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I'll be working on this project through the Lifelong Kindergarten research group at MIT Media Lab this semester

This is very cool...I haven't seen much on cross-generational learning, but I think that there are very valid benefits to it (as well as multi-generational living). Anyways, it seems not so different from the research that Uche is doing in the class. Look forward to hearing how your semester goes!

Here's an example of one person who excelled in a MOOC. While everyone may not have the drive of this student, this is a good example of how an online technology facilitated a social learning group. Also - yet another example of how online resources can benefit people across the country who do not otherwise have access.

A friend just sent me this same article, Molly! However, my takeaway was much different. Whenever I read articles about young people doing extraordinary things with limited resources and technology, my first thought is always "how is this possible??" The article addresses my question directly: "The answer has to do with Battushig's extraordinary abilities, of course, but also with the ambitions of his high-school principal." The principal, also a graduate of MIT, was focused on developing more skilled engineers in Mongolia, and made it his mission to bring science and tech labs to his students; while MOOCs, the government's heavy investment in IT infrastructure, and the ubiquity of a 3G network made it possible to extend and enhance learning opportunities, the students may have never been exposed to engineering were it not for the encouragement of the principal. This human component, combined with technology, was what nurtured Battushig's drive and talent. This path will not work for just any student. If most homes in Mongolia have an Internet connection and even nomads cell phones, why have more people not found success with MOOCs? The author of the article summed it up best when she said, "Battushig's success also showed that schools could use MOOCs to find exceptional students all over the globe." Battushig is exceptional, just as elevated learning through MOOCs is still the "exception" and not the rule. MOOCs still lack a certain (perhaps human?) element that can move them from producing the anomaly of one "boy genius" to a more widespread level of learning.

Hi Laura - That's a good point about the principal. The principal and the student were both exceptional. While I do not think that MOOCs, as they are right now, can work for everyone, I do think that this example of educating an exceptional student is heartening. Maybe this exceptional student can learn a lot and then in turn, help others in his community. As undemocratic as it is, many advances in society are made by individuals or small groups of people. Overall though, I agree that MOOCs lack, as you said maybe a human element, to promote widespread education.

See why online education might be more benefiting for large state school systems who capitalize effectively on its flexibility while providing the same type of credentials.

Good utility since many people will likely be sharing documents via Google Docs while working on projects for coursework.

Hey Chris. Given all the other options we have for creating and sharing documents and information, how do you see this being most useful to you?

The 1-step migration of research content to the host document is very nice, but outside of that, I think I would be inclined to stick with google docs if for no other reason than users (and any collaborators) do not need to download an application to their computer.

A highly amusing flash game for learning physics concepts. How might a teacher use this in class?

What age group would benefit most from this? What could the teacher do to make sure students learn about physics and not just learn how to manipulate the simulation?

I just played around with it a little bit, and I don't feel that I could use it effectively with grade 9th or grade 7th students that I was teaching last year. It is pretty much just a balancing game, but I don't think it can help learners understand any particular concepts like 'gravity' or the 'principle of moments'. For younger learners, like 6-year olds perhaps, it could help them develop an understanding of weights and balancing forces(?)... I don't know...

An article that advocates the use of social media in the classroom. It highlights one pilot program in Oregon.

schools are starting to concede to allowing cell phones in school -- hopefully grabbing some benefits from them soon...

Administrators finally realize cellphones can aid education

I worked in Newport News, VA and around that time the current governor was huge with technology initiatives and this school district benefited greatly from this. I see now that they are still being used for projects like this. My concern with Virginia is that they will gladly try technology in schools, but the use of the technology is not always practical. If a person goes on the VDOE website, they will see the state touting their advances in the use of technology. They are calling themselves a leader in online testing, for example, but their 'bragging' points all reflect how the technology has made life easier for all the adults and not necessarily the children. It is the exact same thing that was on paper now on the computer screen: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/online_testing/index.shtml

Jonah Lehrer on surprising effects of tech on cognition

Great article along with an infographic on the usage of social network in US education "Wikis are an excellent tool for open collaboration and knowledge sharing because they allow everyone to contribute. Roughly 22 percent of United States school districts are involved in creating or maintaining wikis. Educational wikis give teachers and students a place to contribute to the community on the ideas and projects they are working on in the classroom. Wikis teach students how teamwork and collaboration benefit society through knowledge sharing."

Interesting look at a few sites and technologies targeted toward college students to "assist" them in learning and studying. The question is...are these actual beneficial to students or is the focus simply on making money for the companies producing these sites?

Mixing social media and academic learning may be difficult

access to information leads to greater economic opportunities. I am sure there are several explanations but.. I post this article, because it got me thinking about a concept from a paper on universal design for learning : access to information is not the same as access to learning. As more and more people have increasing access to large amounts of information , progress for all will depend on making it easily accessible How can we do that online ? I am not sure where I am going with this thread, but it all seems interesting to me.... any thoughts ?

Well, I guess if we equate the spread of the printing press to creating a new market (i.e. purchasing printed materials) then this is how economic opportunities increased. But those printed materials spread more quickly when the readers received content that was designed by the people similar to themselves. Likewise, the spread of online learning environments must also connect to greater usage in general; however, learning may be limited for the user with sites that are designed by an alternative culture that does not represent the user's. What do you think?

"School of One uses technology to develop a unique learning path for each student and to provide a significant portion of the instruction that is both individualized and differentiated." I liked the definitions of individualized (pacing), differentiated (learning preferences/methods), and personalized (pacing, preferences, and content/objectives).

The darker side of Facebook...

This recent survey shows that tweens and teens may be more concerned with their internet safety than adults may think, but more education is needed.

This is what I'm saying :-) We tend to do a decent job at making sure children are being safe online...but more is definitely needed. Parents and teachers are concerned with making sure that what happens on the web stays safe and healthy - valid concerns, but instead of thinking about the harms, what if we shifted our thinking more about the potential benefits? Media education shouldn't be preventative, it should be pro-active!

This article is one of the many articles to hit the American landscape about Steve Jobs and his legacy to education. But, we must admit that during his time at Apple - public spending on education and specifically technology in education has increased. But, standardized test results are still virtually unchanged.

Article about Virginia's DOE Apple iPad initiative. Lots of things to say about this but those who are interested in what schools might do with iPads should take a look about what Virginia is talking about...

I know that some of us in our other classes have been discussing iPads and their use in the education space, and I dug this up from my archives as some of what teachers and admins have to say about buying and using the iPad in their schools.

Bridget, The potential for iPad may realize even more with the availability of online textbooks, which may include videos. The availability of various apps will influence the proliferation of iPad. Upside - novelty, excitement, and no back breaking bag packs, downside- penmanship may suffer and teachers may have to do some extra homework! http://thejournal.com/articles/2011/07/11/putting-the-ipad-to-work-in-elementary-classrooms.aspx

Maung - I actually attended Gagliolo's session at ISTE this summer as I, too, am a proponent of this new technology, but as you point out, this means "extra homework" for the teacher. And most teachers I know are already strapped for time and professional development and are not interested in a new device that is "one more thing" they have to learn and use in an overwhelming standards based curriculum environment. The only way (in my opinion) that we can get teachers to embrace this new technology is to have it do something MORE efficiently and easily than something THEY ALREADY do. It cannot be an add-on. It has to replace something overtasking from their plate.