Eye on Learning

I love these tools. The iPhone was my first intro to Apple's "i" creations. They are unique, so good that others have copied and are still copying. Apple has set a benchmark that's attracting others to follow or beat. More important to educators is how to take advantage of these very tools that are in millions of hands, many of them, students. In 2-3 years time, I think educators have no choice but to seriously consider adopting these tools or become irrelevant. The possibilities as listed in the link below are only a beginning...visit: http://teacher.ocps.net/groups/ipodsintheclassroom/

Once in a while, you find a new and interesting way of visualising things. Hans Rosling has found a new approach. In fact, it's fascinating the way he does this. It has captivated the attention of the people I've show his approach (published in YouTube) to. Watch it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo&feature=youtu.be For more good stuff, go to Gapminder and explore the world via what appears to be real statistics.

Another great set of slides....taken from the section highlighting the entries submitted for Slideshare's competition. B2B Social Media Palette View more presentations from Miikka Leinonen .

I don't know about you but I've always paid attention to how presenters design their slides. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. So let your slide say a lot more than you do...if it's all possible. View: YOU SUCK AT POWERPOINT! View more presentations from @JESSEDEE . I found a few attractive slides as examples. Enjoy. Communication View more presentations from Ghaidaa Naguib . Social Media for Business View more presentations from Presentation Advisors . Anxiety View more presentations from csilvert . Creating Start-Up Success View more presentations from Alexander Osterwalder . What I've Learned Along The Way... View more presentations from 3Sixty Global Marketing Ltd . People who change the world: Conversation Managers View more presentations from steven van belleghem . Revolution in presentations View more presentations from nobuu.com . The Science of Social Media View more presentations from Dan Zarrella . FollowFridays - The Li...

I love the slides below. Understanding what education is and the mistakes we often see made in delivering education to the masses. The 5 big mistakes in virtual education View more presentations from guiramirez .

I never cease to find good, interesting and useful tools that I could use as a teacher. Check this out. A poster that you can create and insert multimedia elements. First, to understand what Glogster is all about, watch the following videos: Glogster in 90 seconds Detailed tutorial on Glogster: Glogster as a teaching and learning tool: Yet another tutorial on how to use Glogster

A hilarious look at what Twittering is all about.

For an introduction to what Twitter is all about, watch the two videos below: Interesting....see how students at a university are using Twitter to engage students to communicate: A good set of guidelines on using Twitter is at: http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/

What exactly is Facebook? The following videos summarise what it is very nicely: What can you use Facebook for other than for social networking? View the following video for top 20 learning applications: A useful set of guidelines on how to use and manage Facebook is at: http://mashable.com/guidebook/facebook/

An interesting video to watch on some possibilities of iPad use in the classroom:

I think the day that most people will use their personal mobile devices is not too far away. Already, many are in their FB and Twitter accounts using their mobile phones. Many download music, movies and eventually, will do the same with academic podcasts (streamed videos and audio files) and slides for learning. mLearning will then become uLearning or ubiquitous learning. I found a few interesting slides on how mobile devices or mobile Internet will become part of our lives soon. This will of course, lead to mLearning. View the slides below: Designing Mobile Experiences View more presentations from Brian Fling . Mobile Trends 2020 View more presentations from Rudy De Waele . 2010 Mobile Influencers: Trend Predictions in 140 Characters, By TrendsSpotting View more presentations from Taly Weiss .

It's all a matter of time. When we first got on the Internet (early 90s), it was a thrill just to be able to communicate with someone who lives on the opposite side of the globe within seconds. That was primarily e-mailing and at times chat using the IRC. Next, Mosaic came along, followed by Netscape (mid-90s). No more gophering or ftping to get the files or information you need. It was exciting and the world slowly opened up...lots of information and lots of sharing. It changed the way we communicated, learned, taught, shopped, banked, etc. etc. Today (15 years later), we're blogg ing , Skype ing , Yahoo ing , Google ing , Wiki ing , RSS ing , Flick ering and more. Who knows what else. But one thing for sure, with iPods, iPhones, and iPads, the Internet that used to be at the tip of a mouse now sits in the palm of our hands and we can be anywhere, standing, walking, lying down, eating, exercising in the gym, shopping, working, on the bus, in the car, in the train, t...

