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A 2006 special issue on "Innovation in Distance Learning Technologies in Developing Countries": The high population density, limited resources and infrastructure in the developing world make distance education an appealing alternative to deliver education to the vast number of people. Several distance learning technologies are being used in the world and number of technological advancements are being researched in the developed world. Due to the limited resources these technological advancements are not filtered into the developing countries. However, there have been many innovations in distance learning technologies carried out in the developing countries. Most of these innovations focus on getting the maximum benefit from the existing resources. This special issue on "Innovation in Distance Learning Technologies in Developing Countries" covers some of these innovations carried out in different parts of the developing world. --EHS

"The Google Teacher Academy is a FREE professional development experience designed to help primary and secondary educators from around the globe get the most from innovative technologies. Each Academy is an intensive, one-day event where participants get hands-on experience with Google's free products and other technologies, learn about innovative instructional strategies, receive resources to share with colleagues, and immerse themselves in an innovative corporate environment. Upon completion, Academy participants become Google Certified Teachers who share what they learn with other primary and secondary educators in their local region." To get into the Academy, you must submit a one-minute video--more instructions on the page.

"How are schools working to encourage the next generation of innovators? By developing unique, project-based learning opportunities that foster students' passion and creativity, teachers are promoting innovation and Deeper Learning. Deeper learning experiences help students master core academic content, think critically, solve complex problems, work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and engage in self-directed learning. " Good blog article showing the importance of PBL

Argues that art is not a luxury, but a crucial part of the scientific processes that lead to innovation and invention. Send this article to you school board and congresspersons.

Teaching via videoconferencing: Many of the chapters focus on an innovative program in Uruguay for primary grade children. Others include case studies from the UK, Argentina, Mexico, and Iraq. This is a free download (.pdf).

Pupils have a say in what their classroom will be. "HIGH TECH: 21st century classroom on the horizon Pupils have say in their future - by John Thorne in Mid Devon Gazette - 6/11/01 Primary school pupils have been given the opportunity to say what they think a high-tech 21st century classroom should contain. The pupils took part in a technology day at Chulmleigh Community College, which has been chosen as the site for a pioneering classroom of the future project, along with Witheridge and Winkleigh primary schools. Devon County Council has been awarded £900,000 by the Department for Education and Skills for the innovative scheme. It aims to help boost learning opportunities for children and adults in rural communities. Devon is one of 12 local authorities selected following an invitation by the Government to councils to come up with plans for a classroom of the future. Each of the three schools would be equipped with the latest computers, audio and video technology. This would allow pupils and adult learners to benefit from video links with experts at three of Devon's technology colleges, including Queen Elizabeth's at Crediton. They would be able to take lessons or give lectures without moving from their home base. The idea is to provide greater learning opportunities for people living in rural areas and help to cut down social exclusion in isolated communities."

"Innovative educators know they have to update classroom management strategies in the modern classroom. Here are twelve strategies to do just that."

Homepage of Yaho Reinders. "If you have an interest in innovation in education, in the role of technology, in Learner Autonomy and Self-Access, or in Teacher Education and Second Language Acquisition, you have come to the right place. On this site you will find articles, research reports, bibliographies, a blog, and many other resources. You can also find information about engaging me as a speaker at your conference, or for (staff) development projects."

"There is some good free content on BIE. The most notable of that free content being their rubrics for assessing critical thinking skills, collaboration, presentation, and creativity and innovation in project based learning assignments. The rubrics are available with or without Common Core alignment. You can download the rubrics as PDFs or Word documents."

"The invention of the LMS (Learning Management System) was a mistake. And here I'm not going to make the same frustrated argument made numerous times before now that LMSs are limiting structures, that their interface and functionalities control how teachers teach online (although those things are true). The LMS was a mistake because it was premature. In a world that was just waking up to the Internet and the possibility of widely-networked culture, the LMS played to the lowest common denominator, creating a "classroom" that allowed learning -- or something like learning -- to happen behind tabs, in threaded discussions, and through automated quizzes. The LMS was not a creative decision, it was not pushing the capabilities of the Internet, it was settling for the least innovative classroom practice and repositioning that digitally. As a result classes taught within its structure generally land with a dull thud. No matter how creative and inspired the teacher or pedagogue behind the wheel, the LMS is no match for the wideness of the Internet. It was born a relic -- at its launch utterly irrelevant to its environment and its user." Very thought-provoking article on how digital pedagogy really differs from just "teaching online."

