Google Scholar- Beta Version

With the recent release of Google Scholar it's important to remember this is a Beta version...and beta means “In Testing”.

When the email announcing Google Scholar was sent out on our campus we received a quick reply from our librarian saying that she found this source not as good as EBSCO and Prel and other academic subscription services that our students have access to. Point well taken. Our students do have access, but we have paid for many subscriptions, whereas Google Scholar is free for all.

What I see Google Scholar doing is making paid subscription services give us more for our money, and in the meantime, with "testing" Google Scholar will get much better at what it is intended to do- provide access to free information for anyone who is not privileged or connected enough to obtain.

I'm just glad Google puts out in the public domain programs like this for us to test and develop, possibly quickening the evolution, and thereby allowing us to design programs more to our usage.

Blogger Goes Global

Blogger is Speaking Your Language: "We're starting to localize Blogger in nine languages besides English. Not all the pages are translated yet and there's a lot of work yet to be done, but still it's really exciting for us!

With this release, even more people around the world will be able to have a voice on the web. We think that is very cool. Blogger will now key off your browser's language setting to serve up a little something closer to home."

Why not use blogger en Espanol, Francais, or Deutsche in your foreign language classroom? Have your students keep their language journal in a blog. Or help them increase their comprehension and spelling skills through blogging.


Technorati Tags: education blogging social+software learning student+blogs education+technology

Flash Video

Macromedia Breeze Newsletter >> Encode, Design, Deliver: Getting a Grip on Flash Video
Craig Goodman

"It wasn't so long ago that video and the web were at odds. Video was becoming more beautiful and entertaining through new post-production techniques. Vast but slow, the web seemed to be stuck in a rut, resisting video's advances by confining it to small sizes and clunky, boxy players.

Flash Video is changing all of this. In this article, I will guide you through encoding and delivering video on your website."

GEM - Gateway to Educational Materials

Need to find Educational Resources? Check out GEM, “a Consortium effort to provide educators with quick and easy access to thousands of educational resources found on various federal, state, university, non-profit, and commercial Internet sites.” Check out the lesson plans they are easily adaptable to fit many course curriculums.

Looking for the latest news on a specific subject?

MSNBC has launched an experimental, automated news service, NEWSBOT. NEWSBOT (now in beta testing) gathers news from over 4,800 Internet sources to provide information at your fingertips. If you are looking for the latest news on a specific topic you no longer have to search different news sites to get your information. NEWSBOT brings you headlines from various sources at your request and keeps you updated as the situation changes. And it’s offered in different languages.

eSchool News has added a blog

eSchool News has joined up with Clarity Innovations to produce an educational technology weblog.

eSN - Ed-Tech Inside will be the co-hort effort of Steve Burt of Clarity Innovations along with Anne Davis, Will Richardson, Tim Lauer, and Tim Wilson to offer readers the opportunity to discuss ideas and innovations with like minded and experienced colleagues.

Welcome to the blogosphere eSchool News!

Integrating Lab Experiences Online

Learn how the University of Missouri-Columbia successfully designed innovative Science Laboratory Classes incorporating hands-on lab activities in Asynchronous Learning Network courses.

The Instructors use simulations, video demonstrations, field trips, tours, lab materials and connections with local experts to create educational experiences that enhance student learning and provide meaningful lab experiences.

For details read Integrating Laboratories into Distance Education Courses and rethink what many educators thought challenging.

Call for Participation in Becta ICT Research

USING TABLET PCS IN EDUCATION: Dr. Peter Twining, of the Open University, is leading a project that is evaluating the use of Tablet PCs in the education of people in the 5 to 16 age range.

"Are you using Tablet PCs in education? Do you know about people who are? If the answer to either of these questions is yes then please read on. As part of this evaluation we are documenting where Tablet PCs are being used or evaluated in education.

If you are involved in using or evaluating the use of Tablet PCs in any aspect of the education of young people then we would like you to tell us what you are doing by filling in a very quick web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire should take less than 9 minutes to complete (on average).

If you know of anyone else who is using or evaluating the use of TabletPCs in any aspect of the education of young people then please forwardthis message to them and encourage them to tell us what they are doing. You can find out more about the project from our project website, or from the Becta website."

Kwiki

Kwiki: "Kwiki is perhaps the simplest to install, most modular, and easiest to extend Wiki. A Wiki allows users to freely create and edit web pages in any web browser. Kwiki is Open Source Software written in Perl, and is available on CPAN."

Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS)

The Center for Digital Storytelling: "A non-profit project development, training, and research organization dedicated to assisting people in using digital media to tell meaningful stories from their lives.

Their focus is on developing large-scale projects for community, educational and business institutions using the methods and principles built around their Digital Storytelling Workshop.

They also offer workshops for organizations and individuals, and provide a clearinghouse of information about resources on storytelling and new media.


Technorati Tags: education+technology digital+storytelling education oral+history