The Khan Academy:

The Khan Academy is an online, not-for-profit resource that’s great for those seeking a world-class education free of charge.  Currently, the Kahn Academy hosts over 3,200 online educational videos on a vast array of subjects at varying levels of difficulty.  For the younger kids, there are great k-12 subject videos that can be a wonderful source of material for homeschool parents, or those studying for a GED.  There are also a number of college and upper level material videos that are great as supplements to an existing college education or for those simply hoping to learn more about a particular subject at a higher level. 

MIT OpenCourseWare/Harvard Open Learning Initiative:

Both MIT and Harvard, two of the top schools in not only the nation but the world, have opened their online doors to the public.  Through MIT’s OpenCourseWare, people around the world with access to the internet can sit on select lectures and classes offered by the prestigious institute.  Harvard’s program offer’s virtually the same thing: an opportunity to sit in on lectures given by some of the best academic minds in the country.  Did I mention though, they’re both also, free of charge.  With two huge name institutions like this opening their doors to the public for learning opportunities, you can bet that other universities and colleges will jump on board soon as well, lending yet more opportunities for free higher learning.

Open Culture:

Although it’s not directly affiliated with Stanford University, Dan Coleman, who is the Director of the university’s Continuing Studies Program, created Open Culture as another online resource to provide free media for continued learning.  Open Culture allows users to learn new languages and take free courses in a wide variety of disciplines.  As it’s run by a true academic from a similarly top-notch University, Open Culture is another a great example of the huge push for more free education options in this country and around the world.  It’s a great tool for those out there seeking more education without spending the big bucks. Regardless of your age, education, or economic status in life, learning more is something we should all strive to do.  In a world that’s becoming so incredibly accessible and global, it would be a shame to waste all the great resources we have at our disposal.  By learning more, in general, we can hope to make the world a better place for not only ourselves, but for all of those around us, both far and near.

Already this decade many young adults pursuing degrees in the medical profession and other careers are finding that they can more easily fund their online educations with the help of medical student school loans and other subsidies. When the benefits of online degrees become even more apparent, more young adults will want to eschew the exorbitant costs of traditional schooling, further fueling the exodus.

How is this miraculous transformation going to go down exactly? You ask, puzzled, somewhat tremulous with excitement. Technology for 2,000 please! Yes, our simultaneously old and new best and worst friend Technology could one day pave the way for school-less learning. Here’s how:

Cloud services. We already have the ability to store and share most of our files and applications online, where they can be accessed and collaborated upon. It’s no longer necessary for teachers to disseminate hand-outs and other physical documents. Just do it online! It also eliminates expensive and burdensome hardware requirements.

Distance learning. Thanks to computer terminals with Internet connections, we no longer need to be in a physical location in order to learn. Students can do so remotely through glorious chat rooms and increasingly hi-tech e-platforms. This will also allow students from different regions of the world to share class time together.

Virtualization. As we progress further into the future, it will be possible to inhabit virtual spaces, where we can tap into online classrooms and interact with both teachers and students virtually through….

Avatars! While we may not be tall, blue aliens (although there’s no reason to count anything out) we will be able to represent ourselves digitally in Second Life-like virtual communities with fully sensory avatars that recreate the experience of ‘being’ and ‘interacting.’

What will this do to traditional schooling? Well, it’s a safe bet that drastic change is in order, as demonstrated by the already growing trend of online degrees. Physical locations, documents, tools, and people will no longer be necessary in order for students to learn. Will these changes relegate principals to the role of group admin, moderating comments and issuing emoticons? Only time will tell…

For traditional colleges and universities, international students usually have a greater ability to pay. At a time when tuition costs, already at astronomical levels, keep rising, and when a greater number of families are struggling on tight budgets and in need of financial assistance to pay for education, colleges must increasingly face the fact that many students will require aid. If the school has a need-based approach to financial aid, this results in many students not paying the full price.

In the past, colleges looked outside of their state or region to court wealthier students that had the means to pay tuition costs in full. These days, they are looking further afield. Despite our country’s economic problems, our education system is still the envy of the world, and smart and enterprising students across the globe seek to come here for college. Those who seriously consider all the costs of attending school overseas are usually capable of paying in full. For colleges, then, it is win-win: they can increase the cultural diversity of the student body while also padding the university’s coffers.