Mobile learning or mLearning will soon be part and parcel of students' lives. With more than 100,000 Android apps now and more than 200,000 apps for the iPhone/iPad/iPod, it will be only a matter of time that we consider what students are already using and provide suitable learning resources and activities for their benefit. A good start for resources on mLearning is at: http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/2009/11/02/top-50-mobile-learning-resources/ Also, Free Technology for Teachers is a good start to find ideas and resources that can be used to design resources and activities that could be downloaded via mobile devices. I also see potential in using MyBrainShark mentioned in one of the blog entries for slidecasts. I'd like to try it.

Here's a blog that highlights several interesting conferences for your research findings on eLearning. The list is not exhaustive. http://otelonlineresearch.blogspot.com/

Revised set of slides for my session with Open University Sri Lanka on 15 October 2010: New elearning trends oct2010 2010 View more presentations from zoraini .

I met a lady lecturer from KSA today who was happily using an iPad. She's leading her university's e-learning initiatives and I would think, that out of curiousity, and the natural interest within her, got the iPad to use as a personal productivity tool. I personally think the iPad is one cool technology. Having toyed with it for almost a month now, I must say it has the potential to be an excellent learning companion. If only, it was more versatile; able to do what one typically does on a notebook PC alongside all the other iPad applications. I find the iPad somewhat limiting...not that great a devicejavascript:void(0) for word processing or to create a set of presentation slides. However, it is an excellent device to view files such as videos, documents or slides. It's a wonderful tool for email, surfing and all things that you normally do online. It's a great book reader as well, especially, if we don't want to carry that many books with us. Nevertheless...

iPads appear to be a hot item with many people these days. Selling at about a million units each month, it's a tool to watch out for. I've just got one to toy with. It's an awesome tool really. After the iPhone, the iPad makes more sense. The iPad screen is larger and friendlier to the eyes, provides a better interface and amazingly, there are over 200,000 applications to try out on the iPad. Note that the applications are not all free. Compared with my trusty notebook computer, it's lighter and the battery lasts at least twice longer - enough charge for almost a whole day of use. With more improvements to come, as reported by the iPad Insider , I believe the iPads will offer more to students. As a personal computing device, it's great for surfing the internet, checking the email, doing online banking, going into facebook, viewing online videos or listening to audio podcasts. It's not intrusive, works pretty much like having a book open in front of ...

For someone who once predicted that the Internet will not stay, Bill Gates predicts that in five years time, you will find the best lectures online for free and that e-books will dominate over traditional printed books. With the increasing popularity of online distance learning programmes and new universities such as University of the People , a tuition-free online university, Gates' predictions are likely to come true. And, now with the proliferation of tablet computing devices and smart phones, it will only be natural that learners will adopt learning on the go, aka mobile learning. View part of his talk at a recent technology conference.

We sometimes make the mistake to include the wrong graphic, photo or image. Read the pointers from the web site below: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5151400&id=592772926&comments=&alert=#!/notes/upside-learning/digital-instructional-media-design-101-graphics/480358265864

You must watch this. A hilarious look at a "traditional" teacher vs a "NextGen" learner. Can you understand any or all of it? This is how digital natives are learning.

Already viewed by more than 11 million viewers. Interesting set of statistics in the video (Did you know?) below:

Good to see that the 7 tools I use often are in the top 12 of the list. I'm about to try 3 others which are in the top 15. Great minds think similar! See complete list below: http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/recommended/top100-2010.html

I stumbled on this blog by a school teacher who uses it with her students to provide links to useful learning resources and to remind them of deadlines and such. A simple, yet interesting use of the blog. I wonder if all her students like it. Visit: http://2010sv38.blogspot.com/?expref=next-blog

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Mobile 2.0: Design & Develop for the iPhone and Beyond View more presentations from Brian Fling .

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: The Advent Of Mobile Learning Technology View more presentations from Upside Learning .

