Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Andres Peiro PalmerI've always thought that one of the best parts of online learning is the opportunity to take tests in your pajamas. But, apparently, not everyone agrees. A new facial recognition software program is being tested for possible use in online learning. Wired Campus reports: “Many professors who teach online [...]

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Sean LockeIf you want remote access to Wikipedia but don't want to shell out for Amazon's Kindle, consider downloading Pocket Wikipedia 1.0. Here's how Free Soft describes it: “Pocket Wikipedia, hand-checked selection from Wikipedia which is about the size of a fifteen volume encyclopaedia (24,000 images and 14 million words) The [...]

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Jason ReekieWhen used correctly, online class message boards and forums can be a huge asset. Virtual communication allows students to connect with each other, explore the subject in greater depth, and get feedback on their thoughts. A recent Campus Technology piece explains the importance of discussions in online learning: “Conversation has [...]

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Image# 5662949According to one professor, online colleges are not embracing the web 2.0 technology that has made websites such as Facebook and Twitter popular. Ars Technica reports: “Weller argues that the online communities fostered under the Web 2.0 umbrella perform a largely parallel function, in that they foster groups with common [...]

© Pathfinder Linden Many online college students take courses in virtual realms such as Second Life. To enter these worlds they must choose a graphical figure to represent them. The Economic Times reports: “An internet fantasy universe teeming with faux worlds devoted to socializing and video games is expanding to include virtual classrooms and universities. [...]

© Pathfinder Linden Many online colleges have created Second Life learning spaces to help students master material. Although some critics (myself included) tend to prefer more traditional methods of learning, others love the interaction these virtual worlds can provide. CollegeDegrees.com recently published a list of 50 tips and links to help with the creation of [...]

© flattop341 I recently stumbled across a rather incredible resource. The Center for Learning and Performance Technologies offers a list of thousands of online learning tools. Here's how they describe their collection: “This Directory contains over 2,300 tools for learning in two main sections 1. for creating, delivering and managing learning and performance support solutions [...]

© P. C. Loadletter Love logging on to Facebook, but hate checking your assignments on Blackboard? A new Facebook application can help you combine the two. Wired Campus reports: “Blackboard has created a Facebook application for students that brings their academic information into the social-networking site. For privacy and security reasons, the Facebook application does [...]

© functoruser A number of teachers are adding cell phone features to their online classes. Today's cell phones can do more than store numbers and play games. Many students receive online class updates via programs like Twitter. Here are a few other ways the Teach 42 blog suggests phones can be used: “1) Check the [...]

© Pathfinder Linden Educators from a recent webinar (online seminar) discussed the benefits of online gaming. eSchool News reports: “Online gaming can help students develop many of the skills they'll be required to use upon leaving school, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity, agreed educators who spoke during an April 16 webinar on [...]