Using Blogs and Social Networks to Engage K-12 Learners
Here is a nice video that shows good use of blogs and social networks in K-12 education.
Video - A Vision of K-12 Students Today
Here is a video created to inspire teachers to use technology to engage our “digital natives.”
Created by B. Nesbitt
3-D Virtual Learning Environment - Right Here in Baltimore
This looks fantastic and is a great opportunity for students here at a local school in Baltimore (reported as a first of its kind in any U.S. high school). Johns Hopkin’s Applied Physics Lab (APL) worked with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the University of Baltimore to deploy a 3-D Virtual Learning Lab. This is a state of the art learning environment modeled after the facility APL uses for DoD and NASA projects.
The first project will be exploring and learning about Mt. St. Helens.
Peloff said the area around Mount St. Helens was chosen because the ecosystem has changed dramatically over the past 30 years and is a great place to begin integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts into the virtual environment.
And they are planning a Moon environment too!
I am very confident these high school students will learn a lot from this technology and have fun at the same time. It will be great to hear more about this project and the results of learning through games and simulations.
A big kudos and thank you to Baltimore County Schools, Hopkins ADL, University of Baltimore and their private sector partners for putting this together.
Read more about it - http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=60314
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.
