June 11, 2013: Online And Distance Learning Weekly is out

"Online And Distance Learning Weekly", by Natalie Stewart: A free online newspaper with a curated selection of articles, blog posts, videos and photos about online and distance learning - for students and professionals in the field.

Read and subscribe free at: http://paper.li/NattyStewart24/1325359513

‘Digital natives’: An Asian perspective for using learning technologies

Authors:
D.M. Kennedy, James Cook University Australia, Singapore Campus
R. Fox, The University of Hong Kong

Abstract
Students entering universities in the 21st century have been described variously as digital natives, the millennial generation or the net generation.
To date there has been little information specific to the Asian learner and their use of technology. This paper begins with a description and analysis of a survey that examined the knowledge, skills and understanding of students entering first-year undergraduate studies at the University of Hong Kong. This description is followed by a discussion of the potential impact this has for the design of learning environments in higher education.

Published in the International Journal of Education and Development using ICT - Vol. 9, No. 1 (2013)

Read more at: http://ijedict.dec.uwi.edu//viewarticle.php?id=1558

Open Educational Resources: Opening Access to Knowledge

IRRODL, Vol 14, No 2 (2013). Special Issue - Open Educational Resources: Opening Access to Knowledge

Special issues give our readers and our authors an opportunity to focus on a theme of particular relevance. Certainly open educational resources, open courses, open publishing of scholarly works, and most recently open courses are particularly relevant issues to all distance educators and researchers.

The issue was aptly edited by Rory McGreal, Athabasca University,  Wanjira Kinuthia, Georgia State University, and Stewart Marshall, The University of the West Indies, with technical assistance from Tim McNamara.

Issue published at: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/issue/view/56

Lisa Bu: How books can open your mind

What happens when a dream you've held since childhood … doesn't come true? As Lisa Bu adjusted to a new life in the United States, she turned to books to expand her mind and create a new path for herself. She shares her unique approach to reading in this lovely, personal talk about the magic of books.
Lisa Bu has built a career helping people find great stories to listen to. Now she tells her own story: http://youtu.be/6ibCtsHgz3Y

On the Move: Mobile Learning for Development

Edited by:
Wanjira Kinuthia, Georgia State University
Stewart Marshall, The University of the West Indies

This a recently published book on how some educators have embraced the opportunities afforded by mobile learning in developing and resource challenged contexts.
The book will appeal to elected public/government representatives, public service agencies, community groups, regional development bodies, researchers, educational technologists and others interested in mobile learning. Students on senior undergraduate or postgraduate courses in educational technology, education, development studies, information technology, information systems, business, health, and social work will find this book useful in their studies related to the application of mobiles in learning and development.

More details: http://onlineanddistancelearning.com/mobile-learning-book

Computer Health and Safety

This web page deals with computer health and safety issues of online learning, in particular the need for a well designed computer workstation (with an ergonomic chair and computer desk) and the need for a healthy work schedule.

Read more at: http://onlineanddistancelearning.com/computer-health-and-safety

Tips for learning online: Three things to do, two things not to do, and one "no-no" for learning online

Tips for learning online - Here are three things you should make sure you do, two things you shouldn't do, and one thing that is absolutely forbidden, if you are wanting to learn online.
read more

Tips for learning online: Three things to do, two things not to do, and one "no-no" for learning online

10+ Apps for Turning the iPad Into a Collaborative Device -- THE Journal

Check out these apps--from popular to obscure--that are helping the iPad realize its potential as a collaborative device in the classroom.

Read more at: http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/05/08/10-apps-for-turning-the-ipad-into-a-collaborative-device.aspx?=THEMOB

A framework for mobile learning

In order to move from theory to practice in mobile learning, one needs a framework. The JISC Mobile InfoKit introduces its frameworks discussion by listing six ‘course aspects’ (my term) which may be behind the drivers for mobile learning. The first four are pedagogical approaches. In sum, they are a pretty good, though not comprehensive, list of the ‘ideas behind the drivers’ toward mobile learning.

Read more at: http://placesmobile.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/a-framework-for-mobile-learning/

May 7, 2013: Online And Distance Learning Weekly is out

"Online And Distance Learning Weekly", by Natalie Stewart: a free, online newspaper with a curated selection of articles, blog posts, videos and photos about online and distance learning - for teachers, researchers and students.

