2012 Learning 2.0 Virtual Conference - August 20-24

Okay ---- Free is good ---- and ---- this free conference is being held online, in multiple time zones, over the course of five days!  It is being held in conjunction with Connected Educator Month, and will include an all-day virtual unconference (SocialEdCon online!) as well as a special educational start-up "pitchfire" event. 

This is a unique chance to participate in a global conversation on rethinking teaching and learning in the age of the Internet.  Subject strands include changes in the classroom (social media, 1:1 computing, "flipped classrooms," digital literacy, marker spaces, gaming, open educational resources, digital textbooks), in student learning (individualized learning, student-directed learning, "hacking"education, personal success plans, ePortfolios, and building a digital presence), in teacher personal and professional growth (lead learning, personal learning networks, peer/open/self-directed PD), in schools (virtual and online schooling, mobile learning, blended learning, MOOCs, immersive environments, learning spaces, entrepreneurship, school leadership, big data, assessment models), in pedagogy (from teaching to learning, social learning, social/educational networking, passion-based learning, learning how to learn, brain-based learning) and more!

If you join the Classroom 2.0 network you will be kept informed of the latest conference news and updates.  You do not need to join this network to attend, but doing so will also allow you to correspond with the presenters and other members, and to comment on sessions and discussions. 

Check out the information on the site at http://www.classroom20.com/page/2012-learning-2-0-virtual-conference 

Company offers Internet lessons for students with autism

A new company is looking  to educate children with autism about online safety,  how to use the Internet and social media.  The company, Autism Expressed, offers lessons and allows students to set up their own Facebook and Twitter accounts has been picked up in various schools and clinics.  Check out the entire article at TechCrunch for more information or follow the link attached to Autism Expressed.

LibGuides are Here!

Yes, I know, another new resource at the SERC Library ---- well, of course!  We are proud to announce that the SERC Library has rolled out - well more like posted out - our new program called LibGuides!   Great ---- what's a LibGuide, okay, here goes an explanation ----

A LibGuide is a Web 2.0 content management and information sharing system used by more than 400 institutions worldwide, especially libraries and universities.  Get it now --- no --- okay, let me try again --- think of a LibGuide as a "mini Web site" created on different topics or subjects.  We pull information from the SERC Library and the Internet and put it all in one place!  Resources at the Library, Web sites on the topic or subject, RSS feeds, video links, graphics, images ---- get the idea now!   Pretty handy right --- RIGHT!

Check out the LibGuides by following this link http://ctserc.libguides.com/.  Check back frequently as we will be adding guides throughout the year and certainly on "hot topics" in education.  It is kind of like one-stop-shopping!