Back-to-school treats galore from the BRAIN_blog!

Wow, did you see that?  Hmmmm….. I�m not entirely positive, but it looked very much like the last days of summer just speeding on by and heading straight for fall!  Yes, fall � it�s hard to believe it�s nearly here!  I don�t know about you but as much as I�ll miss summer (this has been a particularly fab one weather-wise, no?) I always get a rush toward the end of August.  Maybe it�s all those back-to-school ads and flyers (e-L has always had a thing for school supplies and new shoes) or maybe it�s the promise of cooler temperatures and more football!  Whatever it is, there�s no denying it � fall � and by default school � is on its way and to make it better than ever, this edition of the BRAIN_blog has some sites to get you jazzed for the big return to class!  

1) �7 Things You Should Know About…�…but were afraid to ask!
Start the new school year off with a big ol� e-Learning bang!  Get or stay on the cutting edge of the latest and greatest in technological innovation with the fabulous EDUCAUSE.  There is just not enough time or space to do justice to all the amazing resources that can be found on this site, but I�d like to highlight a fairly recent series that EDUCAUSE launched, to help you stay current with technology and innovation.  The �7 Things You Should Know About…� series, according to the EDUCAUSE site: �…provides concise information on emerging learning practices and technologies. Each brief focuses on a single practice or technology and describes what it is, how it works, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use ELI’s “7 Things You Should Know About…” briefs for a no-jargon, quick overview, either for yourself or for colleagues who are pressed for time.�  So what�s included?  Well, as of right now, EDUCAUSE has briefs on Videoblogging, Wikis, Podcasting, Clickers, and Social Bookmarking, available for download as a 2-page PDF.  Each follows a standard format with headings and information designed to answer the following questions:  �What is it?� �Who�s doing it?� �How does it work?� �Where is it going?� �Why is it significant?� �What are the downsides?� and finally �What are the implications for teaching and learning?�  EDUCAUSE even provides a �Scenario� in each, a sort of case study, illustrating how this particular technology could be, or is being used and incorporated both in the classroom and beyond.  

2) They call me the seeker…
Have you made up your mind to be more organized this year?  Me too!  Of course I say that every year, and every year it gets harder and harder to stay on top of the hundreds of files and downloads that seem to accumulate on my computer!  If you�re in the same boat, think about trying a desktop search tool.  This is a small tool that you download, and running it will allow you to search your entire computer � folders, documents, mail, and everything in between.  I was a little skeptical about a device that claims to be able to find everything you�re looking for on your desktop, but I have to admit that the very thorough Benchmark Study of Desktop Search Tools from the University of Wisconsin � Madison E-Business Consortium has me sold on the idea.  If you�re thinking about venturing into the world of desktop searching, be sure to read this study first!  It evaluates, compares and contrasts a dozen desktop search tools, including MSN Toolbar Suite, Google Desktop, Copernic Desktop Search and Ask Jeeves, and rates them based on 6-point Benchmark criteria, evaluating the Usability, Accuracy, Security, Versatility, Efficiency and Enterprise Readiness of each.  Findings are displayed in chart and text formats, and there is a comparison table in Appendix A, for further breakdown.  Appendix B outlines the sub-criteria for each of the main 6 benchmarks and allows you to see just exactly what the ratings are based on.  Excellent descriptions of each search tool are provided along with their rating, and you can easily see where some tools scored higher than others and why.  Truly a great way to determine which one is right for your needs � read the study, get a search tool – and you�ll get to get what you�re after!

3) e-Learning by design�
Established in 1994 (and I don�t know how it�s stayed under my radar for this long!) the e-Learning Centre is a really comprehensive & well-organized site from the UK.  Split into five distinct e-Learning sections, the e-Learning Centre covers a lot of ground with their resources and information.  The Library has links to articles, reports, white papers and more, all in the e-Learning realm; the Showcase contains links to examples of relevant and dynamic learning materials, online courses and more; the Products & Services area is where you can go to find information on e-learning tools, systems, service providers and other items; Events lists just that � e-Learning conferences and events worldwide!  Finally, the e-Learning Centre also has a Bookshop where you can access information about teaching & learning with an �e� focus.  There is also the What�s New Blog for current information, newsy stuff and commentary on what�s up in the e-Learning biz.  Definitely a lot of information, but there�s no need to be put off by this!  Start with the Library (we at the BRAIN_blog always do recommend you begin any search venture at the Library!!) and browse through the topics.  You�ll see everything from e-Learning for beginners (What is e-Learning? Are you ready for e-Learning?) to some more advanced topics (Digital Rights Management, Web Design Guidelines) and lots more!  If you�re wanting to incorporate more e-Learning initiatives into your classes, or If you�re just curious about what can be done and what IS being done with e-Learning, give the e-Learning Centre a go!

