By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Next Generational Educational Software: Why We Need It and a Research Agenda to Get It
The author outlines a need for tools that "allow exploration at multiple levels of detail and accomodate diverse learning styles." Sounds good, though readers may recognize the proposed 'clip models' as being very similar to learning objects. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Robert B. Kvavik and Judy B. Caruso: ECAR Study of Students and Information Technology 2005, Educause November 16, 2005
The EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research (ECAR)has come out with its 2005 study on students and information technology. StevenB observes that while students use search engines, "they clearly do not use those resources exclusively." Barbra Fister reports, though, that "students report using computers only 11-15 hours a week, with searching library databases at less than an hour". More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Jenny Millea, Dr Ian Green and Garry Putland: Emerging Technologies: A Framework For Thinking, Education.au September 28, 2005
This sweeping and forward-looking report commissioned by the Australian Capital Territory Department of Education (ACT DET) to look at the impact and potential of emerging technologies in learning is a must-read for decision-makers in the field; it also serves as an excellent introduction to emerging technology in learning for anyone interested in the field. While the authors nod toward traditional learning technology, such as learning management systems, they also capture well the larger trends impacting the field: mobility, interoperability, collaboration and communication, creativity, and open source. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Greg Bolt: UO Spreads The Word On E-Textbook Appeal, Eugene Register-Guard September 27, 2005
Coverage of the sale of digital textbooks at the University of Oregon. Thus far, sales have been slow, partly because of the cost (though the article a bit misleadingly represents the cost as "well below the cost of a new paper text") and partly because of the DRM - the book can be copied to a computer only once. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Paul Novitski: CSS Swag: Multi-Column Lists, A List Apart September 27, 2005

Some very practical advice on how to create multi-column lists using only CSS and XHTML (in other words - everyone can do it). Clearly written and offering advice that solves the sorts of problems that always snag designers. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Various authors: DailyRSS September 27, 2005

Pretty nice example of news aggregation via Alan Levine. What should be noted is that not only do news items come from a variety of sources, the service also integrates different media types, including weather and photos. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Tom Hoffman: The "IF" in SIF, ESchool News September 24, 2005
I don't write a lot about the Schools Interoperability Framework, largely because of the issues mentioned in this column: it's large and unmanagable, it's nor particularly friendly to open source, and you need big expensive components like a SIF compatable student information system and library information system. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Moviemaker
This is a toy, of course, but Moviemaker is a fun toy and you can see your work in a matter of moments. I've created my own little movie which demonstrates Web 2.0 in a nutshell. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Where Can I Find Good Tech Articles
I have run a few posts critical of various authors and editors recently (including in this issue). I want to be clear that people shouldn't feel singled out when I do this - the articles selected are merely representative of a type of criticism I want to make, and not an indication that I think so-and-so is doing a bad job. Hey, sure, maybe I'm in no position to criticize. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. EdTech Posse Rides Again
Yes, I listened to this one all the way to the end, but I confess, my mind wandered - I've noticed this about podcasts, they tend to become background, like talk radio. Maybe it's just me. I think that where and when you listen to a podcast makes a big difference. Anyhow, this discussion centres around Laura Turner’s recent list of twenty essential skills everyone should have. More...