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Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Legal Education at a Distance by Scott Jaschik


Concord, an online law school, merges with Kaplan and gains aid eligibility; Penn State wins unusual variance from the ABA’s strict limits on distance ed.
As online education has become more and more popular, law schools have largely been on the sidelines. The American Bar Association will not accredit distance programs, and has strict limits on the use of distance education in traditional programs.
On Tuesday, however, the online only Concord School of Law — which has managed to grow without ABA recognition — announced a merger with Kaplan University. In terms of corporate ownership, this isn’t much of a change — both Concord and Kaplan are divisions of Kaplan Inc., a major player in for-profit higher education. But because Kaplan University is regionally accredited (which Concord is not), the merger will make Concord students eligible for federal student loans and to defer repaying their past student loans when enrolled. These are seen as advances for Concord — whose officials say that they believe law school’s efforts will eventually change attitudes about distance legal education.

Legal Education at a Distance by Scott Jaschik


Concord, an online law school, merges with Kaplan and gains aid eligibility; Penn State wins unusual variance from the ABA’s strict limits on distance ed.
As online education has become more and more popular, law schools have largely been on the sidelines. The American Bar Association will not accredit distance programs, and has strict limits on the use of distance education in traditional programs.
On Tuesday, however, the online only Concord School of Law — which has managed to grow without ABA recognition — announced a merger with Kaplan University. In terms of corporate ownership, this isn’t much of a change — both Concord and Kaplan are divisions of Kaplan Inc., a major player in for-profit higher education. But because Kaplan University is regionally accredited (which Concord is not), the merger will make Concord students eligible for federal student loans and to defer repaying their past student loans when enrolled. These are seen as advances for Concord — whose officials say that they believe law school’s efforts will eventually change attitudes about distance legal education.

Editor's Hand Picked Headline News


Angel To Supply Learning Management for Harcourt Programs by Dave Nagel







Angel Learning and Harcourt Education have formed an alliance for e-learning.
Through the arrangement, Angel will provide learning management technologies for use with educational programs from Harcourt School Publishers and Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Complete details have not yet been revealed. Angel is the developer of the Angel LMS, a learning management system designed for both K-12 and higher ed. The company said it will provide this LMS for use with "key" Harcourt programs, but how and in what form the LMS will be integrated into the programs remains to be seen.

Related links


Epic's blended BTEC in Positive Behavioural Support

Epic, the leading e-learning company, and Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust have been working together to create a blended solution for their course in Positive Behavioural Support (PBS). The course is for support workers who provide care for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. The course is accredited by BTEC at Advanced Certificate level.

Related link


It is about the teaching and learning!


This past week Cheryl Oakes had the good fortune to spend the day in 7th grade language arts classes to assist with the introduction of ibooks and NeoOffice to our students.

Source: TechLEARNING

Editor's Hand Picked Headline News


Angel To Supply Learning Management for Harcourt Programs by Dave Nagel







Angel Learning and Harcourt Education have formed an alliance for e-learning.
Through the arrangement, Angel will provide learning management technologies for use with educational programs from Harcourt School Publishers and Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Complete details have not yet been revealed. Angel is the developer of the Angel LMS, a learning management system designed for both K-12 and higher ed. The company said it will provide this LMS for use with "key" Harcourt programs, but how and in what form the LMS will be integrated into the programs remains to be seen.

Related links


Epic's blended BTEC in Positive Behavioural Support

Epic, the leading e-learning company, and Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust have been working together to create a blended solution for their course in Positive Behavioural Support (PBS). The course is for support workers who provide care for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. The course is accredited by BTEC at Advanced Certificate level.

Related link


It is about the teaching and learning!


This past week Cheryl Oakes had the good fortune to spend the day in 7th grade language arts classes to assist with the introduction of ibooks and NeoOffice to our students.

Source: TechLEARNING

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

eSN TechWatch: October 2007


Don't wait, take a look.
Below you'll find this edition of TechWatch: October 2007 (complete edition).
Technology's greatest potential for transforming education--and what schools can do to prepare students better for college. Plus, a look at ed-tech news from around the nation.

eSN TechWatch: October 2007 (complete edition) from VEOH



Source: eSchool News

eSN TechWatch: October 2007


Don't wait, take a look.
Below you'll find this edition of TechWatch: October 2007 (complete edition).
Technology's greatest potential for transforming education--and what schools can do to prepare students better for college. Plus, a look at ed-tech news from around the nation.

eSN TechWatch: October 2007 (complete edition) from VEOH



Source: eSchool News

Monday, October 29, 2007

School Wide Communities of Practice by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach


In recent years, many school districts have established collaborative practices among teachers by developing professional communities of practice.


