Category: research

Mastersindatascience.com (MIDS) 

Data science is probably not the most fun discipline, so the MDIS created a very thorough resource page on becoming a data scientist. It offers all sorts of useful information including:

• Academic curricula
• Admissions requirements
• Career prospects

It even includes a short interview from an actual data scientist at Airbnb, Lisa Qian.

You may visit it by clicking here.

 

The Open Educational Quality Initiative (OPAL) released its Report 2011, entitled Beyond OER: Shifting Focus to Open Educational Practices.  Key factors:

• Policy support for OER
• Role of networks and partnerships for the diffusion of OER in institutions
• Demand for specific quality assurance processes for OER

The report notes that building trust in OER would help increase the actual usage of OER in combination with open learning architectures in order to transform learning.

OER is reported to have an effect on institutional innovation culture, in higher education as well as in adult education institutions. It may thus be concluded that, regardless of educational professionals considering OER to be important for themselves or for others (e.g., students), the lesser the fear, insecurity or discomfort vis-a-vis OER, the higher the frequency of OER use. As regards the existence of open resources’ programmes or initiatives in the institution, individuals from institutions where such programmes/initiatives already exist did show a higher frequency of OER use.

The report is divided into sections to elicit macro and micro factors to explain the slow uptake of OER within organisations:

1. A policy environment for supporting the usage of OER is important
2. Institutional support strategies are fostering open educational practices
3. Networks of Innovation play an important role for shaping OER developments and open educational practices
4. Specific quality assurance processes for OER are viewed necessary
5. Open educational practices are supported through cultures of innovation and in turn provide innovation in organisations

To read full report click here [pdf].

Found this list and will not repeat it, but it is great. Some of them I was using already but many are new to me. 101 Great sites for social studies classes. It is more than just social studies classes. They are found here Some of those I really liked that I had not used before are:

1. The National Archives and Records Administration has a massive collection of material on U.S. history that can sometimes be overwhelming to search through. The Resources for National History Day Research page guides students on where to find material in the archives.
2. The Smithsonian Institution has a wide variety of exhibitions and collections on American history and culture. It also offers lesson plans searchable by grade level, type of resource and historical topic.
3. The National Archives’ Charters of Freedom explains the making of and impact of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. It includes images of the documents, biographies of the framers, and fun facts……….. Read More …