Champlain College Teacher Resource Center

Copyrights Issues

I am often asked about Copyrights. How does it work? Is it different in a class context? Is it different with Internet?
I have always been interested in the subject and have tried to keep up to date with the various licenses available with the growing number of digital documentation. so to get you started, here is the basic: The Canadian Intellectual Property Office which has a 25 pages down loadable document to start with. Then, there is an interesting Website in french made by Université du Québec which proposes a quiz to check our knowledge on the subject and proposes resources for the education sector (with case studies).
As a response to the growing need to alternative to confined copyrights licenses, Creative Commons was founded in 2001. It is no wonder that this user-friendly, free of charge, and world wide license option is growing in popularity.

Interview Series on the Future of Education

Since I am a member of Future of Education, I receive invitations to attend online Interview Series. They are usualy free, 1 hour long videoconference interviews related to education (and often technology). Very interesting! The time at which they are held, Pacific time, might not always suit us in the East… So, we can watch them in play back mode, online and free from Elluminate. Have a look at the Recorded Demonstrations and Events. Enjoy!

Back from AQPC

The AQPC symposium was held this week in Trois-Rivières. I had the chance to attend very interesting workshops that related to this year’s theme: Toward Learning that lasts. I particularly enjoyed this one called Curriculum Alignment: Promoting Learning that Lasts by our Champlain St-Lambert colleagues. The content of their workshop has actually been published in a special issue in English (Summer 2009) of Pédagogie Collégiale. A copy of the magazine is available in the staff lounge…

I also enjoyed a podcasting workshop given by the Vitrine Technologie-Education. I know some of you are interested in the subject so please contact me if you wish to experiment.

What is Wolfram Alpha?

Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine: it generates output by doing computations from its own internal knowledge base, instead of searching the web and returning links. So it basically gives you precise information on subjects raging from people & history to astronomy or engineering, just to name a few. You can also get very interesting socioeconomic data. You have to watch Stephen Wolfram’s intro to really see how powerful that tool is. I can think of many applications where students could use this as a reference!

Inspiring video on Information R/evolution

This short video by Michael Wesch from Kansas State University made me realize how information is now so accessible as far as finding, storing, and sharing goes. Food for thought…

Student Success Reference Library

We have a great collection of books for you to borrow. They are located in my office (121) so just drop by and have a look.

As you read, please comment the book right on this blog so we can share collectively.

You can donwload the complete list here or browse on this site to find one that has been tagged or commented.

Internet and Education

I found this great Internet and Education: Resource Guide in the English section of  La Vitrine Technologie-Education. It includes over 500 resources classified by subject,
over 100 ready-to-use pedagogical scenarios for CEGEP level, and a large number of other resources that provide guidance in the world of new educational technologies. Worth having a look!

I especially like the ‘Online Self Learning’ section of the guide where useful links are provided to find interactive and hands-on information about emerging issues such as Blogs in Education (and blog etiquette) and copyright.

Currently reading: Helping students Learn in a Learner-Centered Environment

A book by Terry Doyle published in 2008. I found intersting links with student retention…

Here is a quote from page 52 that caught my attention: “Of all the existing research about how the human brain learns,  major findings should guide us to examine our teaching practice. This examination process is vital to the well-being of our students. Just as a doctor must reexamine patient care when medical science discovers new drug treatments and therapies…”