Read and subscribe free at: http://paper.li/NattyStewart24/1325359513

Integrating problem-based learning with ICT for developing student-teachers’ content knowledge and teaching skill

Authors:
Mehdi Karami, Shahid Madani University of Azerbaijan, Iran
Zohreh Karami, Farhangian University of Hamadan, Iran
Mohammad Attaran, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The aim of this research was studying the effect of integrating problem-based learning with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) on developing content knowledge and teaching skill of trainee teachers. The research design was a quasi-experimental one, and the participants were elementary education trainee teachers of Shahid Bahonar teacher training center of Hamadan, Iran. Two groups were given tests of theory and practice on teaching mathematical concepts at elementary school, and then a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to compare the pretest-posttest scores. There was a significant difference, in both multivariate and univariate analyses, in scores. The findings suggest that trainee teachers who integrate problem-based learning with ICT in solving a problem may develop more professional content knowledge and teaching skill than those who merely employ ICT.

Read more at:  http://ijedict.dec.uwi.edu//viewarticle.php?id=1578

April 25, 2013: IJEDICT Weekly News is out

"IJEDICT Weekly News", by Stewart Marshall: A free, online newspaper with a curated selection of articles, blog posts, videos and photos about using ICT for education and development.

Read and subscribe free at: http://paper.li/f-1325685118

How to Learn Online

How to learn online? Find out how online learning is different to classroom learning, and how you can learn more effectively.

See it on Scoop.it, via ICT for Education and Development

April 8, 2013: Teaching and Learning Weekly is out

Teaching and Learning Weekly, by Adam Atodl: a free online newspaper with a curated selection of articles, blog posts, videos and photos about teaching and learning - for students and teachers.

Read and subscribe free at: http://paper.li/f-1328546324

3 Ways MOOCs Unleash the Power of Massive International Attendance

So far the immediate effect caused by MOOCs on those of us growing up far from prominent universities is the opportunity to access quality education to complement “traditional” education one might be receiving locally. If you have participated in any MOOC, you might agree or not about the delivery or evaluation method or question its effectiveness, but you cannot deny the quality of most of them.
But from my point of view it is the massive attendance to the course the most relevant and interesting characteristic for analysis.

Read more at: https://edutechdebate.org/massive-open-online-courses/3-ways-moocs-unleash-the-power-of-massive-international-attendance/

How do Mobile Applications Benefit the Education Sector

In 2007, when the iPhone made its debut, there was little doubt that it would revolutionize the mobile phone industry. But at the time, few imagined that it would spawn a multibillion-­dollar market for mobile applications, and fewer imagined that this market might become a significant one for children.
Less than six years later, more than a quarter of all parents have downloaded apps for their children to use. Babies have achieved virtual celebrity for mistaking a magazine for a broken iPad, children now learn to “swipe” before they can tie their shoes, and tweens and teens coveted the iPad over any other gift holiday season. Today’s children will benefit if apps become an important force for learning and discovery.
 
Read more at: http://ictpost.com/2013/03/28/how-do-mobile-applications-benefit-the-education-sector/

Seventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning (PCF7)

Deadline reminder: Call for abstracts and proposals
The deadline for submitting papers and proposals for PCF7 is 30 April 2013. All papers and proposals must address Open Learning for Development: Towards Empowerment and Transformation through one of PCF7's five themes: Girls' and Women's Education; Skills Development; Promoting Open Educational Resources (OER); Innovation and Technology; and, Institutional Development
PCF7 will take place in Abuja, Nigeria from 2 to 6 December 2013, co-hosted by the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). It is a dynamic event with a variety of formats to enable participation, knowledge sharing, learning and networking. Apart from paper presentations there will also be a variety of activities that address the interests and expectations of different participants.

www.col.org/PCF7
www.col.org/PCF7Submissions

Commonwealth of Learning - Journal of Learning for Development

COL is preparing to launch the Journal of Learning for Development. The new e-journal will provide a forum for the publication of research with a focus on innovation in learning, in particular but not exclusively open and distance learning, and its contribution to development. Content will include interventions that change social and/or economic relations, especially in terms of improving equity. The Journal of Learning for Development is seeking submissions for its inaugural issue.

Read more at:  www.col.org/JL4D

Best Online Learning Platform. Winner: Moodle

What software makes it easiest for you to learn outside a traditional classroom? There are lots of great options, but only one winner.

See it on Scoop.it, via ICT for Education and Development

Are your students plagiarizing? Here's how you find out

There are a number of ways teachers can figure out if their students are plagiarizing. There are a number of websites and programs that will help you do just that. You type in a portion of your student’s paper and run it through a plagiarism checker to see if those words appear elsewhere on the Internet. If they do, your student may have plagiarized.

Check out these free online resources: http://drsaraheaton.wordpress.com/2010/09/26/are-your-students-plagiarizing-heres-how-you-find-out/