Create games for learning

There are various tools that allow you to create games such as:

Adventure Maker:
An innovative toolkit that allows you to create point-and-click games and virtual tours for Windows, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Game Maker:
Allows you to make exciting and professional looking computer games in very short period of time without the need of writing even a single line of code.

LearningWave:
Has all types of learning games for educational and corporate use.

Open Learning Commons combines elements of Blackboard and Facebook

Open Learning Commons combines elements of Blackboard and Facebook - News

"The love child of Blackboard and Facebook has a name - the Open Learning Commons.

The new platform prototype, launched by the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, allows interested people within and outside the Penn community to participate in classroom activities from the Web.

The first class covers global environmental sustainability and combines coursework with social networking."

Import learning objects into your Moodle courses

I did not surprise when I saw this tool.This module provides your Moodle server with an easy access to learning material stored within any GLOBE repositories; it gives you the opportunity to search, view metadata, download and import learning objects into your Moodle courses.

The module called "GLOBE resource for MOODLE 1.9.X" and it requires Moodle 1.9 or higher.

I have not tried it yet but it has demonstration video and contact person for support.

For more information visit the ARIADNE Foundation's home page from
http://www.ariadne-eu.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=50&Itemid=80#

Enjoy with your module ;)

The use of Facebook for learning, studying and teaching

According to Facebook Press Room, today, Facebook has more than 150 million active users, average user has 100 friends and more than 3 billion minutes are spent on Facebook each day. There are more than 52,000 applications currently available on Facebook Platform and more than 95% of Facebook members have used at least one application.

By considering these facts, we can say that Facebook may have big educational potential in engaging students in their learning and enhancing communication.

By means of various applications, people have already started to use the Facebook platform for their studies and learning. For example, "Study Groups" application allow users to create, browse, manage and share study groups, and discuss their ideas. However, currently has some problems with the newer version of the Facebook.

In addition, "Learn 10 - power up your language" application allows users to improve their vocabulary in 24 languages. The widget provide users a list of new words everyday to help them learn new language. It also makes translation between selected languages. This application has 2,287 monthly active users.

Of course, utilization of Facebook for education is not only limited with applications. Lots of educational institutions have already created their groups on the Facebook for communication purposes.

On the other hand, as Facebook has high popularity among young people, an assignment on developing a tool or an application for the Facebook can help them to improve.

iPhone & iPod Touch in Education

Apple Iphone and ipod touch like devices represent just the first of a new generation of touch-interfaced and scalable wireless Web access capabile devices. Such new personal high-tech devices are very popular and self-adopted by young generation. By considering these improvements, instructors look forward to increase availability of multi-platform and flexible learning resources.

In the fall of 2008, Abiline Christian University (US) distributed the iPhones or an iPod touches to the incoming freshman. Students use their iPhones and iPod touches to access specific web applications, to receive homework alerts, answer in-class surveys and quizzes. Also, to get directions to their instructors' offices, and check their meal and account balances.

Angel Learning

The ANGEL Learning Management Suite of teaching and learning tools enables efficient and effective development, delivery and management of courses, course content and learning outcomes. Engaging communication and collaboration capabilities enhance instruction to deliver leading edge teaching and learning.

It is widely used by lots of institutions.

http://www.angellearning.com

Virtual Education with Second life

There are various of online systems/programs available for electronic education and each of them has different features. Here is another program called "Second Life" which is commonly used for socialization and fun. But, it provides solutions for education and business as well. Have a look at the following links;

Second life in education
http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/

UK snapshot
http://www.eduserv.org.uk/foundation/studies/slsnapshots

101 uses for SL
http://trumpy.cs.elon.edu/metaverse/blog.html