Group items tagged

46 tools on making infographics in the classroom, many of them free, by TeachThoughtStaff, 4.27.2013

"The Varied Functions of Badges" summary from HASTAC discussion, 9/2012 My interest in the functions of badges was spurred along when the MacArthur Foundation asked for help documenting the design principles for using digital badges that emerge across the 30 projects underway by the awardees in their Badges for Lifelong Learning project. We needed to come up with a manageable number of categories. Here is what we came up with: Recognizing Learning. This is the most obvious and arguably the primary function of badges. David Wiley has argued cogently that this should be the primary purpose of badges. If we focus only on purposes, then he may well be right. His point is that badges are credentials and not assessments. This is also consistent with the terrifically concise definition in Seven Things You Should Know About Badgesby Erin Knight and Carla Casilli. Assessing Learning. Nearly every application of digital badges includes some form of assessment. These assessments have either formative or summative functions and likely have both. In some cases, these are simply an assessment of whether somebody clicked on a few things or made a few comments. In other cases, there might be a project or essay that was reviewed and scored, or a test that was graded. In still other cases, peers might assess an individual, group, or project as badgeworthy. Motivating Learning. This is where the controversy comes in. Much of the debate over badges concerns the well-documented negative consequences of extrinsic incentive on intrinsic motivation and free choice engagement. This is why some argue that we should not use badges to motivate learning. However, if we use badges to recognize and assess learning, they are likely to impact motivation. So, we might as well harness this crucial function of badges and study these functions carefully while searching for both their positive and negative consequences for motivation. Evaluating Learning. The final category of

free icons for use tied to seasons, travel, football, etc.

Yammer site with features, mobile use, admin, and activation info. Trial is free, then you have to pay to use along with paying for office integration.

Can't find the date on this but Quertime lists 15 of the most widely used web forum platforms that we might want to explore. It does list BuddyPress as well. phpBB looks interesting, as does zetaboards, and maybe PunBB.

free tool for making timelines, have great examples of finished products

Connected Learning site may be something WLStudio should become a part of (don't know if it is possible) or emulate. I like: 1. their philosophy of learning AND the tools they use with Google +hangouts (free open tool and limiting the # of registered participants) 2. livestreaming the event live and allowing others to participate through chat box and 3. building an archive of past events.

Article in MindShift, KQED, April 24, 2012 by Nathan Miton. Fabulous because it recognizes that content is one leg of learning stool. Excerpt: But at such a huge scale, what are the digital methods of teaching that work best? Philipp Schmidt, founder of the free online university P2PU, preaches three building blocks: community, recognition and content. Endorsement of peer learning potential Excerpt: The Stanford professors readily admit that some of the students who participated in their online courses provided their peers with deeper, more comprehensive answers than they were able to. The exponential explosion in opportunities for learning. Excerpt: in the past 10 years I've heard people say campus-based education better look out, that this will be threatening to their business model, and I've never really felt that until the last six months. The pace of change in open education is qualitatively different than it was even a few months ago." A new breed of digital pedagogy/andragogy/heutagogy Excerpt: "We probably haven't fully made the transition to digitally native pedagogies and learning approaches," Carson said. "The first generation of distance learning is basically an attempt to move the classroom online, and I think that part of the scalable learning of these massive courses is the breakdown of that model."

Open Culture website--lists all kinds of free online courses; should we link to this site or somehow study these to see which ones we might recommend to WLStudio learners?

Two years ago WP Directory had some support issues. It may be OK now. I don't know. this article lists some we may also want to consider. Review list of top WordPress directory plugins and themes that are free or paid. Discusses top 10 plugin and theme to integrate directory for WP blogs.

a new MOOC model: uses open source web content as course design. Won't need a traditional instructor or large start-up investment. Known as a mechanical MOOC.

Blog on professional development, 12/7/09 "In the newer flatter models, there are still leaders and followers but not so many layers in between, and that ratio seems to be evening out and actually shifting towards more leaders than followers. In others words, when an employee feels empowered and is driven to leverage all the tools available today for better decision-making (the collective human knowledge is now free and accessible), then really, organizations need to set goals and truly get the heck out of the way. The flatter models are working and they are working great. In addition to being flat, they are also virtual and function-based as opposed to departmental or vocation-based. So, whoever has the expertise necessary to achieve a goal is sought after and their knowledge is harnessed. In some cases, this functional expertise could very well be outside the traditional walls of an organization. As we start 2010, let's be open to performance instead of accountability, to flatter models instead of traditional hierarchies, and to achieving greater success by empowering those who we compensate to perform."

video on google search tips, 7 minutes long, found it from Free Tech4Teachers blog, August 2012.

blog by Heidi Grant Halvorson on HBR website re: our lack of insight when it comes to analyzing why we do/don't succeed; others know us better, July 30, 2012. See link to free diagnostics to build self-awareness

An interesting diagnostic on practices of successful people--series of questions around 9 elements, like content and format--offered free by author Heidi Grant Halvorson of book Nine Things Successful People Do Differently, found 8.6.2012

Another web conferencing program that allows small groups to form and interact. I'm going to check out the features and maybe sign up for the demo. There is free 30 day trial.

Free PLP (Professional Learning Practice) options at PLP Network

Colorful, informative graphical mindmap by Jane Genovese at Learning FUNdamentals in Australia for high school students on how to focus in the age of distraction. The branches include taking time to reflect and review, creating rituals/habits, how to work; managing your space, taking a digital technology detox, and help for addicts. From Learning Fundamentals. Also has a presentation for use with with these learning outcomes: By the end of "The Facebook Effect" workshop students will: 1.have developed an understanding of how social network sites (e.g. Facebook) are highly addictive; 2. have developed an understanding of the many benefits of working in a focused manner in a distraction free environment; 3. have access to a range of tools to help them eliminate distractions in their work environment; 4. have a deeper understanding of how multitasking can slow down their mental processes and lead to poorer learning outcomes; and 5. be aware of strategies to enhance their focus and concentration

looks promising for creating animated videos to maybe tell the Studio story. Going to try out the free version and see what it does.