The situation for online schools has some overlaps and also some differences. The economic recession has hurt non-traditional colleges like DeVry University, which focuses largely on providing the degrees that are most applicable for the workforce. With unemployment high, and with no signs of an impending recovery, many people are eschewing colleges like DeVry. The school’s enrollment and revenues have suffered as a result.  To boost both, the company is focusing on international expansion. It already operates in Brazil and the Caribbean, and it has now been hinting at plans to expand into Asia, with India being the prime target.

While India has a growing workforce and an economy that requires a range of vocational skills, its education system remains less focused on career training, especially among colleges that are more accessible to the average Indian. By expanding there, then, DeVry could potentially tap a very large market.

The move towards internationalization, especially among more online-focused schools, reminds us that it is only a matter of time before there are education companies operating globally, and maybe even colleges that offer an internationally-accepted degree. Costs would certainly be lower, since qualified professors could lecture from any country; the technology is certainly already here, in the form of the latest learning management system; and it would offer millions and millions of students around the world a first opportunity to get a college education. Perhaps the recession could have this long-term silver lining.

This most recent economic downturn has been labeled by some as the “Mancession” because of the loss of physical labor, warehouse, and manufacturing jobs commonly associated with men. About 71 percent, or 7.5 million, male related jobs were lost during the recession. A lot of people are turning to lower wage positions in the service industry because they lack the skillset needed to excel in the changing job market.

While these labor intensive jobs are drying up and heading overseas to countries like India and China, new jobs in the IT, Pharmacy Tech, and Hospital industries are expanding. Because a lot of baby boomers are set to retire soon, there will be a higher demand for more skilled workers to fill these roles. It may seem like a daunting task to learn a completely foreign vocabulary of career jargon, but colleges are set up to help you through it as smoothly as possible.

Gaining a solid technical education in college is becoming an important step to finding a career. While a general education is offered by most universities, there are numerous schools, online and offline, that ditch the traditional basics and prepare you for a focused career path. Trade schools are designed to essentially get you in and get you out with the latest technical knowledge available.

If you choose to attend a traditional university, make sure to arm yourself with the latest career information and get to know your academic adviser. When you speak with a college adviser, you need to be prepared and do some research. Most advisers are swamped with students looking to fill out their credit hours for the semester and just offer a couple of set templates for schedule options. If you go through the academic catalog before speaking with an adviser, you can have a conversation about what classes will be best for your career.

Many people choose to go to college out of tradition or because their families insist upon it. If you are one of these people, make the most out of your opportunity and leave your college experience with a high-quality and in-demand knowledge base.

People are increasing the ways in which they interact with technology and the same seems to be the case for education. CNBC recently reported that top online college classes and degrees, once viewed with a certain level of stigma, are becoming more widely accepted in the workplace. Before online degrees brought with them little respect, however, as more people are coming from accredited online universities employers are starting to take notice. Some argue that the success of the online education field has been largely due to the recession, but regardless of the reason, online schooling is taking off.

The reasons that online colleges are gaining such momentum are largely due to flexibility and economics. The cost of going to a traditional four year college can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. With online programs, you don’t have nearly the same level of cost. This is because a traditional university isn’t just charging you for the class. They have to pay for buildings, heating/cooling, maintenance and upkeep, and many other things. With online colleges, many of the infrastructure costs are limited to salaries and servers. It’s a low cost option for a high level degree that is attractive to people that are acutely aware of how tight money is right now.

The majority of individuals seeking online degrees are also older. The flexibility of these classes allows them to take care of their responsibilities and jobs while pursuing a degree. You don’t have to leave your home or your children. You can log on from anywhere and attend class. People also save on gas and other food and transportation costs which has made online schooling the most economical decision. It’s not just new schools that are cropping up can competing, but well-known institutions with established reputations are taking a concentrated effort in developing their online degree programs.

The effort to expand online resources by universities has created an ever expanding market for diverse programs, but the quality of education is much the same. Many are worried that the quality of education is somehow lacking. This is a assumption on the part of opponents of these degrees that imply that there are more lax policies in place for online schools. These online programs, in fact, must go through the exact same accreditation process as their traditional counterparts. This is a part of a system that’s been set in place to control the quality of education that people are receiving and closely monitors the effectiveness of the material, instructors, and effectiveness.

