Learning Through Connecting
Much of the discussion about educational technology these days focuses on new ways to deliver instruction, through online videos and online courses. In our Lifelong Kindergarten research group at the Media Lab, we have a very different approach to education and learning, developing technologies not to deliver instruction but to open opportunities for people to create, collaborate, experiment, and express themselves. With our Scratch programming software, for example, young people can create their own interactive stories, games, animations, and simulations, then share their creations with one another online. In the process, young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively – essential skills in today’s society. Last week, we had an opportunity to see how this learning approach is taking root in different parts of the world, as we hosted our third Scratch@MIT conference. Connecting with ideas.
The Internet map
The map of the Internet Like any other map, The Internet map is a scheme displaying objects’ relative position; but unlike real maps (e.g. the map of the Earth) or virtual maps (e.g. the map of Mordor), the objects shown on it are not aligned on a surface. Mathematically speaking, The Internet map is a bi-dimensional presentation of links between websites on the Internet. Charges and springs To draw an analogy from classical physics, one may say that websites are electrically charged bodies, while links between them are springs. Also, an analogy can be drawn from quantum physics. Anyway, the real algorithm of plotting The Internet map is quite far from the analogies given above. Semantic web The map of the Internet is a photo shot of the global network as of end of 2011 (however, baloons show actual statistics from Alexa). Importantly, clusters on the map are semantically charged, i.e. they join websites together according to their content. The Internet Phenomenon Ideas and suggestions
10 Great Tips to Create Beautiful Slideshow Presentations
The focus now has been shifted from just enabling teachers and students to use digital tools to create presentations to focusing on the quality of these presentations. Are they well structured ? Do they communicate clear messages ? Are they engaging and thought provoking ? and the list of questions goes on and on. Educational Technology and Mobile Learning realizes the importance of presentations as teaching and learning tools and has featured several posts in this regard such as : 1- A List of 20 Tools for Teachers to Create Presentations and Slideshows 2- 10 Excellent Alternatives to Power Points 3- Free Templates for your Presentations 4- The Best Slides and Presentations Search Engines for Educators 5- 4 Great Power Point and Slideshow Resources for Teachers to Download Today we are sharing with you a great slideshow we learned from Dawson College.
Mapping parties
Mappers learning to use GPS receivers Mappers entering data into JOSM OpenStreetMap is only as good as the contributions of the people who edit it. To encourage and help people to edit, OpenStreetMap enthusiasts can run Mapping Parties. It is a convivial community event, open to all, and although some folks will be mapping experts, newcomers are always welcome. The schedule of a mapping party can take several forms, for example a simple mapping party can just involve going to a nominated pub after doing some mapping, but typically a larger event will involve meeting beforehand to discuss the plan and to team people up. For effective training of beginners it's a good idea to have at least one laptop, to demonstrate editing. After the mapping is finished, the participants share food and drinks, and enjoy themselves. See Current events for a list of mapping parties happening in the coming months. See also:
Jobs
We are a small group of people passionate about lifelong learning. We love tough challenges and crazy characters. Located in Menlo Park, CA, Curious has a tested leadership team, funding and support from great investors and is growing quickly — one terrific new employee at a time. Some of the perks you will enjoy as a Curious employee include: getting to hang out with some of the silliest, most easily distracted and impressive people you'll ever have the pleasure of working with. eating (free) gourmet lunches with aforementioned awesome co-workers everyday! We are growing fast and have (multiple) openings for the following positions: Software Engineer. If you want to work hard, play hard, and love coming to work on Monday mornings then you should apply to work here!
The Big Picture
Your Quick Guide to Teaching with iPads
Below is an awesome infographic shedding more light on the use of iPad in education.It provides some amazing facts about the potential of this mobile device in learning and reviews the reasons behind this growing popularity of iPad in the educational circles. I find this infographic to be a nice addition toTeachers Guide on The Use of iPad in Education.Give it some time and read through it attentively and share it with your colleagues. All thanks go to Online Universities for creating this infographic.
OpenStreetMap, apoyando lo bonito.
Llevo rato interesado en todo esto de OpenStreetMap y hoy fue que me puse a investigar mas a fondo, directamente desde el celular y a ver que iba todo esto. Ya se sabe que es una plataforma cartográfica en la que cualquiera puede editar los mapas y las bases de datos de los mismos para poder crear un mapa en linea gigantesco lleno de información, esto por encima, claro está. Es interesante todo este proyecto porque permite directamente personalizar tus mapas, no en el sentido de que “Oh, tengo un mapa propio” sino en el sentido de que podemos puntear y editar mapas para enriquecer la información que en ellos existe. Ahora bien, esto lo discutí con una amiga fanática empedernida de los Google Services y de Apple (que contraproducente ¿no?) Anda, vale, todos somos libres de escoger lo que se nos venga en gana y yo elijo OSM por mis propias razones, pero ella hizo una pregunta que responden perfectamente en la Wiki del proyecto (en español, por cierto) la pregunta fue ¿Por qué OSM?
