Great Video Tutorial Resource

Khan Academy features a many short online video tutorials concerning a number of different topics, especially in the areas of math and science. This may be a good resource to point students to who need some extra help. Here's an example of an Algebra linear equations tutorial:

Too many choices and not enough time...

An interesting column in the New York Times that talks about yesterday's hot new commodities and what they still mean to online learning opportunities.

Blackboard news prompts blog notice

It's all the rage in the discussions today, so I thought I would let you know here. Blackboard has purchased Wimba and Elluminate, two competing synchronous learning environments. (Competing each other, not Blackboard.) Despite what Blackboard says, I would agree with those with whom I've talked that buying either Wimba or Elluminate would be a "strategic move"; to buy both is to play smackdown on smaller Blackboard competitors who have partnerships with the tools. Here's a few links to peruse

• Inside Higher Ed Piece
• Barry Dahl's blog
• Wimba Press Release
  

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 As more and more people have access to search these historical documents, the transparency of government becomes and interesting discussion for History and Political Science classes...not to mention discussions on appropriate and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.