If you’re interested in pursuing an online degree for any of these reasons, you should know that the application process is the same as a regular college. You will still need a high school diploma or a GED, as well as standardized testing scores in order to apply. If any online college tells you that this isn’t necessary, then it should be a huge red flag. Before writing any checks or enrolling in any courses, you should go online and check to see if they’re an accredited institution. If they have a good program, it could be the answer to your employment woes. You might find that an online program is the happy alternative that will meet your needs for education and improved potential.

Textbook Rental Sites

Hopefully every college student on Earth has heard of these companies. Chegg.com is the most popular, but the process is identical for all: you rent a mail order textbook and send it back when you’re done. It’s like a boring version of Netflix except you save a lot more money. The majority of users of these sites rate their experience very highly and recommend them to others.

Online Classifieds

Chegg.com was originally conceived as a “Craigslist for college,” and was only tweaked after the founders discovered textbooks were the predominant reason people used their service. Traditional online classifieds remain a terrific place to look for textbooks, especially if you live in a college town. Always make sure to communicate the necessary edition before deciding to meet up. Otherwise, you may either forget to ensure it’s the right one or waste your time on a book you can’t buy.

Social Networks

Facebook isn’t too keen on the idea that users can potentially turn it into a classifieds site with more refined marketing, but nothing stops you from utilizing your swath of friends. Many no doubt attend the same school you do, so several may have the book you’re looking for and vice versa. Sharing or reselling are definite possibilities as is good old fashioned donating. Just make sure to remember to pay it forward when the time comes.

Online Survey Taking

Countless companies utilize online survey services to learn more about ways to improve their products. In turn, these survey sites employ individuals that meet their demographics requirements. In return for participating in online surveys, members of the public often receive gift cards to sites like Amazon.com. Just by filling out a few surveys in your spare time you could cut the cost of buying a textbook through Amazon or other online retail sites.
Textbooks are in a terminal state of relevance, but don’t hold your breath thinking you can evade them for the entire duration of your higher education. They can cost more than $100, which can cripple a college kid’s budget. But that doesn’t have to be the case if you know where to look.

The post-graduation economic advantages are not the only reason why anybody who says they
can’t or they won’t get a four-year degree are simply kidding themselves. Recent reforms in
student loan processes have made it far easier for those with limited monetary means to afford
the expense of a college degree. The federal government has taken control of the majority of
student loan and grant programs, paving easier access through cheaper rates. The long-term
weight of student loan payments has also been lessened to an extent. Federal loans are hereby
going to be claused to include a term in which two decades of faithful payments will forgive any
additional federally-dispersed student loan debt.

Then there’s the assortment of further education opportunities that simply didn’t exist even
ten years ago. Many universities across the U.S. have improved their night programs to allow
working adults to have easier access to education. Online degrees can be obtained through
thorough online college programs, allowing anyone with a home computer or access to one to
work on and receive a college degree from their living room. It’s a whole new world of higher
education avenues and anyone who still thinks it’s an impossible journey just isn’t looking at an
updated enough of a map.

Check college rankings for an idea of what program potentially works best for you. Even if you
live in an area where college options are few and far between, online college rankings can help
you find an online program that can fit the desired education you’ve always wanted but felt was
impossible to attain. Contact admissions offices and don’t hesitate to ask the important questions
that have had you bogged down in indecision for years. That’s what these people are there to do.

If you’re without a college degree and over the age of 25, statistics have your work to find work
cut out for you. Don’t get lost among the competition because you didn’t know about all the
different paths to being a college graduate you could take. The education opportunities will
continue to expand for years to come, but employment opportunities will stay competitive for
years. Time is of the essence; get yourself a degree as soon as possible to keep up with everyone
else

When it comes to e-learning, sometimes the desire is high to build something really slick or extensive or just darned big, but the budget is tiny. That’s champagne taste vs. beer budget. On a recent #lrnchat, (check May 26th transcript) we discussed how to show your clients what’s possible. Comments ranged from wanting to educate clients on all of the options or things that could be done when they asked only for a course to a sense that dealing with the demands was hard enough and there was a need to scale back some of the superfluous “interactivity”. I think one thing that is really important is to focus on the outcome. What do people need to do differently as a result of your e-learning?”
View Original Post

Sorry too all that may have been affected by the mess that that I created today. Rest assured eLearning 3.0 blog was NOT hacked, it was merely an accident. I screwed up. You may have noticed over 1000 posts in my Twitter feed and on the site. I was in the database and accidentally merge a couple of my posts tables from another site.

