e-Learning Tools Directory

Echo360 Embeds Rich Media Instruction Into Open-Source Moodle LMS

2011-10-26T11:44:00.001+07:00

DULLES, VA, Sep 06, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Echo360, the global leader in campus-wide blended learning and lecture capture solutions, today announced the availability of a new integration for institutions using the open-source learning management system Moodle. Instructors can now easily and safely disseminate video and multimedia course materials created with the EchoSystem to their students. This integration further extends EchoSystem interoperability for higher education institutions using Moodle 1.9 and 2.0.

Colleges and universities deploy Echo360 technology to enrich the blended course experience thereby driving distance learning initiatives, improving graduation rates and retaining more students. The integration makes the EchoCenter portal an embeddable component within Moodle course pages. Students access their Echo360 course content in the EchoCenter while instructors assess learner progress, engagement and usage with custom metrics. Using this integration, these capabilities are available within the already familiar Moodle environment.

Echo360 partnered with leading educational technology and services organization, NetSpot, to develop the integration. NetSpot offers managed hosting for various e-learning systems across Australasia including Moodle for over 600,000 users from institutions such as University of Canberra and LaTrobe University.

NetSpot Managing Director Allan Christie said, "The Echo360 Moodle integration was developed with support and feedback from the Moodle community. The integration makes it more efficient to manage rich media recordings in large-scale environments. NetSpot is proud to work collaboratively again with Echo360 to deliver another premium product for the education sector."

The Echo360 Moodle integration is highly secure for institutions and instructors. It leverages Trusted System Authentication, or seamless login, into Moodle. This solution ensures that each viewer has permission to access the instructor's lecture content.

"Many institutions choose Moodle because of its flexibility for instructors. The Echo360 Moodle integration embraces this approach," said Fred Singer, CEO of Echo360. "Instructors are in the best position to decide how to leverage their lecture content. By embedding the EchoCenter into Moodle, instructors retain this control while gaining more information about when and how students engage with rich media to improve the learning experience."

The Echo360 Moodle integration is available now and free for all Echo360 customers. EchoSystem 4.0 supports content sharing with other popular systems, including Blackboard(R) Learn(R), iTunesU, and ANGEL, as well as media distribution options via RSS feeds and email.

About NetSpot NetSpot Pty Ltd (ABN 50 083 417 403) is an eLearning technology services partner to the education sector in Australasia. NetSpot provides AARNet-based managed hosting for various eLearning Systems including Moodle for over 600,000 users. NetSpot is an official Moodle Partner in Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, an official Echo360 hosting partner in Australia and a Mahara (ePortfolio) Partner.

About Echo360 As a global leader in blended learning and lecture capture solutions, Echo360 helps higher education institutions keep pace with modern students' learning needs through products that digitally record and upload learning content. Echo360 has been recognized with a Product Line Strategy of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan and named a Visionary Vendor in Educational Technology by IT research firm Basex. Echo360's products facilitate better instruction, lower costs and enrich learning experiences by enabling students to easily access and share multimedia content. Through Echo360's platform, students can replay recorded sessions and review course information online at their convenience and across various devices. More than 400 colleges and universities in 29 countries use Echo360's solution.

Original Link : http://www.marketwatch.com/story/echo360-embeds-rich-media-instruction-into-open-source-moodle-lms-2011-09-06

Distance Education for Teacher Training: Modes, Models, and Methods

2011-10-26T11:38:00.001+07:00

Distance Education for Teacher Training: Modes, Models, and Methods builds on EDC’s extensive international and domestic experience in the field of distance education and gathers research and lessons learned from numerous programs in over 100 nations and territories to help distance education policymakers, planners and designers develop distance education systems focused on producing high-quality teachers.

Whether upgrading “un-trained” teachers’ existing skills, providing teachers with enrichment or continuing education opportunities or helping teachers gain advanced degrees or certification, nations across the globe are increasingly turning to distance education as a convenient, flexible and multimodal avenue for teacher education. Distance Education for Teacher Training: Modes, Models, and Methods builds on EDC’s extensive international and domestic experience in the field of distance education and gathers research and lessons learned from numerous programs in over 100 nations and territories to help distance education policymakers, planners and designers develop distance education systems focused on producing high-quality teachers.

