Archive for November, 2006
November 30th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Qualitypedia. ‘The Qualitypedia is a WIKI project of the European Foundation for Quality in eLearning. It is aiming to provide a user driven collection of discussions and information all around the topic of quality in eLearning. The qualitypedia is open to all topics and invites comments and feedback from all sides. It presents all kinds of information – from unstructured thoughts and debates to archives of virtual discussion threads and articles, green papers and short definitions. Everybody is invited to contribute.’
The European Foundation for Quality in eLearning (EFQUEL) is a European membership organisation. Our mission is to enhance the quality of eLearning in Europe by providing services and support for all stakeholders. EFQUEL is built on principles of dialogue and inclusiveness to promote excellence and innovation to achieve Learning Europe. It is an initiative of the Triangle project funded by the European Commission. The portal provides a unique forum for information, research, networking and debate on innovation and best practice in eLearning quality.
Triangle Project. ‘The European Foundation for Quality in E-learning was initiated by Triangle, which is a European Commission funded project. The main objectives are:
- to promote the European diversity of quality approaches and services in the field of learning, education and training,
- to connect results and concepts on European e-learning quality developed in three successful projects,
- to broaden the discussion and discourse on E-Learning quality and
- to provide a sustainable infrastructure as a single entry point for eLearning quality.’
Technorati Tags: Qualitypedia, eLearning, Triangle
November 30th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Toshiba Education Center Launches e-Learning - Technologists and Physicians Access Continuing Education Online. ‘As part of its ongoing commitment to education and training, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. today launched its e-Learning program at the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) annual meeting in Chicago, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, 2006. With this online learning center, Toshiba rounds out its portfolio of education courses, making continuing education and accreditation even more accessible to the medical community.
Toshiba’s e-Learning site is open to all healthcare professionals. Toshiba customers now can register online, at their convenience, for courses at the Toshiba Education Center in Irvine, Calif., giving them the opportunity to schedule training that best suits their busy schedules. Additionally, technologists being cross trained on Toshiba systems will be able to complete preparation guides in advance of their onsite training in Irvine, ensuring that the time spent at the Center is used to maximum efficiency. Customers, as well as those not currently using Toshiba systems, also will have access to an extensive catalog of courses, including principles of diagnostic imaging courses in CT, MR, vascular, cardiology, anatomy and medical ethics. Continuing Education (CE) and Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits can be issued for these courses.’
Toshiba Learning Center. ‘Toshiba’s Learning Center offers healthcare professionals a convenient environment in which to meet your educational needs. Our comprehensive, blended learning curriculum is a combination of traditional and e-learning formats. This new dimension in education accommodates multiple learning styles. A library of learning solutions is available 24/7.’
Technorati Tags: Toshiba, Toshiba Learning Center, eLearning
November 30th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Moodle community releases Moodle 1.7 with major new features. ‘The Moodle community today announced the release of its latest version, Moodle 1.7, to the education community.
The highlight of Moodle 1.7 is a new feature called Roles which allows users to create and manage the capabilities of users within a Moodle site. Gone are the days where predefined roles such as “teacher†or “student†dictate how Moodle is used. Roles allow greater flexibility and control, so that users can be permitted more (or less) rights to create and manage virtually every aspect of the system.
Another feature added to Moodle 1.7 is a standard XML database schema which simplifies support of Moodle on a wide variety of databases. MS SQL and Oracle support have been added to the existing MySQL and PostgreSQL support, and many more databases will be tested in coming versions.’
Moodle 1.7 Release Notes and Downloads
November 30th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Microsoft Launches Distance Learning Initiative. ‘Microsoft launched on Nov. 14 its Microsoft Official Distance Learning initiative (MODL), a blended learning program that uses Microsoft Office Live Meeting to conduct MCT-led classes, which students then reinforce with self-paced homework assignments and scenario exercises.
According to MODL Innovations Product Manager Wendy Johnson, MODL is a more productive and convenient alternative to previous learning program models, which typically cram lessons into a mere five days, and require students to leave their offices for the classroom.’
Microsoft Official Distance Learning. ‘This exciting new learning platform blends online classroom training, live discussion, real-world-based scenarios, and self-directed study into one rich and easy-to-use educational experience—delivered right to your desktop. Microsoft Official Distance Learning (MODL) courses use a proven instructional methodology that attracts professionals who want the interactivity of the classroom and the flexibility of an online course. MODL courses are offered exclusively by authorized Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions, so you can be confident that you are being supported by a qualified organization that meets strict requirements to provide a valuable distance learning experience.’
Microsoft Training Overview
November 28th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
OpenCourseWare Finder. Find open educational resources by typing in the search box or selecting tags. See also:
OpenContent.Org
Open Content Wiki. A place for collaborating on, scheming about, planning for, and developing open educational resources.
November 28th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Course Development. ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Course Development is designed as a resource for individuals with varying levels of course design experience.
Individuals new to higher education can use this site to help design their first classroom based course integrating technology where appropriate.
Experienced instructors, being encouraged to place materials within a learning management system, can use this site to decipher the differences between Web-Presence, Web-Enhanced, Web-Centric and Online courses and how to plan courses for online delivery.
Instructors of online courses, looking for new ideas and ways to improve their course, can use the site to improve content development by finding sources for pre-developed content and ideas to improve student centered learning.