My sincerest apologies,

Lee

That’s where an online MBA program is so helpful. Because of the time constraints associated with higher education, and because the majority of those seeking an MBA are usually already working a full-time job and often raising a family, it’s more difficult than ever to make the time to carry a full load of classes at a local university. Enter the world of eLearning.

An online MBA program gives you the opportunity to finish your degree while working a full-time job, raising kids and more. The ability to study online, without the need to attend classes on a physical campus makes eLearning more efficient, especially for adult students. And the variety of quality programs available makes it easier than ever to find a web-based program to meet your needs.

Online degree programs are available in a number of disciplines, though some subject areas are more easily adapted to eLearning. Computer related fields are an especially good option, for instance. But so are business and technology, among many other things. Online MBA programs even exist for nursing and other more technical job classifications.

Many local colleges and universities offer online classes now. That makes it especially easy to attend a college you know without having to drive across town to campus. Another great benefit is that you can often finish your degree in much less time than when taking traditional classes. That can help you advance in your career more quickly as well.
An online university such as the University of Phoenix (UOPX), not only offers a full line of degree programs, but they’re also highly respected in the educational realm. That means you don’t have to suffer with a degree from an unknown institution just because you take your classes online.

Online MBA program offer several distinct advantages over traditional college campuses. The ability to take classes with an already full schedule, complete a degree more quickly and still receive a quality diploma from a recognized school are all important aspects of a good education. eLearning only adds to the benefits derived from completing your Master’s degree.

Manufacturers of state-of-the-art teaching tools are designing their products strictly to enhance the student’s experience and make the teacher’s job easier. These benefits obviously complement the overall savings and are in fact the true highlight of going green in the classroom. Handheld devices are being made to take the place of pen and paper in the testing process: students can answer questions with the touch of a button as instructed by the teacher on an overhead Smart Board depicting the test to the whole class. Simple question and answer sessions conducted by these same methods can allow students to give answers, even ones meant for the whole class to hear, anonymously. The data collected can be taken by the teacher and broken down into digestible metrics.

Taking steps to integrate students’ own devices into the classroom experience is also another way to avoid massive paper waste while also ensuring that information isn’t lost when the final bell rings. Allowing students to operate their laptops, iPads, and other personal computers keeps them from having to take home heavy reams of information every week, saving countless sheets in the process. If students only have access to the school’s computers and one at home, initiate a dedicated self-emailing regimen for your classroom to follow after every piece of information is received and work needs to be saved. Emphasize the importance of the flash drive. An investment teachers could easily sell to the administrators is one in flash drives. Every kid can be assigned one each year.

Interactivity is not only essential for any classroom trying to compete against the outside forces of television and social media, it’s necessary to thwart these influences taking hold of our children while they’re in the classroom. In just a few years we’re going to have kids show up in our classrooms with no understanding of a world without mobile access to content. You’ll have to make sure you keep this mobile content out of your classroom by either tying up the devices themselves with your own content or reducing their time to focus on them by offering your own interactive competition.

All the while you’ll be saving trees and other good green things. Very few opportunities in reducing the cost of education enhance the classroom environment as much as they save money. Take advantage of the digital leap and leave paper back where it belongs – in the forest.

The world has become far more technologically literate and the unparalleled growth of social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter have, in kind, led to a certain level of backlash and technophobia on the part of some parents that see technology as a deficit for their children. Children do in fact spend far less time outside and partaking in physical activity from the recent past and some parents feel that video games are a part of this. But as some official sources have stated, the issue isn’t clear-cut or black and white. Simply put, our world is becoming increasingly techno oriented and it_s extremely important for parents to expose their children to this in order to better prepare them for skills they_ll need later on in life.

The Guardian, an independent UK based periodical, released an article discussing the prevalence of video games in our society. Where before baseball and other outdoor activities were the center in which many social circles operated, this has shifted to Internet based media. Computer games, once based on two bit mapping systems, are now highly advanced programs that engage the brain in a multi-faced way. The article argues that, most computer games are helpful for children anywhere from console based to preschool games.

