CTLT and Friends

"If you're wondering what use Google's new Wave tool might have for teaching, one online-learning leader has an answer: combining classes from different colleges."

An article on budget cuts by Ed Lazowska, who holds the Gates Chair in Computer Science and Engineering at UW. Dr Lazowska states that "the principal role of great public universities is to provide socioeconomic upward mobility to the citizens of their states," and claims that the "capacity" of UW and other bachelor-granting institutions is insufficient and shrinking. Many questionable assumptions

The real drive behind accountability....

"Those who are involved with assessment are unfortunately not immune to unethical practices. Abuses in preparing students to take tests as well as in the use and interpretation of test results have been widely publicized. Misuses of test data in high-stakes decisions, such as scholarship awards, retention/promotion decisions, and accountability decisions, have been reported all too frequently. Even claims made in advertisements about the success rates of test coaching courses have raised questions about truth in advertising. Given these and other occurrences of unethical behavior associated with assessment, the purpose of this digest is to examine the available standards of ethical practice in assessment and the issues associated with implementation of these standards. "

Quote: "In doing so, my students move from superficial to elegant observations about their majors. English majors, who previously said they read literature and wrote papers, come to understand that an English major is also about perspective, and is simultaneously classical and progressive. History majors, who initially discussed reading and research skills, discovered that a prerequisite to the major is being "audaciously curious" and on a search for "truth," despite its elusive nature. They ponder how different the nightly news would be if newsrooms were fully staffed with history majors instead of communication majors. Most important, my students consistently tell me it's the first time they've ever focused on their education-what they've learned and how their majors have influenced their mind-sets, perceptions, and ways of thinking. Once they've had that epiphany, it's amazing how simple it is to teach them to articulate their knowledge to an employer or graduate-school admissions officer."

it is worth a watch, and as a resource

This is well done - many potential applications - a self check, for one, and for use in the myriad of teaching situations we find ourselves in both in work and outside of work.

This is an interesting article about a new study that shows what the title says it does. What concerns me is that some instructors who predominately use an approach to teaching that promotes passive learning will use this as a rationale for not changing how they teach. There is plenty of brain-based research that shows that active learning for a purpose acheives greater attainment of student learning outcomes, no matter one's learning style. And while I've certainly not read tons on learning styles, that that I have read never asserted the need to match teaching to individual learning styles. The point, rather, seemed to be in greater self-awareness so that an individual could actively grow their weak areas. To some extent, the approach to the argument presented in this article is so American - so polarized - so not a useful approach.

Sixth Sense Technology

In case you missed.

The Department of Education and Middle States at odds, and the new scrutiny is revealed.

A recommended resource

Probably worth scoping some of their writings. This little tid-bit may well have substantial implications for our work.

A critical indicator of why I see our work as work with accreditors rather than for accreditors.

Great resource, particularly for work with science and engineering.

Minimally the advocates list suggests that higher ed might qualify for a bail out.

iphone integrated into curriculum?

Framework for Program Evaluation by the CDC This is a good resource for program evaluation. Click through "Steps and Standards" for information on collecting credible evidence and engaging stakeholders.

"much of the thinking and hype surrounding cloud computing is built upon fallacies while ignoring the market realities. Let me outline those fallacies here." Especially note Fallacy #5, which includes a discussion of "trust".

Google Gadget Ventures is a new Google pilot program dedicated to helping developers create richer, more useful gadgets. Inspired by the success of iGoogle, which has been driven by the creation by 3rd-party developers of a broad range of gadgets, Gadget Ventures provides two types of funding: Grants of $5,000 to those who've built gadgets we'd like to see developed further. You're eligible to apply for a grant if you've developed a gadget that's in our gadgets directory and gets at least 250,000 weekly page views. To apply, you must submit a one-page proposal detailing how you'd use the grant to improve your gadget. Seed investments of $100,000 to developers who'd like to build a business around the gadgets platform. Only Google Gadget Venture grant recipients are eligible for this type of funding. Submitting a business plan detailing how you plan to build a viable business around the gadgets platform is a required part of the seed investment application process. It's our hope that Google Gadget Ventures will give developers the opportunity to create a new generation of gadgets to benefit users. ---------- Consider this form of authentic assessment and the metrics they apply.

I ponder these highlights