Google Earth 5 was just released and includes a host of new tools that educators can tap in the classroom. Google Ocean is being touted in particular, allowing users to interact with 3D maps of the ocean floor, courtesy largely of US Navy data. However, I found the databases and interactive features associated with the ocean views to be a lot more useful educationally than floating around the ocean floor.
Google has partnered with National Geographic, the BBC, Cousteau’s Ocean World, and several others to provide a wealth of information about everything from the global fishing crisis to footage of shipwrecks. Marine life census data, scientific expeditions, and countless links to information outside Google Earth make this a free treasure trove for science, social studies, geography, and even math teachers (how better to learn about coordinate systems?).
While the feature set of Google Earth 5 (still in beta, of course) is too vast to explore in a morning, this is really a must-download for teachers and students. Best of all, it works on Windows, OS X, and Linux, and I have it working solidly on our Windows terminal servers. I just had to turn off my Santa Tracker since it kept pulling me from Bermuda ship wrecks to the North Pole.
Showing posts with label Hi Tech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hi Tech. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
New Google Earth features host of educational tools
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Virtual Classrooms
by: Rajesh Rastogi
A virtual classroom or VCR is a learning environment that exists exclusively in the form of digital content that is stored, and accessed through network of computers and information systems like PDAs, notebooks, mobiles etc.
Physical or Virtual Classrooms?
The main difference between the physical classroom and the virtual classroom is those of location, time and spaces required by students and teachers to access and partake in classroom activities. In the physical classroom a physical location must be visited at a fixed time in order to participate, while a virtual classroom is not physically accessed and has no real fixed time or location which is a great boon.
The manner in which a teacher delivers educational material remains an important factor in the success of both classrooms. Though both the classrooms employ similar learning theory, curriculum design and pedagogy, live face-to-face interaction is missing in the VCR method, which may have a negative influence.
May be the solution is the blended method where physical classroom training is combined with the virtual classroom training, thus accommodating a wider range of student needs.
As teaching in both the physical and virtual classroom is learner-centered, students learn by engaging in group work, projects, discussions, and other content relating to real-world contexts. The VCR is used to provide additional communication and material, along with the learning that occurs in the physical classroom.
VCR Tools
The important communication/participation VCR tools are
* E-mail
* Discussion boards
* Chat rooms
* Whiteboards
* Video/audio conferencing
* Instant messaging
* Podcasting/vodcasting
* Teleconferencing
* Weblogs
* Wikis
These tools can be further divided into two methods of learning Synchronous and Asynchronous learning.
Synchronous VCR Learning
Synchronous learning is communication or exchange of information at the same time between two or more people i.e. in real time. In virtual classrooms, synchronous communication is used by students to communicate with fellow class members and their teachers. This provides real time interaction and encourages group discussions. Chats, Video/audio conferencing, Podcasting/vodcasting, Teleconferencing are all Synchronous learning tools.
Asynchronous VCR learning
Asynchronous learning or communication does not occur in real-time, students or teachers are not present in the same space and time as each other. The instructions are delivered at one time and the work is done at a different time. Asynchronous learning allows the student to study at their own space and in their own time, plus both the teacher and the student benefit from because the entire discussion is recorded and can be repeated continuously. E-mail, discussion groups, whiteboards, wikis, weblogs, and forums are all Asynchronous learning tools.
Conclusion
The virtual classroom transcends the boundaries of location, time and space providing a flexible learning environment for all. Schools, universities and corporate organizations benefit form Virtual classrooms because it provides an excellent way for experts to teach a geographically dispersed group of students without hassle.
About The Author
Rajesh Rastogi is an Internet infopreneur who has website on virtual learning environment; http://www.vcrwizdom.com/ Different types of LMS are discussed including learing management system, E-learning; management system and M – learning system.
A virtual classroom or VCR is a learning environment that exists exclusively in the form of digital content that is stored, and accessed through network of computers and information systems like PDAs, notebooks, mobiles etc.
Physical or Virtual Classrooms?
The main difference between the physical classroom and the virtual classroom is those of location, time and spaces required by students and teachers to access and partake in classroom activities. In the physical classroom a physical location must be visited at a fixed time in order to participate, while a virtual classroom is not physically accessed and has no real fixed time or location which is a great boon.
The manner in which a teacher delivers educational material remains an important factor in the success of both classrooms. Though both the classrooms employ similar learning theory, curriculum design and pedagogy, live face-to-face interaction is missing in the VCR method, which may have a negative influence.
May be the solution is the blended method where physical classroom training is combined with the virtual classroom training, thus accommodating a wider range of student needs.
As teaching in both the physical and virtual classroom is learner-centered, students learn by engaging in group work, projects, discussions, and other content relating to real-world contexts. The VCR is used to provide additional communication and material, along with the learning that occurs in the physical classroom.
VCR Tools
The important communication/participation VCR tools are
* Discussion boards
* Chat rooms
* Whiteboards
* Video/audio conferencing
* Instant messaging
* Podcasting/vodcasting
* Teleconferencing
* Weblogs
* Wikis
These tools can be further divided into two methods of learning Synchronous and Asynchronous learning.
Synchronous VCR Learning
Synchronous learning is communication or exchange of information at the same time between two or more people i.e. in real time. In virtual classrooms, synchronous communication is used by students to communicate with fellow class members and their teachers. This provides real time interaction and encourages group discussions. Chats, Video/audio conferencing, Podcasting/vodcasting, Teleconferencing are all Synchronous learning tools.
Asynchronous VCR learning
Asynchronous learning or communication does not occur in real-time, students or teachers are not present in the same space and time as each other. The instructions are delivered at one time and the work is done at a different time. Asynchronous learning allows the student to study at their own space and in their own time, plus both the teacher and the student benefit from because the entire discussion is recorded and can be repeated continuously. E-mail, discussion groups, whiteboards, wikis, weblogs, and forums are all Asynchronous learning tools.
Conclusion
The virtual classroom transcends the boundaries of location, time and space providing a flexible learning environment for all. Schools, universities and corporate organizations benefit form Virtual classrooms because it provides an excellent way for experts to teach a geographically dispersed group of students without hassle.
About The Author
Rajesh Rastogi is an Internet infopreneur who has website on virtual learning environment; http://www.vcrwizdom.com/ Different types of LMS are discussed including learing management system, E-learning; management system and M – learning system.
Can You Learn a Foreign Language with Audio books?
by: Nick Moseley
Many of us English speakers did another language at school (I did French) but if you're like me and studies say many people are then you didn't really take it seriously and probably don't remember much.
***After all, English is the global language of business and aviation so what's the point?***
Yes, maybe…up to a point…
***Holiday problems***
You get into a medical emergency or your wallet gets stolen and the police don't speak English…
***Money***
Fact - Speaking another language massively (HUGELY!) expands your career options and opportunities.
If you're going for a job where a 2nd language isn't needed it will give you a powerful advantage if you're up against someone who doesn't have it.
If a job does need a 2nd language then if you can't speak it you've got no chance – And in the ever expanding global economy those of us who are multi lingual WILL have access to more and better prospects, and, basically, earn more money.
***"Social Mobility"***
My own situation – move country for personal reasons (love :-) I'm in Sweden where pretty much everyone DOES speak English but it was a big hindrance. I felt like a social outcast - they don't speak English at parties I can tell you!
***So How to do learn with a language audio book***
You can do evening classes etc - But that sucks up time like crazy. I know, I've done the Swedish For Immigrants course here. It's excellent but I only had time for a basic primer course and even that took up too much time (I run my own business at home at break neck speed and have a demanding dog with separation anxiety issues!)
So being a lover of mp3 audio books (and owner of an audio book website!) I got myself a Swedish language audio book which I played when walking the dog, riding to the shops and any other non work or family focus time – About an hour a day in my world.
***Start it and Keep at it***
Don't give up At first not much goes in but after a while I can tell you that your ears get tuned in and it starts to make sense.
***Courses vary.***
Mine simply has the phrase or word being said in English then Swedish or vice versa - The core phrases are repeated in different ways and so build & reinforce the key basics to which you add vocabulary – and away you go!
***How long does it take?***
1-3 months depending on you and how hard you go at it.
If you do 1-2 hours a day then you'll be able to speak a significant amount of any language after 6 weeks and be hot in 3 months.
Just imagine how surprised your friends and people at work will be when you chatter away in your new language – and it's a GREAT feeling too.
I bombed in French at school and had a real mental block about learning another language i.e., I can't do it – Now I can and audio books really pushed me to it. If I can do it anyone can – and that means you so get to it!
At worst next time you go on holiday you can speak the basics with the locals and sort out problems or have more fun shopping. At best you'll be able to twitter away like a songbird!
***Suggested audio book language learning "courses" ***
There are many audio book versions of leading foreign language study courses as well as audio book specific ones.
Prices go from a few pounds or dollars for holiday starters (a perfect way to start) into hundreds for some very detailed "total" courses like Pimsleur levels 1-3+
To make a start just go to a search engine and type in the name of the language followed by "audio book" and start digging from there.
About The Author
Nick Moseley shares time between the UK & Sweden where he lives with his fiancé Lena & goes fishing (not as much as he wants!) He runs MyAudioBookShelf.com a 7000+ title downloadable audio book website. If you’re looking for language audio books see the dedicated section at http://www.myaudiobookshelf.com/list.aspx?catId=76
Many of us English speakers did another language at school (I did French) but if you're like me and studies say many people are then you didn't really take it seriously and probably don't remember much.
***After all, English is the global language of business and aviation so what's the point?***
Yes, maybe…up to a point…
***Holiday problems***
You get into a medical emergency or your wallet gets stolen and the police don't speak English…
***Money***
Fact - Speaking another language massively (HUGELY!) expands your career options and opportunities.
If you're going for a job where a 2nd language isn't needed it will give you a powerful advantage if you're up against someone who doesn't have it.
If a job does need a 2nd language then if you can't speak it you've got no chance – And in the ever expanding global economy those of us who are multi lingual WILL have access to more and better prospects, and, basically, earn more money.
***"Social Mobility"***
My own situation – move country for personal reasons (love :-) I'm in Sweden where pretty much everyone DOES speak English but it was a big hindrance. I felt like a social outcast - they don't speak English at parties I can tell you!
***So How to do learn with a language audio book***
You can do evening classes etc - But that sucks up time like crazy. I know, I've done the Swedish For Immigrants course here. It's excellent but I only had time for a basic primer course and even that took up too much time (I run my own business at home at break neck speed and have a demanding dog with separation anxiety issues!)
So being a lover of mp3 audio books (and owner of an audio book website!) I got myself a Swedish language audio book which I played when walking the dog, riding to the shops and any other non work or family focus time – About an hour a day in my world.
***Start it and Keep at it***
Don't give up At first not much goes in but after a while I can tell you that your ears get tuned in and it starts to make sense.
***Courses vary.***
Mine simply has the phrase or word being said in English then Swedish or vice versa - The core phrases are repeated in different ways and so build & reinforce the key basics to which you add vocabulary – and away you go!
***How long does it take?***
1-3 months depending on you and how hard you go at it.
If you do 1-2 hours a day then you'll be able to speak a significant amount of any language after 6 weeks and be hot in 3 months.
Just imagine how surprised your friends and people at work will be when you chatter away in your new language – and it's a GREAT feeling too.
I bombed in French at school and had a real mental block about learning another language i.e., I can't do it – Now I can and audio books really pushed me to it. If I can do it anyone can – and that means you so get to it!
At worst next time you go on holiday you can speak the basics with the locals and sort out problems or have more fun shopping. At best you'll be able to twitter away like a songbird!
***Suggested audio book language learning "courses" ***
There are many audio book versions of leading foreign language study courses as well as audio book specific ones.
Prices go from a few pounds or dollars for holiday starters (a perfect way to start) into hundreds for some very detailed "total" courses like Pimsleur levels 1-3+
To make a start just go to a search engine and type in the name of the language followed by "audio book" and start digging from there.
About The Author
Nick Moseley shares time between the UK & Sweden where he lives with his fiancé Lena & goes fishing (not as much as he wants!) He runs MyAudioBookShelf.com a 7000+ title downloadable audio book website. If you’re looking for language audio books see the dedicated section at http://www.myaudiobookshelf.com/list.aspx?catId=76
Microsoft at Education Conference
Microsoft at Ferney Grove High School Qld. Technology in Schools!!
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