This is a teacher training simulation/game that helps recreate the realities of teaching. A European Lifelong Learning Programme project. The trainee contols and avatar that interacts with student avatars in a virtual classroom where a series of situations arise that challenge pedagogical skills. The first example deals with teaching biology.

""Most early-childhood classrooms in the United States," writes Paul Tough in his new book How Children Succeed, "are designed to develop in children a set of pre-academic skills, mostly related to deciphering text and manipulating numbers." Nevertheless, research conducted in the last few years suggests that stuffing this kind of information into a child's head is not the most important task in those early years. "What matters, instead, is whether we are able to help her develop a very different set of qualities, a list that includes persistence, self-control, curiosity, conscientiousness, grit, and self-confidence." How Children Succeed describes the new discoveries and reports on the ways innovative educators are developing techniques to help children develop these traits. The interview lasts about 30 minutes. "

"Abstract: Knowledge sharing and creation are considered key processes leading to innovation and organizational performance. Several organizational initiatives have focused on building communities of practice in order to create a platform where employees can share experiences and insights. The focus in this paper is on one type of network structure, termed distributed networks of knowledge (DNoK). The success of such practices is deeply linked to whether or not formalization of the networks can hamper their knowledge creation and creativity. The role of leadership has been extensively discussed in the setting of communities of practice. However, this paper intends to shed new light on the topic by exploring the boundary management perspective in order to enable knowledge sharing and creation within this specific context of DNoK. To this end, we have examined the role of leadership styles in different DNoKs in a multinational firm." More related to business CoPs, but of interest.

Good articles on video conferencing and pedagogy of online teaching.

"Editing an image is very popular these days due to the innovation of graphic software programs that will allow us to create computer arts from scratch. However, we could also enhance, add some cool effects and customize the look of our images easily without having the need of these soft wares through the online photo editors. An online photo editor tool allows us to edit and manipulate a photo in the Web Browser. This is more advantageous compared to the softwares for editing an image as this could not consume much of the memory of your desktop and the processing is done faster by the server. With just a few clicks, we could now be able to customize our own photos, create funny photos from our pictures or even feature ourselves in a magazine cover like that of a celebrity."

A pdf book with papers and articles describing pedagogic models and approaches to developing the VITAE e-portfolio "Chapter 1: Teacher competence development - a European perspective, Chapter 2: The VITAE Approach, Chapter 3: Exploring Web 2.0 and Mentoring as Tools for Lifelong Learning, Chapter 4: Guided course development on the basis of an e-learning patterns template, Chapter 5: Fun and Games in professional development, Chapter 6: The VITAE e-portfolio - a catalyst for enhanced learning, Chapter 7: Community-based mentoring and innovating through Web 2.0, Chapter 8: Web 2.0 - Learning Culture and Organisational Change,"

"Abstract: The course management system (CMS) reinforces the status quo and hinders substantial teaching and learning innovation in higher education. It does so by imposing artificial time limits on learner access to course content and other learners, privileging the role of the instructor at the expense of the learner, and limiting the power of the network effect in the learning process. The open learning network (OLN)-a hybrid of the CMS and the personal learning environment (PLE)-is proposed as an alternative learning technology environment with the potential to leverage the affordances of the Web to dramatically improve learning. Author Name(s): Jon Mott David Wiley"

Good summary of how to ask for student questions on their own papers. An old technique that goes back to Peter Elbow.

A pdf file which discusses critical issues with referenced support. the 5 issues are (predictably): 1.Create competency based education systems 2. Improve student access and equity 3. Measure and assure quality inputs and outputs 4. Support innovative educators 5. Support new learning models through connectivity, data systems, security. (Sounds like that last is thrown together...

The activities include hyperlinking documents, a gallery walk with QR codes, sharing documents and pictures related to readings, connecting with other classes around the world, etc. Has ideas for kindergartners as well as teens and adults. Drawing and maps projects as well.