FOIA and new learning resources

I thought this was really interesting. Elena's Inbox is a website that makes public all of Elena Kagan's e-mails when she was working for the Clinton Administration. As more and more people have access to search these historical documents, the transparency of government becomes and interesting discussion for History and Political Science classes...not to mention discussions on appropriate and inappropriate use of e-mail...

With these sorts of things coming up, makes you want to just pick up the phone and call...

New Google App and the Future of Cloud Computing

ReadWriteWeb recently posted a blog entry covering a new Google app and the future demise of desktop applications.

First up, a quick review of Google Docs ability to share drawings--or more specifically related to learning environments: Quick one-page graphical reports that students could create to enhance learning for them and their classmates.

Second, a reference to a new Pew Trust Study that talks about the future of cloud computing and the demise of desktop computing by the year 2020.

In other words: Status Quo, just when you get settled, it's time to change things up again.

Free Tool for Creating Audio

The new free tool AudioPal allows users an easy way to create audio for online. You have the option of recording by phone or by mic, uploading an audio file, or simply typing in text and having it converted to speech. AudioPal will then email you code to allow you to embed your audio widget where ever you would like. This could be a great tool to allow students to work with and share audio in online and enhanced classes and might also be used for creating audio for lectures and tutorial instruction.