Teachers operating in these communities have regular, face-to-face discussions for the purposes of reviewing evidence of student learning, determining student needs and designing interventions to address those needs.
A recent study by NCREL revealed that 70% of principals feel "not at all prepared" to "somewhat prepared" in instructional leadership of which 21st Century strategies are a key element. Because instructional leadership is essential to successful schools, principals and other leaders, must receive consistent, job-embedded support. One effective way to do just that is through virtual learning communities.
In a poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Peter D. Hart Research Associates on behalf of the
Partnership for 21st Century Skills registered voters revealed that Americans are deeply concerned that the United States is not preparing young people with the skills they need to compete in the global economy. What is needed is a strong commitment to help educators and educational leaders implement 21st century strategies in their schools.

Related links

Source: TechLEARNING

School Wide Communities of Practice by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach


In recent years, many school districts have established collaborative practices among teachers by developing professional communities of practice.


Teachers operating in these communities have regular, face-to-face discussions for the purposes of reviewing evidence of student learning, determining student needs and designing interventions to address those needs.
A recent study by NCREL revealed that 70% of principals feel "not at all prepared" to "somewhat prepared" in instructional leadership of which 21st Century strategies are a key element. Because instructional leadership is essential to successful schools, principals and other leaders, must receive consistent, job-embedded support. One effective way to do just that is through virtual learning communities.
In a poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies and Peter D. Hart Research Associates on behalf of the
Partnership for 21st Century Skills registered voters revealed that Americans are deeply concerned that the United States is not preparing young people with the skills they need to compete in the global economy. What is needed is a strong commitment to help educators and educational leaders implement 21st century strategies in their schools.

Related links

Source: TechLEARNING

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail

McKellar hopes her book, Math Doesn’t Suck, makes math more understandable for girls. Included: Examples of problems and activities from the book.
Best known for her roles on The Wonder Years and The West Wing, Danica McKellar is also an internationally-recognized mathematician and advocate for math education.
McKellar put acting on hold for four years while she majored in math at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). But when she was younger, like many girls, she struggled with math anxiety and thought it was strictly a subject for geeky, socially-and-fashion-challenged guys. (Think white shirts, Hush puppies, and pocket protectors.)
To help demystify math and make it more user-friendly for girls, McKeller wrote
Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Breaking a Nail or Losing Your Mind, a book aimed at pre-teen and teen “girly girls.”
It is Danica's first book. "I am write about something that has been a passion for me so long: encouraging girls in math!" she said. The book includes tips to avoid mistakes on homework, ways to overcome test-day anxiety and profiles of three beautiful mathematicians, who are successful in their careers because they've mastered math.
Article by Ellen R. Delisio

I recommend this book as an excellent resource for middle school girls.

Related links
Help is available 24/7 in a variety of subjects and you can tailor the number of hours you want to buy.
Between Series, an Actress Became a Superstar (in Math)

Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail

McKellar hopes her book, Math Doesn’t Suck, makes math more understandable for girls. Included: Examples of problems and activities from the book.
Best known for her roles on The Wonder Years and The West Wing, Danica McKellar is also an internationally-recognized mathematician and advocate for math education.
McKellar put acting on hold for four years while she majored in math at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). But when she was younger, like many girls, she struggled with math anxiety and thought it was strictly a subject for geeky, socially-and-fashion-challenged guys. (Think white shirts, Hush puppies, and pocket protectors.)
To help demystify math and make it more user-friendly for girls, McKeller wrote
Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Breaking a Nail or Losing Your Mind, a book aimed at pre-teen and teen “girly girls.”
It is Danica's first book. "I am write about something that has been a passion for me so long: encouraging girls in math!" she said. The book includes tips to avoid mistakes on homework, ways to overcome test-day anxiety and profiles of three beautiful mathematicians, who are successful in their careers because they've mastered math.
Article by Ellen R. Delisio

I recommend this book as an excellent resource for middle school girls.

