Group items tagged

An old article from 2007 referenced in my discussion post on infrastructure and mobile learning. It's interesting to consider the capacity and willingness to leverage the power of mobile devices to overcome infrastructure deficiencies in the developing world.

The Foundation for Learning Equality is working to get content to the 65% of the world who live without internet. Currently their only project involves offlining Khan Academy lectures and loading them on SD cards which can be loaded onto Raspberry Pi servers and sent along with e-readers to anywhere in the world. To me, this seems like an incredible opportunity to simultaneously address quality and access issues in remote parts of the world, though I don't think Khan Academy's content is necessarily the best. As a technological innovation, however, I think there is a real possibility to scale this, insofar as there are on-the-ground resources in each location facilitating the learning on the e-readers. Does anybody have any critique or insight to curb my excitement?

This "Web documentary" provides a unique way to expose an important political and social issue. Focusing on the issues surrounding China's exploitation of its land and people related to coal, the site casts the viewer as an investigating journalist. You can choose to visit the sites and see the conditions for yourself or you can talk to people along the way and gain insight into their lives (as well as the political system). The content is deep, has high replay value, consists of very high-quality media, and represents an innovative approach to sharing experiences about important world issues.

Wow. I have seen web documentaries highlighting human rights issues before, but this one's style and tone really captures the juxtaposition between socioeconomic classes. The map and additional information buttons are great for Social Studies and History teachers willing to bring this into the classroom. As a former middle school World Geography teacher, I would be interested in showing this to my class, but also hesitant. Any former teachers who would show this to their students?

Wow. I've seen similar attempts at making web documentaries trying to raise public awareness about human rights before, but the filmmaker really hit the nail on the head. The juxtaposition between socioeconomic classes and the attempts mine workers make to brighten their world (i.e. engaging in a Christmas song/dance at the temple) is striking. I'm curious if any teachers would be brave enough to discuss these topics in their social studies classes.

Students get connected to real world science research through Web 2.0

Students get connected to real world science research through Web 2.0

Skoolaborate is a global initiative uses a blend of technologies including, blogs, online learning, wiki's and 'virtual worlds' to transform learning. We aim to use these tools to provide engaging collaborative learning experiences for students aged between 13 and 18 years of age.

Using math to design your own Disney World ride!

Haha! Read this one today. Considered bookmarking it. I don't know how much fun a ride would be after standing in line for two hours than having to think about what it is you are going to ride.

The creator of some innovative alternate reality games explains how we need to make the real world more like a game

9 examples of how certain colleges are integrating iPads into their curricula 

Very interesting article. "iREAD (Impact on Reading of E-Readers And Digital content) Ghana Pilot Study" Another example showing us the traditional standardized test doesnt seem to be a suitable type of assessment here. But in addition to that there are many interesting findings related to IT literacy, benefits of the teachers and increased access to learning materials. (never really thought a simple hardware such as e-reader itself will be this 'transformational' to certain countries across the world) 

Here's an article highlighting the development of apps that engage users (in this case, kids) in the world around them...

This article looks at one case study in El Salvador where MOOCs have cracked open the door for university reform. Universities in emerging markets operate on really low budgets compared to U.S. universities, and MOOCs give them access to current content, especially important for high-tech subjects.

I'm interested to see where this might lead and whether it'll have any implications for education.

Interesting Forbes article about Sal Khan's journey. Mentions his recently published book "The One World Schoolhouse".  Highlights of his views reported in the article: "Khan would like to re-create the once common mixed-age classrooms that he believes encourage older kids to take responsibility for younger ones. He wants multiteacher classrooms to provide students with different perspectives. He would abolish summer vacation.... And he would eliminate letter grades altogether, preferring a more qualitative approach to assessment..."

Thanks for sharing Malik. Sal has done some nice work, and I'm wondering whether his mode of instruction can be used in other subject areas especially the arts and music. I'm guessing that it can, but his assessment mode would need to change from MCQs to something more qualitative.

Game is a great way for learning and doesn't have to be high tech!

Game Developers recognizing learning opportunities within their games and building a platform that allows students to create their own worlds and test them.

Tapping into the Internet and using several iPads as video cameras, Sandel, the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government, connected his Harvard students in Sanders Theatre on Friday with students in Japan, China, Brazil, and India for a wide-ranging discussion that explored the complicated question of the ethics of solidarity and the dilemmas associated with patriotism, membership, and collective responsibility.

Berkman Center Video on the implications of integrating digital technologies into traditionally analog worlds in nature. How can they help and how can they distract?

A wearable camera system (Self-Cam) to improve recognition of emotions from real-world faces in young adults with Asperger syndrome  and high-functioning autism