design techniques found to be effective at Tietronix and at the University of Houston Clear Lake’s next door neighbor NASA.

The Institute for the Medical Humanities at The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston (10-5-2009) Dr. Howard Brody, the director of The Institute for the Medical Humanities at The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, speaks with E&TT co-hosts Dr. Richard A. Smith and Dr. Caroline M. Crawford regarding the work of the Institute. They explore the principle concerns of The Institute which center around “moral inquiry, research, teaching, and professional service in medicine and health care.” Listeners will learn how the faculty of The Institute “engage in research on ethical and legal problems in clinical practice and biomedical research; and on philosophical, historical, visual, literary, and religious dimensions of medicine and health care.” This podcast was recorded on-site in Galveston, Texas.

Designing Innovative Math and Science Instructional Software (9-8-2009) UHCL Instructional Technology faculty members Caroline Crawford and Richard Smith talk with Frank E. Hughes, Vice President for Education and Training Products at Tietronix Software, located in Clear Lake, Texas about effective techniques for designing software that will engage and motivate high school students in the areas of math and science. The three review software design techniques found to be effective at Tietronix and at the University of Houston Clear Lake’s next door neighbor NASA.

Distance Education Techniques at The University of Texas at Brownsville. (4/14/ 09) - This podcast was recorded during the April 2009 meeting of the Texas Distance Learning Association Conference held in Corpus Christi, Texas. Richard Smith engaged Assistant Professor Rene Corbeil and Associate Professor Maria Elena Corbeil, both of whom teach at The University of Texas at Brownsville, in a conversation about how they construct their online courses to make them interactive, while at the same time maintaining the highest academic standards.

The Online Teaching Experience, etc. (2/3/ 09) - Dr. John T. Thompson, Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems at Buffalo State University joins Education and Technology Today hosts Richard A. Smith and Caroline M. Crawford of UHCL in a fascinating discussion on their experiences over the last ten years with distance education and the choices that must be made when creating and/or teaching courses. This podcast was recorded at the 2009 Technology Research Symposium of the Texas Computer Education Association held in Austin, TX.

Distance Education Via Video Conferencing (2/5/09) – Richard A. Smith chats with W. David Slaymaker and Gabriela Hogue of the Office of Distance Education at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, & the Arts. The conversation takes place on the exhibit floor of the February 2009 Texas Computer Education Association annual conference. The advantages of using a video conferencing system for distance education were discussed. Included in the conversation are some tips and tricks of a successful video based distance education system.

Conducting Large Scale School District Training – (10/2/08) Richard A. Smith talks with Tim Holt, Director of Instructional Technology at El Paso Independent School District in El Paso, Texas regarding how to create technology based training programs for audiences that cannot all gather in the same place at the same time. The El Paso ISD serves as the content model for this discussion. The podcast was produced on-site, during the October 2008 Technology Education Coordinators Special Interest Group meeting held in Austin, Texas. In addition to being a UHCL Instructional Technology Program production, the production was also simultaneously recorded as an issue of the podcast “ Intended Consequences” produced by Tim Holt.

A Few Thoughts as We Go Around the Corner – (10/3/08) Richard A. Smith talks with Miguel Guhlin the publisher of the education blog, “ Around the Corner.” Miguel discusses the history of his blog and its significance. In addition, Richard and Miguel discuss the potential of technology for improving how we educate our students, in the face of Miguel’s contention that much of our previous efforts at applying technology to improve education have failed. The podcast was produced on-site during the October 2008 Technology Education Coordinators Special Interest Group meeting held in Austin, Texas

Enhancing On-line Courses – (9/12/08) This podcast finds hosts Richard A. Smith and Caroline M. Crawford in a discussion about how to improve and on-line courses beyond the basics of good design. As usual, the discussion is freewheeling and wide ranging.

Standards for On-line Course Design and On-line Teaching – (7/23/08) The podcasting team of Caroline Crawford and Richard Smith focus on standards established for on-line course design and on-line teaching. Both activities are linked and setting standards for both or either activity is not as simple as it might seem at first.

Standards for On-line Course Design and On-line Teaching – (7/23/08) The podcasting team of Caroline Crawford and Richard Smith focus on standards established for on-line course design and on-line teaching. Both activities are linked and setting standards for both or either activity is not as simple as it might seem at first.

On-line Courses vs. Face-to-Face Instruction – (7/30/08) Drs. Caroline Crawford and Richard Smith debate the topic of on-line vs. face-to-face instruction. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Add to that the concept of hybrid courses, which are a combination of on-line instruction and face-to-face instruction, and this podcast discusses the qualities of a significant portion of mediated instruction.

