My blog, WordPress, etc.
Each week after I send these newsletters out, i post them to my blog. I added a tag cloud to the site which will make it easier to find previous topics. I use WordPress to do this, as well as act as my personal web site. It is a great tool, easy to use, and provided to VCU faculty for free here. There is currently a big project going on with the special ed group using it, and i am working with Hilary Hughes-Decatur as well on a project to incorporate it with her students. If you need help getting started with it, or would like to use it with your students, don’t hesitate to contact me. You can also find tutorials on using it in Atomic Learning.
MITx – A Very Big Deal
MIT (the university) has led the way for open and free education, primarily with their OpenCourseWare Project. Now, they are taking things a step further with MITx, which is schedule to debut Spring 2012, and which some are saying will disrupt higher ed as we know it. While you can click the links provided here to get more detailed information, the general idea is course material will be offerred for free to anyone, just like their OpenCourseWare project, but now people can also pay a “very affordable” rate and prove mastery of the content, and earn a certificate from MITx. There is no application process and no prerequisits. The system is also completely open and free for other Universities or K12 organizations to download and use.
We have GoToMeeting now
I have worked with VCU Technology Services to acquire GoToMeeting for the School of Education. GoToMeeting allows you to hold an online meeting. You can organize meetings for up to 25 people (which makes this a possible tool for class usage). Participants in the meeting can join through an internet connection and a computer; they do not have to pay anything. Participants can also simply use a telephone to dial in conference call style. You can display your computer’s screen for everyone to see and allow participants to display theirs. We are the first school to be involved in this project at VCU. I have used GoToMeeting extensively over the last year or so, and it consistently works well. If anyone is interested in getting an account please contact me and I will meet with you to set it up.
Quick FaceBook Stories of the Week
Should teachers friend their students? vs Cool use of Facebook for instruction vs Teacher fan pages vs This is one of the most sensible Supts i have ever heard talk about technology
Quick List of the Week
The Hot Ed Tech topics of 2012 will be……
Quick How to teach STEM content better story of the Week
I know I might sound like a broken record, but digital fabrication is going to be a big deal when it comes to STEM instruction. This article illustrates the use of the unbelievably cool 3D printers that are available now. If you are still underwhelmed with this technology, check out this video
Quick Cute Kid Pic of the Week
My daughter really wanted to go on the big tubing course at Wintergreen over the holidays, but she was too small…..or was she? With the help of my hat, we got her to 42 inches high, and they let her go. She had a blast.
