With Windows 8 now at RTM and General Availability for our new operating system scheduled for October 26th, now is a great time to become better acquainted with the Windows 8 Release Review.
To help guide you through some of the new features of Windows 8, and the Release Preview in particular, we have produced an overview document that you might find useful.
The full document can be viewed/downloaded below:
Originally posted on the Microsoft Press Blog.
We’re happy to release the Second Preview of our free ebook Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, by Kraig Brockschmidt, today. Here’s a description of the ebook from Kraig:
Kraig here. Hello again! Now that the RTM build of Windows 8 is out and available to developers, along with upgraded tools, I’m delighted to offer the next preview release of my book, Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Since the first release in June, we’ve added eight more chapters, bringing the total to 12 out of a planned 17. The new chapters cover collection controls (everything you wanted to know about ListView!), layout (especially view states), commanding UI (app bars, message dialogs, and their friends), the all-important topic of managing state, a close look at input and sensors (a form of input, really), media, animations, and contracts (share, search, the file pickers, and contacts). The earlier preview chapters (1-4) have also been updated and refined.
Writing a book like this has always been a journey of exploration for myself, and I’m truly grateful that I also have the opportunity to share the results with you. The process has involved many discussions with the Windows engineering team who created the platform, often taking me into far-off corners of the galaxy, so to speak. I’ve also been doing my best to follow app-building discussions both within Microsoft, on the MSDN forums, and StackOverflow so that I can try to anticipate and answer questions that will likely arise in your own mind. And with this over-abundance of information and experience, my goal has been to pull together a narrative story from start to finish, blazing a single trail through what can seem at times like a thick jungle. I would love to hear from you how successful I’ve been at this endeavor.
As evidenced by its title, this book is about writing Windows 8 apps in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The earlier chapters are indeed very specific to that particular choice of language and presentation layer, along with the Windows Library for JavaScript.
Somewhere around Chapters 7 and 8, however, we really begin to transition more into the WinRT APIs that are applicable to apps written in any language. I’m finding this especially true as I’m writing Chapter 13 on live tiles and notifications—very little of it, other than the code snippets, is unique to JavaScript, especially when talking about tile-updating web services written with server-side technologies like PHP and ASP.NET! My point in saying this is that while I’ve written this book ostensibly for web developers who are and will be looking to create apps for Windows 8 and the Windows Store, much of this book will also be very helpful to Windows 8 developers in general. And since it is now and will be a free ebook, you can’t lose!
As the release date for Windows 8 has been set for October 26th, we’re now on the home stretch toward the final release of this full ebook, which we plan to have ready in time for the Build conference in Redmond (October 30- November 2). I hope to see many of you there! And for those who cannot attend in person, keep an eye on http://buildwindows.com because the conference will also be presented online.
Happy reading, and coding!
DOWNLOAD LINKS:
You can download the Second Preview (PDF only) here (13.5 MB).
And you can download the Second Preview’s companion content here (64.9 MB).
(We’ll release the final version of this free ebook in PDF, EPUB, and MOBI formats.)
Great eBook about writing Windows 8 style apps for Windows 8 using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.
The full original version of the eBook can be viewed below.
Guest post from Microsoft UK Schools Blog reader, Jasmine Hall, from Online Colleges.
Overview of the top 20 best blogs that cover gamification/game-based learning.
Learn all about how games revolutionize more than just education through the extremely useful, insightful Gamification blog. Not only does it deeply explore how teachers and parents can utilize gaming platforms and developments in the interest of getting kids (and adults!) to hone their academic and practical skills alike, the site also goes into how they assist law enforcement and other initiatives.
Read SeriousGameBlog.com in English or French when seeking all the latest news about game-based learning and other serious applications of digital gaming. Anyone interested in the market especially will find plenty of interesting reading here, and Succubus International’s decade of experience in serious gaming lends it considerable credence.
Although this resource’s update schedule crawls when compared to some of its contemporaries, it certainly merits visiting when looking to find out what sort of conferences and other relevant game-based learning events are taking place. In addition, it also follows through on the title and posts information about the latest studies into the most and not-so-most educational games strategies.
Anything and everything involving both game-based learning and serious gaming gets covered here, regardless of structure or application, making it a wonderfully thorough read. It’s especially interesting to catch up on how gaming can prove a valuable educational tool outside the classroom.
One of the most comprehensive blogs about GBL boasts perspectives from several different writers and delves into all sorts of different and exciting corners of the concept. The eponymous company specializes in delivering learning sims and other gaming technologies at the most affordable possible cost.
GALA stands for Games and Learning Alliance, which should probably clue readers in on what they’re all about (PROTIP: It ain’t the Hokey Pokey). Multiple representatives from multiple serious gaming companies open up about their latest developments and approaches to the nascent industry.
Serious gaming expert Pamela M. Kato travels around the world to promote and discover the latest and greatest movements within game-based learning. She only recently took to blogging her experiences, readings, and research, but has nothing but interesting and highly informative things to share so far.
This popular edtech resource focuses mainly on the role gaming might very well play in a classroom setting, but looks into other digital venues from time to time for a broader glimpse at what all tech-savvy teachers have at their disposal. David Renton especially adores the Kinect’s educational applications, so anyone looking to harness its potential will likely find plenty to love and appreciate here.
Like David Renton, Ray Chambers stands as a devoted acolyte of the Kinect, though his blog definitely covers other game-based learning strategies, though not nearly as often. Stop by here when looking for some of the best games and ideas connected to the device he adores — or even share something new and exciting from your own experiences!
Of interest to parents and teachers of preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school students, the official blog of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop covers gaming and other digital media’s potential to get kids learning. Follow their progress in developing some great methods for harnessing the newest technological developments and participate in discussions about GBL’s possible futures.
Hit up MyGamification.com for updated information regarding the latest gamification news, which impacts GBL in the classroom and boardroom alike. BigDoor Inc., which provides such services to Dell, MLB.com, Nickelodeon, and more, knows a few things about harnessing gaming for both promotional and educational ends.
Microsoft’s UK Education Team illustrates how the company’s technology can be harnessed in order to provide students of all ages with engaging educational tools. While not exclusively about gaming, the ubiquitous corporation certainly provides plenty of excellent expert information on the subject.
This edtech enthusiast frequently covers gaming’s role in getting both kids and adults learning, though he doesn’t shy away from writing about other new media phenomena, either. Read through his posts for some fabulous insight into how all these developments fit together for a uniquely 21st century educational experience.
Both the blog and its accompanying podcast focus on Sealund’s serious gaming innovations and developments, which they hope provide maximum learning and engagement in its user base. Despite its somewhat erratic updating schedule, it really does offer up a great, detailed look at how educational games are created, developed, marketed, and utilized in the classroom.
Thanks to the magic and wonder that is the Internet, schools now compete in international competitions testing students’ math and spelling acumen – even if thousands of miles and cultural boundaries galore separate them. All the events associated with the World Education Games, which partners with UNICEF, stand as excellent examples of serious gaming’s highly effective, incredibly enjoyable potential.
Despite Gamasutra’s status as a general resource for game developers and similar professionals, it pays more than lip service to the game-based learning community, offering up an entire section devoted solely to serious gaming. Give it a look when wanting to absorb all the most recent goings-on in getting kids learning and audiences enthralled using new media formats.
More tech-oriented teachers might want to try creating their very own educational games using Unity 3D, which simplifies the process and allows them to concentrate more on content than style. At their official blog, anyone curious about the platform can pick up further information about getting the most out of the product and how to utilize it for various useful purposes.
Step up those GBL practices by learning a few things about the theory and practice of video games themselves, from a man who has studied the ways in which it has and might very well revolutionize politics, education, and more. Giving both Ian Bogost’s blog and website a look makes it easier to understand how all the intricate little components of technology and serious gaming fit together.
With a title like that, it’s not too difficult to glean exactly what this blog hopes to share, but — for all those out there whose reading comprehension skills aren’t so hot — it’s about the future of game-based learning. Developers, educators, and others fascinated by the topic gather here to exchange ideas and information about what works, what doesn’t, what’s available, and (obviously) what’s to come.
Even visitors not adhering to the DIY and/or edupunk movements these days could still easily pick up some great pointers about using games and augmented reality for educational ends from the Center4Edupunx blog. Its content centers around getting the most out of GBL without compromising “creativity, whimsy … and a very limited budget,” making it great for the cash-strapped home or mainstream classroom.
Originally posted on the UK Faculty Connection Blog.
Want to get up to speed on Windows 8 during the summer holidays? Here is a list of camps for you to attend. There are limited numbers at each event so if you want free training, app support and to get ahead of the curve with Windows 8 then you should sign up now!
What to expect:
The Windows 8 Camps have been designed to show you how to build a Windows 8 app. You can tailor the day to make it as personally productive and rewarding as possible. You can work on your own projects with assistance from Windows 8 experts, network with others and also have the option of attending short tutorial sessions on Windows 8 related topics.
The Windows 8 Camps will cover an introductory overview session as well as a range of short tutorial sessions. Short tutorial sessions will include topics such as the basics of the OS and interaction with the OS, Metro style UX with examples in Store apps, The Store and the developer opportunity, the high level view of the platform - i.e. WinRT and the choice around implementation technology, and the tooling - the role of Visual Studio and Expression Blend. In addition, you will learn how you can publish your Windows 8 app into the Windows Store in advance of general release through the Windows 8 App Excellence Labs at this camp.
The Windows 8 Camp will kick off at 9am and officially finish at 6pm, or 9pm for the hardcore attendees
Before you arrive, please ensure you have downloaded:
1) Windows 8 Release Preview installed and running on your machine 2) Visual Studio 2012 Express RC installed
Lastly, please let us know as soon as you can if you cannot make the camp as there will be many developers who are keen to take your spot. Please let us know (via written email) at least 2 days in advance if you are unable to attend the camp or a £20 administration fee will be charged. Please respect the trainers and your fellow delegates by turning up if you have registered and committed.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the Windows 8 Camp. Click here to register for an event near you!
Don't forget we have lots of Windows 8 curricula resources available and additional resources see
Curricula resources via Faculty Connection http://www.microsoft.com/faculty http://blogs.msdn.com/b/uk_faculty_connection/archive/2012/07/09/windows-8-curricula-and-resources-now-at-faculty-connection.aspx
Windows 8 Camp in Box http://blogs.msdn.com/b/uk_faculty_connection/archive/2012/07/16/windows-8-training-camp-in-a-box.aspx
Creating your first Windows 8 Metro Style Design Game http://blogs.msdn.com/b/uk_faculty_connection/archive/2012/07/16/creating-your-first-windows-8-metro-style-design-game.aspx
XNA Developers and Windows8 http://blogs.msdn.com/b/uk_faculty_connection/archive/2012/08/01/xna-developers-and-windows-8.aspx
Get up to speed on Windows 8 in 6 weeks http://blogs.msdn.com/b/uk_faculty_connection/archive/2012/07/24/get-up-to-speed-on-windows-8-in-6-weeks.aspx
SharePoint MVP and Microsoft partner, Alex Pearce from BFC Networks, has created a very useful starter manual for Office 365 for education.
This starter manual will give you a step by step guide to implementing Office 365 for education for your school or college. It will include the subscription process, how to register your first domain to some simple Exchange, Lync and SharePoint housekeeping.
The guide can be downloaded directly from BFC Networks. Alternatively, you can view/download the full eBook below.
Is Office 365 right for your institution?
This master class from Quest and Microsoft provides you with a valuable insight for the Education sector into:
Quest tools simplify your Office 365 migration, co-existence and management and in this session Quest staff share their real world experience of working with customers migrating to Office 365 for education.
If you have already deployed a cloud based email solution, this session will show you why and how you can migrate to Office 365 for education.
If you have a more traditional environment, this session will also demonstrate how you can migrate from on-premise Exchange and SharePoint, Lotus Notes, GroupWise, Exchange public folders and Windows files.
Please register below.
http://www.quest.com/webcast/microsoft-office-365-migration-masterclass818159.aspx
Registration date and time information: 18 September 2012 12:00
Guest post from Gerald Haigh. Gerald writes regularly for the Microsoft education blogs.
Office 365 for education is much more than a money saver. It has the potential to change and streamline communication and collaboration across the whole of an institution. It’s important to set that out at the start.
However, short term cost saving is high on the agenda in schools and colleges, and the fact that Office 365 for education is free (for plan A2) to academic institutions, needs no on-site maintenance, and has the strong potential to make considerable efficiency savings is bound to attract attention.
So, even though it’s early days with Office 365 for education, IT leaders have to look ahead, and I decided to look at some of the stories and case studies that are already coming from early adopters.
Immediately, it became apparent that invariably it’s the availability of free cloud-based email that’s the initial attraction. For The Schools Network (formerly the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust) for example, Office 365 for education solved the problem of how to replace an ageing email system in a climate of much-reduced funding. The removal of upfront server and licensing costs saved over £34,000.
But that’s only part of the story.
"We would have had to invest thousands to have ensured the level of uptime and support that Office 365 for education provides as a standard service," says Head of Information Services Julian Elve. "There was never a question of us matching that level of support ourselves. There was simply no budget to do that." http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?CaseStudyID=710000000494
It was a similar story at the 1,900 student East Norfolk Sixth Form College where IT Services Manager Eric Stone took the opportunity, with help from Microsoft, to be an early adopter of Office 365 for education last Autumn. They, too, faced the need to increase storage capacity for their on-site email system.
“One of the main drivers for changing to a cloud based product was the saving on storage and backup,” says Eric. “We believe we saved in excess of £5000 in capital expenditure for additional storage, whilst providing the students with an improved user experience, simply by moving the email accounts over to Office 365 for education.”
There’s a pattern emerging here which shows that Office 365 for education isn’t just a marginal cost-saver, a tweaker of the balance sheet, but is actually opening up new pages in the account books by helping institutions to make improvements that they otherwise simply couldn’t afford.
Take the story of the 5,500 student Kilmarnock College, for example. There, the ICT Service team had looked at upgrading the Exchange Server that was providing staff email and found they’d have to find £15,000 for hardware, £10,000 in deployment costs in the first year, and then an annual maintenance cost of at least £2,000 per year. None of this was at all feasible, so moving to Office 365 for education both eliminated those costs and vastly improved the level of service. http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?CaseStudyID=710000000987
But each of these innovators know that taking on Office 365 for education in order to reap the efficiencies and cost benefits of email is just a first step. All the other Office 365 for education applications are there to be used. At Kilmarnock College, for instance, there are plans to use SharePoint Online, included in Office 365 for education to complement and enhance their existing online content management system. IT Service leader Brad Johnston doubts whether, with their existing staffing levels, they could have deployed on-site SharePoint in the same way. And Brad’s also working on introducing users to Lync Online,
“We’re now telling our users that the emphasis on phones is no longer there because you have this whole communication tool built into Office 365,” says Brad. “It’s a million miles away from where we would be without it.”
Eric Stone, at East Norfolk Sixth Form College is adopting ‘one step at a time’ strategy, so although the whole of Office 365 for education will be available, from September, administrators in the College will stay with the familiar Office 2010 suite for now. As Eric says, there’s nothing to be lost by waiting,
“And students will certainly use Office 365, saving themselves some licensing costs.”
So is there a catch? Apparently not. Reliability of service, for example, is typically better than with an on-site system. Eric Stone says,
“I believe we’ve exceeded Microsoft’s best estimate. In the whole year we lost connection for just five minutes on one afternoon.”
More of these stories will emerge, and as they do it will become increasingly clear that the most significant cost savings of all will come from increased efficiency – better communication and collaboration, more effective deployment of technical staff, instant and effortless availability of the most up to date software. In this regard it’s well worth taking a look at a significant report on cost saving with Office 365 for education prepared for Microsoft in June 2011 by Forrester Consulting, looking at Total Economic Impact (TEI) of Office 365 on small and medium sized businesses. It reports dramatic savings, with a return on investment (ROI) of 321%, and while the many areas of potential saving that it lists aren’t all applicable to schools, many of them certainly are.
Originally posted on the Daily Edventures Blog.
Nicki Maddams knows first-hand the power of games in learning, and her Kodu in the Klassroom demonstrates why. When Maddams discovered Kodu Game Lab, she immediately saw the potential to engage her students. She then developed lesson plans and resources which are now being used throughout the UK and around the world.
Maddams soon discovered that Kodu was not only helpful in teaching computing and ICT, but it also provided a terrific tool to raise the level of literacy for struggling and disengaged students. Kodu was used by the students to create story-telling games and, according to Maddams, “Their english teacher was amazed at the improvement in their behavior and work ethic.” After an in-school pilot, she invited local primary schools to take part in the literacy project. Nine and 10-year old students visited Maddams’s school once a week for nine weeks to learn how to design and create their own games, while writing the storylines and planning content for the games. They even blogged about their work.
Maddams shared her project at Microsoft’s European Innovative Teacher Awards in Lisbon, and will attend the November Global Forum in Prague to share the work with an even broader audience. Today, she shares with us her passion for teaching and her thoughts on the vast potential for game-based learning.
Can you describe how your professional achievements have advanced innovation in education?
Within the subject I teach, ICT is often taught by non-specialists and therefore sometimes they may struggle with getting to grips with the subject. I frequently share my resources online through my website so other teachers can use these within their lessons and simply adapt to suit their needs. More recently in sharing the Kodu resources I have developed, I have received lots of positive feedback from teachers across the globe who are using my resources. This is particularly great to hear as it means more children are being opened-up to the world of programming from a young age!
What has changed as a result of your efforts?
More schools are using software that they may not previously have looked at. Not just in secondary schools but in primary as well, which is great to hear. Providing tutorials for teachers as well as the resources to teach the software has made it much easier for teachers to use new tools and technology in their classrooms.
How can others facing similar challenges implement what you’ve learned through your work?
I try to make things as easy as possible for others; that’s why I share my resources freely through my blog. Hopefully this will take away the challenge for others who just want to focus on their classroom teaching and are not able, or do not have the time, to reinvent the wheel by creating lots of resources from scratch.
How have you applied technology in innovative ways to support your work?
Being an ICT teacher, the use of technology is an integral part of my day-to-day teaching. Most recently, the technology that has been particularly innovative is the use of Xbox controllers in my classroom when using Kodu Game Lab with the children. The most important thing is that technology should always be used as a tool and not simply used for the sake of ticking a box. I have an interactive white-board in my room but rarely use it as such because for me it’s often not relevant to what I am trying to teach. Our Math department, on the other hand, uses them frequently to good advantage.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome to ensure students are receiving a quality education?
Class size would be the main obstacle. Often students are required to share a PC as there simply are not enough in my classroom for the size of some of the classes I teach. In the UK, a number of schools that have been deemed as unfit for their purpose have been re-built in recent years. My school was on the list to be re-built but unfortunately our rebuild (along with a number of others) was cancelled due to lack of funding. As a result, many teachers in the UK are faced with teaching in rooms that are not fit for practice and not suited to children’s needs. For example, my classroom has leaked on occasions, quite dramatically, and gets so hot in the summer as there is no air-conditioning. It’s often quite difficult to engage the children when they’re wilting from the heat!
What is your country doing right to support education?
In terms of my subject, recently our Minister for Education has given us more freedom within the ICT curriculum and enabled us to teach more computing, such as programming, etc. This is great for my subject.
What conditions must change in your country to better support education?
There are frequent consultations at the government level regarding education, and the problems, as I see them, are that there are too many changes. Recently a lot of the guidance changed as to what should be included in GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) so the exam boards had to bring out lots of new courses to meet these requirements. The impact these decisions have on teachers is that we are then required to re-write our school curricula to match these requirements. In another couple of years, these requirements are likely to be changed again, leaving us to re-write resources again. In the news recently, the government suggested bringing back O-Levels and CSEs (UK standard tests) which were abandoned years ago because they were not suitable. I think it would be best to have fewer changes in education from a government level.
What is the best opportunity for innovation in education?
Computers play a huge role when looking at innovation as they offer so much flexibility with different types of software and hardware that are frequently becoming available. Games-based learning is becoming increasingly popular amongst teachers as it is a way of “tricking” the children into learning or a hook to gain the child’s interest in order to base a project around a particular game. I think this is a great idea as we all know children learn best when they are interested in a particular topic.
What advice would you give a new teacher (or to anyone wanting to make a difference in education)?
Networking is a great way to gain ideas and resources; Twitter (@GeekyNicki) is one of the easiest and most popular methods used by teachers as it is so flexible and easy to communicate with lots of people at once. It is a great place for gaining ideas for use in the classroom and also for sharing ideas and resources. It is very difficult to be innovative when you are working alone; it is much better to bounce ideas off other people. This is how ideas grow and is vital for moving education forward.
What educational “trend” do you think is helping students? Is there a trend that is getting in the way of learning?