The Makings of a Good Instructional Designer – (3/25/08) Richard Smith engages Valerie Hainley, a Senior Instructional Designer with Imedia.it in an exciting conversation about what it takes to be an instructional designer in a innovative and fast-paced firm dedicated to producing web-based interactive courseware and training programs.

Working as an Instructional Designer - (3/25/08) Caroline Crawford talks with Houston-based Imedia.it’s Tyler Delane, the company’s Instructional Support Systems Manager. Imedia.it designs and develops award winning web-based interactive courseware and training programs. Under discussion are various aspects of how to obtain and maintain a job with a company dedicated to the development cutting edge training programs for a variety of clients.

Being a Distance Learning Teacher - (6/18/08) There are differences and similarities between the requirements of being a good classroom teacher and being a good on-line teacher. Drs. Smith and Crawford explore the roles of both types of teachers The duo brings to light some important, and often overlooked, aspects of on-line teaching and on-line course creation that are key to providing students with a high quality education while not burdening on-line teachers without a disproportionate amount of work.

Myths and Realities in Educational Technology - (8/2/07) Co-hosts Richard A. Smith and Caroline M. Crawford are joined by guest host Trina Davis, the President of the International Society for Technology in Education and Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at Texas A & M University in a discussion of the beliefs people hold regarding the efficacy of technology in the classroom.

The Role of the International Society for Technology in Education - (8/2/07) Trina Davis, President of the International Society for Technology in Education, rejoins Richard A. Smith and Caroline M. Crawford in this discussion that starts with distance learning and extents to role of the International Society for Technology in Education in making certain that technology in education is used effectively.

Teachers and Communication - (6/18/07) Caroline Crawford and Richard Smith discuss with “WeAreTeachers” CEO Sandy Fivecoat how teachers can use Internet technology to decrease the amount of isolation they feel in the classroom.  Sandy Fivecoat's new Internet-based service for educators “WeAreTeachers” is described with an overview of how it provides teachers a platform for communication and an opportunity to take advantage of their professional knowledge.

Schools and Business - (6/18/07)   “WeAreTeachers” CEO Sandy Fivecoat continues the discussion with Drs. Smith and Crawford. The group extends the discussion to the opportunities that advances in technology and software distribution systems for consumers have opened for teachers.

Teachers as Entrepreneurs - (6/18/07)  Caroline Crawford, Richard Smith, and “WeAreTeachers” CEO Sandy Fivecoat discuss the possibilities of integrating the private sector world into the world of education, opening the way for teachers to earn money while enhancing their professional capabilities. Drs. Smith and Crawford and Ms. Fivecoat examine the potential impact on educators of “WeAreTeachers.”

Creating Effective Schools, Part 1 ( 5/7/07) Guest Host Dr. Robert Sanborn, the President and CEO of the Houston based child advocacy group, “Children at Risk” joins Drs. Richard A. Smith and Caroline M. Crawford in an intense discussion that reveals the essential elements of effective schools

Creating Effective Schools, Part 2 (5/7/07) Dr. Robert Sanborn rejoins Drs. Smith and Crawford, picking up where Part 1 of this mini-series left off to reveal the obvious and also subtle influences of education policy, law, and practice in the effort to identify the characteristics of schools that function with a high degree of effectiveness.

Simulation and Gaming in Education, Part 2 ( 12/11/06) Co-hosts Dr. Richard A. Smith and Dr. Caroline M. Crawford are joined by guest co-host Virginia Dickenson and continue their freewheeling discussion of simulation and gaming in education and in particular its potential in Second Life, the “3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents.”

Philosophy of Education (10/16/2006) E&TT Hosts, Caroline M. Crawford and Richard A. Smith are at it again. This time their discussion explores the purposes of education and how we educate students. The entertaining duo explores a range of issues, from the history of education to the unforeseen consequences of NCLB testing.

Classroom Technology-Unintended Consequences (7/24/2006) E&TT hosts, Dr. Richard A. Smith and Dr. Caroline M.Crawford are joined by guest host Mr. Anthony Sassi, the Executive Director of Technology and the Public Education Information Management System at Texas City Independent School District to discuss some of the unintended and unexpected consequences of student access to technology, especially communication technology, in the classroom. This wide-ranging, lively and informative discussion was recorded live, on-site, at the Texas City ISD central office.

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