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Sunday, May 30, 2010

e-Learning the route for busy professionals

Distance learning, also known as e-learning, correspondence, TeleCourse, Independent study and many others, is education that is conducted and completed outside of the traditional classroom setting of any institution. It could be a correspondence course to learn a new skill or a course of study that is completed totally via the internet. This form of study is making foreign accredited courses much easier to attain than ever before.


Today, online education and assessment makes it possible to earn an Associate, Bachelor, Master, or even a Doctorate degree. In addition to the above one can undertake business training and development programs, career training diplomas, foreign language courses all available via the Internet and distance learning institutional facilities.
Interactive technology has moved the classroom to the student in the distance learning situation. Top tier universities and colleges now offer the same degree programs that they offer on campus through online distance learning programs, with the same curriculum, taught by top faculty members. This has been a boon for continuing education for busy professionals.
Read more...

Source: The Standard

e-Learning the route for busy professionals

Distance learning, also known as e-learning, correspondence, TeleCourse, Independent study and many others, is education that is conducted and completed outside of the traditional classroom setting of any institution. It could be a correspondence course to learn a new skill or a course of study that is completed totally via the internet. This form of study is making foreign accredited courses much easier to attain than ever before.


Today, online education and assessment makes it possible to earn an Associate, Bachelor, Master, or even a Doctorate degree. In addition to the above one can undertake business training and development programs, career training diplomas, foreign language courses all available via the Internet and distance learning institutional facilities.
Interactive technology has moved the classroom to the student in the distance learning situation. Top tier universities and colleges now offer the same degree programs that they offer on campus through online distance learning programs, with the same curriculum, taught by top faculty members. This has been a boon for continuing education for busy professionals.
Read more...

Source: The Standard

elearningeuropa.info Newsletter - May 2010


The e-learning Newsletter brings you news about current issues, open calls, forthcoming events and e-learning resources.Take a look at this interesting line-up below.

New call launched! Innovation in Lifelong LearningThe 21st issue of eLearning Papers proposes a broad approach to the theme of Innovation in Lifelong Learning. We are not only interested in research on innovation within formal education; this issue aims to reveal the potential of those innovations that are shaping informal learning in our everyday environments or in the workplace. Deadline 28 June 2010.

PROJECT OF THE MONTH:
The E-VITA project promotes and investigates pedagogy-driven innovation by defining new approaches to problem-based and contextualised learning. Integrating Game Based Learning with intergenerational learning concepts and storytelling techniques, E-VITA is producing 4 different serious game prototypes: experiential, problem-based, narrative and exploratory. In June 2010 an extended, international test phase will begin: everyone (schools, teachers, students, experts, anyone interested) is invited to participate: information will be available on the project website and in the LinkedIn group “e-VITA”.

SURVEY ON THE FUTURE OF LEARNING.
The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) is currently conducting a study on the future of learning in 2025, looking in particular at ways to learn new skills for future jobs (www.futureoflearning.eu). The project foresees multiple consultations with experts and stakeholders to obtain their views on the future of learning in order to develop visions and scenarios and to elaborate on the needs and challenges of future learners. It will then consider how learning, skills and training policies should address these challenges. At this point, they would like to ask you to reflect on some of the participant feedback they have obtained through 2 short surveys on 2 topics: The Role of Teachers and Lifelong Learning - Labour Market Re-intergration, Re-skilling, Up-skilling.

EFQUEL Innovation Forum. September 8-10, 2010. Lisbon (Portugal).
The annual assembly of eLearning and education professionals will debate how opening education can contribute to social inclusion agendas and promote economic welfare by better equipping citizens with necessary skills. The Conference Programme and registration are available online.

ONLINE EDUCA BERLIN 2010 December 1-3, 2010 Berlin (Germany).
Under the banner of Learning for All, the conference will deeply interrogate 4 themes that form the pillars of innovation: Learning Content, Learning About Learning, Learning Ecosystems and Learning Environments, in order to contribute to successful learning outcomes in three learning domains: Institutional Learning, Workplace Learning and Lifelong Learning. Online Registration is available.

EDEN 2010, 9-12 June 2010, Valencia, Spain.
The main theme at the European Distance and eLearning Network annual conference this summer in Spain will be “Media Inspirations for Learning. What makes the impact?” The detailed conference programme with the schedule of plenary and parallel sessions is now available at the conference homepage.

Selected articles

The 2009/2010 edition outlines five key areas: 1. The education context 2. ICT policies 3. ICT in the curriculum 4. Digital learning resources 5. Teacher education for ICT...

Learning and talent development 2010
This is the twelfth annual Learning and Talent Development survey. The survey examines current practices within learning and talent development and explores the issues affecting the profession now...

elearningeuropa.info Newsletter - May 2010


The e-learning Newsletter brings you news about current issues, open calls, forthcoming events and e-learning resources.Take a look at this interesting line-up below.

