Campus Compare

I just received an email alert about this new website:

High School students looking to explore college options and school counselors in search of a resource for their students should examine CampusCompare, which is a new FREE online resource that merges current data on over 3,000 colleges, reviews, advice articles, financial aid calculators and more.

The website offers a variety of links to area maps, student reviews and "quick facts," and includes a tool that can predict a student’s odds of getting into any college in the U.S. Entire classes can be managed and communicated with via the website’s high school “networks.”

School counselors can use the site to monitor students from their own secure school network to schedule appointments, send individual or mass messages to students and manage key college application dates and suggest different schools that match a student’s academic and personal preferences.

Any thoughts?

Online Versus F2F Learning

In response to mmd's blog (GE555 class), I decided to post these articles regarding the debate between media, message, face-to-face (f2f) and online learning.

http://www.coe.tamu.edu/~mbastian/Clark-Kozma/CK-Debate.htm

http://www.umassonlineblog.com/2008/06/13/face-to-face-or-online-instruction-is-that-the-best-question/

Any thoughts?

Silly Books

This site is a safe and nurturing environment that encourages children between the ages of 3-13 to read.

Take a look and see what you think...

http://www.sillybooks.net/

More Twitter...

Continuing with the Twitter thread, here is a link for future librarians. How to use Twitter in the Library.

I think this link can be useful for teachers, too.

http://www.collegeathome.com/blog/2008/05/27/twitter-for-librarians-the-ultimate-guide

Twitter in Education

In response to Jim's blog (GE555 class Smitty's Section), here is some more Twitter information. Go look at his video to get an idea of what Twiiter is "in plain English".

This video explains how Twitter is related to education, blogging, and Facebook.

Enjoy!

How do I Publish a Webquest?

To my GE555 classes,

Thanks to Eric (on his blog) for this hint on how to publish your WebQuest:

"...Just sign on to questgarden using your temporary ID and then proceed like you are going to edit your webquest. At the very bottom of the editing menu is a section called "Tools". If you click on the link for "Publish" under tools, your webquest will become part of the questgarden domain and always remain available to you and your students. There are a couple of boxes that you need to check that give permission for them to make it available to the public. Check those and hit the "Publish" button and your webquest will be saved. Good luck!"

Kidspiration Help!

Here is a website from a terrific eduator named Vicki Blackwell.

She claims, "The purpose of this website is to provide a resource for ... teachers all around the world, as they continue to incorporate the use of technology into the curriculum. You will find my favorite links in the "Blackwell's Best" section. "The Classroom" has links to staff development materials and technology integration activities as well as tutorials for some of my favorite software. The "Tech Tips" page includes hints to help you become a more efficient technology-using educator, and the "TangiTech" section is devoted to our professional development programs for integration of technology into the curriculum. I hope you find something that will help you and your children."

Take a look: http://www.vickiblackwell.com/kidspiration.html!

Vocabulary

In my SE370 class, we are discussing the importance of developing a strong vocabulary.

Take a look at this free site that allows students, teachers and life-long learners to acquire and retain vocabulary.

http://www.vocabulary.com/

Blog Mirrors "Real Life"

I have always claimed that this blog takes on a life of its own, but have not seen it happen as strongly as it has this semester. Since I am teaching several online courses, the blog is an integral part of those experiences. My graduate-level GE555 class experience has really shown me that the blog mirrors "real life".

As all students know, we feel frustration at times. This stress can be felt in class, at home, and at work. Often, we voice that concern to our professor or friends either in writing (email) or by speaking to them. What do you do in an online course? I guess you could email me (and some have) or your classmates or friends, but I have found many of my students using the blog to communicate their feelings.

For example, I think most of my GE555 students voiced concern during the WebQuest "era"/module. There were cries for help, screams of anger, and grumbles. These pleas were heard by other class member and professor and were eased with private or public discussions. I know, I know... I am exaggerating here, but my students know what I mean. ;) For those of you who are not familiar with this time period, please go back to any of the GE555 students posts from about two weeks ago. We shall call this the WebQuest Week or Two or Three...Currently, this class seems to be content again and the feelings are showing in the Blogging "era"/module.

Just thought I would share this insight with you.

Do any of you find the blog taking on a world of its own? I welcome your thoughts--or complaints!

Blog away!

Bilingual Education and Technology

In response to Taran's (GE555) engaging blog posting on bilingual education and technology, I found this article.

Take a look and see what you think.