Thursday, May 21st, 2009

Reflections on Emerging Technologies Course

I am wrapping up a doctoral course on emerging technologies this week. I have to admit, this has been the most enjoyable course I’ve taken to date. The subject matter was right down my alley, and there was much more interaction in this course than in previous classes (I’m working on an online degree.). I [...]

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Can Gaming Skills Be Transferred to the “Real World?”

In a recent blog post, David Warlick discusses his experience presenting a discussion of the value of gaming in education to a group of parents and educators. He related some resistance on the part of some attendees, particularly one woman, who challenged his assertation “that the video game generation is more sociable and better collaborators [...]

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Evolution of a Teacher

What, exactly, is a teacher? Webster’s Dictionary defines a teacher as:
Teach”er\, n. 1. One who teaches or instructs; one whose business or occupation is to instruct others; an instructor; a tutor.

Teaching is primarily defined as “To impart the knowledge of; to give intelligence concerning; to impart, as knowledge before unknown, or rules for practice; to [...]

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Too Much to Moodle to Ignore?

As an advocate of free, online Web 2.0 tools, I have spent a great deal of time and effort in reading and researching, trying to keep up with the latest, greatest sites for my teachers or presentation attendees to use to transform their curriculums into the 21st century. I must admit that I’ve been neglectful [...]

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

Enemies to Productivity?

I just finished watching a thought-provoking presentation by Iqbal Quadir. Iqbal asserts that technology, particularly those technologies that have facilitated communication, have been critical to the growth and success of democratic societies and the economic welfare of their citizens. He states,
“If citizens can network and make themselves more organized and productive, so that their voices [...]

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Free Screencasting Tools

Screencasting is the act of recording the actions that occur on your computer screen in video format. It allows users to create video files of presentations, tutorials, and demonstrations that can be viewed in many formats, such as in online, embedded videos, CD-R/W, DVDs, portable media players, etc. Screencasts are powerful instructional tools because they [...]