eLearning Papers Nº 5 ▪ September 2007

Read the latest issue of eLearning Papers


Communities of practice
The notion of Communities of Practice (CoPs) has come a long way since it was coined in the 1990s. The advent of technology has meant that communities can be increasingly distributed and niche communities can be developed as people with distinct interests seek out others across the world to advance their knowledge and understanding of a domain.This edition of eLearning Papers focuses on four distinct CoPs that have been fuelled by the use of electronic community building tools. In the last fifteen years, these tools have moved from online bulletin boards to wikis, audio and video podcasts, virtual meeting spaces, teleconferencing, and any combination of these and others. Simultaneous translation tools are in the early stages of development, but eventually these will become widespread and communities will continue to grow and flourish as collective wisdom is spread more widely. People will benefit from other cultural views and practices with which to compare and build their own anew.
Read more...

Source: eLearning Papers

eLearning Papers Nº 5 ▪ September 2007

Read the latest issue of eLearning Papers


Communities of practice
The notion of Communities of Practice (CoPs) has come a long way since it was coined in the 1990s. The advent of technology has meant that communities can be increasingly distributed and niche communities can be developed as people with distinct interests seek out others across the world to advance their knowledge and understanding of a domain.This edition of eLearning Papers focuses on four distinct CoPs that have been fuelled by the use of electronic community building tools. In the last fifteen years, these tools have moved from online bulletin boards to wikis, audio and video podcasts, virtual meeting spaces, teleconferencing, and any combination of these and others. Simultaneous translation tools are in the early stages of development, but eventually these will become widespread and communities will continue to grow and flourish as collective wisdom is spread more widely. People will benefit from other cultural views and practices with which to compare and build their own anew.
Read more...

Source: eLearning Papers

Test Prep and Math Realities by Patricia Deubel, Ph.D.

As another school year is getting well under way, educators are faced with starting the process all over again for preparing students for standardized testing.

It's not something that can be put off until the last moment. Failure to pass "the test" sometimes prevents high school students from receiving their graduation diplomas. Elementary students might be retained in a grade. There is the usual dilemma of teaching to the test versus incorporating activities that help students develop 21st century skills valued in the real world.
The state-mandated mathematics test is often the most difficult for students. I'd like to offer some test prep tips and thoughts for math educators to consider in their teaching. Of course, I advocate using technology to support instruction. These suggestions might also be of value to educators of other content areas.

Read more...

Related link

Computing Technology for Math Excellence

Source: T.H.E. Journal

Test Prep and Math Realities by Patricia Deubel, Ph.D.

As another school year is getting well under way, educators are faced with starting the process all over again for preparing students for standardized testing.

It's not something that can be put off until the last moment. Failure to pass "the test" sometimes prevents high school students from receiving their graduation diplomas. Elementary students might be retained in a grade. There is the usual dilemma of teaching to the test versus incorporating activities that help students develop 21st century skills valued in the real world.
The state-mandated mathematics test is often the most difficult for students. I'd like to offer some test prep tips and thoughts for math educators to consider in their teaching. Of course, I advocate using technology to support instruction. These suggestions might also be of value to educators of other content areas.

Read more...

Related link

Computing Technology for Math Excellence

Source: T.H.E. Journal

Strong majority of parents teach their kids how to be safe online--but schools can still do more to help

The vast majority of American parents talk to their children about how to be safe and ethical online, according to a new survey--a finding that runs counter to the popular image of parents who are clueless about their children's internet activity.

But the poll also reveals that far fewer parents talk to their kids about how to be savvy consumers of internet information, such as how to determine the credibility of online information and how to tell if a web site is biased.
The survey of parents' actions and attitudes regarding their children's internet use could be useful to educators, because it shows where the gaps are in what kids learn about the internet at home--gaps that schools could help fill, either through classroom instruction or by giving parents the tools to pass on this information themselves.
Researchers for the San Francisco-based nonprofit Common Sense Media and the Washington, D.C.-based education foundation Cable in the Classroom found that 85 percent of parents and legal guardians of children who go online said they have talked to their child in the past year about how to behave on the internet.

Read more...

Related links

Cable in the Classroom survey

New Poll Finds That Parents Are Taking Proactive Steps to Keep Kids Safe and Smart on the Web

Download a Presentation on the Results

Source: eSchool News and Common Sense Media

Strong majority of parents teach their kids how to be safe online--but schools can still do more to help

The vast majority of American parents talk to their children about how to be safe and ethical online, according to a new survey--a finding that runs counter to the popular image of parents who are clueless about their children's internet activity.