The Guardian, though, makes it a point not to condone the use of game depicting violence since it does seem to have a proportion response and increase in levels of aggression in children who’ve had extensive exposure. Overall it_s argued that the benefits of further production and innovation in this field will only aid in the development of the youth in our shared cultures.

In recent years there have been huge strides in further integration of computer technology in the classroom. It_s hoped that though using many technologies, initially designed for entertainment, and refitting them for educational purposes, our educational system can begin to make up for its many deficits such a lack of teachers and outdated books. A school in Tennessee, as TechSpy reports, is now requiring every student to have iPads as the primary teaching method.

From the iPad, children can brows through lesson plans, take tests, and write papers. Though this is in its infancy, it’s likely that this approach will only become more common as the cost of education, child population, and need for quality technological education and exposure increases.

It’s not surprising that there’s been a backlash against some computer games and other increased use of computers but, whether it’s a positive or negative, this is the way the world is going. Any society the rejects technology and its further education and uses will find itself sorely lacking in innovation and as a competitor in the world market. If America hopes to compete against rising giants like China and India, it will have to learn to embrace the world of high tech.

It’s vital to research online programs for a PhD carefully.. If you get a PhD from a program without the right credentials or credibility, future employers may questions your authority in the field. As you choose an online PhD program, here are some things to consider:

Accreditation

One of the most important things you can do as you vet online PhD programs is to make sure that your choices are properly accredited. The process is voluntary, and any school that decides to submit to it can gain proof they offer services of a certain quality. The process includes a review of faculty, course content, admission procedures, and other factors. Schools are expected to make improvements if the review doesn’t meet established standards. Check with the Department of Education, as well as with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, to see whether or not your preferred program actually has the right credentials.

Individualized Instruction

One of the myths surrounding online education is that you won’t receive personalized instruction. However, this is not usually the case, especially for this type of degree. While you might not spend as much time meeting an instructor in person, there is a good chance that you will be able to receive help through instant chat, email and other means. A good online PhD program will employ instructors that you can reach via email or phone, and that will include question and answer sessions.

Additionally, you might still be required to attend classes in person for some portion of the program. This type of rigorous education can work in your favor, indicating that you are, indeed, getting a PhD from a reputable program. On top of that, individualized instruction can be of benefit to you. Remember that a good education benefits you in terms of your own knowledge as well as showing others your qualifications.

Cost

Of course you also need to consider the cost of the program in question. Unaccredited online PhD programs might be cheap, but they might not have the right kind of credentials to get you a proper pay raise. The key is to find a program that offers good value for your money. There has to be a balance between a good education and a reasonable cost.

There is student funding available for PhD programs. You can get financing from the program, or from government grants. There are also federal student loans available for PhD programs. However, you have to be with an accredited program in order to get funding from reputable sources. Look for low interest loans. You might also be able to get scholarships based on need or on merit.

It is important to be choosy about your online PhD program, and do your research. Make sure you find a university that is reputable, and that will offer you the education and skills that you need.

by Bryan Tice is an education writer for Universities.com—a resource site to compare online PhD programs

So what other solutions does that leave us with. As many know, I’ve been very skeptical of HTML5 technology, mainly because so many are saying its the silver bullet solution to compatibility issues. Well, I’m still not sold on that, but I do think it is a great tool to have at your disposal, especially in the eLearning world.

Rapid Intake mLearning Studio

Last week I was given a demo of a new eLearning tool, Rapid Intake’s mLearning Studio, that produces both a Flash based course for desktop and laptop computers, as well as an HTML5 version that works on iOS, Android and soon RIM. The beauty is that you don’t have to write two versions of the same course.

Here is a live link (http://rapidintake.com/mobilebeta/sample_beta1/player.html) to a course they produced. Go ahead, take a look at the Flash version on your computer, then pull out your iPhone, iPad or Android (2.2+) device and take a gander at the HTML5 version. The technology is still in the development stages, so if you have any trouble accessing it from your Android, try this link (http://rapidintake.com/mobilebeta/sample_beta1/indexMobile.html) instead.

Here is a link (http://www.rapidintake.com/products/mobile/mobile-learning-studio/) to their product page. Take a look, and feel free to contact them with your questions!

Part 1: Meetings are toxic

“The worst interruptions of all are meetings.”