Game-based learning, as I mentioned earlier, is probably the most recent trend and it seems to have been quite successful, particularly in primary schools where children would tend to base all of their work around a particular topic. I have seen some great examples where children have used games such as Nintendogs, where they would play the game, looking after their pet, but also do creative writing, artwork and even learn about anatomy all based around the game. It is also possible for games-based learning to be taken to the other extreme where a teacher could pick games that are very loosely based around the subject they are teaching and leave the children to “play” for an extended period of time without necessarily checking on progress. Done correctly, games-based learning is an asset to education but it shouldn’t be used in the extreme.
If you could give one educational tool to every child in the world, what would it be? Why?
A piano (or maybe just any musical instrument)! This may sound a little strange but I have been learning to play the piano for the last year or so and learning has given me so many skills that are valuable and help me “learn to learn.” For example, to play an instrument you have to develop a lot of patience and perseverance as you are not going to be the world’s best pianist as soon as you begin. Understanding the values of perseverance would be a great asset to any child. Playing an instrument is also a great way to unwind at the end of the day and is very satisfying when you have learned a new piece. In teaching, the children who achieve best are the ones who are willing to persevere with a problem and show patience when things go wrong. There is nothing worse as a teacher than when you see a child give up at the first hurdle because a task is “too hard”! I believe that acquiring the core skills that come with learning an instrument will help any child become a better learner, and in turn they will be ready to take on any challenge, big or small. —————————————————————————————————————————————————
Innovate in the classroom, help your students build the skills they need for the future—such as problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity—with Partners in Learning.
You’ll meet other innovative teachers for collaboration opportunities, get access to free teacher resources, and learn about great ways to improve your personal teaching practice using technology.
Embraced by the theme ‘Your Ideas Matter’ the Partners in Learning Network is a community for you, by you, and further amplifies the great work that is being done every day by teachers and schools around the world. With this idea in mind, we invite you to try out this global online resource and community designed to encourage collaboration and the spread of ideas for the betterment of education worldwide.
The new Partners in Learning Network is the next generation of the global network serving educators and school leaders in over 115 countries. To facilitate a truly global community of innovative educators, the site is now available in 36 different languages, thanks to the use of Microsoft Translator Services.
Sign in, create an account and start connecting with thousands of educators worldwide here.
About Nicki Maddams
Birthplace: Margate, Kent, England Current residence: Maidstone, Kent, England Education: BSc (hons)Computing Website I check every day: Probably Facebook and Twitter most days. I also check the Microsoft Teachers Blog regularly. Person who inspires me most: There is not one person who particularly stands out for me but if I were to choose it would probably be Bill Gates. Not only from a technical point-of-view but I am inspired by how much good he has done with his money in terms of his philanthropy. Favorite childhood memory: I don’t have one specific favorite memory but I have lots of fond memories of days out with my parents and grandparents, visiting tourist attractions around Kent, such as castles, zoos, museums, etc. One such highlight would be visiting Leeds Castle and having a picnic at which my grandfather toppled backwards in his chair leaving his legs in the air! Next travel destination (work or pleasure): My partner and I are thinking about travelling through Europe in the near future, possibly at the end of this summer holiday or possibly next year. We are hoping to stop off in Germany and possibly Austria then head down to Northern Italy before driving back through France. Of cause I will also be travelling to Prague in November for Microsoft’s Global Forum where I will be exhibiting my Virtual Classroom Tour, Kodu in the Klassroom. When was the last time you laughed? Why? I can’t pinpoint a particular moment as I laugh so frequently! It was probably yesterday evening. My partner Kevin makes me laugh on a regular basis as he is always doing something silly! Favorite book: I can’t really say I have one favorite as there are so many great books out there. I really enjoyed the Harry Potter series and recently the Hunger Games trilogy. Any of Dan Brown’s books are also very gripping. Favorite music: It would depend on my mood really. I like a broad range of music from classical to modern. I love almost anything from the eighties. The only music I don’t really like is grunge! Your favorite quote or motto: “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” – Albert Einstein
For Ben Betts, a classroom doesn’t require four walls, and in fact, learners may be better off without them. Betts, who is currently completing his doctorate in engineering while leading HT2, his learning technology company, mixes business and engineering acumen with a strong desire to change the status quo in education. The changes he advocates range from how kids learn to how they’re ultimately accredited for what they’ve learned.
To address needed improvements in the “how” of learning, Betts and team have builtCuratr, a new learning approach based on peer-to-peer collaboration. The tool is free to teachers and worth checking out:
Betts shared with us his views on what’s wrong with the current accreditation process, and how teachers can get up-to-speed on the latest in e-learning.
