Descend into a Black Hole
Here is a great video on what it would be like to descend into a black hole. Yes, I am an astronomy nut and I love educational videos/animation. Plus, it comes from my alma mater, University of Colorado at Boulder. So, when I saw this video and the great stuff coming out of Jila at CU, I had to share it.
The video contains insets that include a map of the trajectory and a clock that displays the time left until central singularity, where space and time come to an end. In e-learning central singularity is 1 continual hour of clicking next buttons. Had to throw that in.
Here are all the details of the science behind this video - http://jilawww.colorado.edu/~ajsh/insidebh/schw.html.
Merger – OutStart & Hot Lava (Mobile Learning)
OutStart has announced a merger with Hot Lava software. OutStart produces an LCMS and development tools (including TrainerSoft, which was renamed OutStart Trainer). It will be interesting to see where this goes. There are many challenges to m-learning. The ease of getting handhelds to talk to an LMS is one, I am sure they will be getting this down pat with Hot Lava and their LMS. If done well it may even give them some advantage in the m-learning world.
So, here is what they get by buying, I mean merging, with Hot Lava as stated in the press release.
OutStart will make use of Hot Lava’s patent-pending technology to develop, deliver and track mobile content for everything from product training to assessments, surveys, job aids and checklists. OutStart plans to incorporate Hot Lava Mobile capabilities in its social business software and learning systems as well as offer Hot Lava Mobile as a stand-alone solution.
This will be interesting to follow and see its impact on the m-learning world.
Video on Twitter in the Classroom
Here is a really well done video about Twitter being used in a UT Dallas classroom. It provides perspectives from the professor and the students. Goes to show ya, in the classroom Twitter is a great medium for increasing participation.
Free K-12 e-Learning Courses
There are some great e-learning courses out there for kids. I had a few courses on the Free e-Learning page, but hidden under Misc. I am well overdue to add a K-12 category on the Free e-Learning page. For me, some of the most engaging and inspiring online learning is designed for K-12 students. As a corporate trainer, I am often inspired by what is done in K-12 programs. And much of this inspiration has led to much more fun, engaging and instructionally sound course’s for my audience. This includes use of educational games, cartoon characters, immersive simulations, humor, etc. So, thank you to all the K-12 course designers out there.
And thank you Christy, Experiencing E-Learning, who suggested that I add Edheads.org to the list. I have always relied on the kindness of bloggers.
Here is what I have so far, but I know there is MUCH more to add:
Edheads (numerous educational games and activities)
Build a Panda Habitat – National Zoo
National Postal Museum Activity Zone
If you know some courses that I should add, just let me know.
Free e-Learning Page ISD Additions
My Free e-Learning page has received a consistent number of visitors since adding the page. The page receives approximately 10% of my blog’s hits. And from my blog stats, I can see many are launching the free courses.
My intention for the page was to not only provide educational opportunities, but also to showcase examples of e-learning. Many of us, myself included, are inspired by seeing what other e-learning professionals are creating. And I am happy to see the page is being attended.
So, with the intention of increasing the value of the page I have added an “Instructional Design” category.
Thus far, I have added the following:
Access eLearning – Georgia Tech Research on Accessible Distance Education (GRADE)
Aligning Instructional Design and Technical Standards – Eduworks
ADDIE Model – C. Pappas
Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction – C. Pappas
Objective Builder – RadioJames
Theories of Instructional Design – J. Carswell
If you know of any courses that will add value to this category or to the Free e-Learning page in general, please let me know.
Thanks