Distance Education for Teacher Training: Modes, Models, and Methods focuses on the following areas:

modes of distance education—types of distance-based delivery systems and their strengths and weaknesses from print to digital gaming to online learning to mobile technologies
models of distance education for teacher training programs—actual examples of various programs from each continent
methods or best practices necessary to develop a high-quality distance education program

Unlike most distance-education books, this guide focuses less on policy and funding, and almost exclusively on building high-quality teaching and learning within a distance-based system. With over 200 web references to existing programs and technology tools; an annotated reference section of distance-based resources; and an extensive glossary of terms and bibliography, this guide is a valuable resource for those interested in not just distance education but technology and professional development.

Download E-Book

ninhao mLearning App Now Available for All Apple Mobile Devices for On-The-Go Chinese Learning

2011-10-26T11:24:00.001+07:00

The leader in Chinese online learning, ninhao, is now bringing the same convenience and ease of learning Chinese to mobile devices with the release of the new ninhao mLearning app.
iPad, iPhone and iPod users can now all experience the same elegant and economical ease of learning Chinese. Available for download on the iTunes store, ninhao is offering users trial ninhao lessons at no added cost. Once downloaded, all lessons can be accessed offline - without needing internet connectivity - allowing for uninterrupted learning. Users will have access to ninhao's extensive library comprised of hundreds of animated video lessons, a holistically-designed curriculum developed by a team of professional Chinese teachers.

Existing ninhao customers who have purchased lessons through our website can now access their lessons on their mobile devices. Like their online counterparts, individual lessons are fully accompanied with English and Chinese audio, written narration as well as lesson exercises designed to maximize the user's learning. The new ninhao app will allow mobile device users to synchronize their complete ninhao learning experience across varied personal interactive platforms. This allows the same Chinese lesson plan to be accessed on both mobile devices and computers for seamless learning.
With the release of this new app, ninhao meets the strict demands of a fast-paced lifestyle by allowing users to fully access these intuitive and easy to follow lessons from the convenience of their personal mobile devices. Through this app, ninhao users will have the freedom to learn Chinese anywhere and anytime.

The "3 E" principle of ninhao - to engage, to educate and to entertain - is designed to be fully compliant with the fast pace and stringent demands of modern life to make learning Chinese easier than ever.
For more information and details about ninhao's Chinese language-learning system, please visit www.ninhao.com. For immediate download, please visit the iTunes store at itunes.apple.com/sg/app/ninhao-learning-chinese-online/id380455158?mt=8

About ninhao:
ninhao® (??! - n?nh?o - the polite way to say "hello" in Chinese) was created to teach Chinese language and culture to a global community of Chinese learners. Our strategic partnerships and alliances including Hanban - Confucius Institute, the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of The State Council as well as the Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation of China. These essential partnerships make it possible for ninhao to provide global learners a comprehensive and affordable eLearning platform. Through our proprietary universal content design, audiences can access Chinese learning anytime and anywhere - online, mobile or thru IP-TV network partners across the globe.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/8/prweb8722138.htm

Information and Communication Technologies in School : Handbook for Teacher

2008-10-10T14:17:00.002+07:00

From UNESCO

This handbook is designed for teachers and all educators who are currently working with, or who would like to know more about, information and communication technologies in schools. The technologies involve much more than computers, and so the abbreviation we use for information and communication technologies - ICT - is a plural term to denote the whole range of technologies associated with processing information on the one hand and, on the other, with sending and receiving messages.

Download Here >>

Free E-Learning E-Book : Engaging Interaction for E-Learning

2008-10-10T14:07:00.003+07:00

By B J Schone

"I hate boring eLearning courses. I get frustrated when I�m not intellectually engaged in a course and when I feel like I�m wasting my time. I know many learners feel this way, too. As an eLearning developer, I�ve had good luck using engaging learning interactions in my courses. These interactions break up the monotony and improve the learning experience for the end-user. After covering new material in a course, a learning interaction (or from here on, simply an interaction) gives the learner a chance to actually do something and (gasp!) apply their knowledge!"