Related links
Help is available 24/7 in a variety of subjects and you can tailor the number of hours you want to buy.
Between Series, an Actress Became a Superstar (in Math)

Video From Educause 2007: What's news This Year


Video From Educause 2007: What's news This Year

The Chronicle's Jeffrey R. Young (left) talks with Kenneth C. Green of the Campus Computing Project and others in a video feature from Educause 2007.
Read more...

Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education

Video From Educause 2007: What's news This Year


Video From Educause 2007: What's news This Year

The Chronicle's Jeffrey R. Young (left) talks with Kenneth C. Green of the Campus Computing Project and others in a video feature from Educause 2007.
Read more...

Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education

The Corsair wins top collegiate media award by Michael Rutschky

The Corsair was awarded two awards from the Associated Collegiate Press on Oct. 27, at the 86th Annual ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Washington D.C.

Its web site, eCorsair, took home the Online Pacemaker award, the highest award in college media.
For a closer look inside the 86th Annual ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Washington D.C., be sure to read the latest blog posts at eCorsair's Pirates' Parlee blog site.

Source: The Corsair

The Corsair wins top collegiate media award by Michael Rutschky

The Corsair was awarded two awards from the Associated Collegiate Press on Oct. 27, at the 86th Annual ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Washington D.C.

Its web site, eCorsair, took home the Online Pacemaker award, the highest award in college media.
For a closer look inside the 86th Annual ACP/CMA National College Media Convention in Washington D.C., be sure to read the latest blog posts at eCorsair's Pirates' Parlee blog site.

Source: The Corsair

Design Matters and Flat Classroom Project 2007 Keynote

Vicki Davis and Julie Lindsey’s Flat Classroom Project

Julie Lindsay is excited to announce the Flat Classroom Project 2007 Keynote Address delivered by Dean Shareski.
Read more...

Flat Classroom Project Keynote is a fantastic 12 minute video presentation created by Dean Shareski

Related links
ideasandthoughts.org
Join Julie Lindsay on the Flat Classroom Project

Source: E-Learning Blog

Design Matters and Flat Classroom Project 2007 Keynote

Vicki Davis and Julie Lindsey’s Flat Classroom Project

Julie Lindsay is excited to announce the Flat Classroom Project 2007 Keynote Address delivered by Dean Shareski.
Read more...

Flat Classroom Project Keynote is a fantastic 12 minute video presentation created by Dean Shareski

Related links
ideasandthoughts.org
Join Julie Lindsay on the Flat Classroom Project

Source: E-Learning Blog

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Information Research: an International Electronic Journal

Wait, look at this. I found the October 2007 issue of Information Research. It is an open access, international, scholarly journal, dedicated to making accessible the results of research across a wide range of information-related disciplines. It is privately published and edited by Professor T.D. Wilson.

Look at this article below. This paper, appears in Vol. 12 No. 4, October 2007



Concentration of Web users' online information behaviour
By Chun-Yao Huang, Yung-Cheng Shen, I-Ping Chiang and Chen-Shun Lin

Abstract
Introduction. Focusing on Web users' behavioural concentration across Websites they have visited, we investigate heterogeneity in Web users' online information behaviour.
Method. The Gini coefficient is used to measure the degree of a Web user's online information behavioural concentration in terms of both page-views and visit duration. We explore how the behavioural dimensions of the number of sites visited, the number of page-views per site and the duration per page predict online information behavioural concentration.
Analysis. Data from an online panel are analysed using multiple regression models, which reveal that the three dimensions of online information behaviour predict more than three quarters of the variances in behavioural concentration.
Results. The number of sites visited and the number of page-views per site positively predict the degree of behavioural concentration (in terms of both page-views and visit duration), while the speed dimension of online information behaviour positively predicts the degree of behavioural concentration in terms of page-views but negatively predicts that in terms of visit duration. The relative importance of variables in the explanation of Web users' degree of behavioural concentration is also analysed.
Conclusion. The quantitative analytical framework presented herein gives insight into the heterogeneity of online information behaviour. This paper is a stepping-stone for a more comprehensive understanding of online information behaviour from a macro perspective.

Information Research: an International Electronic Journal

Wait, look at this. I found the October 2007 issue of Information Research. It is an open access, international, scholarly journal, dedicated to making accessible the results of research across a wide range of information-related disciplines. It is privately published and edited by Professor T.D. Wilson.

