I found a couple of great resources recently for people interested in education: BYU's McKay School of Education has posted some excellent online lectures/presentations:

McKay School of Education :: Multimedia Library

The Indiana University School of Education has a similar page:

http://www.indiana.edu/~icy/ebrownbag/
11:50:51 PM    

This new tool looks like a strong candidate for what I am looking for for work -- a blogging tool that could simply publish to a network share and be accessed like any other file out on the network:

Tangelo takes the Radio approach to weblogging.

The main reason I like Radio is that it lives on my own computer. There's a weblogging application for Mac OS X and Windows called Tangelo that takes the same approach...

"Tangelo, termed 'web publishing with a twist,' is a departure from most traditional weblog publishing tools. Instead of installing or using weblog software on an Internet web server, Tangelo is installed on the user’s computer as a standalone application, providing much easier installation, greater weblog control, and ease of use. Tangelo streamlines organization of weblog text and images, and publishes the weblog to both an Internet web server and to the user’s own computer for better control and backup. In addition, Tangelo features integration with NetNewsWire 2.0 for posting RSS news items."

[Donovan Watts: Radio UserLand: The Missing Manual]
11:06:50 PM    

At the office I have started keeping a personal log, similar to a blog, but meant to help me keep track of what I have accomplished each day. So, if everyone abbreviates weblog to 'blog, then worklog becomes... klog! What do you think? Have I coined the next new bizarre internet-inspired word? I like it anyway.

My klog's nothing fancy though -- it's just a Word document that I format in Outline view to look like the typical blog format.

10:04:37 PM    

I saw a segment on NOVA tonight that has some interesting implications in how we teach and learn: Mirror Neurons. My basic understanding of this theory is that when we watch someone else do something, neurons in our own brain mimic the activity needed to accomplish what we are seeing. They used the example of watching someone struggle carrying too many heavy packages. When we see them we vicariously live it out ourselves, trying to balance the packages for them. I have seen another example of this when someone feeds a baby. Often the person feeding will open their mouth as they are spooning in the mashed carrots, as if eating for the child.

I think it provides evidence for the value of observation when trying to learn a new skill, and also when trying to improve a skill. Observing is more than just "seeing how it's done" - it is already a form of rehearsal.

Also, Danial Glaser, the researcher interviewed, talks about how there is greater "resonance" of neural activity when you see something performed that you have physically performed yourself. You have a greater capacity to perform it cognitively while watching. So this might suggest the need to alternate between observation and practice.

9:46:14 PM    

I recommend this site for anyone looking for practical writing advice: 50 Writing Tools

I read up to Tool #5 and plan on going back and doing the activities he suggests. Reading about these tools makes me feel like I am being let in on an ancient secret family recipe; the things he teaches go beyond simple grammar rules and give you an over-the-shoulder view into the methods of an expert writer.

8:02:11 PM    

USU Instructional Technology is Currently Hiring. There are two positions open at Utah State in the Instructional Technology department: An associate professor and an assistant professor. For more information contact Mimi Recker or David...
[USU IT Blog]
1:22:05 AM    

great leadership advice!
1:52:14 PM