Sometime in 2008 it suddenly hit me. It can very well be that after a decade of serving students so well the LMS may no longer be the best platform to support learning. A couple of months later, I read a piece of article on the LMS declining in popularity. And now the video below. I think something like Ning will do a better job in supporting learning. Too bad it isn't free for all educators. Only North American educators will benefit from Pearson sponsorship. LMS SWOT Analysis View more presentations from Upside Learning .

Many of us are still talking about using Web 2.0 for learning. Of course, it's only a matter of time before Web 3.0 creeps into our lives. Steve Wheeler's recent presentation on Web 3.0 is timely and will soon, if not now, be forcing us to think of a new direction that will probably make sense given the state of advancement of technologies for learning now. Are we ready? How or why not? View Steve's slides below: Web 3.0: The way forward? View more presentations from Steve Wheeler .

As we move into an increasingly globalised world, which without doubt is a result of the impact of the Internet, more powerful yet more affordable mobile devices, we will be seeing some shifts in education today. However, while some institutions are making the necessary shifts to produce graduates who can fit into the new society, others are slow in making the changes and will, one day, find themselves producing graduates who can only contribute little to developing their country's economic development. More on this in the following article by George Siemens and Kathleen Matheos: http://ineducation.ca/print/202

Brilliant and interesting...how a teacher teaches music on the Internet.

Listen carefully and get the message. Strategy for elearning - listen for the four quadrants!

Interested to explore the usefulness and excitement of Web 2.0, especially if you think you need to do/learn more? See what Stephen Downes recommends. It was uploaded a year ago but is still relevant for many educators and learners alike.

A great list of 30 top resources, useful for the ID at work. Enjoy! http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/2010/05/20/30-top-online-resources-for-instructional-designers-to-keep-up/

Can't find a better way to quickly get an overview of learning theories. A series of YouTube videos put together for you to learn or review. http://technologyinclass.com/blog/learning-theories/

The slides are two years old but the info is still relevant and can still benefit those who are new. Check it out: How To Make E Learning Work View more presentations from Jane Hart .

A hilarious look at how learning, or rather re-learning can occur if a "fun" element is involved. Watch:

My all time favorite. Great discussion tool to introduce learning theories.

Benefits of ICT to learners today for tomorrow. Watch this interesting video:

Mobile devices are getting more powerful but cheaper and increasingly affordable. The only "hindrance" to the widespread adoption of mobile phones as learning tools is the lack or absence of broadband infrastructure or the somewhat high charges for 3G connection. Nevertheless, view the following slides to see how some changes could occur. mobile university: learning and teaching landscape View more presentations from andyramsden .

Like many other things, learning theories have evolved with time. Behaviorist theories have been part and parcel of learning for ever since we can remember. Then came cognitivist learning theories that highlighted the need to prepare the learner mentally so that he can cope with the learning and then given the techniques for effective storage and retrieval. Next came constructivist learning where learners need the "aha!" experience to discover new learning. With the pervasiveness of the Internet comes "connectivist" learning. Argued by some to be a theory and others as not being one, it is how learning occurs among the millennials or the GenYs. View the slides by Downes if you need to understand how this works. Connectivist Learning and Teaching View more presentations from Stephen Downes .

Apple's latest products have the potential to transform education quicker than other devices. Imagine how students will use just one device to read, listen, view, create, publish, communicate, collaborate and share information related to learning. Many NextGen students will love being able to do this through a single device. What do you think? Research by Online Degrees.org

I am most delighted with the achievement of Ms Chow Yun Yun, an Art Educator whom I first met when I conducted a workshop on using Web 2.0 tools in June 2009. She has proven that Art can come alive for young students through the use of blogs, facebook, etc. Take a look:

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eLearning has been around for several years now. It's evolving into eLearning 2.0, ubiquitous learning and who knows where it'll ten years down the road. The digital millennials are in secondary/high schools and colleges today. Then comes Generation Z? What will educators have to do to accommodate their preferences and needs for learning? For a start, view this great set of slides. I love how the message has been designed. E-Learning: 21st Century Perspectives on Teaching, Learning, and Technology View more presentations from Kiran Budhrani .

