Social Learning

I've been waiting for the flatworld knowledge site to go live. It looks really promising ... could this work for business learning as well? I'll let you know what I find. In the meantime, check out the preview videos.

From their site:
"We preserve the best of the old - books by leading experts that are rigorously reviewed and developed to the highest standards. Then we flip it all on its head. Our books are free online. We offer convenient, low-cost choices for students – print, audio, by-the-chapter, and more. Our books are open for instructors to mix, mash, and make their own. Our books are the hub of a social learning network where students learn from the book and each other.

Our books are social learning tools. It is 11:30 p.m. A student in Florida is reading online. She doesn't understand something. She clicks “Q&A” to see if that question has been asked and answered already. Yes? Great. No? She posts her question.. It is 11:47. An answer arrives from California. Thanks. Social learning at work. Students can chat live with other readers, take and share digital notes, set up study groups, and even find partners for cross border projects. They can do all of this at our site or tap into the collaborative features of Facebook using our Facebook app for this. They are part of a global community of learners. Or not. Their call. "

Check it out: http://www.flatworldknowledge.com/minisite/

In the press: http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/09/open-source-tex.html

Google your way to a younger brain

UCLA researchers compared people 55 to 76 who surfed the Internet and those who didn't. MRI scans showed more brain activity in those who routinely do web searches compared to novice web surfers. However, even novices boosted their brain activity after spending an hour a day for 5 days surfing. Web surfing stimulates the brain, particularly the frontal lobe, which is involved in complex decision-making.

In iBrain, Dr. Gary Small, one of America's leading neuroscientists and experts on brain function and behavior, explores how technology's unstoppable march forward has altered the way young minds develop, function, and interpret information. iBrain reveals a new evolution catalyzed by technological advancement and its future implications: Where do you fit in on the evolutionary chain? What are the professional, social, and political impacts of this new brain evolution? How must you adapt and at what price?

To compete and thrive in the age of brain evolution, and to avoid these potential drawbacks, we must adapt, and iBrain—with its Technology Toolkit—equips all of us with the tools and strategies needed to close the brain gap.

Adobe Captivate 4 - Sneak Peek

Came across a blog that has info on the yet-to-be released Adobe Captivate 4.

Check it out: http://blogs.adobe.com/preran/

and a sneak peek article: http://pipwerks.com/journal/2008/11/10/adobe-e-learning-products-sneak-peeks/

Live collaboration on text documents

I've signed up to beta test Etherpad, an online application that allows real-time collaboration on documents. It does not require downloading or installation of any software packages.

But, unlike many web applications, it does not require registration, either. Simply click “Create a Pad” on the homepage and you will open a new editing session. You can then copy and send the URL of the session to anyone you want to invite. By opening the link, they join in the editing.

Each person can write simultaneously and the text is updated in real time. And each person is assigned a different highlight color so it is easy to see who has typed what.

Just wondering if this application would work for storyboard/SME content development? I'll let you know how it goes...

Check it out: http://etherpad.com/

Use comics to spice up your learning

In the last several years, the comics art form has flourished, generating much interest from the literary, art and educational communities.

Comic Life is an award winning application for creating not just comics (obviously), but also annotated images, story books, instruction guides, and brochures.

The software costs $29.95 and you can download a 30-day trial version. Be prepared to lose yourself for a while - this software is lots of fun, even for those of us with little or no graphic talent!

Comic Life allows you to create page layouts with boxes for images and text. Styles can be applied to create just about any type of ‘feel’ for your document. Captions can be created with tails in order to have thought balloons, speech boxes or just additional annotations. Filters are available to turn your digital images into a variety of hand drawn looking graphics to enhance the comic appearance of your work.

Check it out: http://plasq.com/comiclife

For ideas on how to incorporate comics into your learning, check out: http://www.teachingcomics.org/

http://www.humblecomics.com/comicsedu/

Brain Games

Yet another way to get your brain exercising .. improve memory with scientifically designed brain games from Lumosity. I got sucked into Brain Age on the Nintendo DS last year so I thought I'd give this site a try.

This site offers a large catalog of quick-to-play visually appealing browser-based flash games that claim to boost and sharpen your cognitive powers. They are organized into progressive levels of difficulty and different categories of brain challenge – like “cognitive control” and “processing speed.” The idea is to incorporate a few minutes of game play into your daily routine… which they have made easy and pleasant to do. The games don’t require any special knowledge or preparation – they are largely interactive variations on games you’d remember from childhood like the popular card game concentration.

Check it out: http://www.lumosity.com/

There's a 7 day free trial and then it costs $9.95 a month or $79.95 for a year. Speedbrain is available for the iPhone via their apps store. I looked for a Blackberry version which led me to a product called "skyfire". I'll discuss this product in another post ... for now, I'm getting through basic training at the online site. It's harder than it looks!

smart-e-bear by Intellitoys

It's too late for Christmas ... but put this toy on your list for 2009. This soft bear will be your child’s companion during playtime and bedtime for years to come. Not only is he cuddly, he recites up to four hours of songs and stories, and plays games such as “Simon Says” – thanks to electronics tucked into his back. Parents can customize the bear’s responses with their child’s name, favorite music and stories, by using the included software (PC and Mac compatible) and USB port on the bear.

Kids can engage the bear in interactive games by pressing his hands and feet to respond. An online store allows parents to purchase additional songs and stories, available in a choice of languages.

Check it out: http://www.smartebear.com/

Natural software for studying, making, printing and sharing flash cards

Flash My Brain is a unique suite of software that makes flash card learning easy, fun, and worthwhile. The Flash My Brain learning process helps you learn things faster and more completely, while keeping you engaged and challenged.

You can even use Flash My Brain to make flashcards for your iPod or cell phone -- or use them with Flash My Brain for the iPhone.

Check it out: http://www.flashmybrain.com/

Tool for testing and developing SCORM content

Rustici Software’s SCORM Test Track is the ultimate tool for testing and developing SCORM content without the overhead of an LMS.

Advanced diagnostic information, monitoring of sequencing rule interpretation and one-click re-import, all from a dashboard control center, provide the best environment for quickly creating SCORM 2004 content with advanced sequencing rules. Best of all, it’s free.

Check it out: http://www.scorm.com/products/testtrack.aspx

Text Google

Text "weather houston tx" or wherever you live to 466453. Get tomorrow's forecast as a return text message.

That number? It spells Google. For a list of useful shortcuts and tips, text message "help" to 466453.

Check it out: http://www.google.com/mobile/default/sms.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65n-yPpg9yo

Read books by email

Have daily, bite-sized chunks of books you've always meant to read delivered to your inbox for free. Choose the day and time you want to read. Read on any computer or mobile device (including your Blackberry).

Why read books by email?
Because if you are like us, you spend hours each day reading email but don't find the time to read books. DailyLit brings books right into your inbox in convenient small messages that take less than 5 minutes to read. In the words of Dr. Seuss: Try it, you might like it! (Oops -- it would appear that the actual quote from Green Eggs and Ham is "You do not like them. So you say. Try them! Try them! And you may.")

Check it out: http://www.dailylit.com/