Archive for the ‘eLearning’ Category

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eLearning Resource: Evaluating Applications with Rubrics

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

A few weeks ago, we shared an article our readers titled There’s an App for That.  This article featured several websites and tools that make finding educational applications (or simply “apps” as they are commonly called) for various Apple devices an easier task.  Today, we are going to share another eLearning resource related to apps:  evaluation rubrics.

Rubrics can be a great way to evaluate just about anything. Well-developed rubrics are generally quick and easy to use.  When you use a rubric as an evaluation tool, you have the ability to grade several different things by the exact same criteria.  This can be very helpful when trying to compare things in an objective manner.  In an excellent compilation, Tony Vincent of Learning in Hand shares his educational app evaluating rubric as well as several other rubrics he has found useful.  Today we are going to feature a few of the rubrics we found the most interesting.

Educational App Evaluation Rubric by Tony Vincent

This is a very straightforward rubric that is simple and easy to use.  This rubric has seven criteria to rate on a one to four scale:  relevance, customization, feedback, thinking skills, usability, engagement, and sharing. Each rating choice within all of the criteria choices is clearly defined so the evaluator will be able to grade each app consistently.  This is a very handy rubric that will work well in evaluating a broad range of apps.  Mr. Vincent also developed an Educational App Evaluation Checklist which is basically a list of statements that the evaluator either finds true or false about the app.  The more checks an app receives, the better the app.  Again, this is a simple and easy to use app evaluation tool.

Mobile Application Selection Rubric

The Mobile Application Selection Rubric is another great rubric for its simplicity and ease of use.  There are ten categories on this particular rubric including “Aligned to Common Core Standards”, “Meets my Students Needs”, and “Scholastic Presentation”.  Each category is easily rated by choosing “Well Meets Need”, “Adequately Meets Need” or “Does Not Meet Need”.  Within each category a description of these three choices is also provided.  This is another education application evaluation rubric that would be well suited for a variety of applications.

Arizona Technology Integration Matrix

According to the Arizona K12 Center website, The Arizona Technology Integration Matrix is “designed to assist schools and districts in evaluating the level of technology integration in classrooms and to provide teachers with models of how technology can be integrated throughout instruction in meaningful ways.”  This rubric is a little more involved than the other two examples we have mentioned, but it allows the user to evaluate educational apps based on how they are being used in the classroom specifically regarding technology integration.  This online rubric has an additional feature of clickable links to sample lesson plans and videos for each level of each category.

As educators begin to incorporate technology and apps in the classroom more and more, it is important to take the time to evaluate the value of these resources to determine if these tools are in fact useful.  The rubrics we have shared here can be a very helpful tool in assessing chosen applications.

Gatlin International Course Spotlight: Building Sustainability

Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012

In our course spotlight series this week, we will be looking at some of Gatlin International’s Sustainability courses.  We have mentioned several of Gatlin International’s Sustainability courses before, including Green IT – Information and Communications Technology for a Sustainable Future and Green Business and Sustainability Professional.  But, what you may not know is that Gatlin International offers an extensive list of eLearning courses that fall into the Sustainability category.  Today we are going to feature two of Gatlin International’s Sustainability courses that focus environmental responsibility and building planning.

Principles of Green Buildings

The Principles of Green Buildings distance learning course offered by Gatlin International will give students the science behind the concept of house-as-a-system by going through all of the major sub-systems that affect the way the entire structure performs. A building is the sum of many parts, and for best performance for the occupants it must be set up correctly with those sub systems synced together. A building that performs correctly will offer the best energy efficiency, provide a healthy environment for its occupants, and maintain its structural integrity.

The nine modules of Gatlin International’s Principles of Green Buildings course will take students through all of the aforementioned material. This distance learning course will help students prepare for BPI, NATE, NARI, RESNET, and other industry credentials for green buildings. Students who successfully complete this program with an overall grade of 75% or higher qualify for 28 hours of continuing education units (CEUS) from BPI or NATE, and those CEUs are applicable to several certifications.

Sustainable Ecotecture and Environmental Development

Gatlin International’s Sustainable Ecotecture and Environmental Development eLearning course takes students around the world to examine existing and proposed building projects as real-world examples of how change can occur on any scale, on a wide variety of terrains and climates.  By focusing on a holistic approach that considers more than just an isolated building or geographic area, but the environment and resources that surround them, students in the course will learn how to create a balance between the needs of the individual or community and the environment.

Over the course of this green building program, students will learn about the integration of green technologies, net zero buildings, green development, and sustainable practices on a wide range of scales in order to provide them with relevant models.  Students will also consider factors such as overpopulation and the need for clean, renewable and alternative energy sources.  This course also provides students with insights into profitable solutions for a range of obstacles.

The Sustainable Ecotecture and Environmental Development distance learning course offered by Gatlin International also explores the far reaching impact building decisions made by individuals, corporations, and governments will ultimately have on society’s ability to sustain itself and prosper in the future. Throughout this course, students will gain valuable insights from experts in the field of eco building though informative interviews, videos, and interactive exercises stimulating real world and hypothetical case studies where conventional and innovative approaches produce viable solutions to a range of challenges.

If you would like to enroll in either of these courses or any of the Sustainability courses Gatlin International has to offer, click on the Sustainability link in the Gatlin International course catalog today.

eLearning Resource: Classroom 2.0

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Today we would like to share an excellent eLearning resource with our readers: Classroom 2.0.  This is a website that acts as an online social forum for those in the education profession who are interested in incorporating social media and participative technology in the classroom.  Steve Hargadon, host of the Future of Education interview series and co-chair of the annual Global Education and Library 2.0 worldwide conferences, created this social network in 2007.  Classroom 2.0 has many great features and boasts of having over 60,000 members from 181 countries worldwide.

One of the main features of Classroom 2.0 is the user discussion forum.  This part of the website is set up much like any other discussion forum and provides a place for education professionals to pose questions, offer advice, and share ideas.  If you sign up for an account with Classroom 2.0, you can mark discussion threads that interest you and you will then be able to access these threads in one centralized location, “My Discussions”.  The Classroom 2.0 discussion forum is a great networking tool for teachers and educational staff.

Classroom 2.0 also has a Groups section in which you can find a large selection of groups of users with common interests or goals.  For example there is a group called CIS Technology Forum that provides a place for users to share ideas and knowledge about using technology in the classroom.  There is also a Brazilian group, Exchange Brazil, which seeks to match up Brazilian students with “ePals” (similar to the pen pal concept of years ago) so they may learn about different cultures, countries, and ways of life.  As a Classroom 2.0 member, you may also start your own group if you don’t find one already in existence that suits your needs.  There are many school site specific groups that are used as a communication tool for the participating schools or school projects.

Other features of the Classroom 2.0 website include a link to recordings where users can access various informative recordings on all types of education and technology topics.  Additionally, Classroom 2.0 has a channel in iTunes U in which users may listen or subscribe to these recordings.  There is also a link to something called EdIncubator where users can find a daily video blog, lesson plans, two weekly news stories, original student produced news pieces and a new initiative called the Student Reporting Labs.  EdIncubator aims to create a “fun community dedicated to media literacy, good citizenship and empowering young people through journalism.”

Classroom 2.0 is a free, community supported network.  You can create an account on the Classroom 2.0 website or also sign up using your Facebook, Twitter, Google, or Yahoo account.  While there is no charge to sign up for a classroom 2.0 account, all memberships must be approved.  You can keep up with what’s happening at Classroom 2.0 by following them on Twitter at @Classroom20.  To sign up for your account or to learn more about Classroom 2.0, visit www.classroom20.com today.

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