Why are meetings toxic? Here are just a few reasons:

• Meetings tend to drift off subject
• Meetings usually have vague agendas
• Meetings interrupt productivity
• People call meeting because they like to hear themselves speak
• One meeting tends to spawn another meeting, which tends to lead into several other follow-up meetings.

If you’ve ever called a meeting to discuss the status of Course X or met with your team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) you can probably relate to a few of the issues mentioned above. Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame. They want to deliver the PowerPoint they spent way too much time designing. Most of all, they want to show their peers how smart and productive they are. The real problem with meetings is people!

Read the full post here…

First it will be tough to manage tablets and books at the same time. Tablet will not provide the easy of writing and quickly taking notes. But as usage and application will grow, this will become easier. The breakeven will happen when you will be able to use your normal pencils and pens on tablets.

Books will be there, first static as you have on hard prints. Then you will have moving images, then interactivity. Suddenly a new variety of publishers and designers will collaborate and design educational books which test you as you learn, in the form of games, interactions. Size of the books will reduce as more and more content goes online. Books will just only be links.

We will have to wait for devices which can be bought at a lower price, without the loss in functionality. iPad is not for education, or at least right now. Educational devices needs to be free and not locked.

The new generation will be awesomely lucky! Kids will learn in cartoons and animation about alphabets and basics while reading or rather watching a book! And senior students will enjoy zooming in at surface which become atoms, and then electrons, then quarks, right till you see that vibrating
string!

I have huge expectations from this modern mode of computing. Hoping Adam will be able to play a role!

Regards,
Rohan

We truly are living in exciting time. As Rohan stated in this email like any other new technology early adopters may face some minor set backs, but in the long term, open technology like the Adam and Android tablets will become the future of learning!

This is a video demo that I created to show how easy it is to convert older Flash eLearning content so that is optimized for mobile devices. There is an actual demo towards the end that shows how smooth it runs on the Google Nexus One (running Android 2.2 FroYo and Flash Player 10.1 for Mobiles).

RESOURCES:

Authoring mobile Flash content for multiple screen sizes

Optimizing Performance for the Flash Platform

KINDLE COST FAIL

The 6″ Kindle is $259 & the 9.7″ Kindle is  $489 and Amazon boasts a 16 shades of gray, monochrome screen. Currently, you can get an iPad (9.7″ screen) that can almost replace your PC for $499. Plus, the iPad has a Kindle app for free where you can read your books in color. You tell me which is a better deal.

On top of the initial cost of the devices, you still have to pay for the eTextbooks for your Kindle.

The Seattle Times said, “At the University of Virginia, as many as 80 percent of MBA students who participated in Amazon’s pilot program said they would not recommend the Kindle DX as a classroom study aid (though more than 90 percent liked it for pleasure reading).”

KINDLE ENGAGEMENT FAIL

The current student population is part of the “entertain me” generation. They want to be engaged, as well as, entertained as they learn. Let’s face it, the typical eTextbooks are pretty much just static, plain Jane, PDFs. There is nothing about the current digital textbooks that are interactive. This engagement gap is where the future of eTextbooks and eLearning is going.

The Seattle Times also stated,”‘At Princeton University and Portland-based Reed College, a small liberal-arts institution, students praised the Kindle for its long battery life, paper savings and portability. They then complained they couldn’t scribble notes in the margins, easily highlight passages or fully appreciate color charts and graphics.”

“TO INFINITY AND BEYOND…” (Great quote from Buzz Lightyear)

Amazon was headed in the right direction when they went with a mobile reader, but students desire a more engaging learning experience. If you can deliver a better digital learning experience for eTextbooks at a reasonable price point, you can win the hearts (and minds) of thousands of students across the globe.

THE TABLET EXPERIENCE

Being the Mac Geek that I am, I bought my iPad when it first went on pre-order and it was delivered that first Saturday. Even though its expensive, it is truly a wonderful device. Take a look at the Wired Magazine iPad app released yesterday. Now imagine that being your eTextbook!

Now compare that to a typical ePub formatted eBook running on the Kindle iPad App:

I really like the Wired app because of the rich media experience and the level of engagement is 100 times better. Everywhere I go with my iPad, many are interested in it and wants to see what it can do. A little over a month ago it was a couple of college students in Starbucks. Last weekend, it was an older gentleman at the local community market. Tablets are the future of education and digital media consumption in my opinion! As this summer is get starterd, we should see a whole slew of Google Android tablets hitting the markets that will compete with Apple’s iPad. Most are priced cheaper than the iPad and can be as low as $150.

Personally, I’m looking forward to Notion Ink’s ADAM. This is for a number of reasons, but mostly because Google supports open development and freedom to use whatever tools you want to develop content and applications for their open source operating system (Android). As a part of every eLearning developer’s wish list the Notion Ink ADAM will support Adobe Flash & AIR for Android apps!

Do you have a Kindle? Do you have an iPad? What are your thoughts? Can it be that next great technological leap for education?

RESOURCES

Amazon CEO: Kindle won’t compete with iPad - http://www.macworld.com/article/151554/2010/05/amazon_kindle_ipad.html

Computex will bring Android + ARM tablets, but are they ready? - http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2010/05/computex-will-bring-android-arm-tablets-but-are-they-ready.ars

iPad Screenshots – http://www.flickr.com/photos/donaldleegraham/sets/72157624016518073/

Amazon.com’s Kindle fails first college test – http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011938870_kindle24.html

“Giant Campus, the nationally recognized leader in innovative technology education programs for youth and adults, today announced the availability of full-time enrollment with Giant Campus of Washington, a public and tuition-free online school program of Columbia Tech High School in the White Salmon Valley School District. Giant Campus of Washington is accredited with the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), and is the first online school in Washington state to offer both core curriculum and elective concentrations in digital arts, computer science, and business & innovation to Washington high school students statewide.”

Full Giant Campus Press Release can be downloaded here…

I just finished viewing a very intriguing presentation by Jesse Schell. He is a professor at Carnegie Mellon University and he runs a game design/development firm as well. The main point of the video talks about why social gaming like Facebook’s FarmVille and Mafia Wars is so popular. Roughly 19 minute into the presentation he mentions Lee Sheldon, a professor at the Indiana University. Instead of giving grades for every assignment he gives experience points (XP) and you can “level up” to an A.

I find this thinking absolutely fascinating. For me, my undergrad program was not very interesting and you have to figure out how each graded items. What IF university was one big point system? Then the students could use those points for items from the school’s bookstore or an apple from the cafe. I think this could really add an interactive and engaging element that hasn’t traditional being in higher education.

Watch the video for yourself…

Here are a few that I read daily:

• Jane’s E-Learning Picks of the Day
• eLearning Technology
• Clive on Learning
• eLearning Weekly
• The Rapid eLearning Blog
• EDUKWEST
• uLearning Blog
• eLearningSpace
• The eLearning Coach

THE PROBLEM

We don’t have enough time in each day to keep jumping from website-to-website to view all of this amazing content!

THE SOLUTION

We don’t have enough time in each day to keep jumping from website-to-website. We are working on an project called, “eduNation” that will function as an aggregator of these great sites!

More in-depth info about the project will be coming in the next couple of weeks, but we know we want it available as both iPhone Apps & iPad Apps.

PARTICIPATE

If you have a blog or podcast that you write/produce about eLearning and want to be included in our app please fill out the form below or visit this link: http://www.formstack.com/forms/trimagination-edunation

Stay tuned for more giveaways…

The rules are simple: 1) Signup for our newsletter & 2) Post a link to this post & the hashtag #eLearning30 on Twitter

A drawing will be held Monday, March 15, 2010 at noon (EST).

A special thanks to the folks at Adobe for sponsoring this giveaway!

The Adobe eLearning Suite (Window version) includes:

• Adobe Captivate 4
• Adobe Flash CS4 Professional
• Adobe Dreamweaver CS4
• Adobe Photoshop Extended
• Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro
• Adobe Presenter 7
• Adobe Soundbooth CS4
• Adobe Bridge CS4
• Adobe Device Central CS4

Jayne Aiello of Robert Walters is looking to recruit an E-Learning Manager/Director position for their client.

Brief Description:

My client is an International Luxury Retailer and we are looking for… This position will be responsible for creating and managing training programs that will allow employees to quickly react to client needs, create a fleet of “experts” at retail, reinforce the skills of the existing sales force, and establish processes for the continual improvement and communication of the brand’s educational curriculum.

For more info: http://www.elearning30.com/jobs/?job_id=22