But the poll also reveals that far fewer parents talk to their kids about how to be savvy consumers of internet information, such as how to determine the credibility of online information and how to tell if a web site is biased.
The survey of parents' actions and attitudes regarding their children's internet use could be useful to educators, because it shows where the gaps are in what kids learn about the internet at home--gaps that schools could help fill, either through classroom instruction or by giving parents the tools to pass on this information themselves.
Researchers for the San Francisco-based nonprofit Common Sense Media and the Washington, D.C.-based education foundation Cable in the Classroom found that 85 percent of parents and legal guardians of children who go online said they have talked to their child in the past year about how to behave on the internet.

Read more...

Related links

Cable in the Classroom survey

New Poll Finds That Parents Are Taking Proactive Steps to Keep Kids Safe and Smart on the Web

Download a Presentation on the Results

Source: eSchool News and Common Sense Media

Stephen Downes talk at the Brandon Hall; Innovations in Learning Conference, San Jose, September 25, 2007

This entry is a follow up to an earlier post: Slideshow by Stephen Downes delivered to Brandon Hall; Innovations in Learning Conference

Audio from Stephen Downes talk at the Brandon Hall; Innovations in Learning Conference, San Jose, September 25, 2007 is now available.

Link: Audio

Source: Stephen's Web

Stephen Downes talk at the Brandon Hall; Innovations in Learning Conference, San Jose, September 25, 2007

This entry is a follow up to an earlier post: Slideshow by Stephen Downes delivered to Brandon Hall; Innovations in Learning Conference

Audio from Stephen Downes talk at the Brandon Hall; Innovations in Learning Conference, San Jose, September 25, 2007 is now available.

Link: Audio

Source: Stephen's Web

Editor's Hand Picked Headline News

Computer Simulations as Effective Learning Scenarios

Inquiry learning with computer simulations facilitates the education process through experimentation and scientific reasoning. With simulations, students change variables and observe effects in order to form conclusions. Through this process students discover principles, rules, and characteristics of scientific phenomena. So say researchers from the University of Twente, NL, in new guidelines for teachers that provide practical recommendations for improved deployment ICT in secondary schools.
Read more...

Related links
The complete guidelines
Computer Supported Inquiry Learning

Source: CHECKpoint eLearning

Fireworks in Student Learning by Michael J. Canino
The best education is self-motivated self-education. That occurs when a student is motivated to the point that she works to learn all she can on a particular subject. Technology can be the catalyst in motivating just that type of student learning. Adobe Fireworks CS3, for example, can be the spark that motivates students to better learning.
Read more...

Related link
Adobe Fireworks CS3

Source: TechLEARNING


Cultural Exchange: LMS Bonds Texas Students with Denmark
By Linda L. Briggs

In an example of bridging vast cultural divides through technology, students from a conservative Catholic high school in Texas are learning from college students in Denmark, and vice versa, through a Blackboard-based exchange launched last year.
The program was implemented to strengthen cultural, communication, technology, and language skills among students at Denmark's Roskilde Handelsskole, a student from Texas' Brownwood Senior High, and students at The Oratory Academy in tiny Pharr, Texas. Students collaborated and learned from each other through relatively low-tech asynchronous, moderated discussion board exchanges.
Read more...


Related links
Project Description
Region 4 Educational Service Center
Texas Virtual School
Roskilde Handelsskole


Source: T.H.E. Journal

Editor's Hand Picked Headline News

Computer Simulations as Effective Learning Scenarios

Inquiry learning with computer simulations facilitates the education process through experimentation and scientific reasoning. With simulations, students change variables and observe effects in order to form conclusions. Through this process students discover principles, rules, and characteristics of scientific phenomena. So say researchers from the University of Twente, NL, in new guidelines for teachers that provide practical recommendations for improved deployment ICT in secondary schools.
Read more...

Related links
The complete guidelines
Computer Supported Inquiry Learning

Source: CHECKpoint eLearning

Fireworks in Student Learning by Michael J. Canino
The best education is self-motivated self-education. That occurs when a student is motivated to the point that she works to learn all she can on a particular subject. Technology can be the catalyst in motivating just that type of student learning. Adobe Fireworks CS3, for example, can be the spark that motivates students to better learning.
Read more...

Related link
Adobe Fireworks CS3

Source: TechLEARNING


Cultural Exchange: LMS Bonds Texas Students with Denmark
By Linda L. Briggs

In an example of bridging vast cultural divides through technology, students from a conservative Catholic high school in Texas are learning from college students in Denmark, and vice versa, through a Blackboard-based exchange launched last year.
The program was implemented to strengthen cultural, communication, technology, and language skills among students at Denmark's Roskilde Handelsskole, a student from Texas' Brownwood Senior High, and students at The Oratory Academy in tiny Pharr, Texas. Students collaborated and learned from each other through relatively low-tech asynchronous, moderated discussion board exchanges.
Read more...


Related links
Project Description
Region 4 Educational Service Center
Texas Virtual School
Roskilde Handelsskole


Source: T.H.E. Journal