MRU: Google+ Hangouts, Social Good in Education and ESL is Big in Japan

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Kirsten Winkler

The open source learning management system (LMS) Moodle launched a mobile app that enables teachers to interact with their students via iPhone.

Google+ Hangouts got some really powerful features like recording, Google Docs and screensharing and something similar to a basic interactive whiteboard.

Microsoft and Comcast both announced new programs to support under-served students of low-income families with cheap broadband Internet access, discounted hardware and software as well as free digital literacy training.

Amazon lets you now use your Kindle to borrow digital books in over 11,000 US libraries. All you need is, of course, a Kindle and a valid library card.

Grockit changed its business to a “one-for-one” model. This means that for every paid subscription to the service one student in need will receive free access to the service. The social learning network also launched a Facebook integration of the f8 conference.

Only 3 days after Google released the API for Google+ Hangouts, a German startup called Conceptboard launched a very sophisticated whiteboard as free integration.

A report by Reuters underlined that the ESL and online education space is booming in Japan. The reason is increased fear for jobs amongst the white collar workers who are widely known for their poor English skills.

This week’s EDUKWEST interviews included an update with Nathan Parcells of InternMatch about the recent funding round and the new features, my interview with Derek Muller of Veritasium in which we focused on how to shoot educational videos for YouTube and an “on tour” interview with Armin Hopp and James Shepard of digital publishing / speexx about the company’s recent relaunch and the new product features.

My monthly guest post on ESL Library was about the Implications of English becoming a basic skill into today’s society. What is next for the ESL space?

The Sunday post on Big Think / Disrupt Education was a reflection on what I learned from talking to Derek Muller and what needs to be done to make science videos more effective and engaging. Only Getting the Right Answers is Wrong

Last but not least you can watch a rundown of all the stories in education that did not make it on the EDUKWEST blog in the second episode of After Hours.

My closing statement for this week’s MRU is that we’re looking for additions to the EDUKWEST Newsteam. If you’re interested in becoming a writer you can send me your application via LinkedIn or Twitter.

Those of you who find value in our articles, who want to support EDUKWEST and make it sustainable are more than welcome to make a donation if your monetary situation allows it, of course.

KWestions Ep. 27 with Derek Muller – Incorrect Information has more Effect on Learning

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Kirsten Winkler

How I first heard about Derek Muller, the creator of Veritasium was in the course of his take on education’s current fairhaired boy (not really but let’s use the metaphor), Salman Khan and the Khan Academy.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe that videos definitely have their place as a tool in education. I am a producer of educational video, Derek is one. There is no doubt that videos do their part to make explain things in a new, visual and engaging way but other tools also have their place. Salman Khan is doing a great job of breaking complex things down and to present them in an easy and digestible way.

To put Khan Academy and its founder in the place of having all the right answers to our problems and sort of being the savior of education is wrong, and the way I see it, it’s also not what he intended to do.