Group items tagged

"Project-based learning is centered on the learner and affords learners the opportunity for in-depth investigations of worthy topics. The learners are more autonomous as they construct personally-meaningful artifacts that are representations of their learning. This article examines the theoretical foundations of project-based learning, particularly constructivism and constructionism, and notes the similarities and differences among implementations, including project-based science (Blulmenfeld et al., 1991), disciplined inquiry (Levstik & Barton, 2001) and WebQuests (Dodge, 1995). In addition, an anatomy of a model case will be considered using a WebQuest example developed by the author, describing seven characteristics common among the various implementations of project-based learning. Finally, practical advice and recommendations for project-based learning are discussed, including beginning slowly with the implementation, teaching students to negotiate cooperative/collaborative groups and establishing multiple forms of performance assessments."

"Handheld computers are everywhere. From mobile phones to handheld games, it's a very familiar sight to see people of all ages gazing into screens that they can hold. Schools are discovering that handhelds like iPod touch and iPad make great learning tools. In fact, handhelds can play a big part in project based learning. Not only do projects motivate students because they use exciting handheld technology, but they also lend themselves to student voice and choice. Watch or read below to be inspired to bring project based learning into your classroom, learn strategies for creating effective driving questions, and see how an iOS handheld can play a role in the the planning, research/investigation, and presentation of projects."

Google SketchUp is great free software that can be used across the curriculum. This page from RoboHelp contains links to numerous project ideas using the software. For each project shown below, you can view project details in HTML or PDF format.

"Scratch is often cited as one of the best introductory languages for teaching kids - or anyone, really - to code. So it's no surprise that a Rutgers University honors class called "Programming for the Masses" would utilize Scratch as part of its goal of making programming a more accessible, everyday skill. What is unique - and if I may say so, pretty fun - is the direction that a research project, an outgrowth of the class, has taken since. The project is called Scratchable Devices, and with it, computer science Professor Michael Littman and some of his students are working to make it easy for anyone to program their household devices by using Scratch."

"Welcome to PBL-Online, a one stop solution for Project Based Learning! You'll find all the resources you need to design and manage high quality projects for middle and high school students."

"The Buck Institute for Education commissioned the cutting-edge advertising agency, Common Craft, to create a short animated video that explains in clear language the essential elements of Project Based Learning (PBL). This simple video makes the essential elements of PBL come alive and brings to light the 21st Century skills and competencies (collaboration, communication, critical thinking) that will enable K-12 students to be college and work-ready as well as effective members of their communities."

"Transforming Assessment is an Australian Learning and Teaching Council Fellowship project looking at the use of e-assessment within web 2.0 and virtual world online learning environments in Higher Education. Enquires relating to this project: Professor Geoffrey Crisp, University of Adelaide. Technical enquires relating to this channel: Dr Mathew Hillier, University of Adelaide. "

"Why don't more project managers sound an alarm when they're going to blow past their deadlines? Because most of them have no earthly idea when they'll finish the job. They don't even think it's possible to know. Too many variables. Too much that's out of their control."

The 'Art Project' is a "unique collaboration with some of the world's most acclaimed art museums to enable people to discover and view more than a thousand artworks online in extraordinary detail. * Explore museums with Street View technology: virtually move around the museum's galleries, selecting works of art that interest you, navigate though interactive floor plans and learn more about the museum and you explore. * Artwork View: discover featured artworks at high resolution and use the custom viewer to zoom into paintings. Expanding the info panel allows you to read more about an artwork, find more works by that artist and watch related YouTube videos. * Create your own collection: the 'Create an Artwork Collection' feature allows you to save specific views of any of the 1000+ artworks and build your own personalised collection. Comments can be added to each painting and the whole collection can then be shared with friends and family.

"Well, we are two Ukrainians who studied computer science at a university a while back. Both deeply passionate about computer science, sometime ago for our gradate work we developed an algorithm for detecting plagiarism in content. Once the project was completed, we saw what it has become. It was an amazing and useful tool for students and teachers to check if they or someone they know has plagiarized. Now finished with school, we thought this could really be useful to the public. So we gathered like-minded people to help make our service useful and popular throughout the world."

"The world's first web page has been dragged out of cyberspace and restored for today's internet browsers as part of a project to celebrate 20 years of the web."

Indeed, with 325 active committers over the last 12 months, LibreOffice is now the third-largest free software project listed on Ohloh focused on the development of a desktop application, Behrens said, following only Firefox and Chrome.

"Yesterday I sat down and built a new guide, Google Documents for Teachers. The 40 page guide (embedded below) is designed to help teachers who have never used Google Documents. This document is part of a larger project that I hope to complete this month. Please leave a comment if you have suggestions about how to improve this document."

"In 2009, indie game designer Markus "Notch" Persson released an early build of Minecraft. As it ascended from hobbyist project to worldwide phenomenon, 2 Player Productions was there to document the formation of Mojang, the studio built upon Minecraft's stunning success."

Software Freedom Day is an event held all over the world to celebrate and raise awareness of free software and open source software. "Our vision is to empower all people to freely connect, create and share in a digital world that is participatory, transparent, and sustainable." - Software Freedom Day vision statement

Great Melbourne 2010 event worth noting in your diary and passing on.