Download Here >>

Free eLearning E-Book : Moodle E-Learning Course Development

2008-10-10T13:54:00.003+07:00

By William Rice

This book is a complete guide to successful learning using Moodle, focused on course development and delivery and using the best educational practices. Moodle is relatively easy to install and use, but the real challenge is to develop a learning process that leverages its power and maps effectively onto the content 55established learning situation. This book guides you through meeting that challenge.

Free chapters and free samples available as PDF

Download Here >>

Top 100 Tools for Learning E-Book

2008-10-10T13:44:00.005+07:00

From the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies

Top 100 Tools for Learning
Top 100 Tools list in order of number of mentions down to two mentions
Top 100 Tools for Learning - by type of tool
Top 100 Tools categorised according to different categories of tool - both for personal learning and for creating learning for others
25 Tools - Key free tools for learning

Download Here >>

239 Tips for Producing and Managing Flash-based e-Learning Content

2008-10-09T14:47:00.002+07:00

Free eBook 239 Tips for Producing and Managing Flash-based e-Learning Content from The eLearning Guild includes chapters on the following topics:

105 Tips for Using Adobe Flash Professional & Flash Player
6 Tips for Using Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro
26 Tips for Using Adobe Captivate
3 Tips for Using Adobe Dreamweaver
2 Tips for Using Adobe Presenter
9 Tips for Using Articulate Presenter & Engage
4 Tips for Using Artculate Rapid e-Learning Studio & Studio Pro
6 Tips for Using Trivantis Lectora
4 Tips for Using Camtasia Studio Screen Recording & Presentation
21 Tips for Using Other Tools
22 Tips Provided by Tool Vendors
31 Tips on Work Practices and General Tips

Download this free eLearning eBook>>

Free eLearning eBook: 144 Tips on Synchronous e-Learning Strategy + Research

2008-10-09T14:33:00.003+07:00

Free eBook 144 Tips on Synchronous e-Learning Strategy + Research from The eLearning Guild covers the following topics:

The eLearning Guild’s Research on Synchronous Learning Strategy
11 Tips for Blending Synchronous Learning with Other Learning
49 Tips for Designers of Synchronous Presentations, Courses, and Webinars
8 Tips for Managers Who Lead Synchronous Learning Efforts
53 Tips for Synchronous Speakers and Instructors
23 Tips for Technical Production, Planning, and Preparation

Download Here >>

Free eLearning eBook : 339 Tips on the Implementation of an LMS or LCMS

2008-08-15T16:21:00.002+07:00

Free eLearning eBook: 339 Tips on the Implementation of an LMS or LCMS by The eLearning Guild is an amazing collection of tips from hundreds of your professional colleagues. Nowhere will you find a more comprehensive set of tips that you can use to improve your LMS and LCMS implementation efforts.

Topics covered in this eBook include:Comprehensive Tips for LMS ImplementationTips on Change Management and Stakeholder Buy-inTips on Selection and Management of the Implementation TeamTips on IT Department InvolvementTips on Project ManagementTips on System Configuration and ManagementTips on Testing and PilotingTips on Training UsersTips on Vendor Support and Vendor RelationsImplemenation Tips Not Covered Elsewhere.

Download this free eLearning eBook.

Free eLearning eBook : 834 Tips for Successful Online Instruction

2008-08-15T16:16:00.002+07:00

Free ebook 834 Tips for Successful Online Instruction by The eLearning Guild is an amazing collection of tips from 336 of your professional colleagues. Nowhere will you find a more comprehensive set of tips that you can use to improve your knowledge and skills in online instruction.

Topics covered in this eBook include:Tips for InstructorsTips for ManagersTips for Design and Development TeamsTips for Implementation

Download this free eLearning eBook.

Free eBook : eLearning Technology

2008-08-15T16:06:00.003+07:00

BJ Schone has published a nice eBook and has an associated blog that provides some interactions that can be used in eLearning that will make the learning more fun and engaging. Some of the interactions he talks about are :

Scatter steps
Order of importance
Find the mismatch
Story-based questions
Scavenger hunt

Branching storiesI was planning to also point folks to other lists of these kinds of interactions (which I believe are out there), but for some reason I couldn't easily find them.

