http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Sat, 18 May 2013 14:38:34 PDT Sat, 18 May 2013 14:38:34 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=329197 This is a complete online book that has been published by the National Research Council. The major parts of the book include: Introduction, Learners and Learning, Teachers and Teaching, and Future Directions for the Science of Learning. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=518871 ״As the number of violent conflicts around the world escalates, peace-building is an increasingly important priority – particularly at the community level, where attitudes are often formed and reinforced. Learning to Live Together includes a range of community peacebuilding experiences from across the Commonwealth that have been applying open and distance learning (ODL) approaches. The case studies offer insights into the challenges as well as the kinds of interventions that have worked and how they can be built upon. They show that ODL can be an effective and efficient way to involve many of the people most affected by conflict in being part of its prevention, mitigation and resolution. It is hoped that this publication will set the stage for further work in this area and expand community learning opportunities in Commonwealth countries.״ http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=518879 ״As globalisation advances, education is increasingly crossing borders - national, regional, sectoral and institutional. At the same time, educational systems are having to respond to other profound changes, such as the knowledge explosion, the changing interaction between the public and private spheres, and the increasingly rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT). The present volume deals with distance higher education systems - especially those designed for lifelong learners - in the context of these changes, emphasising the need for international co-operation and for well thought-out policies in areas ranging from funding, appropriate use of ICTs and quality assurance. Aimed at planners, policy-makers and other stakeholders, the book is intended to be a practical tool for capacity-building and decision-making.״ http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=329241 This is a free online textbook that contains eight chapters. Chapter 1 identifies the elements of teaching style. Chapter 2 discusses the need for self reflection and understanding prior to change. Chapter 3 suggests the need to develop a philosophy of teaching in order to change. Chapters 4 to 8 present the elements of an integrated model of teaching and learning. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438730 This is a free, online textbook from WikiBooks, so it is continually being updated. Learning theories that are covered include: Behavioralist, Constructivist, Post-Modern, Adult Learning. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=518948 ״System dynamics is a method for studying the world around us. It deals with understanding how complex systems change over time. Internal feedback loops within the structure of the system influence the entire system behavior.Education is an important area of application for system dynamics. Together with learner-centered learning, it forces the learner to become actively involved. The wide range of applications for system dynamics makes it an excellent tool for integrating the material of many subjects.״The Road Maps tool "is a series of self-study guides that use modeling exercises and selected literature to provide a resource for learning about the principles and practices of system dynamics.״ The links to each are found here: http://sysdyn.clexchange.org/road-maps/rm-toc.html http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=563256 ״Howard Rheingold has been called the First Citizen of the Internet. In this book he tours the "virtual community" of online networking. He describes a community that is as real and as much a mixed bag as any physical community -- one where people talk, argue, seek information, organize politically, fall in love, and dupe others. At the same time that he tells moving stories about people who have received online emotional support during devastating illnesses, he acknowledges a darker side to people's behavior in cyberspace.״