http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Tue, 21 May 2013 12:30:56 PDT Tue, 21 May 2013 12:30:56 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=367883 This is an online book that covers several major learning theories and gives some multimedia activities and animations to support/illustrate points. For some learning theories, examples or case studies are provided as well. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=329336 An online version of a face-to-face Course Design Tutorial, that guides faculty independently through the same practical and intellectually interesting processes related to setting course goals, designing the course and following through. For faculty developers who would like to do a workshop using this resource, there are additional links http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=329352 list of games and other innovative teaching ideas for use in different subject matters within the area of science (you can narrow the list down by field or location). http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=489097 You can view the great Michael Sandel's lectures and his interaction with Harvard students as they discuss moral dilemmas. All the episodes are YouTube videos and free to watch. You can also participate in post-lecture discussions and quizzes.(Description below, copied from the homepage)Justice is one of the most popular courses in Harvard’s history. Now it’s your turn to take the same journey in moral reflection that has captivated more than 14,000 students, as Harvard opens its classroom to the world.In this twelve part series, Sandel challenges us with difficult moral dilemmas and asks our opinion about the right thing to do. He then asks us to examine our answers in the light of new scenarios. The results are often surprising, revealing that important moral questions are never black and white.This course also addresses the hot topics of our day—affirmative action, same-sex marriage, patriotism and rights—and Sandel shows us that we can revisit familiar controversies with a fresh perspective. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=406809 A collection of good quality webquests in various disciplines and for various age groups in school. The high school ones might be appropriate for introductory college courses http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=378675 Informal science is a burgeoning field that operates across a broad range of venues and envisages learning outcomes for individuals, schools, families, and society. The evidence base that describes informal science, its promise, and effects is informed by a range of disciplines and perspectives, including field-based research, visitor studies, and psychological and anthropological studies of learning.Learning Science in Informal Environments draws together disparate literatures, synthesizes the state of knowledge, and articulates a common framework for the next generation of research on learning science in informal environments across a life span. Contributors include recognized experts in a range of disciplines--research and evaluation, exhibit designers, program developers, and educators. They also have experience in a range of settings--museums, after-school programs, science and technology centers, media enterprises, aquariums, zoos, state parks, and botanical gardens.Learning Science in Informal Environments is an invaluable guide for program and exhibit designers, evaluators, staff of science-rich informal learning institutions and community-based organizations, scientists interested in educational outreach, federal science agency education staff, and K-12 science educators. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=329344 This guide provides a tool for evaluating educational technology programs; it is specifically designed for individuals who have little or no formal training in research or evaluation. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=378662 Free eBookThe mission of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is to establish "high and rigorous standards for what teachers should know and be able to do, to certify teachers who meet those standards, and to advance other education reforms for the purpose of improving student learning in American schools." In response to a request from the U.S. Congress, the National Research Council developed a framework for evaluating programs that award advanced-level teacher certification and applied that framework in an evaluation of the impacts of the NBPTS. Specifically, this book addresses the impacts on students, teachers, and the educational system in this country. Assessing Accomplished Teaching finds that teachers who earn board certification are more effective at improving their students' achievement than other teachers, but school systems vary greatly in the extent to which they recognize and make use of board-certified teachers. Many of the questions on the evaluation framework could not be answered because the data have not been collected, and the report makes recommendations for the kinds of research that are needed to fully evaluate the impacts of board certification by the NBPTS. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=302373 A basic introduction to how blogs can be used as a learning tool. Originally designed for a workshop, the material is itself a "blog" to demonstrate what can be done on blogs, even though that is not a recommended use of blogs. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=302923 Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents representing some 6 million students dedicated to promoting community service, civic engagement, and service-learning in higher education.This website has resources for anyone interested in service or community-based learning