Archive for April, 2006
April 30th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Top 6 Keys to Being a Successful Teacher. ‘The most successful teachers share some common characteristics. Here are the top six keys to being a successful teacher. Every teacher can benefit from focusing on these important qualities. Success in teaching, as in most areas of life, depends almost entirely on your attitude and your approach.’
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April 28th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
‘Interactive teaching’ engages learners. ‘A wireless handheld technology similar to the remote control you use to control your television set is transforming large, impersonal college lecture courses into dynamic, interactive learning labs. Although initiated mostly in colleges, this style of instruction - dubbed “interactive teaching” by its proponents–has potential far beyond the lecture hall.’
No Wrong Answer: Click It
EDUCAUSE Pocket Edition #4: Clickers (mp3)
What is Interactive Teaching? ‘The first thing to realize about interactive teaching is that it is NOT something new or mysterious. If you are a teacher and you ask questions in class, assign and check homework, or hold class or group discussions, then you already teach interactively. Basically then (in my book), interactive teaching is just giving students something to do, getting back what they have done, and then assimilating it yourself, so that you can decide what would be best to do next.’
April 27th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Instructional Design Models. ‘Models, like myths and metaphors, help us to make sense of our world. Whether derived from whim or from serious research, a model offers its user a means of comprehending an otherwise incomprehensible problem. An instructional design model gives structure and meaning to an I.D. problem, enabling the would-be designer to negotiate her design task with a semblance of conscious understanding. Models help us to visualize the problem, to break it down into discrete, manageable units. The value of a specific model is determined within the context of use. Like any other instrument, a model assumes a specific intention of its user. A model should be judged by how it mediates the designer’s intention, how well it can share a work load, and how effectively it shifts focus away from itself toward the object of the design activity.’
April 27th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
UMassOnline Awarded National Grant to Study Statewide Access to its Programs. ‘The Sloan Foundation, a national association that promotes online learning standards, has awarded UMassOnline a planning grant to help expand access to the University of Massachusetts. The planning grant will help UMassOnline to develop new models of e-learning to maximize the local and regional advantages of the five campuses. UMassOnline, which has 21,000 enrollments and offers 60 degree and certificate programs completely online, has grown dramatically since it was launched five years ago. UMassOnline offers programs from the five campuses in the system - Amherst, Dartmouth, Boston, Lowell and the Medical School in Worcester.
UMassOnline
April 27th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Top U.S. universities failing in online privacy. ‘A new national survey of top-ranked universities and colleges shows these schools’ online privacy policies aren’t nearly as stellar as their scholastics. Many fail to properly secure sensitive data and to adequately explain just what happens to information provided during online transactions. The survey involved examinations of some 175,000 Web pages from schools listed in the 2004 issue of U.S. News and World Report listing America’s best colleges. Automated probes of Web pages by technology partner Watchfire Corp., which specializes in online risk management software, crawled pages originating from each school’s home page and undergraduate admissions, human resource and athletics sections.’
Survey of Online Privacy Practices in Higher Education (PDF)
April 26th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
USNews and World Report E-Learning Guide. ‘USNews.com’s E-Learning Guide lays out detailed information gathered directly from more than 2,800 traditional colleges and virtual universities. Select one of the options below to find the online degree or certificate that’s right for you.’
April 26th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
‘Berkeley on iTunes U’ available to the public. ‘Apple’s iTunes U program enables colleges and universities to post audio and video educational content online. While some universities restrict access to posted content specifically to their students and faculty, the University of California, Berkeley has done one better — it’s announced that Berkeley on iTunes U is available to the public, as well as all UC Berkeley students.’
Podcast classes put Berkeley within reach of the world
April 23rd, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Colleges That Admit Homeschoolers. ‘Every year homeschoolers are admitted to hundreds of colleges in at least five countries. Those who prepare thoroughly can be admitted with full scholarships at those selective colleges that some parents daydream about their children attending. Read on to find out which colleges have admitted homeschooled children, and continue to the linked subpages to find out more about how to get into the college of your choice.’
April 23rd, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Boys Are No Match for Girls in Completing High School. ‘Nationwide, about 72 percent of the girls in the high school class of 2003 — but only 65 percent of the boys — earned diplomas, a gender gap that is far more pronounced among minorities, according to a report being released today by the Manhattan Institute. The report, “Leaving Boys Behind: Public High School Graduation Rates,” found that 59 percent of African-American girls, but only 48 percent of African-American boys, earned their diplomas that year. Among Hispanics, the graduation rate was 58 percent for girls, but only 49 percent for boys.’
April 23rd, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Webcasts connect kids to science, nature. ‘Next Tuesday, April 25, students and teachers will have the chance to take part in two separate online learning activities that aim to engage students in science: a webcast and online chat about genetics and the Human Genome Project, and a live internet broadcast from Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.’
Microsoft Live Meeting webcasts for education. ‘The Microsoft Education Solutions Technology Group is pleased to present TechTalks—Live Meeting webcasts designed to provide you with technical information on key products and solutions from Microsoft and its partners. From teaching and learning and the business of schools to student lifestyle, join us for these hour-long sessions to learn more about how Microsoft is helping administrators, educators, and students realize their potential in the 21st century.
April 22nd, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Educational Toy Store Launches New Resource for Teachers and Homeschools. ‘Fat Brain Toys, an online educational store, has launched the Educator’s Corner, a new resource providing teachers and homeschools with free lesson plans, message boards, and educational products. After hearing from scores of educators how valuable their toys have been in the classroom, Fat Brain Toys recently launched the “Educator’s Corner”, an innovative component of their website tailored specifically to the needs of educators. It offers research-based, practical applications for homeschool and traditional teachers, valuable wisdom for educating children…along with over 2,000 mind stimulating toys and games for kids of all ages.’
Fat Brain Toys: Educator’s Corner
April 19th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Educational “Innovation” v. Educational Innovation. ‘Education has historically been plagued by a surfeit of innovation. In their influential volume Tinkering Towards Utopia, Stanford University professors David Tyack and Larry Cuban documented the longstanding persistence of oversold educational innovation, almost none of which has yielded significant reform. Rather than a solution to what ails public schooling, educational innovation has often been a symptom of incoherent systems and perverse incentives. Unable to affect or to demonstrate significant improvements in performance, and allured by trying something new and exciting rather than wading into resistant organizations, leaders have adopted a continuous stream of silver bullets.’
Tinkering Toward Utopia: A Century of Public School Reform (aff)