New call launched! Innovation in Lifelong LearningThe 21st issue of eLearning Papers proposes a broad approach to the theme of Innovation in Lifelong Learning. We are not only interested in research on innovation within formal education; this issue aims to reveal the potential of those innovations that are shaping informal learning in our everyday environments or in the workplace. Deadline 28 June 2010.

PROJECT OF THE MONTH:
The E-VITA project promotes and investigates pedagogy-driven innovation by defining new approaches to problem-based and contextualised learning. Integrating Game Based Learning with intergenerational learning concepts and storytelling techniques, E-VITA is producing 4 different serious game prototypes: experiential, problem-based, narrative and exploratory. In June 2010 an extended, international test phase will begin: everyone (schools, teachers, students, experts, anyone interested) is invited to participate: information will be available on the project website and in the LinkedIn group “e-VITA”.

SURVEY ON THE FUTURE OF LEARNING.
The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) is currently conducting a study on the future of learning in 2025, looking in particular at ways to learn new skills for future jobs (www.futureoflearning.eu). The project foresees multiple consultations with experts and stakeholders to obtain their views on the future of learning in order to develop visions and scenarios and to elaborate on the needs and challenges of future learners. It will then consider how learning, skills and training policies should address these challenges. At this point, they would like to ask you to reflect on some of the participant feedback they have obtained through 2 short surveys on 2 topics: The Role of Teachers and Lifelong Learning - Labour Market Re-intergration, Re-skilling, Up-skilling.

EFQUEL Innovation Forum. September 8-10, 2010. Lisbon (Portugal).
The annual assembly of eLearning and education professionals will debate how opening education can contribute to social inclusion agendas and promote economic welfare by better equipping citizens with necessary skills. The Conference Programme and registration are available online.

ONLINE EDUCA BERLIN 2010 December 1-3, 2010 Berlin (Germany).
Under the banner of Learning for All, the conference will deeply interrogate 4 themes that form the pillars of innovation: Learning Content, Learning About Learning, Learning Ecosystems and Learning Environments, in order to contribute to successful learning outcomes in three learning domains: Institutional Learning, Workplace Learning and Lifelong Learning. Online Registration is available.

EDEN 2010, 9-12 June 2010, Valencia, Spain.
The main theme at the European Distance and eLearning Network annual conference this summer in Spain will be “Media Inspirations for Learning. What makes the impact?” The detailed conference programme with the schedule of plenary and parallel sessions is now available at the conference homepage.

Selected articles

The 2009/2010 edition outlines five key areas: 1. The education context 2. ICT policies 3. ICT in the curriculum 4. Digital learning resources 5. Teacher education for ICT...

Learning and talent development 2010
This is the twelfth annual Learning and Talent Development survey. The survey examines current practices within learning and talent development and explores the issues affecting the profession now...

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Can Video Games Promote Learning?

My guest blogger today is Anna Miller. Please be sure to check out her unique guest post. Guest posts are always welcome, please contact me.

Computers were just gaining in popularity around the time I was in high school, and it was with much excitement that we welcomed the first computers into school the year I was all set to graduate. They were equipped with the now-ancient DOS environment, black and white monitors, and large CPUs; even so, they were technological wonders that promised so much more. While we enjoyed the basic lessons in computer languages (I think BASIC and COBOL were the major ones around then), what we really looked forward to was the time we got to play games on the system. Of course, back then you had to boot the system and load your games from a floppy disk, so we would fight over who got to play the Carmen game.

“Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” was a very popular gaming series back then because it followed the basic cops and robbers theme – you had to chase a crook who escaped to places all over the world using a set of educational clues, and every successful arrest would help you climb up the professional ladder. To cut a long story short, we enjoyed these games, but they were educational too. They focused on teaching geography, history, mathematics and even English.

Today’s kids however would scoff at Carmen Sandiego, inured as they are to multi-player and multi-tasking games like World of Warcraft and Age of Empires. While parents are dead against them, there are a few educational experts who argue that video games, even the ones that are around today, can actually enhance the learning process. Microsoft is leading the way by setting aside $1.5 million to fund The Games for Learning Institute, a joint venture with a few colleges that include the New York University and other reputable institutions. The initiative hopes to see if video games can be designed to help students gain skills that will help them excel in the subjects of mathematics, science and technology.

The problem with today’s games is not that they’re violent and so detrimental to the minds of young children; the more pressing issue is that they’re addictive and end up becoming an overpowering influence in the lives of children who need a more balanced range of activities. Gaming has ruined many a brilliant college student’s life by bringing down their grades (because they’ve been too busy playing and not studying) and by negating their social lives with real people.

Gamers claim that games can encourage scientific thinking because players have to come up with various scientific and mathematical models of the worlds they have to build and defend, and also boost spatial skills and the ability to think and react quickly. We’ve always known that video games improve hand-eye coordination, but now they seem to boost mental acuity as well.

But at the end of the day, the plain truth is that such games are addictive, and the educative value comes out and is of use only if the gamer is able to draw the line between fantasy and real life and never cross it.

