Collaboration, Learning Community, Learning Technologies

C4LPT Resource Centre

Laura Pasquini

Looking for ideas on how to best utilize technology for learning?  Then I would recommend that you check out Jane Hart’s website:

 C4LPT Resource Centre
Here you will find a collection of technologies, tools and learning trends emerging in education.  There are a many links, bookmarks and collaborations to provide any educator with ideas on their technology projects for learning.  I especially enjoy Jane’s Pick of the Day, which is updated consistently in her blog. This website is divided into two main elements:

  1. The Resource Centre
  2. The Social Learning Network

The best part of this resource is Hart’s interest in collaboration for learning technologies.  She wants recommendations from YOU for the Top Tools of 2009.  This database of information is regularly updated and contributions come from various educators using technology.

blogs, Higher Education, NACADA Tech Seminar 2009

Advisors Who Blog.

Laura Pasquini

Interested in getting your advising message out to students quickly? Looking to provide insight & tips for students? Want to be a master of your web content?

Well you CAN! Many advisors are blogging their content for student advisees. This is a quick method of information distribution and a great way to “stay in touch” with students.

Thanks goes out to Joshua Gaynor (from Columbia University) who prompted an inquiry about other advising blogs and here’s just a few I started archiving on my wiki:

These are just a few, and I know that there are LOTS more where they come from. If you are an advisor/office/student uses blogs for academic advising, I would LOVE for you to post a comment with your blog. If you are not an advisor, but still blog in higher education be sure to check out a previous post about bloggers in the profession.

Higher Education, Professional Development

Professional Development Options for “Tough Times”

Laura Pasquini

Financial crisis has hit the US, and this has impacted many fiscal decisions in higher education.  One of first areas to be cut in college & university budgets is professional development.  

Although it is critical to engage our faculty & staff in personal and professional growth, it will be our challenge to be more “creative” with how we go about it.  Instead of attending conferences, workshops & seminars far away we are suggested to look towards internal development or online cost-effective alternatives.

Since I am interested in further education & support in the higher education field I thought it would great to share some online professional development resources.  Some of these are free or a cheaper alternative if you connect with your department staff:

Feel free to add your 2 cents as to where to get free/inexpensive professional development.

Collaboration, web 2.0

Web 2.0 Tools for Effective Teaching

Laura Pasquini

There are a lot of different ideas for teaching & learning with web 2.0.  I have been fortunate to share with the Web 2.0 Tools for Effective Learning group on SlideShare.  I would like to extend thanks to Elaine Talbert (etalbert) for archiving and collecting presentations & information about what educators are doing with web 2.0.  I think this is a valuable resource for those of you interested in engaging with online learning & development at your institutions.  Check it out!

connection20

etalbert is “Keen researcher of technology and education. Fascinated by the potential of web 2.0 applications to transform learning.” And I happened to stumble upon Steven Downes’ post about Elaine’s contributions on SlideShare today, which made me think of the community of collaboration there is for education.  Keep connecting & learning from those around you and online.

Collaboration, web 2.0

Web 2.0 Goes to Work (for Education, Too!)

Laura Pasquini

The McKinsey Quarterly presented a great business model of 6 ways that web 2.0 technologies can go to work for managers:

1. The transformation to a bottom-up culture needs help from the top.

2. The best uses come from users—but they require help to scale.

3. What’s in the workflow is what gets used.

4. Appeal to the participants’ egos and needs—not just their wallets.

5. The right solution comes from the right participants.

6. Balance the top-down and self-management of risk.

I would argue that these business practices can also support best practices in higher education. If we think about our students, faculty & staff in our “business model” this might be a few things to consider on how to get web 2.0 to work for education:

1. Students need to part of the development & process of education.

2. Go to where students are – use the technologies are being used.

3. Incorporate web 2.0 tools into current resources & services

4. Interact & provide feedback to activity online.

5. Target tech-savvy students & staff to help facilitate online learning initiatives among peer groups.

6. Encourage online contributions from students with some moderation.