Internet Academy

Here is the link for the K-12 Online Learning school that I used for my second essay. It is a program that caters to mostly students in Washington. While it does not offer any community aspects, it does seem to have a solid base of academic lessons and programs. I feel this would be a wonderful option for some high schoolers or at the early education level. However, due to the lack of social interaction, I'm not sure I would recommend this at the middle level where social development is so integral. Check it out!

Internet Academy

free technology for teachers

I stumbled across this website that reviews and shares free technology for teachers. I think it's a really good hub for sharing knowledge in a blog-like fashion. There are articles that relate to numerous technologies that can be used in all sorts of education aspects. Several pertain to learning communities, others to classroom implementation of technology, and even a few about the future of Web 2.0!

It's a great place to find other technologies that - like the name implies - are free for teachers to use. Also, there are very real, candid reviews of the technologies that provide both the good and bad sides of the reviewed technology. Very web 2.0!

Enjoy and feel free to share anything that strikes your fancy :)

Free technology for teachers

Online Learning Communities Flourish Best If Individual Learners Have Self-Governance

I found this article from Science News. The article is fairly concise and gives a brief overview of the basics of Online Learning Communities. One aspect that I found interesting is that the article is very forward in both the benefits and shortcomings of Online Learning Communities. Specifically, the article states that the individual needs "self-governance" in order to make a learning community experience worthwhile. Basically, the concept of "getting out what you put in" is completely applicable to Online Learning Communities. While at first fairly obvious, I think that this idea of "reaping what is sown" should be kept in the forefront of our mind's. As I'm sure we're all aware, it can be easy to view anything with a negative attitude. This negativity can manifest itself in our work and be a complete hindrance to learning and growth. So, as we move through our program, lets keep giving it our all and have a wonderful learning experience!

Online Learning Communities article.