Related links
Education or Experience – Which is More Valuable? by Anna Miller
20 iPhone Apps That Will Make You Smarter by Anna Miller

This guest post is contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degrees.
She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com

Many thanks to Anna Miller.
Enjoy your reading!

Can Video Games Promote Learning?

My guest blogger today is Anna Miller. Please be sure to check out her unique guest post. Guest posts are always welcome, please contact me.

Computers were just gaining in popularity around the time I was in high school, and it was with much excitement that we welcomed the first computers into school the year I was all set to graduate. They were equipped with the now-ancient DOS environment, black and white monitors, and large CPUs; even so, they were technological wonders that promised so much more. While we enjoyed the basic lessons in computer languages (I think BASIC and COBOL were the major ones around then), what we really looked forward to was the time we got to play games on the system. Of course, back then you had to boot the system and load your games from a floppy disk, so we would fight over who got to play the Carmen game.

“Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” was a very popular gaming series back then because it followed the basic cops and robbers theme – you had to chase a crook who escaped to places all over the world using a set of educational clues, and every successful arrest would help you climb up the professional ladder. To cut a long story short, we enjoyed these games, but they were educational too. They focused on teaching geography, history, mathematics and even English.

Today’s kids however would scoff at Carmen Sandiego, inured as they are to multi-player and multi-tasking games like World of Warcraft and Age of Empires. While parents are dead against them, there are a few educational experts who argue that video games, even the ones that are around today, can actually enhance the learning process. Microsoft is leading the way by setting aside $1.5 million to fund The Games for Learning Institute, a joint venture with a few colleges that include the New York University and other reputable institutions. The initiative hopes to see if video games can be designed to help students gain skills that will help them excel in the subjects of mathematics, science and technology.

The problem with today’s games is not that they’re violent and so detrimental to the minds of young children; the more pressing issue is that they’re addictive and end up becoming an overpowering influence in the lives of children who need a more balanced range of activities. Gaming has ruined many a brilliant college student’s life by bringing down their grades (because they’ve been too busy playing and not studying) and by negating their social lives with real people.

Gamers claim that games can encourage scientific thinking because players have to come up with various scientific and mathematical models of the worlds they have to build and defend, and also boost spatial skills and the ability to think and react quickly. We’ve always known that video games improve hand-eye coordination, but now they seem to boost mental acuity as well.

But at the end of the day, the plain truth is that such games are addictive, and the educative value comes out and is of use only if the gamer is able to draw the line between fantasy and real life and never cross it.

Related links
Education or Experience – Which is More Valuable? by Anna Miller
20 iPhone Apps That Will Make You Smarter by Anna Miller

This guest post is contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degrees.
She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com

Many thanks to Anna Miller.
Enjoy your reading!

BigGyan Cloud eLearning Latest Blog Posts

I hope that you found these post interesting and helpful from BigGyan Cloud eLearning.

10 Bollywood movies on education and training

1. Title – 3 Idiots
3 Idiots is a 2009 Bollywood comedy film directed by Rajkumar Hirani, with a screenplay by Abhijat Joshi, and produced...

2. Title – Pathshala
Paathshaala is a 2010 Bollywood film that stars Shahid Kapoor, Ayesha Takia, Ali Haji and Nana Patekar and is directed by...

3. Title – Rang De Basanti
Rang De Basanti is a 2006 Indian drama film written and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. It features an ensemble cast...

4. Title – Taare Zameen Par
Taare Zameen Par is a 2007 Bollywood film directed by Aamir Khan, produced by Aamir Khan Productions, and initially...

5. Title – Black
Black is a 2005 Indian film in Hindi and Indian English directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Black revolves around a blind and...

6. Title – Chak de india
Chak De! India is a 2007 Bollywood sports film about field hockey in India. It is directed by Shimit Amin, produced by Yash Raj Films...

7. Title – Munnabhai MBBS
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. is a 2003 Indian comedy directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The story...

8. Title – Lagaan
Lagaan is a 2001 Bollywood feature film made in India. The film, based on an original story by Ashutosh Gowariker, was also...

9. Title – Iqbal
Iqbal is a 2005 Hindi Bollywood film written by Vipul K Rawal and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and was released under Subhash Ghai's...

10. Title – Hip Hip Hurray
Released in the year 1984, the year of release of “Saaransh” and “Jane Bhi Do yaron” two all time classics of Hindi Cinema, Hip Hip...

Clouds in Cloud Computing

An Interesting Analogy

Cloud computing has been defined in various ways. The definition that mostly aptly describes it is – Cloud computing is a computing paradigm where the boundaries of computing will be determined by economic rationale rather than technical limits. given by Prof. Ramnath K. Chellappa (currently at Goizueta Business School, Emory University).

Cloud computing is about dissociating business applications from the underlying infrastructure. Cloud computing customers do not generally own the physical infrastructure serving as host to the software platform in question. Instead, they avoid capital expenditure by renting usage from a third-party provider.
This introduces a "gap" between the physical infrastructure "The Earth" and business applciations "The Cloud". It is exactly like consuming electricity from the grid rather than generating your own. Consumers consume resources as a service and pay only for resources that they use.