Found an interesting presentation on " What is instructional design? " Love the slides, the way the content flows and the message. What Is Instructional Design? View more presentations from ejars .

Watch the launch of iPad by Steve Jobs:

Apple never fails to impress me. One typically drools over their products, especially of late and their prices are getting more affordable unlike 10-20 years ago :-) Steve Jobs just launched the iPad . Really something. If you're about to buy a netbook, wait...see if the iPad will work better for you. I'm tempted to get one as soon as they start selling. Why not? As my Gen Y daughter says, "It's an iPhone and laptop hybrid, who would've thought that'd be possible so soon? On hindsight though, these days it's actually not much of a surprise especially with Apple. Anyhow, seems pricey in US$ and may also likely well be by the time it's (or if!) sold locally here but it'll probably be convenient and will see some personal 'productivity' increase for those who can afford one. The book reader function looks nifty and could actually be well-utilized." For more info, visit: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/27/the-apple-ipad/ . Looks like...

One of the ways to promote excellence in learning is by giving out awards of excellence. Why not? Brandon Hall has been doing this since 1999...wow! For further info, visit: http://www.brandon-hall.com/awards/excellenceawards.shtml

“The easiest way to make sense of microblogging is give it a go! It’s not for everyone, but the majority of people who use it as part of their working practice report that they find it beneficial." What do you think? View the video below and see if your view is correct.

This is a good summary of instructional media....not so much the instructional technology which will include other components, that is, not as clearly communicated through the slides, visually, that is. Information & Instructional Technology View more presentations from Alaa Sadik .

Slides presented to audience invited by the Malaysian Development Corporation (MDeC) last December 2009 as part of a platform of events to reflect on current trends and planning for the way forward for education in schools. http://www.slideshare.net/zoraini/new-age-tools New Age Tools View more presentations from zoraini .

Latest from The Chronicle of Higher Education (Jan 11, 2010 issue: "Getting technology tools into the hands of every student and family should be standard practice. It isn't now," said the U.S. under secretary of education, Martha J. Kanter, addressing a mix of technologists and educators . . . for more . Something that's equally interesting is that Facebook is giving away five doctoral awards. Read more about it here: http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Colleges-Lag-in-Technology-and/20419/

See if any of your favourite tools are on this list of top 100 tools for learning! Top 100 Tools for Learning 2009 View more documents from Jane Hart .

There used to be a time when many of the most desirable tools for teaching and learning were purchased. And, companies used to tout that once institutions have bought the license, teachers can easily create content. It was usually far from the truth. How many teachers can use Authorware, for example, to produce good lessons? Today, one can easily find a tool or platform that can be easily adopted for free or by paying minimal fees (should one want an ad-free environment) and teachers can create, not just content, but a learning environment that will engage both learners and teachers alike. If you're looking for a useful tool, visit Jane Hart's learning tools compendium at http://c4lpt.co.uk/Directory/Tools/instructional.html

We've gone through the last couple of years talking about and promoting the usefulness of Web 2.0 and how it is changing education, learning, learners and teachers. How long more will we be in this mode? How long more will it take for most, if not all, educators make significant changes. I have personally seen a few educators in Malaysia talking about Web 2.0 in education, the need to incorporate it and how to incorporate it...a bit late but never too late. Meanwhile, here are a set of slides in case you need another overview, particularly on Learning 2.0. John Seely Brown - Learning 2.0 - The Big Picture

This is interesting....found this today. I would like to know which country is satisfied with its education system in terms of producing relevant high school leavers. I think we need to be brave enough to re-evaluate and re-create our school curriculum, implementation and reward system for both students and teachers. It's about time. The National Commission on Teaching and America's Future (NCTAF)has a book titled, "Building a 21st Century Education System" comprising several chapters available online. See below and Web site . "NCTAF Board member Robert Wehling and the National Commission on Teaching and America's Future have published a book that brings together the visionary thinking of some of the nation’s finest education thought leaders and presents a diverse set of strategies and solutions to provide every child with a high-quality, world-class educational opportunity."