Instructional Designers and Instructional Support Staff can use this site as a reference for themselves or as a resource for the faculty they support.
November 28th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Web Based Learning Resources Library. ‘This page, one of three in the series, is an educators’ resource for delivery and management of education via the Internet.
It focuses on web based learning for higher education, especially for at-distance, adult learners but has application for web based learning in general.
This web site attempts to informally catalog (and occasionally compare, contrast and editorialize on) the tools, topics and issues of interest to those developing for web-based learning initiatives.
November 28th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Four Basic Flash Learning Activities For e-Learning Development (Part 1 of 4 Part Series) by Dana Fine. ‘Flash is a powerful tool that can be used to develop many different types of learning activities, within the context on an online training course. In this series, we will look at the use and construction of four basic learning activities to get you started with your online training content development.
Any number of learning activities can be developed using Flash, with varying levels of difficulty and sophistication. The selection of these four learning activities is by no means exhaustive or definitive. This series provides a framework for how you go from concept to learning-activity development. With each of these learning activities, we will provide a link to a sample for your viewing.’
Part 1: Circle Answer Conditional
Part 2: Drag and Drop, Many to One Correspondence
Part 3: Drag Fill in the Blank
November 24th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
eXe : eLearning XHTML editor. ‘The eXe project is developing a freely available authoring application to assist teachers and academics in the publishing of web content without the need to become proficient in HTML or XML markup. eXe can export content as self-contained web pages or as SCORM 1.2 or IMS Content Packages.
The eXe project was conceived to address the use of technology in the design and authoring of learning resources for the web. Initial research showed that while there are many web authoring tools available their usability and sophistication varied considerably. We identified the need for a tool to specifically assist teachers and academics to publish professional looking web pages according to the structure and form required for good teaching, and in such a way that this content could be integrated with existing LMS applications.
The eXe project proposal was awarded development funding from the Tertiary Education Commission of New Zealand in 2004. Essentially the eXe project looks to build a simple to use editing environment whose architecture is pedagogically robust thereby adding value to existing learning systems.’
Downloads - Releases of eXe for Windows, Mac and Linux are available from Eduforge downloads section.
November 24th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
E-Learning Concepts and Techniques. ‘E-Learning Concepts and Techniques is a collaborative e-book project by Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Instructional Technology students and guest authors. It was a project-based assignment for the online class, E-Learning Concepts and Techniques Spring 2006 and is dedicated in memory of Justin Bennett (1989-2006). It is also dedicated to those who love to learn as well as to those who inspire that love in others.
PDF and RTF files will be available soon.’
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania - Department of Instructional Technology. ‘The Department of Instructional Technology has become a nationally acclaimed, unique program for the preparation of instructional designers, eLearning designers and interactive multimedia developers.
The program integrates extensive experiences in all phases of instructional design: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Students are provided with “hands-on” experiences with authoring, web development, graphics, eLearning, and project management tools.’
November 24th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
12th International Conference on Technology Supported Learning & Training, November 29 - December 1, 2006, Berlin. From the press release: Online Educa Berlin, the 12th International Conference for Technology-Enhanced Learning, will start on November 30, offering a comprehensive agenda. With more than 300 international presentations, workshops, and seminars the conference provides a thorough overview of the state of e-learning worldwide. Speakers and participants at the event come from the corporate sector, from universities and public and private education institutions, as well as from government agencies and public administration.
The organisers have also noticed significantly increased resonance from the international e-learning industry. “We are expecting about 2,000 participants from more than 75 countries worldwide for this year’s conference”, says Rebecca Stromeyer, Managing Director of ICWE GmbH and Project Manager of Online Educa Berlin. “The demand for exhibition space has also gone up. More than 120 international providers from more than 20 countries are represented this year, among them all key players of the e-learning branch.” The entry for the accompanying exhibition at Online Educa Berlin is free of charge.
Topics high on the agenda are games-based learning and simulations, e-inclusion, informal learning, management and leadership development as well as emerging tools and community-based services. The implementation of Information and communication technologies in schools, universities, and other public and private education institutions will also be a major topic. A comprehensive overview of the full conference agenda can be found at www.online-educa.com.
November 20th, 2006 by Jorge Goncalves
Distance Learning Comes to Afghanistan. ‘A San Francisco Bay Area-based group has launched a unique educational program that will improve literacy for children in rural areas of Afghanistan via satellite television. The program, known as Master Teachers by Satellite for Afghanistan, is supported by good-hearted Americans, some of whom were born in Afghanistan.
Beginning in March 2007, satellite television courses will supplement the standard school curriculum for Afghan boys and girls. The classes will be designed for children in the first through third grade. Mulla Nasrudin, a beloved national comic character, as well as Sesame Street-style programming, will be used to help the children learn.’
Master Teachers by Satellite for Afghanistan. MISSION: To supply by satellite television an elementary school & literacy education for every little girl and little boy in Afghanistan who does not have a regular school, including in rural areas where distance and dangerous conditions still obtain, and to provide literacy training for adults who desire it. The literacy and elementary school curriculum will be broadcast 2 hours a day, 6 days a week, 40 weeks a year, in both Pashto and Dari, and be as much as possible like a real school experience.
