Source: http://mashable.com/2012/05/06/tech-college-infographic/
Category Archives: technology
edX: Harvard and MIT offer courses online for anyone
Harvard and MIT have teamed up to offer courses online for anyone: http://www.edxonline.org. At this point, they have not stated what courses will be offered. It seems like they are in the very beginning stages of this project.
Details appear to be limited as to how this will really operate. Here is information about the technology used to deliver the courses:
“An open-source online learning platform that will feature teaching designed specifically for the web. Features will include: self-paced learning, online discussion groups, wiki-based collaborative learning, assessment of learning as a student progresses through a course, and online laboratories.”
Now here is one thing I found very interesting:
“The platform will also serve as a laboratory from which data will be gathered to better understand how students learn.”
Essentially what this means: If you sign up and participate in these courses your data CAN be used for research. I assume MIT and Harvard got a grant to develop this and conduct research on it, however, that is not stated from what I saw.
Now here is the most interesting thing in regards to getting credit for taking these courses:
“EdX will be available to anyone in the world with an internet connection, and in general, there will not be an admissions process. For a modest fee, and as determined by the edX board, MIT and Harvard, credentials will be granted only to students who earn them by demonstrating mastery of the material of a subject.
As determined by the edX board, MIT and Harvard, online learners who demonstrate mastery of subjects could earn a certificate of completion, but such certificates would not be issued under the name Harvard or MIT.”
Does that mean the courses are free or will there be a charge? It seems there definitely will be a charge to get the certificate which will not be associated with MIT or Harvard. So I guess the question is, why take these for this certificate? How much will the fee be? What is the value of this certificate (i.e., will anyone recognize it and for what subjects). These questions should seriously be considered by anyone before taking these courses. Even if the courses are offered for free there is still a free for proof that you took it which essentially means these courses are not free.
NYC passes social media law for K-12 Educators
I cannot say this is a bad law. While I wish it wasnt needed, unfortunately there are just so many problems that something like this needs to be in place. In fact, this probably just makes it easier for the teacher to say ‘no’ when their students ask because many students do ask their teachers to be facebook friends and it puts the teacher in an uncomfortable situation. Here is what the law says:
“NYC DOE Teachers cannot use social media accounts unaffiliated to the school on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Flickr to contact students regardless of the nature of the message.”
Source: http://mashable.com/2012/05/02/social-media-student-teacher-contact/
Now the good thing to point out here: These services can still be used as long as its for educational purposes. So the schools are not banning the tools. If they were, I would have a major problem with this. They are simply banning personal connections, which I believe is fine. I warn all of my K-12 pre-service to teachers to say ‘No’ to any student that requests them on facebook. Not that I think its bad in all cases but that it just avoids a potential future problem.
Here is a video on the topic:
Turn your iPhone into a projector
This seems like a very useful device for educators. For only $99 you can display your iPhone on a projector:
Company website: http://thepopvideo.com/popvideo
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/03/pop-video-pico-projector-for-iphone-ipod-touch/
See the product demo here:
Amazon’s Cloud Solution
Amazon is now offering a cloud solution. 5GB space for free and works on both Mac and PC. 20 GB for $20 a year and 50GB for $50 a year. They keep going up levels with 1GB=$1 up to 1000GB for $1000 a year.
Here is the link to Amazon’s cloud service: https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/learnmore
See my breakdown of all cloud services: https://raypastore.com/wordpress/2012/04/cloud-storage-options-which-is-best/
When to design for the mobile device
The following blog post will discuss when you should consider developing instruction for the mobile device. Developing for the mobile device presents several challenges that differ from the PC. Currently, there are not many best design practices recommended in the research, usability is different, and compatibility is a major problem. However, this post will not discuss those issues, I will do so in others posts but instead will focus on when to consider mobile learning in your training solution. Why are we currently developing for the mobile device? Well in some cases we are just doing it for the sake of doing it, not when it is actually warranted as noted by our instructional analysis. The reason I bring this up is because mobile learning is a ‘hot’ topic right now. However, the best uses for mobile delivery are only a very small portion of training but many are trying to use it for all training solutions.
Before developing instruction for the mobile device, I recommend making sure that mobile delivery of the instruction fits into your instructional objectives and strategies. Are you trying to develop for the mobile device so that employees have a option to view this on their iPad or mobile phone? If so, I would develop for the PC. Most instruction that is meant to be viewed on the PC cannot be repackaged for the mobile phone because the instructional objectives just are not meant to be delivered in that medium due to the significant differences in screen size, usability, design options, time for delivery, etc. The mobile device is NOT meant to deliver the same training that the PC can. If you are trying to develop training for both, and both have the same objectives/strategies – then you are cutting corners somewhere and sacrificing quality. They are both used for different reasons and it is these reasons, which are identified in your front end analysis, that mobile based instruction should be considered.
I would develop for the mobile device when employing instruction that is real time – i.e., happening while on the job or on the go. For instance, it is a great way of delivering job aids and real time how to’s. It is also great for delivering training that is mobile, such as training in remote areas (with no wifi) or training solutions that require being on the go. An example would be a child at the zoo – where each animal would reveal information about the animal. A laptop or PC would not be convenient to carry around but a mobile device would work well with this type of instruction. Another example could be a soldier out in the field who needs to learn how to perform a task that they might not be skilled in but needs an immediate solution. It is here that mobile delivery shines. However, normal 1 hr computer based instruction will not shine on the mobile device – it is meant to be viewed on the PC. So you really need to ask yourself: What device makes the most sense for this instruction? If it’s mobile, then develop for mobile; if PC, then develop for PC. However remember that objectives/strategies for each medium will be different and if you are developing using the same objectives/strategies for both you are cutting corners and sacrificing quality.
Mobile Website Design Guidelines
The following video adds depth to my other blog post on mobile website design and presents the rationale behind each of my recommendations:
https://raypastore.com/wordpress/2011/11/mobile-website-development/
TED-ED Videos and Lessons
Now on the TED website (http://ed.ted.com/) you can not only post videos, but you can create quizzes, add materials, and even keep track of your users. Seems pretty cool and is a great way to promote open education. Check out the video that walks you through the new site:
How to share a youtube video on WordPress
The following video walks you through sharing a youtube video on your WordPress blog:
How to browse the web anonymously
Many are concerned with privacy and security these days. While I am not as concerned as others, because I believe no ones really cares what web sites I view, some may be very concerned. Fortunately, there are many free programs and websites out there that allow you to hide your IP address and browse the web anonymously. These are great when on public machines if you were browsing sensitive materials. Many people may not realize that each time you go to a website your ip address, location, etc. are all recorded by that site. Thus if you want to stay private and hidden, these free sites allow you to do so. The great thing is that you do not need to download or install any software. You simply go to one of the following sites below then start browsing the web from their site.
Here are a few sites that allow you to do this for free: