Friday, November 25, 2005

One Mathematical Cat, Please! A First Course in Algebra (using MathML)

Dr. Carol J.V. Fisher says her extensive algebra site is
"... a serious example of what can be done with MathML + JavaScript in creating dynamic, interactive, randomly-generated mathematics exercises. I've written an entire Algebra I curriculum, with over 160 web exercises (including printable worksheets and solutions, all randomly-generated). MathML came into the picture (in a way that I could use it) about halfway into the project. My "terms of use" allow people to just take the code (it's completely open-source) and tweak it to their needs. ...You might like to take a look at his, so people can see what the possibilities are for what a real, individual human can do with the existing tools and technology."

Displaying MathML in your browers

All it takes is a free browser plugin:
  • MathPlayer: "Design Science MathPlayer™ enables Microsoft Internet Explorer to display mathematical notation in web pages. It is based on MathML technology and requires Internet Explorer for Windows version 6.0 and later. We make MathPlayer available for free in order to foster the adoption of MathML in the math, science, and education communities."
  • MathEQ (the plugin, as opposed to the not-free Developers' Suite): "The WebEQ Browser Controls are Java applets that display, graph, evaluate and edit MathML in your browser. By installing these Browser Controls, you will be able to view interactive math in Web pages created with WebEQ without delays while applets download. Installation is quick, simple and free."

Monday, November 21, 2005

Acatopia.org

Acatopia is building communities around books. It's fairly new, so there aren't a lot of Q&As yet, so go ahead and post your own if you have just finished a book or textbook.
"Ask any question about a book or textbook you're reading, and answer other readers' questions."

What is Acatopia.org?
Acatopia's goal is to form a community to help you learn.

How does Acatopia.org work?
Just search for a book you are reading, or a book you have read. You will then be able to ask any question you have, and help answer other readers' questions.

Which is the right blogging tool for you?

"To help you get exactly what you want out of your blog, this mini-guide covers some typical features, and why they might be useful to you, as well as comparing a range of the most popular platforms."

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Blog: BlackBoard & WebCT Are One

Posted today to the webct users list:
The purpose of this blog is to start the discussion about what we would like to see from this new "joint" company. I have posted such questions as...What are the best tools found in Webct? What are the worst tools found in Webct? and many others.

I am hoping to build this blog into an area where blackboard users, webct user and open source users can have a voice which I hope will be heard by the developers of the new platform which will merger from the joining of the two largest LMS in the world. At first I was a little cynical and thought that money is going to dictate the look of the next LMS but with a strong enough united voice we might be able to have some influence. Anyways...let see if we can make it happen.

Darren Cannell, Assistant Principal
Saskatoon Catholic Cyber School

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

What to tell your Campus about the Blackboard-WebCT Merger

This article does an overview of predictions and opinions from Educause, and finishes up with Recommendations for Survival and a summary of What To Tell Your Campus about the future of CMS.

TRACKER from EyeTwig.com

Control your computer with just moving your head..... do virtually anything without using your hands...requires no special hardware...just plug into your existing webcam...browse the internet, check your mails, read documents...and more. Tracker has speech recognition support, and keyboard mapping will be supported soon (for games software).

Techpod, Podcast for Teachers

A great site for you Podcast listeners. From Fordham RETC (see post below). The link above is to the current episode, or you can go directly to the Episode list to access the archive of topics discussed with brief descriptions (all about PODCASTING FOR TEACHERS).

RETC has also built up an extensive archive of podcasts on a wide variety of Education topics under the heading Educational Technology Resources Discussed on TechPod.

Professional Development LIBRARY

RETC E-Library (Regional Educational Technology Center at Fordham University).
"RETC E-Library is a rich mixed-media resource of a growing number of high quality professional development resources including:
* podcasts for Teachers
* videos
* webinars
* community dedicated Podcast for Teachers bulletin board
* books and articles
* curriculum ideas From Teachers (aka Podcasts from Teachers)"

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Podcasts and e-Learning

Jim Delaney's podcast series "is designed to introduce you to fundamental postcasting development steps and ideas for featuring podcasts in your training initiatives." There's a supporting Flash tutorial, and you can subscribe to this podcast by using the RSS feed link.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Pervasive eLearning

(The link is to my newest resource page of links about this topic.)

WHAT IS PERVASIVE ELEARNING?

Ha! Wikipedia doesn't even have the phrase yet. Nor does the eLearning Guru's glossary of eLearning! So let me try my own definition & description:

It's all about mobility, wireless, etc.; basically, it's eLearning Unplugged.

The concept is a grouping of aspects of eLearning that go beyond "online" to a 'next generation' paradigm that makes use, specifically, of the most mobile aspects of technology. It also involves, of course, a somewhat different media perspective (and skill set) than PC based eLearning has been using. Of course, it also involves the necessary rethinking of teaching/learning methods -- yet another learning curve for educators: How do you make coursework available to (and/or created specifically FOR) handhelds, mini PCs, smart phones, etc?

According to the IEEE (hosts of the PerEL 2006: the 2nd International Workshop on Pervasive eLearning in March 2006), aspects of Pervasive eLearning include:
  • mobile communication (asynchronous, synchronous),
  • service and session mobility as well as device independency,
  • techniques for cooperative learning or working,
  • document, knowledge, and service management,
  • realization of pervasive eLearning scenarios,
  • best practice studies and experiences,
  • mark-up languages and frameworks for eLearning,
  • tools and architectures for mobile/ubiquitous eLearning,
  • smart devices and device-independent presentation,
  • security and integrity in wireless environments,
  • eLearning networks,
  • models of pervasive eLearning (e.g. cooperative learning, structured blended learning).
Pervasive eLearning is to be seen as a key technology for tomorrow's e-knowledge society. Here, content, context and community as well as a technical basement are equally important aspects for the realization of a global campus.

PerEL 2006 will discuss new techniques for the support of mobile teaching, learning and working from a pervasive point of view."

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Free-ebooks.net

Download free Fiction, Marketing, electronic publishing ebooks.
"Free-eBooks.net specializes in collecting free fiction, tutorial, marketing and business eBooks as well as resources to aid you in promoting eBooks. Our featured eBooks are below, please click on the name of the eBook to download to your hard-drive. We also have links to useful resources for eBook Publishers....We now offer free subscriptions to your favorite trade magazine publications for a full year!"