4) Get in the mood…for Moodle!
Holy cow talk about a site with mounds of information!  Wow.  Moodle is an incredibly powerful course management system (CMS) – and it�s free, to boot!  It�s part of the Open Source initiative and according to the site, it�s a �…software package designed using sound pedagogical principles, to help educators create effective online learning communities.�  If you�re interested in getting started with Moodle, you can download and use it on any computer (there are a variety of downloads available), just note that free registration is required in order to use all the features.  And what are these fabulously free features?  Well, registered users can enrol to run through the demonstration courses and learn what types of things that are possible using Moodle.  There are some snazzy discussion forums, chat & message boards perfectly suited for teacher/learner interaction.  Moodle allows you to set up interactive surveys and quizzes for on-the-fly evaluation and progress checking.  The left sidebar lists all the parts of the course � assignments, quizzes, resources, etc. so it�s easy to find what you�re looking for, and the sidebar also lists the students or course participants, so you can contact each person when/if necessary.  Moodle has a great calendar feature to help you keep track of assignment due dates, holidays and other pertinent course information.  The possibilities seem limitless � the entire course, documented online for everyone to participate.  And all for free.  It boggles the mind � or should I say it Moodles the mine?!?  Either way, use this site to experience all that is possible in online teaching and learning.  This is, to me, the way e-Learning was meant to be!

5) Blackboard, I hardly knew ye…
It�s a sad but true story BRAIN_blog readers.  The blackboard � that 1-dimensional, dusty piece of wall that was so central to the classroom and helped start everybody on the road to education from the very first day of kindergarten, right through to post-secondary lecture halls � is on its way out.  Alas, it too is going the way of the filmstrip, the overhead (although that isn�t disappearing fast enough to e-L�s liking) and the LP record.  I guess the end of summer and the return to school gives us reason to get nostalgic for the technology of the past, which is why Bye-bye blackboard: from Einstein and others caught my eye recently.  Created by the Museum of the History of Science at the University of Oxford, this online exhibit �…pays tribute to the blackboard and its many uses.�  At the present time there are 18 different blackboards in the exhibit, and if you visit the site (from now until it closes on September 18th) you can see each image, along with some commentary on its creation from the creator.  Fascinating stuff, really.  And I do like this quote from the homepage: �Blackboards were wiped after use: they were meant for immediate communication, not for record.  Even as they were being used, their messages were continuously revised, erased and renewed.�  Food for thought, without a doubt, and when you consider that the blackboards were thoroughly cleaned every night after school, it was like everyone got a fresh start each morning.  So take a walk through the site to consider not only the blackboards on display there, but also the blackboards of your past educational history.  Can you remember some of them?  Interestingly enough, while they appear to be disappearing from most educational facilities a rapid rate, my 7-year old son confides to me that having one�s name written �on the board� is still a source of shame and embarrassment.  I wonder… without the blackboard, how will the Grade 2 teachers of the future keep track of the kids who misbehave?  Oh, I�m sure they�ll think of something!  

Exciting library announcements (what other kind are there?) and some guides and pointers and stuff

This week we interrupt our regular BRAIN_blog broadcast for some exiciting public service announcements about new library stuff: 1) BRAINlinks (get ready, it�s coming!) 2) Self Service (book a video, place an item on reserve, recommend a title�all online, all the time!) and then we have the regular features about new web tools and guides: 3) MSN Virtual Earth (Google Earth�s less-than-worthy rival), 4) Blogging resources for the blogger in you, 5) copyright resources and 6) A9.com news.

