Offered here for the entire virtual world are eBooks to check out for free. Free software downloads are offered to facilitate the eBooks on PCs, laptops and supported PDAs. The helpful librarian spirit radiates from this New to eBook and eAudio section. Through the 20th century the magnificent New York Public Library occupied a central corner of the learning world at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. With projects like the eAudio/eBooks, the NYPL is emerging to dominate a crucial corner on the global learning map.
Jet Engines 101
The proud papa of many a jet engine, GE expertly introduces its sleek beauty here. This tutorial from GE Transportation’s Aircraft Engines division is an demonstration of a terrific way the private sector can provide knowledge to students at no cost to the public. Sure, doing so is a positive for the company’s public respect, but a company teaching what it knows is just as much or more of a positive for the learner and the community. Transportation
Is the Gray Lady intimidated by websites like Waka?
Recently I heard that the New York Times, a.k.a. “the Gray Lady,” is concerned about shrinking circulation. One possible way they are trying to increase revenue is their plan to charge a subscription fee for their online editorials. I think they are going in the wrong direction.
There is striking insight today into the Gray Lady’s apparent intimidation by the internet. The Science Times carried an article on the Waka archaeological site in Peru here. I did a Google search on the name of the professor from the article and quickly found here a marvelous website at Southern Methodist University based on the work of its faculty at Waka. I scoured the NYT article and found no reference to the SMU website – only a mention of an email from the professor. (Please let me know if you can prove me wrong.)
The Gray Lady and other media from the pre-digital past will only be diminished by ignoring and/or rejecting internet resources. If the NYT article had pointed to the SMU website I would have been encouraged to come back often for their pointers. I know better now.
The Wayback Machine
In addition to a very cool title, the Wayback Machine is a profoundly cool [I think profound/cool is possible] open content website. Go wayback into the Web’s past by using the machine here. The visionaries at the Internet Archive which hosts the Wayback Machine have been preserving Web sites by taking regular “snapshots” for nearly a decade. They are determined to archive the digital cultural heritage for future generations. Read their history and mission here.
Nokia 770 Internet Tablet Coming Soon
Take a look here at a 141 x 79 x 19 mm access device to what is known by humankind. This Linux-based, Wi-Fi internet accessor has an 800 x 480 display that puts the internet in a pocket instead of a backpack or laptop carrying case. The tweens are now emerging as the cell phone and laptop become one.
A Walk Through Time
Early clocks, calendar history, atomic time, zones and biography are explained here by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This is an excellent example of how the internet interfaces top authorities on a subject. Various Technologies
Online Learning Can Mean Human Capital
In today’s New York Times here, two pillars of upward mobility are described: .
. . upward mobility requires what sociologists describe as the twin pillars of success: human capital and social capital. Human capital is a person’s education, job credentials and employability. Social capital usually means emotional support and encouragement from a reliable stakeholder in one’s life, an asset commonly associated with marriage that is itself a form of wealth.
“Education, job credentials and employability” are on the brink of a revolutionary new equality of opportunity. This human capital, as the article calls it, is quickly becoming available as the young generation of every social rank gets online.
Too optimistic you think? Take a look, for example at these virtual places to learn math, chemistry and information tech.
The Real Cinderella Man
Russell Crowe, star of the current hit movie Cinderella Man, plays the role of James J. Braddock whose complete illustrated story is here. This excellent biographical website captures an inspiring true story from sports history. Braddock is an outstanding role model in any place and generation. Biography
All About Donkeys
“Domestication of Africa’s only contribution to the world’s major livestock species came long after the domestication of sheep, goats and cattle in Southwest Asia (eighth and seventh millennia BC). ” So say the experts at the Museum of the Horse on their donkey page here. There is much more information on this little animal on the museum page about this little animal’s role in cultures across the world. There is a link here to more Donkey Facts from the American Donkey and Mule Society. Animal Sciences
Getty Conservation Newsletters
Preserving artifacts from the past requires intricate expertise. The Getty Museum website has a comprehensive collection of articles about artifact conservation including this archive of knowledge-packed newsletters. The internet preserves the past virtually. The Getty Conservation Institute experts explain how to preserve real things. Arts
A Sign Of The Unwired Times
The onrushing dominance of wireless computing is apparent in Intel’s URL above that leads to an advertisement here and from there into the features and products based on Intel®Centrino Mobile Technology. An interesting page in Intel/unwire for tracking future WiFi expansion is the Hotspot Finder here. I drilled down into countries to Tanzania where the two hotspots are at the airport and the Golden Tulip Dar Es Salaam. There is even a Mapquest map to the Golden Tulip.
Cells Alive
Since 1994 this top flight website has been showing learners of every level how cells perform their miracles of life. Information, illustrations and antimations are colorful and authoritative. The abstraction at the left of cell division is from the archives of the golden swamp.
Biology: Molecules and Cells
Galileo Project
The great scientist’s perceptive stare in the image at left is from the Galileo Project here. This website from Rice University demonstrates the use of webpages for both presenting knowledge and enriching it over passing months and years. Some of the development team have built and polished this online resource for nearly a decade. Biography
Once The World’s Fastest Ship
Drop anchor at the Marco Polo Project here for an intimate visit to the age of sail. History and facts about this once grand ship are made very real by illustrations and details. We learn in the Ship’s History, for example:
1852 – Under the command of Captain James Nicol Forbes she made the voyage from Liverpool to Port Phillips Head in 76 days on the18th of September.An epidemic of measles among the children aboard caused 52 deaths during the voyage.
Mobile Web Goes First Class
A May 11, 2005 W3C press release here announces its new Mobile Web Initiative.
“Mobile access to the Web has been a second class experience for far too long,” explained Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director. “MWI recognizes the mobile device as a first class participant, and will produce materials to help developers make the mobile Web experience worthwhile. “
Here is a fundamental opportunity for estabished education to participate in creating the venue of future learning. Mobile devices will replace student notebooks, backpacks, lockers and most books and school libraries. The MWI will guide the formation of learning content delivery to the next generations. The good news is that W3C is enormously responsible. The bad news is the educators will probably not step up to play a role, leaving that to e-commerce folks and other interests.
