iVersity
Beth Rubin shared a link to the new iversity, iversity allows faculty and administrators to “create their own online academic network, join or create courses, upload and share content, or collaborate within research projects”. I have not had a chance to properly explore what is possible, but have created a basic account. One feature that looks interesting is their use of social reading:
“This feature allows users to take notes, comment and highlight content in texts and images – online and live. This transforms online reading into an enriching social experience. Social Reading is at the heart of what iversity is here to do: transform the internet into a empowering tool for academic collaboration and participation. This can be a powerful tool for discussions and exam revision, for example.”
Turnitin and Blackboard Miscellany
Later, Beth Rubin shared an article (Blackboard: A Tale Of 2 Companies) that explores Blackboard’s finances and future. Again, very interesting reading. Wondering if Blackboard will offer a rebuttal.
Timeslicing in the Classroom
More Online Tools For Educators
Some more online tools for educators via Beth Rubin:
New Technologies Enabling Enhanced Pedagogies Online
https://sites.google.com/site/shunewtech/
Tools for the New Year
https://sites.google.com/site/newtoolsforthenewyear/
Course Design in a Recession
http://sites.google.com/site/thrivinginarecession/
Models for Selecting and Using Technology
Beth Rubin shared an interesting blog with me this morning - Tony Bates is exploring “models for selecting and using technology” in education on his blog. Two posts have been written already, with a proposed schedule as follows:
- The challenge
- A (very) short history of educational technology and what it tells us
- Defining the characteristics of educational technologies
- Media and technology
- The affordances of different technologies and media
- Does educational theory help in choosing/using technology?
- What other factors should we consider? (This post will probably be expanded into separate posts on accessibility, students, costs, and organizational issues).
- Developing frameworks for selecting and using educational technologies
- What have we learned?
This look like the beginning of both a great conversation and a great series on educational technology.