Big, proprietary systems. Names like Microsoft, Oracle, and yes,
BlackBoard jump to mind. Continue reading ‘Large Software Systems Evolve But Not Fast Enough’
Archive for August, 2004
While video game-based simulation is gaining ground in interactive, multi-user distributed online learning, underlying ethical and philosophical issues remain unaddressed. These are, in some cases, quite troubling, because learner lives can be at stake. In other cases, profound issues dealing with instructional strategies and design are often only tangentially touched upon. This article identifies the ethical issues involved in using simulation in education and training, explores some of the conceptual and philosophical bases, and proposes ways to address the problems and adjust instructional strategies. Continue reading ‘The Ethics of Video Game-Based Simulation’
This is part 1 in a series which profiles the content, scope, and orientation of e-learning blogs that catch my eye. These largely unheralded resources are absolute treasure troves, mainly due to the insights and comments of the blog owners, who create open communities of practice with their willingness to share, exchange, and (sometimes) rant. I’ve noticed a disturbing trend, however, inasmuch as fewer blogs link to other blogs, and syndication is, in some circles, becoming a thing of the past. Why? That might be worth exploring.
Continue reading ‘E-Learning Blogs This Month, Part I’
This is part 1 in a series which profiles the content, scope, and orientation of e-learning blogs that catch my eye. These largely unheralded resources are absolute treasure troves, mainly due to the insights and comments of the blog owners, who create open communities of practice with their willingness to share, exchange, and (sometimes) rant. I’ve noticed a disturbing trend, however, inasmuch as fewer blogs link to other blogs, and syndication is, in some circles, becoming a thing of the past. Why? That might be worth exploring. Continue reading ‘e-Learning Blogs This Month, Part I’
Four more e-learning blogs profiled, ranging from the chatty and personable Michael Feldstein’s e-literate to Jane Knight’s e-program lifesaver, the e-learningcentre, to overwhelmingly encyclopedic e-learningguru and elearnopedia. All are outstanding and a huge service to the community. They encourage the sharing of knowledge and collaborations. Now, if I could only keep my “marketing brain-flashes” to myself (!). Oh well.
Continue reading ‘e-Learning Blogs This Month, Part 2′
Recently, USA TODAY ran
an interesting article about the declining Protestant majority in America. At present, only 52% of Americans consider themselves Protestant and that number is shrinking. On the rise are those who have no religion, consider themselves “just Christian,” and non-Christian religions. As political scientist Corwin Smidt noted, this “Growing pluralism forces an examination of our commonality,” he says. “How do we find basis for agreement” in schools, neighborhoods and voting booths? It’s a lot more complicated now.”
Continue reading ‘Protestant Majority Slips: A Sign of Things to Come in the LMS Wars’
Directing a film ain’t easy. But financing one can sometimes be impossible.
Continue reading ‘Cutting Us a Break: Editing Software for Aspiring Moviemakers’
Digital Barter Economies
One of the most important trends in Internet usage finds people auctioning, file-sharing, and using friend-of-a-friend social networking to build digital barter economies. These social swap nets help like-minded members pool digital resources –
music, movies, games, even hardcover books.
My K-5 classroom experience with computers was limited to occasional rounds of Math Blaster and an abnormal obsession with Oregon Trail on which I spent countless hours fording rivers while my fictitious family died off from such dated diseases as diphtheria and dysentery. And of course I dabbled in pursuing conniving Carmen Sandiego and her minions across the world, space and time. Later, in junior high and high school, teachers herded us in field-trip fashion down to the computer lab for research projects. However, the emphasis on computers in my K-12 world was never significant; during my tenure in the pre-college education system computers in the classroom were merely a novelty, not a necessity.
Continue reading ‘When It Comes to Technology in the Classroom: Who’s Teaching Whom?’
Loading ...