Have you ever had the desire to learn how to program? You can now do it for free - online.
Code Academy launched toward the end of last year. At the start of 2012 they launched Code Year - a program that aims to teach you how to code in one year. More than 400 000 people have already signed up. Code Academy provides their cutting edge learning platform for free.
The program is very accessible. I'm busy working through it with my 15 year old daughter who asked me to teach her how to program. You don't need any previous programming knowledge. It's fun. I'ts stimulating. You get immediate feedback so you can see whether you are on the right track or not. They also have a Q&A forum that links to each programming exercise where you can ask questions and get feedback from the community.
An IT teacher will appreciate the structure of the program. All the basic elements of programming are taught, such as data structures, iteration, decision structures, functions and objects but it's done in a fun way. Yesterday they added a section on HTML and CSS coding.
If you are already an expert programmer and would like to plough back some of your knowledge or you are an IT teacher and would like to design your own programming lessons - you can do it on their platform.
What are you waiting for?
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 25 April 2012 )
eBook Readers
Written by Administrator
Saturday, 24 March 2012
By now you have probably heard of e-book readers . They are a relatively new kind of electronic device designed especially for reading books. You might have wondered what is the big deal about that because you can read electronic books (or ebooks ) on your computer, such as your laptop, already.
Well, there are a few distinct advantages that the new stable of devices have above your laptop or desktop, which is going to make these devices to become a permanent option for avid readers.
The next big thing in education technology is tablets – and it won’t be the iPad. Not that the iPad is inferior in any way but because the education budgets across the world, barring the US and Europe, cannot afford it. US bloggers and tech writers tend to dominate education technology sites and news, so the iPad might be what you read about the most but there is a world outside of the US. At this stage I also doubt whether Windows based tablets are going to make the grade. I want to make a bold prediction and say that Android based tablets are going to be the device of choice for those looking for ways to use the power of technology to improve education.
Learners, teachers and parents who are interested in using technology to assist in their learning and teaching should take special note of the happenings in late 2010 and early 2011. I have been involved in technology and education for a number of years but I have never been as excited as I am now, over a real, viable, affordable, world class, current, technological solution for our education woes in South Africa. Read on …
Microsoft OneNote is truly a killer app for both teachers and students alike. It is a relatively new application and is, as far as I know, one of a kind. Its closest relative is the word processor. However, once you start using OneNote, word processing applications take on the appearance of an overweight dinosaur. I am a promoter of free OpenSource software but this is one instance where there is no pretender to the throne. I unashamedly endorse this Microsoft product.
Virtualisation (the Americans spell it Virtualization) is one of the most exciting recent developments
opening up many opportunities in the server field. Often good innovations are out of reach of most people.
Not so with virtualisation. There is strong competition in this field. VMware, one of the front runners in this field, has made some of its products freely available to retain its market share. Do not for a moment entertain the thought that because it
is free it is somehow second grade software - not in the least. They are the market leaders but they are not the only players. Microsoft has included free virtualisation in Microsoft Server 2008 and there are a number of other vendors as well.
Accredited Suppliers for Teacher Laptop Initiative
Written by Administrator
Monday, 25 January 2010
(From www.elrc.org.za the website of the Educator Labour Relations Council)
The Teacher Laptop Initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Basic Education (DoBE), addresses South Africa’s need for a quality education system and forms part of the cohesive plan by the DoE and other stakeholders in education to improve the overall quality of education by making resources available to learners and educators in the public education sector.
Learners, teachers and parents who are interested in using technology to assist in their learning and teaching should take special note of the happenings in late 2010 and early 2011. I have been involved in technology and education for a number of years but I have never been as excited as I am now, over a real, viable, affordable, world class, current, technological solution for our education woes in South Africa. Read on …