A recent paper came out from Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Technology and Child Development: Evidence from One Laptop per Child Program in Peru, which was the first large-scale evaluation of One Laptop Per Child’s impact on education. The great news is that the program dramatically increased children’s access to computers. The rate of computers per [...]
Archive for the ‘technology’ Category
One Laptop Per Child Project and What Its Failure Means for Education
Posted by ginac on April 10th, 2012
Posted in Homeschool, Learning Methods, technology 
Tags: homeschool, OLPC, One Laptop Per Child, Sugata Mitra 
Comments OffApple’s Publishing Apps Appeal to Homeschool Authors
Posted by ginac on March 30th, 2012
It’s as if Steve Jobs had homeschoolers in mind when the folks at Apple created the newest version of iBooks. It certainly keeps in step with their mission of magic. iBooks 2 includes the iBooks Author app which may be the coolest thing I’ve seen this year. Granted, it’s barely Spring, but you get the [...]
Posted in Apple, Back to School, Eclectic Homeschooling, Homeschool, iPad, Reading, technology, Writing Tags: Apple, Author, homeschool, iBooks Comments OffGoogle Summer of Code 2012 – Students Flip Bits, Not Burgers
Posted by ginac on March 28th, 2012
Imagine getting paid to do something you love. Imagine also getting valuable career experience, a mentor, and a valuable professional network–all before you’ve graduated from college. If you’re at least 18 and enrolled in an accredited pre-college or college, you could be flipping bits instead of burgers this summer while creating an amazing portfolio. Google [...]
Posted in Back to School, College, Computer Programming, STEAM, technology Tags: Computer Programming, google, Open source, Summer of Code Comments OffSaylor Offers Free Online University-Level Courses For 13 Areas of Study
Posted by ginac on February 4th, 2012
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 [...]
Posted in Books, College, Homeschool, Learning Methods, Online Tools, technology, Unschooling Tags: Bachelor of Science, E-learning, free online learning, Free University, Homeschooling, Online Learning, Open Courseware, Saylor, Unschooling Comments OffWhat 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 Comments OffInfographic: 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 Comments OffLearning 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 Comments OffDoes Your Child Need a Cell Phone?
Posted by ginac on January 7th, 2012
Cell phones were not available when I was growing up. The single rotary phone we did own hung inconspicuously on the wall near the kitchen. I never gave much thought to the phone other than to find out what the weather forecast was for the following day. Anyone else remember doing that as a child? We [...]
Posted in Back to School, technology Tags: cell phone, data plan, internet, safety, texting Comments OffHappy Holidays
Posted by ginac on December 25th, 2011
Happy Holidays to all of our loyal readers. We’re looking forward to another great year of sharing learning resources with you. Enjoy these past posts for ideas on extending the fun from holiday gifts, especially if those gifts include LEGO or Apple devices. LEGO Creator – Creative Building Ideas Using Existing Bricks Musical Instruments on [...]
Public Libraries Experimenting with Hackerspaces
Posted by ginac on December 13th, 2011
Hosting hackerspaces in libraries might seem odd, but libraries are and have always been central to all sorts of learning. Hackerspaces are becoming increasing popular, so it makes sense that a respected institution such as public libraries bring maker tools to everyone. Everything from mold injection machines to 3D printers are taking up residence in [...]
Posted in Library, Make, technology Tags: Fabulous Laboratory, Fayetteville Free Library, Hackerspaces, Public Libraries Comments Off