Thanks to Nihar Ranjan.

BigGyan Cloud eLearning Latest Blog Posts

I hope that you found these post interesting and helpful from BigGyan Cloud eLearning.

10 Bollywood movies on education and training

1. Title – 3 Idiots
3 Idiots is a 2009 Bollywood comedy film directed by Rajkumar Hirani, with a screenplay by Abhijat Joshi, and produced...

2. Title – Pathshala
Paathshaala is a 2010 Bollywood film that stars Shahid Kapoor, Ayesha Takia, Ali Haji and Nana Patekar and is directed by...

3. Title – Rang De Basanti
Rang De Basanti is a 2006 Indian drama film written and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. It features an ensemble cast...

4. Title – Taare Zameen Par
Taare Zameen Par is a 2007 Bollywood film directed by Aamir Khan, produced by Aamir Khan Productions, and initially...

5. Title – Black
Black is a 2005 Indian film in Hindi and Indian English directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Black revolves around a blind and...

6. Title – Chak de india
Chak De! India is a 2007 Bollywood sports film about field hockey in India. It is directed by Shimit Amin, produced by Yash Raj Films...

7. Title – Munnabhai MBBS
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. is a 2003 Indian comedy directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The story...

8. Title – Lagaan
Lagaan is a 2001 Bollywood feature film made in India. The film, based on an original story by Ashutosh Gowariker, was also...

9. Title – Iqbal
Iqbal is a 2005 Hindi Bollywood film written by Vipul K Rawal and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and was released under Subhash Ghai's...

10. Title – Hip Hip Hurray
Released in the year 1984, the year of release of “Saaransh” and “Jane Bhi Do yaron” two all time classics of Hindi Cinema, Hip Hip...

Clouds in Cloud Computing

An Interesting Analogy

Cloud computing has been defined in various ways. The definition that mostly aptly describes it is – Cloud computing is a computing paradigm where the boundaries of computing will be determined by economic rationale rather than technical limits. given by Prof. Ramnath K. Chellappa (currently at Goizueta Business School, Emory University).

Cloud computing is about dissociating business applications from the underlying infrastructure. Cloud computing customers do not generally own the physical infrastructure serving as host to the software platform in question. Instead, they avoid capital expenditure by renting usage from a third-party provider.
This introduces a "gap" between the physical infrastructure "The Earth" and business applciations "The Cloud". It is exactly like consuming electricity from the grid rather than generating your own. Consumers consume resources as a service and pay only for resources that they use.

Thanks to Nihar Ranjan.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Summer Ed: Keep Kids Learning in the Off-Season

Today I have Alexis Montgomery guest blogging. Please be sure to check out her unique guest post. Guest posts are always welcome, please contact me.

Keeping kids on track with their studies is hard enough throughout the school year, but when summer hits, forget it! Pulling out a math book or their assigned summer reading is bound to result in complaints at the least and outright tantrums at the worst. Do you really want to deal with this all summer long? Isn’t there a better way to engage your kids in educational activities that they might actually enjoy? As a matter of fact, there is.

Today’s child is plugged into a world of technology that was unavailable even a couple of decades ago, and they pick it up with astonishing speed. So if you can find a way to work around their interests, there’s absolutely no reason you can’t make learning fun. In fact, a lot of other people have already had the same idea, as there are a huge number of websites geared towards making education fun for kids.

FunBrain may be one of the best education-based websites for kids in that it is organized by subject, age, and grade level. You can browse any one of these options to find the areas your child needs help in. The best part is that the site makes learning more attractive to kids by offering everything in the format of a game, so that they can have fun even as they’re challenged. There are age-appropriate skill games, adventure or sports games that incorporate math and reading skills, and practical applications like quizzes. In addition, they offer web comics and blogs for boys and girls of different age groups.

Primary Games also offers a lot of original games broken up by subject, with options like Princess Math, where players can practice basic math skills with a twist, such as adding the cost of dresses and tiaras to fit a target number, typing speed tests, and Carto’s Magic Maps, an adventure game that allows players to travel through time collecting maps.

PBS Kids is another good site that has educational games that incorporate characters from your kids’ favorite PBS shows. And these are just a few of the many websites that cater to your child’s thirst for knowledge.

You will need to browse a bit to find the sites that best suit your child, in terms of their needs and interest level, but with all of the options available, your sure to find several that are acceptable. The main thing to remember is that whatever you choose should be kid approved, or they’re going to end up dragging their feet. If you can get them going to the website on their own, without prompting, you know you’ve found a winner.

Alexis Montgomery is a content writer for Online Degree, where you can browse through various online degree programs to find a college that suits your needs.

Many thanks to Alexis Montgomery.
Enjoy your reading!

