Saturday, January 30, 2010

What is Science Buddies

What is Science Buddies, according to their website, “it is Hands-on scientific investigations are acknowledged to be the best way to teach science literacy. Science Buddies supports these activities by providing free science fair project ideas, answers, and tools to teachers, parents, and students from all walks of life. Our objective is to save our users' time while guiding them to a successful outcome.
By reducing the hassles of doing a science fair project, Science Buddies aspires to improve project quality and increase science fair participation, turning a good learning experience into a great one.” This site has many good k12 resources to help student to develop a science fair project.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Google Apps Education Edition

Learn about all of the features and benefits of Google Apps Education Edition. In this recorded online seminar, you will Hear why other organizations have made the switch


Wednesday, January 27, 2010

"The journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step." Confucius

"The journey of one thousand miles begins with a single step." Confucius

I think this quote is well fit to education and the reforms that we need in education. In today's world we want change to be instant. Educational change is not quick it is the thousand mile journey and the only way to complete this journey is with a single step followed by another and another until we have walked a thousand miles. Only then will we have made a difference in student learning.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Characteristics of successful online learners:

Here is a list of Characteristics of successful online learners as publised on in this document

http://www.mivu.org/LinkClick.aspx fileticket=T/deTj6Qdsw=&tabid=373

1. Self-motivated: Students who can direct their own learning environment, fulfill course requirements and achieve individual academic success.

2. Independent learner: The online environment enables students to learn at their own pace, whether it’s traditional, extended or accelerated, relieving the stress of feeling rushed or pressured and providing enjoyment in the learning process.

3. Computer literate: Although it’s not necessary to have advanced computer skills, students should possess a working knowledge of electronic email, the Internet and basic keyboarding skills.

4. Time management: Students must be able to organize and plan their own best “time to learn.” There is no one best time for everyone, but the key to learning is to commit the time to learn.

5. Effective writing skills: Students must use electronic email to communicate with their peers as well as their instructors. The ability to write clearly in order to communicate ideas and assignments is very important to student success as well as a means to inform instructors of any concerns or problems.

6. Personal commitment: Since there are no bells that begin and end classes, students must have a strong desire to learn and achieve knowledge and skills via online courses. Making a commitment to learn in this manner is a very personal decision and requires a strong commitment to participate in order to achieve academic success.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Mobile Computing

Mobile Computing - Stands to take the K12 educational environment by storm over the next 12 to 24 months. So as a k-12 educator you need to look at how you will Incorporate these devices into your learning environment instead of how we keep them out of the school day. Here is a video that talks about how they are being brought into and used in Western Ill. College.

Gesture-based computing

Gesture-based computing - The 2010 Horizon Report is an attempted to look into a crystal ball and tell us what the next educational trend will be. I think Gesture-based computing will be one of these new trends. Did you see minority report? If you did you will remember the part in the movie were Tom Curse is manipulating a computer on a huge wall screen with movements of his hands. one of the weakest components of the computer is the human input interfaces that we use to manipulate what we want them to-do. The voice interface is not perfected and this looks to be one of the next user interfaces that will be come common palace in the next three to five years. Attached to this blog below is a short video demonstrating the Gesture-based computing.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Confucius Quote about learning

Confucius Quote about learning

What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I understand. -Confucius
I think this saying is very poetic in talking about schools and classroom lecturing. If we just lecture we will not have long-term learning. When you see it you may remember it longer. But if you really want to understand a subject do it and do it again this helps commit it to long-term learning. Now if you want to take it one step further then teach what you know to someone else. If you feel proficient in what you have learned this is good but it takes on the next level of learning to be able to teach someone else.