1) It�s coming! The Fine Art of Finding!
In just a few short weeks, the Library @ Mohawk will launch a new way of searching for web-based resources for the Mohawk community and introduce you to the fine art of finding (rather than simply searching!) The BRAINlinks Recommended Web Resources product is a comprehensive database of the Library�s web-based resources. We�ve revamped our current Recommended Web Sites by Subject to include more resources and comprehensive searching features that allow you to zero in on exactly what you want, quickly, easily and in no time flat.
Some features of the new BRAINlinks product:
Comprehensive searching features that make your searches more precise�no one likes spending hours poring over long result lists of thousands of hits�.now you don�t have to!
o limit your search by the type of content you�re looking for� Need a directory? Only want to see what magazine databases we have in your subject area? Need government info only? Just choose your category and you�re off to the races.
o Limit your search by loads of parameters�choose a subject, enter a title, limit by type of resource�the choices are yours�be as specific as possible to zero in on exactly what you want!
o Limit by brand new Library @ Mohawk-specific parameters such as BRAINpicks (the sites Library staff use the most), scholarly sites (strictly academic info and peer-reviewed sources) and Canadian content.
o Browse by subject�not sure where to start? Choosing a subject is an easy first step.
o Brainstorm! The Brainstorm is a unique feature to BRAINlinks, that offers up similar categories of information to the subject you�ve selected�some you may have not even thought of�allowing you to explore all avenues of information discovery in quick, easy steps.
o And more! Watch this space and TheBRAIN homepage for further updates and get ready�for a new way of finding information.

2) Self Service (with a smile)
Now when you have an urgent desire to recommend a title for the Library @ Mohawk, you no longer have to wait until the doors open to run in and tell us! Now you can recommend a title, place an item on reserve or book a video all in the comfort of your favourite pj�s. Head on over to the facultyspace to find self-service forms to recommend a title, place an item on reserve or book a video. All of these forms are located in the left sidebar of the facultyspace home page. The links are: Recommendations (your path to enlightening us as to which title you�d like to recommend for the Library!), Reserves (no, not the Army�this is where you can place items on reserve!) and Book a Video (exactly what it says!)

3) MSN Virtual Earth
Microsoft�s answer to Google Earth landed on July 25th, 2005. Unlike Google Earth it is entirely web-based (no need to download software). However�do you see me oohing and ahhhing as I did when I wrote about Google Earth? Nosirree. Mainly because the first time I tried it I got an error that the server was busy, and the second time, a blank screen. But once these initial hurdles are out of the way, it is not a bad product, albeit one that needs a bit more work. MSN VE offers some nice options. For example, you can choose to view your search in Road Map or Aerial View. Unfortunately, every search I tried had no aerial view available. This could be because there are no aerial views for Canada yet. L Another promising feature is the �scratch pad�, a box in the top right of the screen that allows you to email, make notes or blog your search results. When I finally did get an aerial search to work (after searching for New York City), a few more neat-o features surfaced. For example, street names, landmarks, and other features are overlaid over the photo. Bill Gates himself has promised �Satellite images with 45-degree-angle views of buildings and neighborhoods� down the road! That would be worth getting excited about � the product as it now stands, unfortunately looks like a poor attempt to catch up with Google.

4) Blogging Resources for the Blogger in You
For those of you who are gearing up to start your own blog but need some info, there�s a great article just published to help you on your way. Time to Check: Are you using the right blogging tool? By Susannah Gardner and published in the USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review offers some great insights into the various blogging tools out there. Check out in particular the great chart: Blog Software Comparison Chart. All the features laid out in plain view! Don�t you just love charts? Another great resource for bloggers is the Legal Guide for Bloggers, produced by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Unfortunately this guide pertains to U.S. and not Canadian law. However it does a good job of pointing out some of the possible legal liability issues to be aware of as a blogger no matter where you live (for example, defamation, intellectual property, and privacy). See the next section for resources on Canadian legalities.

5) While We�re on the Topic of Legalities: Copyright Info
Just a reminder that the facultyspace has some great sites on copyright law for those who are interested. (Click on Copyright Info on the left sidebar.) Digital copyright is a pretty murky area but some folks have done a great job of shedding light on it. A site just added to the Copyright section of facultyspace is the Digital Copyright Clearance Pilot Project Check out the Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for some answers to questions you just might be pondering yourself.

6) There�s More To Life Than Google Department: A9.com adds calculator
Just keeping you up to date on one of the best search engines around�A9.com now offers a calculator! Now you can calculate to your heart�s content�in addition to personalizing how your result sets look and seeing your results in nice, neat sets (of images, reference sites, open web, etc.) The A9.com toolbar also got some enhancements at the end of last month!