Digital Connections – A list of digital learning resources, networks, and connections
Freepik. (n.d.) Network Connection Concept
So much information exists on the Internet. You can find… learn… just about anything! The following is a list of some of the learning networks that I have explored to further my understanding in digital learning.
EdSurge
http://www.edsurge.com
In 2011, a group of educators and educational technology entrepreneurs created EdSurge (http://www.edsurge.com, #DLNchat [Twitter Chat]) to connect educators who needed info on the rapidly changing world of educational technology with the people creating new technologies. This network is a blend of those needing to know how to use new technologies… those who are developing new technologies… and those who have identified a need that technology might be able to fill. EdSurge provides email updates to members, and offers a place to connect with educators, educational technologies, potential funders, and policy makers.
EdSurge provides email updates to members, and offers a place to connect with educators, educational technologies, potential funders, and policy makers.
eLearning Brothers
https://elearningbrothers.com, Twitter: @elearningbros, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elearning-brothers-llc/
A website providing access to resources and networking opportunities for those who develop eLearning experiences, the eLearning Brothers website provides access to templates and customizable downloadable assets created using Flash, PowerPoint, Storyline, Captivate, Presenter, Lectora, and other tools and platforms. eLearning Brothers offers conferences, webinars, and other opportunities for eLearning.
Membership Cost: Free to gain access to eLearning tools and resources.
eLearning Guild
https://www.elearningguild.com/
eLearning Guild is a community of practice connecting designers of eLearning experiences with others, providing learning experiences such as conferences, webinars, and online courses toward various certifications.
Membership Cost: Varies, from Free (limited services) to $1,795 for full access to conferences, webinars, and certification programs.
It’s About Learning: Creating Significant Learning Experiences
http://www.harapnuik.org/
Blog, eportfolio, and learning environment developed by Dr Dwayne Harapnuik, featuring blog posts with great information on creating significant learning environments, developing ePortfolios, incorporating COVA into learning, and much more. Harapnuik provides great resources and links for enhancing skills and empowering learners.
JerryYamashita.com
http://jerryyamashita.com/index.html
This web presence focuses on incorporating learning technologies into adult education. Yamashita works with adult learners, helping them earn high school equivalency credentials, while also learning valuable 21st century skills. Yamashita’s web space provides road-tested resources for learners and educators, and lots of links to amazing technologies.
LU Digital Educator
Twitter: @LUDigitalEd
Lamar University’s Digital Educator network, LU Digital Educator is a Twitter group that helps digital educators prepare to effect organizational change using digital learning strategies and “disruptive innovations.”
Northern Illinois University Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center
Twitter: @facdev;
Blog: https://facdevblog.niu.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facdev
Northern Illinois University Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center, led by Dr Jason Rohde provides information about what is happening at their institution, but also provides information on trends in instructional design, educational technology, and faculty development.
A Learner’s Mindset
http://tilisathibodeaux.com/
A website, blog, and eportfolio from Dr Tilisa Thibodeaux, Lamar University educator and digital learning innovator. Blog posts focus on COVA, creating significant learning environments, and the Digital Learning and Leadership program at Lamar University. Her blog posts provide great information and links to other resources.
Online Learning Consortium (OLC)
http://www.onlinelearningconsortium.org
Online Learning Consortium (OLC) is a website that provides networking opportunities, downloadable materials, educational resources, and training and support to those interested in online learning. In addition to online resources, OLC also provide conferences and symposia opportunities for members to share information, experience, research, and trends in online learning.
Membership Cost: Community Membership – no cost; Professional Memebership – $175; Institutional Membership – varies on the size/population of the institution ($1,120 – $3,000)
Online Teaching and Learning Certification at OC (Facebook)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OTLatOC
I created this group on Facebook to allow the faculty participating in Odessa College’s Online Teaching & Learning Certification program to explore using Social Media as a tool for learning.
RespiratoryTherapistEducator.com
https://respiratorytherapisteducator.com/
RespiratoryTherapistEducator.com chronicles the learning process for a respiratory therapist who teaches at the community college level. So many educators, especially at the community college level, are thrust into the classroom with industry experience, but not necessarily armed with a solid understanding of the educational process. This website chronicles the experiences of one of those educators who is determined to provide positive learning experiences for her learners, and features great blog articles about her process.
Technology Pages (from Cybraryman’s Educational Websites)
http://cybraryman.com/technologylinks.html
Links to more than 160 technology websites for educators, compiled into one alphabetised page! Lots of great information throughout Cybraryman’s website in general, but this list of tools, apps, and webpages is a nice compilation in one easy to use spot.
Texas Blackboard Users’ Group (T-BUG)
http://www.t-bug.org/
Texas Blackboard Users’ Group (T-BUG) is a network of Blackboard Learn (Learning Management System/LMS) users in (mostly) Texas. T-BUG allows members to share information, trends, and best practices with the Blackboard Learn LMS. A conference is held annually to allow members to network and share experiences and information.
Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA)
http://tcea.org
TCEA is an organization committed to advancing technology in P-16 education. In addition to a website to provide information to members, this organization coordinates conferences, webinars, and workshops, publishes a newsletter, and offers opportunities for collaboration with like-minded peers. Special interest groups exist so that members can connect more closely with other educational technologists with similar interests and needs.
Membership Cost: $49
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA)
https://www.txdla.org; Twitter: @TxDLA
Texas Distance Learning Association (TxDLA) is an association comprised of distance learning professionals in Texas. Sharing information about new technologies, and providing opportunities for sharing ideas and for networking
Membership Cost: $35
Virtual College of Texas (VCT)
https://www.vct.org
Virtual College of Texas (VCT) is an organization within Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC). VCT was started as a mechanism for students to take courses that are not available on their campus of enrollment, but are available through the web at other community colleges. Through VCT, a student can take a course from another college without having to apply to that college; the credit appears on their transcript as credit from the college in which they are enrolled. In addition to providing online opportunities for learners, VCT also serves as a network for distance educators, to share resources and interact with peers, with meetings, email listserv, and workshops and learning opportunities.
Online Teaching and Learning Certification at OC
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OTLatOC
I created this group on Facebook to allow our faculty participating in our Online Teaching & Learning Certification program at Odessa College, to allow faculty to explore using Social Media with their learners.
https://www.facebook.com/facdev
References
Freepik. (n.d.) Network Connection Concepts [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/network-connection-concept_902509.htm
Making Waves 