eLearning

MassCUE: Connecting the Dots

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Connecgtng the Dots

I spent the day in Marlborough, Massachusetts Connecting the Dots with others investigating some of the hot issues in education.  We rotated through 35 minute discussions and shared challenges, information, ideas and best practices with our peers from around the region.

This event also featured a special keynote, Ron Crouch, who with his amazing ability with numbers helped us better understand the demographics of our region and how that information will shape the needs of the area education organizations in the months and years to come.

 Ron’s presentation was fascinating and I am still absorbing the pages of information and data he shared.

More than just a briefing, this fast paced planning session brought together K-12 district and Department of Education staff to discuss, reflect, and prepare for what is to come.  

I participated in roundtable group discussions on topics such as:

•   Classroom Technologies
•   Funding Challenges and Opportunities
•   Professional Development
•   Social Media
•   Online Learning and Digital Content

It was a day well worth the foggy drive out east.

I am looking forward to presenting at the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators’ [MassCUE’s] 2011 Annual Technology Conference, This 2-day event-October 26 & 27th, 2011- is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents [M.A.S.S.].

MassCUE 2011

Working With The Hampshire Educational Collaborative [HEC]

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Learning Algebraic Relations and Functions

Over the last 3 months I have been working with The Hampshire Educational Collaborative [HEC] developing a new Online Algebra course geared towards high school students looking to recover credit for Algebra. This is a pilot program, we are currently working with Western Massachusetts School Districts to test this course.

This is not the Algebra I remember, in fact had I had this type of interactivity available when I was learning Algebra, I firmly believe I would now remember more of my Algebra.  It is amazing how the Algebra is presented….and all online.

I also worked on creating an eLearning Coaches online course, whereas learning coaches [some of whom are Algebra teachers, some specialist teachers-all of whom have enormous amounts of patience] were taught [and refreshed] in learning skills.  To assist the Algebra students in learning approaches to studying, problem-solving and sometimes basic time management skills.  All fabulous skills & habits for the 21st Century.

Additionally, I maintain a blog which is where I also lodge other pertinent research.

Joining The Institute for Digital Media Arts [IDMA]

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IMDA Home Page

Another group I am happy & proud to be working with is  The Institute for Digital Media Arts [IDMA].   I am creating a Web Design Diploma for them.

  • The Web Design Diploma offers students the opportunity to explore the design of websites, interactive media, and other digital technologies. Following a project-based curriculum, students will immediately gain knowledge and learn skills about tools and technologies used in designing and creating digital products.
  • Student studies will focus on design, functionality, target audience, and user experience. The studies will remain grounded in the fundamentals of information architecture, basic front and back end web development, and interactive media design.
  • These courses are developed to be presented completely online.

Fun and exciting times, online.

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More FREE Tools

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Three big concepts will be pushing e-learning:

  • Clouds
  • Mobile
  • Wireless

Then there are open source applications and FREE tools to create with.  Audacity, Jing, Screencast are a few that come to mind.  Today, I learned about:

  • Podbean: An ultra simple podcast publishing solution.
  • Voki: See sample below.
  • Voicethread–Transforming media into collaborative spaces with video, voice, and text commentingwhich actually has a free version as well as a pay version.  Check out what it can do here.  Think threaded discussion, with images, interaction, audio, video….it’s amazing!

Here’s what Voki can do.  Voki is a free service that allows you to create personalized speaking avatars and use them on your blog, profile, and in email messages.  Watch how I follow your cursor……wild.  Think of the fun you and your students can have.

Get a Voki now!