Summer Ed: Keep Kids Learning in the Off-Season

Today I have Alexis Montgomery guest blogging. Please be sure to check out her unique guest post. Guest posts are always welcome, please contact me.

Keeping kids on track with their studies is hard enough throughout the school year, but when summer hits, forget it! Pulling out a math book or their assigned summer reading is bound to result in complaints at the least and outright tantrums at the worst. Do you really want to deal with this all summer long? Isn’t there a better way to engage your kids in educational activities that they might actually enjoy? As a matter of fact, there is.

Today’s child is plugged into a world of technology that was unavailable even a couple of decades ago, and they pick it up with astonishing speed. So if you can find a way to work around their interests, there’s absolutely no reason you can’t make learning fun. In fact, a lot of other people have already had the same idea, as there are a huge number of websites geared towards making education fun for kids.

FunBrain may be one of the best education-based websites for kids in that it is organized by subject, age, and grade level. You can browse any one of these options to find the areas your child needs help in. The best part is that the site makes learning more attractive to kids by offering everything in the format of a game, so that they can have fun even as they’re challenged. There are age-appropriate skill games, adventure or sports games that incorporate math and reading skills, and practical applications like quizzes. In addition, they offer web comics and blogs for boys and girls of different age groups.

Primary Games also offers a lot of original games broken up by subject, with options like Princess Math, where players can practice basic math skills with a twist, such as adding the cost of dresses and tiaras to fit a target number, typing speed tests, and Carto’s Magic Maps, an adventure game that allows players to travel through time collecting maps.

PBS Kids is another good site that has educational games that incorporate characters from your kids’ favorite PBS shows. And these are just a few of the many websites that cater to your child’s thirst for knowledge.

You will need to browse a bit to find the sites that best suit your child, in terms of their needs and interest level, but with all of the options available, your sure to find several that are acceptable. The main thing to remember is that whatever you choose should be kid approved, or they’re going to end up dragging their feet. If you can get them going to the website on their own, without prompting, you know you’ve found a winner.

Alexis Montgomery is a content writer for Online Degree, where you can browse through various online degree programs to find a college that suits your needs.

Many thanks to Alexis Montgomery.
Enjoy your reading!

Strategies for K-12 Technology Leaders

Be sure to check out SCHOOL CIO: Strategies for K-12 Technology Leaders


The Top 5 Most Read Stories on SchoolCIO.com

1. Grant supports educators' instructional tech development »
2.
Study notes math gains with interactive digital curriculum »
3.
Study: Hybrid learning model raises graduation rate »
4.
10 Most Dangerous Things Users Do Online »
5.
Online technology maximizes 1:1 computing »

Strategies for K-12 Technology Leaders

Be sure to check out SCHOOL CIO: Strategies for K-12 Technology Leaders


The Top 5 Most Read Stories on SchoolCIO.com

1. Grant supports educators' instructional tech development »
2.
Study notes math gains with interactive digital curriculum »
3.
Study: Hybrid learning model raises graduation rate »
4.
10 Most Dangerous Things Users Do Online »
5.
Online technology maximizes 1:1 computing »

Tech & Learning Top Stories: The Hottest Stories That Everyone's Reading

Please, take a look and find out what is hot right now?


Check out the Top 10 Most Read Stories on TechLearning.com


1. The Ten No No’s of Teaching with a Projector or Interactive Whiteboard »
2.
Reframing Google’s Search Options: The Poster »
3.
Are We Really Teaching Them How to Fish? »
4. Bloom's Taxonomy Blooms Digitally »
5. Virtual Frog Dissection »
6.
Combine Multiple PDF Files into One »
7.
21st Century Skills: Will Our Students be Prepared? »
8. Interactive Simulations for Physical Sciences and Math »
9.
Wonder of Wordles »
10. Summer reading contest »

Tech & Learning Top Stories: The Hottest Stories That Everyone's Reading

Please, take a look and find out what is hot right now?


Check out the Top 10 Most Read Stories on TechLearning.com


1. The Ten No No’s of Teaching with a Projector or Interactive Whiteboard »
2.
Reframing Google’s Search Options: The Poster »
3.
Are We Really Teaching Them How to Fish? »
4. Bloom's Taxonomy Blooms Digitally »
5. Virtual Frog Dissection »
6.
Combine Multiple PDF Files into One »
7.
21st Century Skills: Will Our Students be Prepared? »
8. Interactive Simulations for Physical Sciences and Math »
9.
Wonder of Wordles »
10. Summer reading contest »

Experts Tout Virtual Education

Leaders of online education gathered Thursday to discuss the role that virtual learning must play in our nation's future, saying brick-and-mortar classrooms won't become obsolete but will be complemented by blended and virtual learning models.

"We [the United States] were great at creating human capital but the rest of the world is catching up," said Paul Peterson, executive editor at Education Next during a forum at the Heritage Foundation. According to Peterson, virtual learning will allow for the personalization of education and save costs.
Read more...

Source: Tech Daily Dose

Experts Tout Virtual Education

Leaders of online education gathered Thursday to discuss the role that virtual learning must play in our nation's future, saying brick-and-mortar classrooms won't become obsolete but will be complemented by blended and virtual learning models.

"We [the United States] were great at creating human capital but the rest of the world is catching up," said Paul Peterson, executive editor at Education Next during a forum at the Heritage Foundation. According to Peterson, virtual learning will allow for the personalization of education and save costs.
Read more...

Source: Tech Daily Dose

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

What E-Learning Can Learn from the Brick-and-Mortar System

Today I have Jessica Cortez guest blogging. Please be sure to check out her unique guest post. Guest posts are always welcome, please contact me.

E-Learning, is, without doubt, one of the most exciting technological developments of our age. While there are millions of "trends" occurring right now, all fueled by the Internet, e-Learning is one such phenomenon that has transcended Web fashions that seem to always come and go. E-learning is here, and it's here to stay.
Perhaps the only way to combat perennial global problems like poverty, the spread of disease, and violent conflict, is through education. E-learning makes education affordable and available to all. The power of this simply cannot be understated.

Both on the Net and within academic circles we hear ad infinitum about the new methods in teaching that e-learning as a whole has developed. However, something that I'm particularly interested in is examining valuable lessons distance educators can import from traditional academia. To be sure, many aspects of the Ivory Tower are slowly but surely crumbling and I have no reservations about rejoicing in this. Old, entrenched ideas must necessarily be constantly questioned, re-envisioned when necessary, and disposed of entirely if new problems and challenges arise.

My personal academic background, I must shamefully admit, was solidly brick-and-mortar. And I graduated from my alma mater--an insular, private, unconscionably pretentious school--quite bitter about the state of higher education. Yet there were, of course, some things I learned that have changed me and my worldview for the better. I firmly believe that some of these personal and intellectual improvements were accomplished in specific ways. We in the business of fashioning the future of e-earning should retain some aspects from the past. Development, as the saying goes, is built up by standing on the shoulders of giants.

One such giant is our established canon of philosophy and literature. These simply cannot be forgotten, because they give us a structured sense of our development as human beings. Another, closely related aspect of academia which is not as emphasized in our supposedly "traditional" curriculum as much as it should be is primary sources. The wonders of Wikipedia notwithstanding, we should be sure to still place value on the "straight from the horse's mouth" method. And of course, one aspect that I particularly enjoyed at my university was seeking and maintaining a rapport with professors. This hardly happens in larger traditional university settings, although I experienced it to a measured extent at my school. E-learning, fueled by the Internet's connectivity, is the perfect platform to foster a healthy, intellectually stimulating student-educator relationship.

These are only a few ideas that retain the valuable lessons we've learned from a traditional educational system that is experiencing many, not so forward-thinking upheavals. Whatever the future of the brick-and-mortar university, e-learning must take the reins and think carefully about its future trajectory now that it is still in its early stages. For the future of online education, now is an absolutely critical time.

This guest post is contributed by Jessica Cortez, who writes on the topics of online degree programs.
She welcomes your comments at her email Id: cortez.jessi23@gmail.com.

Many thanks to Jessica Cortez.
Enjoy your reading!

What E-Learning Can Learn from the Brick-and-Mortar System

Today I have Jessica Cortez guest blogging. Please be sure to check out her unique guest post. Guest posts are always welcome, please contact me.

E-Learning, is, without doubt, one of the most exciting technological developments of our age. While there are millions of "trends" occurring right now, all fueled by the Internet, e-Learning is one such phenomenon that has transcended Web fashions that seem to always come and go. E-learning is here, and it's here to stay.
Perhaps the only way to combat perennial global problems like poverty, the spread of disease, and violent conflict, is through education. E-learning makes education affordable and available to all. The power of this simply cannot be understated.

Both on the Net and within academic circles we hear ad infinitum about the new methods in teaching that e-learning as a whole has developed. However, something that I'm particularly interested in is examining valuable lessons distance educators can import from traditional academia. To be sure, many aspects of the Ivory Tower are slowly but surely crumbling and I have no reservations about rejoicing in this. Old, entrenched ideas must necessarily be constantly questioned, re-envisioned when necessary, and disposed of entirely if new problems and challenges arise.

My personal academic background, I must shamefully admit, was solidly brick-and-mortar. And I graduated from my alma mater--an insular, private, unconscionably pretentious school--quite bitter about the state of higher education. Yet there were, of course, some things I learned that have changed me and my worldview for the better. I firmly believe that some of these personal and intellectual improvements were accomplished in specific ways. We in the business of fashioning the future of e-earning should retain some aspects from the past. Development, as the saying goes, is built up by standing on the shoulders of giants.