Free eBook : Learning 2.0

2008-08-15T15:53:00.006+07:00

I’ve updated this post to indicate the download options more clearly - 10-Aug-2008.
I put together an eBook based on a presentation on Learning 2.0 that I did back in the fall (original presentation available on SlideShare). This is a very nice looking document–for which the credit goes entirely to the editor, Celisa Steele. I hope it is also a helpful document for those who may be new to Learning 2.0 and social media in general or who are looking for a good tool to help educate others in their organization.

Download
Learning 2.0 for Associations(PDF Document, 5 MB)
View
or Download Learning 2.0 for Associations on Scribd(better for lower
bandwidth users)

The eBook is intended as a general introduction to how approaches to learning have evolved and what impact the new technologies dubbed “Web 2.0” are having. In it you will find examples of ways in which associations are using these new technologies and what possibilities they may represent for your organization’s professional development and other learning initiatives.
The examples in the book are primarily from the association world, but readers from other types of organization will find both the examples and the report in general to be useful. The intended audience is anyone new to social media and how tools like blogs, wiki, podcasts, and social networks can be used in learning-centric initiatives.

Readers who already make significant use of social media technologies may find some of the content a bit basic, but the examples and the general thinking about Learning 2.0 as a concept may nonetheless be helpful. Additionally, those readers who are more advanced may find this report to be a useful tool for educating others in their organizations.

I welcome comments, criticisms (constructive, of course!), and general musings on Learning 2.0.
Also, links to the original presentation and accompanying resources follow:

Learning 2.0 for Associations (PPT on Slideshare)Presentation
Script (PDF Document, 115 KB)Learning 2.0: A Resource Guide (PDF Document, 829 KB)

Jeff Cobb P.S. - Original link : http://blog.missiontolearn.com/2008/02/learning-20-ebook-free/

Free eBook The eLearning Guild's Handbook of e-Learning Strategy

2008-08-12T16:53:00.002+07:00

In many organizations, there is a need to better identify and document a comprehensive learning strategy and to answer the question, "What should we be doing in order to support improved learning and performance?" This e-Book will help you make a broad, fundamental connection between learning, e-Learning, and your organization's mission, business objectives, and the bottom line. Chapters address everything from crafting a focused strategy, to keeping your strategy focused, to change management. Refocus on e-Learning strategy and insure that your e-Learning technology and methodology investments pay off and so you can achieve your e-Learning goals!

This FREE Digital Book was made possible by a generous contribution to its development from Adobe Systems. To learn more about Adobe click HERE.

Access Instructions: Depending on the speed of your internet connection, this document could take a few moments to download because of its size (87 pages in PDF format, ~7.3MB). We urge you to save it to your computer first and then open it.

License Agreement:
The content of all Guild eBooks is FREE. You are encouraged to use it, share it, and post it on your Web site and/or your organization’s Intranet. No one is authorized to charge a fee for it or to use it to collect contact information. The PDF file cannot be altered without written permission from The eLearning Guild. We request that reuse or re-distribution of this publication is accompanied by appropriate attribution to The eLearning Guild.

Make Your Virtual Classroom at Facebook

2008-06-06T15:01:00.004+07:00

Facebook a social networking service on the web has a new feature for instructors around the world that allows tearchers to make their own virtual classroom for free. This product is built with the instructor/student relationship in mind, to enable instructors to use a social and engaging application that can reach students where they are.

Claim your courses as your own and enjoy privileged features, such as making announcements and assignments to your classes as well as posting key resources. High School Teachers, Professors, TAs and GSIs are all welcome. Oh, and you can hold virtual office hours, which is sweet.

[Join Now!]

Learning Content Development System from Microsoft

2008-05-16T16:17:00.003+07:00

The Learning Content Development System (LCDS) is a tool that enables you to create high quality, interactive, online courses. Virtually anyone can publish e-learning courses by completing the easy-to-use LCDS forms that seamlessly generate highly customized content, interactivities, quizzes, games, and assessments—as well as Silverlight-based animations, demos, and other multimedia. Register to download the free LCDS release, then start creating your own e-learning courses today!

