Handheld Learning - learning with mobile and ubiquitous technologies

All,

A little bit off topic, but still related to tech use for learning

Please take a look at an exciting project that I'm a part of (as an online tutor and consultant):

http://linc.hinet.net/apec/login/login.asp

It is called the APEC Cyber Academy and is funded by the Taiwanese government and APEC. A description of the program:



The APEC Cyber Academy (ACA, http://linc.hinet.net/apec/) is an international networked learning environment designed specifically for K-12 students. The primary goal of ACA is to provide learner-centric, collaborative, ICT, and international learning experiences to K-12 students and teachers around the world. Launched in 2002, ACA is currently hosted by the APEC Digital Content Production Center (APEC CPC) under auspices of APEC/EDNET and the Ministry of Education of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan). With its outstanding networked learning environment and high quality digital content, ACA has already attracted many international users. As of December 2005, ACA has over ten thousands registered learners from various APEC member economies.

ACA has hosted an annual international online contest since 2002. The nine-week event for 2006 will start on the 2nd of October and conclude on the 3rd of December. The contest is composed of three programs: the APEC Networked Collaborative Learning Program, the APEC Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Cyber Camp, and the APEC Journalistic Kids. The former two programs are associated with team projects that only accept group entry. On the other hand, the APEC Journalist Kids is pertaining to personal efforts and only accepts individual entries.

If you have any questions about it, let me know. I have more info. Also, the APEC Cyber Academy website has more info about what the program is and how to participate. It's a great opportunity for students to collaborate with students from around the world. Roughly 1,500 students are currently signed up, but we need more teams from the North America and Europe.

Note that the online tools only work on a Windows platform, not Mac, as there are virtually no Macs in Taiwan.

If you know of any colleagues/teachers who may be interested in participating in this digital academy, please pass this message on to them.

Thanks,

Mark van 't Hooft, Ph.D.
Tech Specialist/Researcher
Kent State University
Research Center for Educational Technology
Kent, OH, USA
mvanthoo@kent.edu