Group items tagged

This journal article looks at using Wikis in classrooms, and offers suggestions with regard to how to go about getting started.

This reminded me of discussions we had in the Research Practices class about how to use notebooks to capture ideas, and I thought it might be useful to folks. "Why I Keep an Idea Notebook October 26, 2010, 8:00 am By Natalie Houston The simple practice of keeping an idea notebook has been absolutely essential to my research and writing over the years, and it's something I often recommend to thesis students and others who are starting a large complex project. I designate a small spiral notebook as my idea catcher. It's not for writing notes from texts or critical sources that I'm using, or for writing formal drafts. Instead, it's for capturing my own ideas, which sometimes can seem elusive at certain stages of the writing process. I teach students several forms for distinguishing their own ideas from those of others in the note-taking process (such as writing a precis or using Cornell-style notes), and I use similar strategies myself. But the idea notebook is for those ideas that occur to you at odd moments of the day - usually when you're not at your desk. Of course, your cell phone, smartphone, netbook, tablet, or other mobile device undoubtedly has one or more notepad or notetaking functions. You could also use Evernote to create an always-with-you "notebook." But personally, I find that that the analog notebook works better for me for this purpose, both for quickly capturing my thoughts (I can scribble faster than I can Swype) and for skimming through old entries. Some specific ways I use my idea notebook include: * Jotting down questions, thoughts, and ideas that relate to my current research or possible future projects. I typically get better ideas while I'm cooking or exercising than I do when I sit down at my desk to think about something. * Noting problems, questions, and doubts I have during the research process. Often I find my way to a solution while writing about the problem in just a few minutes. It's also helpful

(access full PDF via Umass databases page to SAGE journals online) "In this article we delve into the potential learning capacity inherent in project-based organizations derived from conclusions drawn from action research as well as extensive field experience. We propose project-based learning as a means to deal with the challenge of sustainable growth of learning capacity, i.e. developing learning capabilities that enable reasoning beyond the short term; knowledge creation and sharing beyond the individual or team. Based on stories from the field, we explore the distinguishing features of project-based learning and ways in which project-based learning can be instrumental in building communities of reflective practitioners."

This is an interesting perspective on learning styles and options. I've experienced working in a Charter School with this philosophy, project based learning, which of course is appealing to some learners, but not all. It is an excellent option to pursue for particular students who may thrive in this learning environment, where they might otherwise flounder in a traditional setting. It would be nice to see this option incorporated more widely in regular public schools in addition to traditional tracks (business, college prep, vocational education). Mary Ann p.s. E.K. READ THIS ONE!

Dean Ornish's organization. Journal artciles evaluating effects

"Jenny W. Rudolph, PhD, VA Boston Healthcare System"

This article looks at the training of trainers, and also touches a lot on what elements make for effective staff training, and in that program integrity.

This article describes a brief history of Action research within education, ethical issues around informed consent, confidentiality, discipline standards, conflicts and recommendations are included. By: Amanda Nolen and Jim Vander Putten

This article discusses how people with intellectual disabilities are still denied rights despite laws that are in place to prevent this. Staff and individuals with disabilities reported different restrictions and different effects restrictions had. The results of this study and the questionnaire used in this study has changed the system to better ensure that human rights are protected.

This is the journal/report of a computer science teacher at a private school who redesigned his classes, moving away from a grades- and information-based model toward an adaptive learning, self-motivating, community-of-scholars, discovery approach. He designed it as an ongoing action-research project for his graduate degree. The narrative is easy to follow and good things happen.