You can gain University degree-equivalent knowledge in any of thirteen different areas of study. You won’t pay any money. You can study at your own pace and when and wherever you choose. Best of all, the textbooks that go with the courses are free and authored by university professors from around the world. The only thing [...]
Archive for the ‘Learning Methods’ Category
Saylor Offers Free Online University-Level Courses For 13 Areas of Study
Posted by ginac on February 4th, 2012
What Higher Education Can Learn From Video Games
Posted by ginac on February 2nd, 2012
Game-based learning motivates students both in and out of the classroom Game-based learning is so effective because the actual progress built into any game is the actual lessonóbe it the skill and dexterity needed to shot a precise arrow to the knee of your opponent in Skyrim, or the strategy and technique needed to maneuver [...]
Posted in Learning Methods, Teaching methods, technology, Video Games 
Tags: classroom, Computer Games, Education, Learning, Video Games, World of Warcraft 
No Comments »Apps, Androids, iPads: Using Tablet Computers to Enhance Student Reading
Posted by ginac on February 1st, 2012
As tablet style computers become more common, it is necessary for educators to determine how best to use them in the classroom setting. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the unique advantages tablet-based educational applications (apps) offer in teaching children effective literacy skills. By making effective use of these new and interactive techniques, instructors [...]
Infographic: The State of OpenCourseWare
Posted by ginac on February 1st, 2012
OpenCourseWare has grown steadily since 2001 thanks in large part to MIT. Discover how OpenCourseWare has and is continuing to change the way people learn. Via: Online College Courses Blog
Posted in Learning Methods, Online Tools, technology Tags: cloud learning, MIT, Online Learning, OpenCourseWare No Comments »Learning to Love Learning
Posted by ginac on January 31st, 2012
One of the greatest challenges for anyone in the business of inspiring, mentoring, or otherwise working with young people is to impart the love of learning. Education is often seen as a tool or a requirement, not as a freedom; a chore, as opposed to a luxury–rarely as a source of enjoyment. Homeschoolers and independent [...]
Posted in Homeschool, Learning Methods, Literacy, Online Tools, technology Tags: homeschool, Learning, literacy, love of learning, technology No Comments »Ex-Stanford Professor Starts His Own Low-Cost Online University
Posted by ginac on January 24th, 2012
Dr. Thrun recognized the power of technology to deliver his course content to over 160,000 students who signed up for his online artificial intelligence course at Stanford University. Dissatisfied with traditional lecture techniques at most higher education institutions, Dr. Thrun started Udacity. Learn more about Udacity or enroll in an upcoming course. Homeschoolers, the Introduction [...]
LEGO for Girls – Good or Bad?
Posted by ginac on January 4th, 2012
There has been a bit of negative ranting about the new LEGO Friends line of LEGO kits, a LEGO line targeted squarely at girls. Many parents are ranting because these LEGO kits are girly. Pink and lavender dominate the colorscape in these kits. Themes are mostly light and domestic – think café and beauty salons. [...]
Five Bold Learning Ideas to Challenge the Status Quo in the New Year
Posted by ginac on January 3rd, 2012
Happy New Year. A new year is always an opportunity to look ahead with optimism. Everyone can make a positive impact on our lives and world. Whether or not we actually make (and follow-through on) new year’s resolutions, here are five bold learning ideas that challenge the status quo in ‘education’. Embrace all or just one [...]
Posted in Activities, Homeschool, Interdisciplinary, Learning Methods, Literacy, Make, social change, TED Tags: Empathy, Learning, Share, TEDx, TEDxYouth, tolerance, Toys Comments OffMITx-Certificate Program for Free Online MIT Courses
Posted by ginac on December 20th, 2011
MIT is following Stanford University’s lead by offering certificates for collections of free, online courses like those already available through MIT Open Courseware. Learn more about how MIT is changing the face of higher education
Posted in Learning Methods, Online Tools Tags: cloud learning, MIT, MIT Open Courseware, MITx, Online Learning, Open Learning Comments OffOutside-the-Box Thinkers Thrive in Personalized Learning Environments
Posted by ginac on December 3rd, 2011
“The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) almost seems designed to flunk an autistic person: it is a completely verbal, timed test that relies heavily on cultural and social knowledge. ” -Scientific American Mainstream public schools supposedly offer educational instruction to everyone. However, children who think and learn in ways not accommodated for in public schools are [...]
Posted in Back to School, Learning Methods, Teaching methods Tags: autism, IQ, Personalized learning, Scientific American, Unschooling, WISC Comments Off