One such giant is our established canon of philosophy and literature. These simply cannot be forgotten, because they give us a structured sense of our development as human beings. Another, closely related aspect of academia which is not as emphasized in our supposedly "traditional" curriculum as much as it should be is primary sources. The wonders of Wikipedia notwithstanding, we should be sure to still place value on the "straight from the horse's mouth" method. And of course, one aspect that I particularly enjoyed at my university was seeking and maintaining a rapport with professors. This hardly happens in larger traditional university settings, although I experienced it to a measured extent at my school. E-learning, fueled by the Internet's connectivity, is the perfect platform to foster a healthy, intellectually stimulating student-educator relationship.

These are only a few ideas that retain the valuable lessons we've learned from a traditional educational system that is experiencing many, not so forward-thinking upheavals. Whatever the future of the brick-and-mortar university, e-learning must take the reins and think carefully about its future trajectory now that it is still in its early stages. For the future of online education, now is an absolutely critical time.

This guest post is contributed by Jessica Cortez, who writes on the topics of online degree programs.
She welcomes your comments at her email Id: cortez.jessi23@gmail.com.

Many thanks to Jessica Cortez.
Enjoy your reading!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Teaching in a socially networked classroom

"Let’s face it: Social networking is here to stay. Whether it is Facebook or Twitter, or the next web application waiting to become a phenomenon, social networking is a part of our students’ lives. The only place where it isn’t usually present is in our classrooms. And yet, how many of us haven’t sensed our students itching to reconnect as soon as class is over? The moment they leave the classroom, the cell phones come out and the air is abuzz with various versions of, “Where are you?” or “What are you doing?”", reports eSchooll News

Imagine if we could harness this drive to connect for the purpose of learning. Is it possible to use social networking to further learning?

While doing research for my book, The Socially Networked Classroom: Teaching in the New Media Age, I spoke with dozens of pioneering teachers across the country and even around the world about how they are figuring out ways create a new media classroom while keeping their students safe and focused on learning. Their responses covered a range of examples, from social networking in a low-tech environment to teaching at the most advanced levels of technological innovation.

Related links
William Kist's blog

About the Author

William Kist is an associate professor at Kent State University, where he teaches literacy education courses. A former high school English teacher, Kist has presented nationally and internationally, with over 40 articles and book chapters to his credit; his profiles of pioneering teachers were the essence of his book New Literacies in Action (2005).
In November, 2007, Kist began a three-year term as director of the Commission on Media for the National Council of Teachers of English. Kist continues to work in video and film and has earned a regional Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Composition.
His book, The Socially Networked Classroom, presents a snapshot of how teachers are currently using Web 2.0 to educate today’s students. Complete with real-world examples, lesson plans, sample assignments, and assessments.

Teaching in a socially networked classroom

"Let’s face it: Social networking is here to stay. Whether it is Facebook or Twitter, or the next web application waiting to become a phenomenon, social networking is a part of our students’ lives. The only place where it isn’t usually present is in our classrooms. And yet, how many of us haven’t sensed our students itching to reconnect as soon as class is over? The moment they leave the classroom, the cell phones come out and the air is abuzz with various versions of, “Where are you?” or “What are you doing?”", reports eSchooll News

Imagine if we could harness this drive to connect for the purpose of learning. Is it possible to use social networking to further learning?

While doing research for my book, The Socially Networked Classroom: Teaching in the New Media Age, I spoke with dozens of pioneering teachers across the country and even around the world about how they are figuring out ways create a new media classroom while keeping their students safe and focused on learning. Their responses covered a range of examples, from social networking in a low-tech environment to teaching at the most advanced levels of technological innovation.

Related links
William Kist's blog

About the Author

William Kist is an associate professor at Kent State University, where he teaches literacy education courses. A former high school English teacher, Kist has presented nationally and internationally, with over 40 articles and book chapters to his credit; his profiles of pioneering teachers were the essence of his book New Literacies in Action (2005).
In November, 2007, Kist began a three-year term as director of the Commission on Media for the National Council of Teachers of English. Kist continues to work in video and film and has earned a regional Emmy nomination for Outstanding Music Composition.
His book, The Socially Networked Classroom, presents a snapshot of how teachers are currently using Web 2.0 to educate today’s students. Complete with real-world examples, lesson plans, sample assignments, and assessments.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Recommended Book: Fluency In Distance Learning

Below are an excellent book, I thought you may find be very helpful.
Fluency in Distance Learning offers a practical, hands-on, workshop style approach to creating an effective distance learning course. Full of specific ideas and strategies, Celeste Fenton and Brenda Ward Watkins guide you through the process from beginning to end.

Specific instructions are provided for setting up a course home page, developing interactive content, and utilizing a variety of multimedia resources.
Fluency in Distance Learning distinguishes itself from other publications on distance learning with its straightforward, practical workshop format. Specific strategies and examples of effective distance learning course materials help instructors to build a quality distance learning course quickly and effectively regardless of the learning management system being used. A companion website contains multimedia files and interactive exercises to enhance the reader's learning and understanding of distance learning pedagogy and content development for online courses.


