SALT

SALT or the Society for Applied Learning Technology is an organization that allows individuals who work in the field of applies leaning technology to have access to information and support from other professionals in the same field of experience. The organization was founded in 1972 and is a professional society where members participate in society sponsored meetings. The society holds conferences that cover technology applications such as elearning, web-based training, instructional systems design and a varitey of other applications. Those who attend these conferences are given the opportunity to learn and become familiar with the latest technical information available. This Society sounds like a very good organizations for the teachers who use a lot of technologies in their classrooms or that are computer teachers. It seems like a great way to become familiar with the new technology and it appears to offer great support from people who share the same interests. I would like to know what kind of publications they have, and if the conferences are opened to people who are not members of the Society. I would also like to see if there are other organizations out there who offer the same type of support and encouragement.

http://www.salt.org/salt.asp?ss=l&pn=aboutsalt

"e" or "M" learning

On the website "EDTech Opportunity Realized" there was one link that led me to M-learning, or "mobile learning". I learned that although different people may have a different meaning for it, mobile learning is "learning across locations, or taking advantage of learning opportunities offered by portable technologies." This has decreased the limitations of learning that being in a fixed location may cause. By using handheld computers and pocket PC's or even cell phones, students can promote group collaborations. This provides even better support for the audiovisual learner. The content is adaptable to meet each students individual needs, and it is easily accesible. Not to mention that it allows the students to act independently and without time constraints. I know that we use computers in our classrooms, but after reading this, I think it would be beneficial for the students to have some sort of portable technology that they could have access to whenever they needed it. I would like to find more information on what other types of portable technologies are available for students and how they can be readily available to them.

http://edtechisland.wetpaint.com/page/%22e%22+or+%22M%22+learning

The Journal of Educators Online

The Journal of Educator Online is used to share scholarly journals in the area of Computer Mediated Learning. This is a journal for educators, policy-makers, and students who are interested in the future of computer mediated learning in many different fields of study including: Arts, Businees, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Sciences and Social Sciences. It provides several articles that allow the readers to take advantage of the avilable technologies to them. One of the articles that drew my attention was the "Faculty Perceptions of Technology Distance Education Transactions: Qualitive Outcomes to Inform Teaching Practices" The author of this article observed and gathered information from educators who used distance learning programs in their classrooms. With this data, recommendations for informing administrators and educators in a better way were given. I would like to learn more of the different ways in which transitioning older educators who are not as familiar with technology would work, and if it would be as easy to do as it is with younger educators.

http://www.thejeo.com/

SitePal

SitePal is a new web-based tool that can be used to create an avatar character which can deliver verbal messages to the students online. It is a type of virtual character that can help teachers engage students by adding personality to some of the material in a new and innovative way. Teachers can use SitePal very easily to help animate their presentations, and it can be easily emailed or posted online for student access. I would like to see if there are any other methods that teachers can use online to help thier students become more interested in the material being taught. Although this program was used by a university professor, I would like to know if it could be adapted for younger students. SitePal seems like an interesting tool that could have good results.

http://www.sitepal.com/elearning/?internalid=elearning?affId=199465&promotionId=12605