In continuation to our weekly roundup of the best links shared on Twitter and Facebook, here is a collection of our top 15 links from the last week, each accompanied by a quick brief.
1. Learning Management System Acquisition Statistics
More organizations are looking to invest in Learning Management Systems as the economy slowly improves. This article on the Brandon Hall blog mentions new statistics on this new technology.Read it here
2. What Makes Good Teaching?
In its new Education White Paper, the government says the key to improving standards in England’s schools is ‘good teaching’. Mike Baker looks at what makes a good teacher in this insightful article on BBC News.
Read it here
3. Educational Game Trailers
Video games are increasingly making their presence felt in the education domain. This article on Kapp Notes includes some educational game trailers that show a combination of video game-type interfaces with educational content.
4. The Growth Of Mobile: Stats And Figures That Will Shock You!
This video on iPads in Education highlights some amazing statistics about the use of mobile phone and devices.
5. Growing Up Digital, Wired For Distraction
The constant stream of stimuli offered by new technology poses a profound new challenge to focusing and learning. This article on the New York Times talks how kids today are caught between two worlds –virtual and the real.
Read it here
6. Google Docs Connects With Microsoft Office
The release of Google Cloud Connect ensures that you can stay wishy washy and commitment-free. This article on CMS Wire talks how this new service connects Google Docs and Microsoft Office directly, allowing users to operate the Office interface with Google Docs features.
Read it here
7. Ways Technology Is Improving Education
This article on Mashable discusses how technology’s role in schools has evolved from a contained “computer class” into a tool that’s changing how we demonstrate concepts, assign projects and assess progress.
Read it here
8. Tim Berners-Lee: Facebook Could Fragment Web
Founder of the World Wide Web says that some of the most successful social networking sites ‘have begun to chip away at its principles’, reports this article on Guardian.
Read it here
9. 250+ Places For Free Books Online
The best freeware reviews presented to you by Gizmo’s team of experts provides a listing of 260 sites that legally offer free books (eBooks) on a wide range of topics, for download or for online viewing.
10. Weekly Poll: HTML5 Vs Native Apps
HTML5 was one of the top trends of 2010 and one of the areas seeing increased use of HTML5 is mobile devices. This article on Read Write Web debates if HTML5 is good enough as it stands today or are native apps still much better.
11. Does Reading Make Us Happier?
Public libraries face an uncertain future but the value of books is irreplaceable, says Joan Bakewell in her new A Point of View column on BBC News.
Read it here
12. Teaching For America
With education gaining the center stage in nation-building, Arne Duncan pushes to find the next generation of teachers. This article on The New York Times talks about Duncan’s views on teaching and the various initiatives he has started to nurture the teaching talent.
Read it here
13. This Is Your Brain On Metaphors
Our brains are wired to confuse the real and the symbolic. And the implications can be as serious as war and peace says this article on The New York Times.
Read it here
14. From Some Teachers, Excitement About Classroom Tech
The New York Times and its Learning Network asked teachers to make videos demonstrating how the use of technology has changed their classrooms. This article on The New York Times shows the potential benefits and dangers of technology as a devil and an angel perched on a student’s shoulders.
Read it here
15. iPad 2.0: What We Think We Know
This article on PC World helps craft a composite picture of what to expect in iPad’s new version.