What does the LCDS offer?
With the LCDS, you can : Develop and deliver content quickly, while it is timely and relevant. Distribute your content via the Web or in a learning management system. Deliver Web content that conforms to Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) 1.2, and which can be hosted in a learning management system. Upload or attach your existing content. (LCDS supports multiple file formats.). Choose from a wide variety of forms for authoring rich e-learning content. Develop your course structure and easily rearrange it at any time.

[Register to download the free LCDS tool] [Website]

Macromedia CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver Extension

2008-05-16T15:45:00.004+07:00

The CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver Extension is the most popular Macromedia learning extension. It accelerates the instructional development process with more than 40 pre-scripted learning interactions, quiz and assessment templates, and the ability to track results to a learning management system or database such as Lotus LearningSpace, using an AICC communication (instead of ADL SCORM).

Macromedia CourseBuilder Interactions let you define a complete web-based learning interaction. Tabbed wizard pages step you through creating and editing basic interactions. The wizard creates editable HTML, DHTML, and JavaScript based on the information that you enter. CourseBuilder extends the Macromedia Dreamweaver HTML editing functions by generating logic-based objects that interact with users, as well as external computer-managed instruction (CMI) applications that track and score user input.

[Download and visit the website]

KEEP Toolkit

2007-12-05T15:20:00.000+07:00

The KEEP Toolkit is a set of web-based tools that help teachers, students and institutions quickly create compact and engaging knowledge representations on the Web. With the KEEP Toolkit you can:

Select and organize teaching and learning materials
Prompt analysis and reflection by using templates
Transform materials and reflections into visually appealing and intellectually engaging representations
Share ideas for peer-review, assessment, and collective knowledge building
Simplify the technical tasks and facilitate knowledge exchange and dissemination

Learn More Overview Tour Example/Showcase Create An Account/Join

Claroline, An Open Source eLearning and eWorking Platform

2007-11-15T14:07:00.000+07:00

Claroline is an Open Source eLearning and eWorking platform allowing teachers to build effective online courses and to manage learning and collaborative activities on the web. Translated into 35 languages, Claroline has a large worldwide users’ and developers’ community.

Released under Open Source license, the Claroline platform allows hundreds of organizations from 86 countries to create and administer courses and collaboration spaces online. Each course space provides a list of tools enabling the teacher to :

Write a course description
Publish documents in any format (text, PDF, HTML, video...)
Administer public and private forums
Develop learning paths
Create groups of students
Prepare online exercises
Manage an agenda with tasks and deadlines
Publish announcements (also by e-mail)
Propose assignments to be handed in online
See the statistics of the users activity
Use the wiki to write collaborative documents

Adjustable to various training contexts, Claroline is not only used by schools and universities, but also by training centres, associations and companies. The platform is customizable and offers a flexible and custom-made working environment.

Claroline is capable of hosting a large number of users easily. It is compatible with Linux, Mac and Windows environments. Claroline is based on free technologies like PHP and MySQL and uses the current standards like SCORM and IMS/QTI for the exchange of contents.

Claroline has been developed following teachers' pedagogical experience and needs. It offers intuitive and clear spaces administration interface. The daily platform management doesn't require any specific technical skill. The platform is quickly installed and the use of any web browser allows to manage the various course sections and enrolled users fluently.

[Claroline Website] [Download] [Demo]

Tutorom, Create and Deliver Your Own Tutorial

2007-11-15T13:49:00.000+07:00

Tutorom allows you to easily create and deliver elearning content, free of charge. We are currently in beta, adding new features every week, but for now feel free to explore and comment via the forums, or email us at info@tutorom.com with suggestions or ideas.

We have added some content to the site to give you an idea how it works - 60,000 lessons added from the VTC computer learning library (8,000 of which are free, the rest on subscription of $30 a month), and hundreds of free school education lessons. We have also added video content from expertvillage. If you have courses or content you want added please contact us.