Look at this article below. This paper, appears in Vol. 12 No. 4, October 2007



Concentration of Web users' online information behaviour
By Chun-Yao Huang, Yung-Cheng Shen, I-Ping Chiang and Chen-Shun Lin

Abstract
Introduction. Focusing on Web users' behavioural concentration across Websites they have visited, we investigate heterogeneity in Web users' online information behaviour.
Method. The Gini coefficient is used to measure the degree of a Web user's online information behavioural concentration in terms of both page-views and visit duration. We explore how the behavioural dimensions of the number of sites visited, the number of page-views per site and the duration per page predict online information behavioural concentration.
Analysis. Data from an online panel are analysed using multiple regression models, which reveal that the three dimensions of online information behaviour predict more than three quarters of the variances in behavioural concentration.
Results. The number of sites visited and the number of page-views per site positively predict the degree of behavioural concentration (in terms of both page-views and visit duration), while the speed dimension of online information behaviour positively predicts the degree of behavioural concentration in terms of page-views but negatively predicts that in terms of visit duration. The relative importance of variables in the explanation of Web users' degree of behavioural concentration is also analysed.
Conclusion. The quantitative analytical framework presented herein gives insight into the heterogeneity of online information behaviour. This paper is a stepping-stone for a more comprehensive understanding of online information behaviour from a macro perspective.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Learning in 21st Century: A National Report of Online Learning.

In an effort to offer the K-12 community greater insight into the current trends in online learning, Project Tomorrow and Blackboard have teamed to deliver a new report titled "Learning in 21st Century: A National Report of Online Learning."

This report, released on October 18, examines the views of online learning provided by more than 250,000 students, teachers and parents (across more than 3,000 schools nationwide) in response to the 2006 Project Tomorrow–NetDay Speak Up online surveys.






A sampling of key findings in the report:

  • While 47% of students in grades 9–12 pursue online learning to secure courses not offered at school and 43% to work at their own pace, the top reason (42%) for students in grades 6–8 is to receive extra help
  • 77% of teachers believe technology makes a difference in learning and 28% of teachers want online courses to be offered as an alternative in their district
  • 42% of parents believe online classes are a good investment to improve student achievement

Related links
National Survey Indicates High School Students Preference for Online Learning to Expand Educational Choices

Learning in 21st Century: A National Report of Online Learning.

In an effort to offer the K-12 community greater insight into the current trends in online learning, Project Tomorrow and Blackboard have teamed to deliver a new report titled "Learning in 21st Century: A National Report of Online Learning."

This report, released on October 18, examines the views of online learning provided by more than 250,000 students, teachers and parents (across more than 3,000 schools nationwide) in response to the 2006 Project Tomorrow–NetDay Speak Up online surveys.






A sampling of key findings in the report:

  • While 47% of students in grades 9–12 pursue online learning to secure courses not offered at school and 43% to work at their own pace, the top reason (42%) for students in grades 6–8 is to receive extra help
  • 77% of teachers believe technology makes a difference in learning and 28% of teachers want online courses to be offered as an alternative in their district
  • 42% of parents believe online classes are a good investment to improve student achievement

Related links
National Survey Indicates High School Students Preference for Online Learning to Expand Educational Choices

Thursday, October 25, 2007

eSchool News Online

Around the Web

Apple's iTunes U goes 'Beyond Campus'

Initially only offering lectures and videos from several universities, Apple's iTunes U section will expand on these by supplying debates from the Supreme Court, radio broadcasts on the civil rights movement, among other offerings in a new category they are calling "Beyond Campus".
Read more...

Related link
MacNN

Site of the Week
'Google Sky' turns computers into telescopes

The heavens are only a few mouse clicks away with Google's latest free tool: A new feature in Google Earth, the company's satellite imagery-based mapping software, allows users to view the sky from their computers. The tool provides information about various celestial bodies, from stars to planets, and includes imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope and other sources. It also allows users to take virtual tours through galaxies, including the Milky Way.
Read more...

Related link
Google Earth

Source: eSchool News

eSchool News Online

Around the Web

Apple's iTunes U goes 'Beyond Campus'

Initially only offering lectures and videos from several universities, Apple's iTunes U section will expand on these by supplying debates from the Supreme Court, radio broadcasts on the civil rights movement, among other offerings in a new category they are calling "Beyond Campus".
Read more...