In addition, all the necessary media files for trainers to deliver a series of professional development workshops on distance learning, are also available. Potential audiences include: Instructors in need of a textbook for a course focused on distance learning pedagogy; Instructors in need of a textbook for distance learning certification courses; Instructors desiring to transform traditional instructional materials to an effective distance learning delivery format; Administrators with a need to provide professional development training to distance learning faculty; Professional development staff who provide training in distance learning pedagogy, content development, and facilitation strategies. Instructional designers with responsibility of working with faculty to develop online course(s)
Publish Date: 2010-4-30
Buy this book


Enjoy your reading!

Recommended Book: Fluency In Distance Learning

Below are an excellent book, I thought you may find be very helpful.
Fluency in Distance Learning offers a practical, hands-on, workshop style approach to creating an effective distance learning course. Full of specific ideas and strategies, Celeste Fenton and Brenda Ward Watkins guide you through the process from beginning to end.

Specific instructions are provided for setting up a course home page, developing interactive content, and utilizing a variety of multimedia resources.
Fluency in Distance Learning distinguishes itself from other publications on distance learning with its straightforward, practical workshop format. Specific strategies and examples of effective distance learning course materials help instructors to build a quality distance learning course quickly and effectively regardless of the learning management system being used. A companion website contains multimedia files and interactive exercises to enhance the reader's learning and understanding of distance learning pedagogy and content development for online courses.


In addition, all the necessary media files for trainers to deliver a series of professional development workshops on distance learning, are also available. Potential audiences include: Instructors in need of a textbook for a course focused on distance learning pedagogy; Instructors in need of a textbook for distance learning certification courses; Instructors desiring to transform traditional instructional materials to an effective distance learning delivery format; Administrators with a need to provide professional development training to distance learning faculty; Professional development staff who provide training in distance learning pedagogy, content development, and facilitation strategies. Instructional designers with responsibility of working with faculty to develop online course(s)
Publish Date: 2010-4-30
Buy this book


Enjoy your reading!

Technology brings education to you wherever you may be

"Many schools present an assortment of delivery modes, such as full-time, part-time, modular and distance learning programmes. No so long ago, the very notion of a distance learning MBA would be regarded with disdain, the chief argument being that it lacks face-to-face contact.
But as technology has progressed, so too are those perceptions shifting rapidly.", Erica Webster
, Times Live reports.


Someone with first-hand experience in this is Ray Irving, head of learning and resources development at Warwick Business School in the UK.
"When I started working with the Warwick distance learning MBA 12 years ago, we would have to inquire whether students had access to things like an e-mail address, a CD-ROM drive and whether they were able to install a browser on their computers.
"Now we can stream lectures live over the Internet to students across the world. They can simply log in via their web browser and watch the lecture. Not only that, but they can participate in the lecture, either via voice or text chat."
Read more...

About Ray Irwing


Ray holds a first degree in Information Studies and an MBA from the Open University. Working in the field of online teaching and learning at one of Europe's leading business schools, Warwick Business School (WBS), Ray has developed e-learning resources used by MBA students across the globe. On a consultancy basis, Ray has applied this process of e-learning to in-house programmes for business improvement and personal development.
Initially employed at the Chartered Management Institute (the UK's largest professional organisation for managers) as an Information Researcher, Ray helped develop the Institute's initial Internet presence and first electronic publications. Ray's written work appears in a number of published management books, covering the areas of knowledge management, strategy, Intranets, relationship marketing and flexible working.

Related link
Warwick Business School

Source: Times LIVE

Note: A39F37VUEXQF

Technology brings education to you wherever you may be

"Many schools present an assortment of delivery modes, such as full-time, part-time, modular and distance learning programmes. No so long ago, the very notion of a distance learning MBA would be regarded with disdain, the chief argument being that it lacks face-to-face contact.
But as technology has progressed, so too are those perceptions shifting rapidly.", Erica Webster
, Times Live reports.


Someone with first-hand experience in this is Ray Irving, head of learning and resources development at Warwick Business School in the UK.
"When I started working with the Warwick distance learning MBA 12 years ago, we would have to inquire whether students had access to things like an e-mail address, a CD-ROM drive and whether they were able to install a browser on their computers.
"Now we can stream lectures live over the Internet to students across the world. They can simply log in via their web browser and watch the lecture. Not only that, but they can participate in the lecture, either via voice or text chat."
Read more...

About Ray Irwing


Ray holds a first degree in Information Studies and an MBA from the Open University. Working in the field of online teaching and learning at one of Europe's leading business schools, Warwick Business School (WBS), Ray has developed e-learning resources used by MBA students across the globe. On a consultancy basis, Ray has applied this process of e-learning to in-house programmes for business improvement and personal development.
Initially employed at the Chartered Management Institute (the UK's largest professional organisation for managers) as an Information Researcher, Ray helped develop the Institute's initial Internet presence and first electronic publications. Ray's written work appears in a number of published management books, covering the areas of knowledge management, strategy, Intranets, relationship marketing and flexible working.

Related link
Warwick Business School

Source: Times LIVE

Note: A39F37VUEXQF