eLearning eVolution

It’s the title of an article by Charlene O’Hanlon that was published in THE Journal in March, which is about the need for educators to adopt technology products for education. It’s not only good for the students, it makes an educator’s job even more interesting.

For me it means that it’s critical for educators to get on the bandwagon for using Web 2.0 and online collaborative technology–like Elluminate Live! and our soon-to-be launched LearnCentral social learning network–or get left in the dust.

If you’re going to NECC, stop by our booth #3542 to learn more about LearnCentral, as well as new enhancements to the Elluminate Learning Suite, like best-in-class breakout rooms.

Elluminate aside, there is so much wonderful educational technology out there, it boggles the mind! Now, I have to admit, all this blogging and twittering stuff put me off at first, but I’ve grown to understand the power and benefit of it. The same is true of tools that are designed to transform teaching and learning. So my advice, is to just jump right in. A good place to start is LearnCentral, where you get a free vRoom when you join. Tours will be starting next week.

- Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication

Came across a great blog entry from Anne Mirstchin who teaches IT to students in grades 3-12 in Australia. She’s used Elluminate Live! for the past year for staff meetings, conferences, and professional development as well as with her students. I’m with Anne when she says that Elluminate is the way to go for 21st century education.

Along with sharing a cool project that involves connecting members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with several remote rural schools to teach about their instruments, Anne also provides a number of tips that have increased the successful use of Elluminate with her students, like having a code of conduct for chat and having a timeout room (breakout room) for offenders. Check it out and prepare to be inspired!

Keep on Elluminating!

- Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication

I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard from some that online learning may be good for classes like reading or language but not for science or math. At Elluminate, we know better because customers tell us everyday how they are transforming teaching and learning by using our enabling technology for a wide variety of courses and programs.

Today, I was happy to find some proof! Here are some statistics from Florida Virtual Academy, a K12 Inc. school and Elluminate customer that show that students at their school got significantly higher FCAT test scores than the state average in reading AND math and science! Check it out.

So there, you naysayers!

Keep on Elluminating!

- Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication