Group items tagged

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.

HopeLab's way of cultivating curiosity at its workplace --- good concepts to integrate into the classroom

Very useful reflective questions in the Leadership for Curiosity section and some useful tools for check in as well

Multiple Choice with Tech

I wonder what the basis for this distribution is and wether the plan has been thought through to ensure it meets the goals it set out in the first place or if it is a gimmick for the forthcoming elections. This s a lot of money for a country like India.

Manit, I believe you answered your own question. I bet it is about the forthcoming elections.

Another one on brief economics of MOOCs for institutions

The notion of tens of millions of students starting to take common core exams online vs paper and pencil raises questions about the comparability of results.

Imagine being a little middle-school basketball player, and getting a real email message from SHAQ. Thats what social networks are doing to allow novice teachers the ability to receive their most pressing questions answered by masters in their field.

Curious what math teachers in our class think about this. Anyone worked with these methods?

I was talking with Arene about this. He has taught math in middle school and high school in Singapore. When I asked if teaching this in the US would be effective he had some interesting points. You should talk with him to get an accurate account, but one of the questions he raised in our conversation was the following: Does this pedagogy that works in the cultural context of Singapore transfer to the United States?

States are starting to question whether online teachers should be required to obtain additional certification or training for virtual instruction. Some folks think a solid foundation in classroom teaching is enough and that it would present an additional obstacle to the existing challenge of recruiting high-quality teachers. But can teachers be as effective online as in the classroom without some specialized training?

Software that tailors writing advise to the student

The fascinating pdf from the researchers at MIT is linked to on Boing Boing. The comments on Boing Boing are also worth glancing at.

Interesting article about how technology is changing the way we define and share intellectual property. Is a professor's lecture the property of the professor, the University or neither? Does a student "own" the notes he takes in class?

an interesting article on procrastination. Perhaps worth reading to better understand our own behavior and the behavior of future students we attempt to engage. There is a not a direct technology angle here, but it would be important to think about this topic when looking at technologies for the classroom.

Hi Margaret, There's some interesting research around this question that points to bad messaging as the culprit. In case you're interested, here is a link to some market research the Engineer Your Life coalition did. The NAE also has an interesting research report called "Changing the Conversation." Natalie

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

Interesting startup.  Building a learning tool based on the neuroscience concept of "confidence-based repetition."  

The documentary asks a question the education reform movement seems to neglect: Why flood American schools with young, highly educated teachers if the good ones cannot afford to stay?