Group items tagged

This article looks at the specific strengths of different types of visuals in presentations. The article covers charts, photos, screen captures, comics, infographs, and other various graphics. The author then states how each can better engage your audience.

This journal article dives into the three biggest reservoirs of information based on the principles of connectivism: social networks, online classrooms, and virtual reality learning platforms. The author identifies some of these specific resources and addresses how they relate to connectivism.

I like this article. I like that the author breaks down the reservoirs of information in a graphic. I also like that the author talks about different social media that aren't as common or well-known. The examples of uses of podcasts, virtual learning and mobile devices are interesting in that I never considered using Nintendo DS in that manner.

This is a website I use frequently for many different resources. There are a lot of fun games, songs, craft ideas, graphic organizers, and other helpful thing some of which are free that are created by other teachers.

Comic Master allows you to create your own short graphic novel. Brought to you by 'Reading for Life'

This is a blog post that elaborates on the idea of learning networks and connectivism. The author provides a graphic of her own learning network, showing professional activities, school, friends & family, internet, and books & articles. She details her search for information (connectivism) and how "the web of information expands." She applies Siemens' theory of connectivism to her own evolution as a learner, illustrating that learning is changing and never stops. Further, informal learning is just as important as formal learning.

Online typing game that helps teach kids keyboarding skills. There is also a full downloadable version that has more features, levels, and enhanced graphics. Grab it at http://www.shockwave.com/services/download.jsp?keyword=typershark&promoCode=SiteShockwaveLandingPage

This short article contains a useful graphic that illustrates the difference between using and integrating technology.

I found the Nielson report cited in several of the articles I reviewed and decided to check it out. The Nielson report typically cites was published in 2009 and so instead I retrieved a more recent (2011) report on the state of social media. This is a fascinating graphic display of the synthesis and major findings of research on the use of social media both in the United States and globally. This is important as we consider the needs and possibilities of using the connected learning theories reviewed in our reading. The data gathered reflects a continued rise in access of social networks and blogs across a wide variety of demographics. Information such as 4 out of 5 active Internet users now visit SN and blogs cannot be ignored as we consider the impact this has on instructional design and education technology applications.

MiddleWeb is all about the middle grades - with a sharp focus on teaching and learning in grades 4-8. It is a central location to find resources, commentary and advice from expert teachers and learning leaders, and book reviews.

Chris, Great little site for the middle school environment. The color scheme and graphics composed on the site make it really fun and the ease of the image buttons are great too. Lots of information for students at that age groups to explore.

By Dr. Etienne Wenger tthis is a stong definition oa community of practice with some thought given to implementation.

I especially liked how the CoP was referred to as a joint enterprise that is continually being renegotiated. Isn't that what learning is supposed to be all about? The table listing the relationships between CoP and businesses was interesting. The bootleg relationship does not surprise me at all. This one frustrates me greatly since it only applies to a select group of people who keep many things to themselves. Just think if they were to share some of their knowledge what an impact it could have on the organization. It was good to see the seven different styles of leadership defined, however I believe a good leader would exhibit a bit of each one of these characteristics. Being a leader is not a simple task but it is important to be well rounded.

I like the graphic organizers that are included with the information on communities of practice. The first is almost like a life cycle of a community of practice. Nothing that I read in my research acknowledged that a community of practice may have a timeline on it, so even though it may be implied, it was nice to actually see it in print. The second, the table, defined certain types of categories that CoPs may fit into. I was drawn to the third column, the challenges of each group, because it shows that working in a CoP and sharing beyond the community itself may not always be free of issues. Thanks for sharing this resource!

Photoshop is a pretty powerful piece of software, right? But what if you could do almost every thing Photoshop does FOR FREE and in your browser? Welcome to Pixlr. Apply filters and effects, adjust colors, add text, even work with layers...and did I mention it's free?

More than a million free vectors, PSD, photos and free icons. Exclusive freebies and all graphic resources that you need for your projects

This article provides a concise look at personal learning networks in education. Benefits and reasons for educators and students to utilize are outlined.

This guide provided the benefits to PLNs, and both teachers and students can use PLNs effectively. The benefits outlined were, student preparedness, engaging, students have to take ownership of learning, individualized instruction, problem-solving skills, safety, and saves time and money. Ways teachers can use PLNs are for resource allocation, collaboration, and help. Students can use PLNs to find credible information through RSS feeds, share blog postings, about reflections and offer feedback for improvement.

This post is light on theory, but does a nice job explaining the whats, whys and hows of PLNs

Search over 230,000 free photos, illustrations, and vector graphics or share your own pictures as public domain on Pixabay.

Very interesting article. This article discusses findings of interactions and supports for communities of practice or both student-to-student and teacher-to-teacher. It goes on to describe the challenges for student-to-student communities and their dealings with conflict, and the corresponding support provided for the instructor who struggled with having student communities struggle in cohesion. There is a useful graphic on page 291 showing the gathering's (read: community's) intentionality and strength of their social bond - where both are high, there emerges a community of practice.

This article explains activity theory model as a good tool for understanding the interpretations and conceptualizations of personal learning environments. I like the graphical representation of the elements of PLE. I like the set of questions researchers leave at the end of the article; some of them I already had in mind.

This site provides a paper written about the connections between personal learning environments and information literacy. It outlines how information literacy intersects with the goals of personal learning environments.

Position learners in active, participatory roles with authentic learning opportunities. The research paper assignment has failed to keep up with modern literacies. A PLE is informal learning and learner driven. The learner makes choices.