Related link
MacNN

Site of the Week
'Google Sky' turns computers into telescopes

The heavens are only a few mouse clicks away with Google's latest free tool: A new feature in Google Earth, the company's satellite imagery-based mapping software, allows users to view the sky from their computers. The tool provides information about various celestial bodies, from stars to planets, and includes imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope and other sources. It also allows users to take virtual tours through galaxies, including the Milky Way.
Read more...

Related link
Google Earth

Source: eSchool News

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

E-learning in civil engineering – six years of experience at Graz university of Technology by Martin Ebner and Ulrich Walder


Here is another well prepared resource created by Martin Ebner, e-Learning Blog

Conference
24th W78 Conference & 5th ITCEDU Workshop & 14th EG-ICE Workshop in Marburg

Presentation at the conference Bringing ITC knowledge to work:

Martin Ebner, Graz University of Technology, Work Group Social Learning, Austria
Ulrich Walder, Institute of Building Informatics, Graz University of Technology, Austria

Abstract
At Graz University of Technology a lot of experience in the investigation of possibilities of using Multimedia or Internet based applications in Higher Education has been gathered. Especially in the field of civil engineering we can look back to six years of practice in this field.
In 2001 the project iVISiCE (interactive Visualizations in Civil Engineering) was started. A great number of web based animations, visualisations and interactive learning objects have been developed for visualisation and simulation of basic structural concrete relations.
During the last two years the buzzword Web 2.0 shocked the traditional e-Learning World. The Internet got more interactive and usable for endusers. Phrases like "user-generated-content" and "give-and-take-culture" pervade our daily life.

From this point of view the Institute of Building Informatics decided to teach using these new tools in order to gather experiences and to play a kind of pioneering role in this field. Since winter 2005 a Wiki is used to support the main lectures of the institute. Students wrote articles themselves and collaborated in the process of learning a programming language. Finally, since this semester Podcasting has started. This means that each lecture is recorded and provided to the students in various file formats.
The paper gives an overview about all activities within the last six years. Beginning with animations and ending with the use of Web 2.0 applications, like Wikis or Podcasts, we have always tried to ensure high quality of our education. In the summary it is clear that these small, but regular innovations definitely helped to improve the lectures in the field of civil engineering.

Read more...

Related link
Blogging in Higher Education by Martin Ebner and Hermann Maurer, Graz University of Technology

Source: e-Learning Blog

E-learning in civil engineering – six years of experience at Graz university of Technology by Martin Ebner and Ulrich Walder


Here is another well prepared resource created by Martin Ebner, e-Learning Blog

Conference
24th W78 Conference & 5th ITCEDU Workshop & 14th EG-ICE Workshop in Marburg

Presentation at the conference Bringing ITC knowledge to work:

Martin Ebner, Graz University of Technology, Work Group Social Learning, Austria
Ulrich Walder, Institute of Building Informatics, Graz University of Technology, Austria

Abstract
At Graz University of Technology a lot of experience in the investigation of possibilities of using Multimedia or Internet based applications in Higher Education has been gathered. Especially in the field of civil engineering we can look back to six years of practice in this field.
In 2001 the project iVISiCE (interactive Visualizations in Civil Engineering) was started. A great number of web based animations, visualisations and interactive learning objects have been developed for visualisation and simulation of basic structural concrete relations.
During the last two years the buzzword Web 2.0 shocked the traditional e-Learning World. The Internet got more interactive and usable for endusers. Phrases like "user-generated-content" and "give-and-take-culture" pervade our daily life.

From this point of view the Institute of Building Informatics decided to teach using these new tools in order to gather experiences and to play a kind of pioneering role in this field. Since winter 2005 a Wiki is used to support the main lectures of the institute. Students wrote articles themselves and collaborated in the process of learning a programming language. Finally, since this semester Podcasting has started. This means that each lecture is recorded and provided to the students in various file formats.
The paper gives an overview about all activities within the last six years. Beginning with animations and ending with the use of Web 2.0 applications, like Wikis or Podcasts, we have always tried to ensure high quality of our education. In the summary it is clear that these small, but regular innovations definitely helped to improve the lectures in the field of civil engineering.

Read more...

Related link
Blogging in Higher Education by Martin Ebner and Hermann Maurer, Graz University of Technology

Source: e-Learning Blog