EDUCAUSE | Contributed by EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative and Learning Objects

7 Things You Should Know About Mapping Mashups

drupal — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 10:17:55 -0500

Mapping mashups use online mapping services, such as those offered by Google or Yahoo, to display customized, clickable markers showing points of interest and related information. In the classroom, they can place lessons in a rich geographical context and increase interactivity. They can be useful for spatial display of research data or for enhancing information on campus Web sites.

The "7 Things You Should Know About..." series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning practices and technologies. Each brief focuses on a single practice or technology and describes what it is, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use "7 Things You Should Know About..." briefs for a no-jargon, quick overview of a topic and share them with time-pressed colleagues.

In addition to the "7 Things You Should Know About…" briefs, you may find other ELI resources useful in addressing teaching, learning, and technology issues at your institution. To learn more, please visit the ELI Resources page.

7 Things You Should Know About Augmented Reality

drupal — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 12:43:20 -0500

Augmented reality adds information and meaning to a real object or place. Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality does not create a simulated reality. Instead, it takes a real object or space and uses technologies to add contextual data to deepen students' understanding of it. To the extent that instructors can furnish students with a broad context for understanding the real world, students are more likely to comprehend and remember what they are learning. Through exposing students to an experiential, explorative, and authentic model of learning early in their higher education careers, augmented reality may help shift students from passive to active learning modes and thus become more successful learners.
The "7 Things You Should Know About..." series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning practices and technologies. Each brief focuses on a single practice or technology and describes what it is, how it works, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use ELI's "7 Things You Should Know About..." briefs to gain a no-jargon, quick overview of a topic and share them with time-pressed colleagues.

If You Give A Student A Computer: Patrick McElroy Suggests a Win-Win Model for Managing Growing Demand for Digital Learning Content

drupal — Fri, 25 Jul 2003 11:16:41 -0500

One of the NLII's top priorities is the fostering of market structures for the development and delivery of interactive learning materials. The program is focused especially on markets that provide the evaluation, acquisition, distribution, and publication of proprietary, Web-based digital learning materials. Patrick McElroy, founder of Learning Content Exchange and NLII annual meeting 2003 general session speaker, has worked with publishers as well as courseware and technology companies in helping them create business models and distribution strategies for digital content.

The Digital Repository Comes of Age: NLII Members are Turning Learning Objects into Knowledge Agents

drupal — Wed, 23 Jul 2003 11:08:16 -0500

Learning objects are digital resources, modular in nature, that are used to support learning. They vary in size, scope, and level of granularity ranging from a small chunk of instruction to a series of resources combined to provide a more complex learning experience. Learning objects are an emerging NLII key theme because their use has the potential to customize learning experiences and tailor the learning environment to the learner, save time and money through reusability, and make learning design and teaching practice more learner-centered.

This article presents a new definition and ontology of learning objects emerging from the work of the NLII's Learning Objects Working Group, and discusses the use of learning objects and the issues they present to Ohio State, University of Arizona, University of British Columbia, ranging from definitions to the challenges of technical interoperability, to learning objects' impact on the transformation of teaching and learning.

A summary of NLII resources and activities (past, present and planned) on Learning Objects is also provided.