[Tutorom Website]

Nuvvo, On Demand E-Learning

2007-11-15T13:28:00.000+07:00

Nuvvo is an on-demand e-learning service designed for individual instructors. It costs nothing to use, though it has some ads and gets a percentage if you charge students. Nuvvo is a website that incorporates Ajax, RSS/Atom, VoIP (via Skype), vCard, and ICalendar. Nuvvo has integrated e-commerce and an eLearning Market where courses can be advertised.

Commonly, e-learning systems are designed for institutions, not individual instructors. These are usually called a Learning Management System (LMS), Course Management System (CMS), or Virtual Learning Environments (VLE). Nuvvo includes most of the end-user features found in these systems, but specifically lacks the administrative features required for organizing large hierarchies of users, and integration possibilities for connecting with other software systems in an institution's IT ecosystem.

Nuvvo was created by Savvica Inc., a Toronto-based software company founded by John Philip Green, with help from David Ritter and others, and launched in December 2005. Green, Nuvvo's chief architect, has said that Nuvvo--a more compact version of an enterprise LMS designed for individual instructors--was conceived while Savvica was building its Enterprise LMS and released as a sort of side project.[citation needed] As the service attracted more and more users, the company gradually shifted its focus from enterprise learning software to the lighter, ASP service. Savvica now focuses solely on improving and supporting Nuvvo.

Nuvvo shares many characteristics with other Web 2.0 services. Its service is entirely web-based, and follows the user-centred design principles made popular by Flickr, del.icio.us, 37signals and others. Following a similar commercial model to those services, it's free and focused on user-generated content and community building.

Content authoring is featured, with tools for creating multimedia-enriched lessons, quizzes and assignments. Blogging is included, as are messages, scheduling tools, course management, and user administration. Unlike a traditional LMS setup, the conversations, media files, and text curriculum are all integrated and on the same page, facilitating discussion and student interaction.

Evaluation tools are another part of Nuvvo. Instructors build test, quizzes, and assignments with multiple choice questions, true/false questions, etc. Most question types are automatically graded and entered into Nuvvo's gradebook, where students can keep track of their progress.
Nuvvo also features e-commerce, which allows instructors to charge for courses. Instructors set a course price and students pay with their credit card upon joining the course. Nuvvo subtracts an 8% transaction fee and pays the instructor the rest. Instructors can list their courses in Nuvvo's eLearning Market, an Ebay-like listing site where students browse courses and request enrollment.

[Nuvvo Website]

Edublogs

2007-11-13T13:10:00.000+07:00

Edublogs is "the largest education community on the Internet" where you can sign up for a free WordPress-powered blog. The site provides lots of useful information, e.g. how to use your blog with your students and how start a conversation using your blog. An ideal site for educators who want to blog with support.

Comments from contributors :

"a great free blog-hosting site for teachers and students alike. It's specifically designed for educational use and is incredibly responsive to user needs, suggestions, and problems." Larry Ferlazzo
"But of course :)" James Farmer (the founder of Edublogs)
"if I didn't have my own domain I would use this service (it seems like I recommend it every day to another teacher)" David Parry

[Edublogs Website]

Websoft CourseLab

2007-11-13T11:16:00.000+07:00

CourseLab is a powerful, yet easy-to-use, e-learning authoring tool that offers programming-free WYSIWYG environment for creating high-quality interactive e-learning content which can be published on the Internet, Learning Management Systems (LMS), CD-ROMS and other devices.

[CourseLab Website] [CourseLab Download]

Moodle, An Opensource Learning Management System

2007-09-24T15:50:00.000+07:00

Moodle is an open source course management system that is taking the educational world by storm. It provides all the sophisticated high level functionality of an educational CMS and more - and there are no license fees. More about more colleges and universities are turning to Moodle to create, host and deliver their courses online.

Moodle offers, amongst other things, the following:

a variety of course and communication activities Forums, Journals, Quizzes, Resources, Choices, Surveys, Assignments, Chats, Workshops
site management, user management and course management functionality
full logging and tracking report for each student
SCORM/AICC compliant, which means that learning content with compliance can be included in Moodle.

[Download Moodle] [Moodle Website]