Write Technology

Don't Go Faster Tweak for Firefox?

You might see a lot of blog entries out there giving you directions on how to tweak the config in Firefox to make it go even faster on a broadband connection. I originally made the tweaks (and have since un-tweaked). Apparently there is a Reason that those changes weren't in the release of the browser to begin with. Asa at Mozilla explains why you might not want to make the changes.

Shoestring eLearning: Open Source

It can be done. You can implement a Learning Management System and not spend millions of dollars. You are not forced to turn to NetG, WebCT, or other large systems that perhaps your company can't quite afford. You can just use an open source LMS. The open source LMS that I have heard the most about - all pleasant, mind you - is Moodle.

What is Open Source?
First off, you should understand that open source means that the application is free. It also means that various programmers are constantly developing the application, improving it.  If, in your use of the product, you improve the product, you are expected to share that with the entire product user base.
Surprisingly to many, open source applications tend to have better than average support. Perhaps this is because the programmers have a lot of heart and soul invested in their creations. Open source apps also tend to have a large user community that communicates via forums or other means, providing an endless offering of ideas, support, and suggestions.
That said, go ahead and take a look at Moodle.  You may appreciate what it has to offer.

eLearning with No Budget
A recent "report" from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework takes a look at creating eLearning using open source software and readily available hardware.  It explores everything from MP3 Players to cell phones as additional tools in eLearning.  It covers several open source products, including Moodle, as well as open source assessment development software, such as Hot Potato.  While the report/white paper is written in a very conversational style, complete with happy faces and cute graphics, it also exposes some valuable information.

You don't have to have a huge budget to create effective eLearning.  You just have to know where to look.

Moodle
Australian Flexible Learning Framework: eLearning on a Shoestring -  Developing a Solution (PDF file)
Hot Potato: assessment development

Blogmeister

Blogmeister is a blogging tool created specifically for the education market.  The biggest difference between blogmeister and any other blogging tool is the ability for the teacher to review the student blog entries before the entries are published.

But blogging is also showing up in schools, where teachers have known for a long time that students  develop better communication skills when they are authentically communicating. A number of educators are helping their students developing their writing skills by having them publish their work as blogs, and then invite comments from people in the outside.
There are many freely available tools that facilitate blogging, but none seem especially suited for the classroom. That is the reason for BlogMeister. This online blogging tool is explicitly designed with teachers and students in mind, where the teacher can evaluate, comment on, and finally publish students' blog articles in a controlled environment.

I have long been an advocate on the use of blogs in education - especially in creative writing classes.  For a teacher to be able to control what is then published to the outside world, as well as provide private comments and guidance, is the next step in an emerging and useful technology.

Blogmeister