In online education we’ve been facing a couple of problems. Firstly, it costs a lot to create an online course. For example, MITx is sinking $60m into their MOOC (massive open online course) projects. So we came up with a method that relied more on peer-to-peer collaboration than it did on creating an expensive piece of e-learning – this has helped to radically reduce the cost of creating an online course.
But participation figures in online collaborative learning are low – often people quote so called “power laws” to suggest that 80 percent of the work will be done by 20 percent of the students. This is a problem as we know that those students who are more active in a learning experience will achieve greater results than those who are passive. So we then worked to create a method that would actively encourage participation in an online learning experience, using techniques like ‘gamification’ to encourage students to try new behaviors.
The work has resulted in both a new platform (Curatr) and a new method (The Collaborative Learning Cycle). Curatr has won awards in both the UK and USA for its novel approach and it’s implemented at a number of schools, universities and companies to change the way they do education.
Hopefully we’ve presented a way in which online learning can be both effective and affordable. But to be honest we’re only just beginning. There is a growing acceptance of peer-to-peer learning activities being a great way to facilitate online learning; but this isn’t the result of my work, it is the result of many researchers all over the world coming to the same conclusions.
They can use our platform – Curatr is free for teachers. But they can also read and research the techniques in a number of ways – be on the lookout for ideas like Computer Supported Collaborative Learning, Gamification and MOOC’s. In fact, the best way to implement what we’ve learned is probably to take one of our courses or one that’s similar in structure.
We now host accredited online courses using our techniques. So instead of using a more traditional LMS (learning management system) if you visit Warwick University online, you might just get to use Curatr. The platform also has a commercial arm and we’re experiencing fantastic growth which has led to our company doubling in size over the last three months.
Cost. In the UK, cost is probably the single biggest barrier, especially with fees increasing.
The UK is starting to embrace more quality online initiatives and certain pots of funding have been made available to support education using technology – the UFI Charitable Trust is investing £50m to improve adult education through technology, for instance.
For me, the keys to accreditation need to be taken away from universities. Any company or person should be eligible to accredit a qualification and given the technology at our disposal, it’s now very easy for students to create and share personal portfolios of their learning as evidence of their education. It makes very little sense for a programmer to be accredited by a university when they could be accredited by Google, for example. But until that system is opened up to disruptive innovation, it is very hard for new avenues of education to open up in the UK that conform to the requirements of the job market.
Accreditation – the system is old and outdated. We still award degrees fundamentally based on the number of hours someone spent studying a subject. But we all know that hours spent in a lecture theatre are not the equivalent of hours spent experiencing something in the real world.
The Facebook mantra – move fast and break things. I see a lot of disruption get stymied by “the system” or process blocks. Don’t wait for permission; rather seek forgiveness with your awesome results!
I think adaptive learning as a trend is probably helping students. Systems like Knewton and Grockit are very clever and are starting to do the job of one-to-one tutors. But they remain expensive to build and maintain. So I wouldn’t want us to get too wrapped up in the computer as a tutor – people can still do a better job in person.
An smartphone with a data plan. As far as I’m concerned, it puts a world of knowledge at your finger tips and gives you the perfect device for creating videos and other media that can show your learning. And of course you can use it as a phone, should you want to talk to someone! You don’t really need anything else.
About Ben Betts
With a decade of designing, developing and managing online learning projects, Ben is fast becoming a household name in the E-learning industry. He was named as one of Elliott Masie’s “30 under 30” thought leaders in learning for 2010 and was elected to the board of the eLearning Network in 2010. Betts is a frequent presenter both in the UK and globally, and has published a number of articles for popular industry magazines, including E-Learning Age and Learning Solutions Magazine.
Birthplace: Nottingham, UK Current residence: Oxfordshire, UK Education: MBA, final year of PhD at University of Warwick, UK Website I check every day: Slashdot, BBC Sport Person who inspires me most: Right now? Probably Jesse Schell. You should totally get him to do this. Next travel destination (work or pleasure): Marrakesh (pleasure) When was the last time you laughed? Why? About a minute ago – my dog, Jasper, constantly makes me laugh. Favorite book: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller Favorite music: Anything that I can tap my foot to Your favorite quote or motto: One thing at a time, most important thing first, start now.