Primers

A collection of in-depth analyses of technologies, educational approaches, teaching challenges, how-tos, and best practices.

e-Books: a Primer

After many years of hype and unfulfilled promise, the market for electronic books and reading devices has recently grown significantly. ...demand continues to increase and the implications are beginning to be felt in several areas. Publishers have made progress in...

An Introduction to Simulations for Teaching & Learning

Computer-based simulations have a history as long as the development of the computer itself, dating back to the days of the Manhattan Project. One could argue that the technique of using simulations for teaching and learning (without technology) has been...

Using Audio As a Teaching Tool

Audio can be used in numerous academic contexts, from music to language instruction, as well as archival recordings of lectures. Making audio content available online can be an excellent way to reach students, who can listen from any location and at any time, provided they have a computer with an Internet connection.

An In-depth Look at YouTube

(With numerous contributions from Brian O'Hagan.) As YouTube improves its video service, it becomes ever more attractive to educators. Yes, YouTube is stocked with novelty videos, but it is also now a large repository of educational material. Universities are getting...

Journaling Online

Maintaining a class journal prompts students to write on a consistent basis, and track thoughts as they evolve over the course of a project or a semester. This tracking can encourage students to think broadly about a subject matter, while still engaging with particulars along the way. It also encourages students to register personal reactions to reading or discussion, which can increase their investment in a class.

Encouraging Peer Editing

Peer editing is a technique often used in composition and other writing-intensive courses. Students engaged in peer editing trade drafts of material they have written and provide each other with suggestions for improvement. This technique can be used at any point in the writing process--idea formation, outlining, draft revision, or copy editing a final draft.

Engaging in Collaborative Writing

Collaborative writing can be incredibly rewarding for both students and instructors if expectations are established and the exercise is well planned. It is important to determine the outcomes of the collaborative writing exercise before choosing the type of technology needed to facilitate the exercise. Wikis, blogs, discussion boards, and Web-based tool services have multiplied in number and availability in recent years and can often be used for a low monthly fee, or no fee.

Some Words On Presentations

In 1973 the Times of London reported that 41 percent of Americans cited "fear of public speaking" as their number one fear. Only 19 percent said they were most fearful of "death." Even if you don't have a mortal fear...

Using a Blog in Your Teaching

The word "blog" is an abbreviation of "Weblog". A blog is a web publication which consists of a series of message posts (possibly with comments by visitors). Blogs archive each post chronologically, with the most recent posts showing up at the top of the main page.

Using a Discussion Board

A discussion board is a communication tool used to share messages, which can be questions or responses, comments, or announcements that are accessible to the members of a group. An electronic discussion board is a group communication tool that allows...

Teaching and Learning with Podcasting

Article adapted with permission from University of Wisconsin-Madison Educators interested in educational technology are rediscovering the power of the spoken word by utilizing new technologies to communicate with students outside the traditional classroom. Podcasting is a new medium that enables...