Around the Web: Education Technology

May 17th, 2013

There is so much information available on the Internet today, it is incredibly easy to miss many of the great articles out there.  Unfortunately, a lot of great content can be overlooked due to the sheer volume of new information available on a daily basis.  As our regular readers know, we like to share useful resources regularly on our blog.  Today we are piloting a new monthly series called “Around the Web”.  In this series, we will share informative, useful, newsworthy, noteworthy, or just plain interesting education and technology content that we come across periodically, so you don’t have to miss a thing!  Enjoy the articles below and feel free to leave a comment if we’ve left out a great article you’ve found.

TED Teams Up with PBS

TED is a nonprofit group that sponsors and shares free online mini-conferences, or “talks”, in the spirit of spreading ideas.  The popular TED talks series teamed up with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (PBS) for a one hour special, “TED Talks Education” which aired on PBS last Tuesday.  The idea is to bring the insightful talks to television audiences.  If this program is a success, more collaboration could be in the works.  Read the full article from the New York Times by clicking the link above.

Online Teachers and Students

This is an interesting article written by David Newton, a professor of business studies.  Newton’s article explores the qualities of online students and teachers, and their often-misunderstood nature.  In this article he talks about students who are involved in distance learning: “These students don’t pursue online degrees as second best, nor are they students who have somehow been enticed away from traditional universities with promises of a better answer. They choose to study online because it simply works better for them. In most cases, it’s also a far more affordable option than a campus-based degree – and it’s clear that financial factors are increasingly driving higher education choices across the board.”  This article is a great read for anyone considering online coursework.

Four Basic Components of an Online Course

Speaking of online coursework, Four Basic Components of an Online Course is another great article for anyone considering distance learning.  According to this article, the four typical components of an online course are: the learning management system, course materials, assignments and group projects, and grading.  If you are wondering what to expect when taking online coursework, this article outlines it nicely.

Four Time Management Tips for Online Students

If you are already enrolled in eLearning courses, our final article will offer some useful tips.  In this article, Kelsey Sheehy shares four time management tips for distance learning students.  Sheehy quotes associate director of student services at ASU, Tamara Popovich: “The big myth is it’s easier to go online, because you can do it at your own pace,” Popovich says. “You do have more flexibility, but it’s not any easier … It’s harder, because you’re on your own; you’re left to your own devices.” Sheehy then shares four basic tips for managing your time wisely.  This is a must read for anyone taking an online course.

Distance Learning: The Time is Now!

May 17th, 2013

The traditional September to May school year is wrapping up around much of the world, with some schools already celebrating their graduation ceremonies.  Has another year gone by and left you wishing you were part of a graduating class? Does the graduation season have you wishing you had a degree or additional job skills to take your career to new heights? If you answered yes to either of these questions, there is no better time than the present to look into distance learning.

Even though the traditional school year is ending, you do not have to wait for September to begin taking eLearning classes.  With an online course provider like Gatlin International, you can enroll in a program or class any time, as the majority of our course offerings do not have registration timing constraints.  Students can register for courses when they are ready without having to wait on school semesters or quarters to begin and end.

Additionally, taking distance-learning courses allows you the freedom to study and complete coursework at times that are convenient for you.  This makes Gatlin International a perfect eLearning choice for students who have part time or full time jobs.  Gatlin International students have the freedom to work on their course requirements without having to rearrange their work schedules or request time off for attending classes and studying. 

Enrolling in online classes with Gatlin International is also ideal for “stay at home” parents who may find juggling traditional classes and taking care of a child or children difficult. The schedule of a stay at home parent can often be unpredictable, with free time being sporadic and inconsistent from day to day. This makes it difficult for many parents to be able to commit to a rigid schedule of classes from one semester to the next. When enrolled in distance learning classes, parents can complete coursework at their convenience without having to worry about childcare or set schedules.

So if the graduation season is inspiring you to get started on your degree or enhance you own job skills, online learning could be a great solution. And if you are looking for an excellent online course provider, do yourself a favor and take a look at Gatlin International. Gatlin International is the trusted leader in online learning, fully immersed each day in its mission of providing quality education to the world. Offering innovative learning solutions to universities, corporations and governments in more than 50 countries, Gatlin International serves thousands of students and partners worldwide with offices and multilingual staff in the U.K. and U.S. Our founder, Stephen Gatlin, a pioneer in the industry since 1993, is committed to aggregating and developing the most in-demand career training content available that empowers individuals and advances careers. The Gatlin International staff works closely with a shared altruistic vision and people-centric values that include teamwork, fun and empowerment.

If you would like to explore all of the course options we have to offer, click over to the Gatlin International course catalog to view a complete list of courses.  Gatlin International offers distance learning courses in IT and Software Development, Media and Design, Business and Professional, Sustainability, and much more.  

Computer Games in Education: MAGICAL

May 7th, 2013

In the past, we have shared a couple of articles on our blog that discussed the merits of using computer games as a learning tool.  A little over a year ago, we shared an article about how scientists were utilizing the computer gaming skills of the general public through a game called Phylo.  In this game, registered users were essentially helping scientists decode human DNA. In another article, How Computer Games are Helping Scientific Research, we discussed EyeWire – a computer game in which users are challenged to color the neuron connections in a given neuron cube – and Foldit – a computer game designed to help scientist figure out the biological problem of how proteins fold.  Today we are going to tell you about a European project that is exploring collaborative design of educational games by primary and lower-secondary students: MAGICAL.

According to the official MAGICAL website, Making Games in Collaboration for Learning (MAGICAL) is a multilateral project, that “explores the potential that digital games offer for developing transversal abilities such as digital competence, reasoning skills and creativity. The project tests an innovative ‘learning by doing’ approach to Game-Based Learning that encourages students not just to play educational games but to collaborate in groups to create their own digital games. Learners in primary and secondary schools (including those with learning difficulties) will work together using Magos – a bespoke digital game development environment with specific features that support collaborative authoring processes. Magos aims to be rich in functionality, simple to use, flexible and motivating, encouraging learners to work together to create and share games that are engaging and fun to play.”

The MAGICAL project is led by the Institute for Educational Technology, CNR (Italy), and includes partners from Belgium, Italy, Finland, and the UK who are particularly interested in how collaborative game making impacts key skills like creativity, problem solving, and digital literacy.  This project includes an educator-training component in addition to an analysis of project outcomes to support success and encourage ongoing effectiveness.  This project intends to make resources available to the entire education community to enhance curriculum and learning through the use of computer gaming technology. You can follow the progress of the MAGICAL project by clicking over to their official website, linked above.

As you can see, there are many ways computer games can have a positive impact in the fields of research and education.  If the use computer games in educational projects such as MAGICAL appeals to you, perhaps you should investigate a career in the computer game design industry.  Gatlin International offers an excellent eLearning course, Video Game Design course and Virtual Internship Experience, to help you reach this goal.  This award winning online course and training program is an appropriate starting point for students who seek a professional career as a game designer and developer. Combining concepts in computer graphics, computer aided instruction and marketing, Gatlin International’s Video Game Design course is easy to use.  There is no prior game or graphics programming background required to enroll in this course; students will acquire the skills needed through Gatlin’s project centered Virtual Internship.  Your daily work in a game design job will depend largely on the specific job path you take. You can choose to focus your work on any phase of the computer game design process, from the initial planning, to designing characters and environments, to programming.  To register for this course or to view more details, visit the Gatlin International website today.

 

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