Vol. 10, No. 1 of the MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching (JOLT at http://jolt.merlot.org/) is now available online. Though the focus of this issue is MOOCs, there are some other interesting papers in this issue. Enjoy your MERLOT!
Monthly Archives: April 2014
We had a very successful Technology Showcase
With more than 40 presentations and 12 round table discussions!
See the program at the event blog and photos at http://ru.calameo.com/read/003055089bd69c46b1b58
US Views of Technology and the Future
The Pew Research Center has published a new study on “US Views of Technology and the Future.” Among the findings: 72% of Americans are not interested in getting a brain implant to improve their memory (and who would???). 8% say they want a robot servant (hmm, I would sign up today to have one!). 3% say they want a self-driving car (again, I can really use one!). Only 1% of Americans want jetpacks.
Everyone loves YouTube videos, so why not make them educational?
A good question!
The TED-Ed YouTube channel has accumulated more than 56 million views and 673,000 subscribers. Are you subscribed? EdTech published a pretty convincing case why we and our students need to!
More about using video in instruction is on my diigo collection.
Blackboard Joins Internet2
Dealing with the Heartbleed bug
This one is not good at all…
The Heartbleed bug is a major security vulnerability that affects many websites, servers and applications worldwide. The flaw was first discovered in OpenSSL on April 7, 2014. The flaw, named “Heartbleed,” was discovered in OpenSSL, the tool that provides Internet security for many websites. OpenSSL encrypts sensitive information – such as social security numbers, passwords and credit card numbers – that transfers between your computer and another company. OpenSSL sites are often signified by a lock icon and URL that starts with “https.” The Heartbleed bug allows an attacker to access encrypted information from these sites and steal usernames, passwords and pretty much any other private information.
Take several steps to protect themselves.
- Monitor the Mashable list of well-known websites and services that have been affected.
- Use the Heartbleed test tool to investigate whether or not other websites you frequent have been affected.
- Reset passwords for every online service that has been affected by the Heartbleed bug. Passwords should be changed only after a company has confirmed that they have fixed the Heartbleed vulnerability. Passwords also should be reset for any sites that share the same password, even if an individual site wasn’t vulnerable.
- Apply the latest security updates to home computers and mobile devices.
Can (will) you text your students?
Apparently, texting is 22 year old… Older than many of our students.
There were multiple attempts to use texting for instructional purposes. Have you ever done it? Will you consider starting?
Some recap is posted by Emergingtech; more about texting in education is available at my diigo collection.
Amazon Plans 3D Phone
Amazon is planning to release a phone capable of displaying 3D images in about 6 months.
Read more in Information Week and get excited!
Recording skype calls
We use skype extensively. Sometimes there is a need to record a conversion (of course with the permission of the other party!). This tutorial describes how it can be accomplished.
Working with primary sources
US Library of Congress offers great resources and suggestions on working with primary sources. Check it out if you are teaching history or learning history!