Research and Education
http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/
Conveying the dynamism of various geologic processes can be hard in the classroom or on the web, but this interactive feature from the Annenberg Media's Learner.org site does quite a fine job of introducing students to plate tectonics, plate boundaries, and such perennial favorites as earthquakes and volcanoes. In the "Earth's Structure" section, visitors can roll the mouse over such features as the crust, the mantle, and the outer core of the Earth to learn about each feature. Moving on, the "Plate Tectonics" area includes the "Continents Over Time" interactive feature which asks visitors to place images of the continents in the correct geologic order. Perhaps the most dynamic area of the site (with good reason) is the "Slip, Slide & Collide" area. Here visitors will learn about what happens at different types of plate boundaries through the use of colorful graphics and explanations that are easy to understand. Overall, the site is a great overview of some basic principles of geology, and one that can be used with students of different ages. [KMG]
http://mathdl.maa.org/convergence/1/convergence/1/?pa=content&sa=viewDocument&nodeId=1629
Does knowing about Descartes help students understand the Cartesian coordinate system? Will teaching students the origin of the term parabola help them understand the mathematical importance of parabolas and other related matters? A team of mathematicians at Black Hills State University were curious about such matters, so they decided to investigate what the effects of including historical modules in college algebra might be in regards to students' understanding and mathematical communication. The results of their study can be found within this helpful article which was added as part of the online magazine, Convergence. Visitors to the site can read through the entire article, which includes information on the modules themselves and a summary of the team's findings. [KMG]
Founded in 1989, the Stanford Institute for Higher Education (SIHER) provides and supports research on a wide range of topics affecting higher education planning and policy, including the dynamics of systemic change, productivity, and the effectiveness of higher education organizations. For people interested in such matters, their website presents a cornucopia of research reports, compelling weblogs, and information about upcoming conferences and symposia that they are sponsoring in conjunction with other like-minded institutes. The research reports include titles such as "Higher Education Research Priorities: Perspectives from Selected Foundations" and "Outsourcing of Instruction at Community Colleges". The site is rounded out by the "Resources" area, which features links to partner organizations and related government resources dealing with higher education. [KMG]
http://son.uth.tmc.edu/centers/cte/default.htm
Nursing schools have always been committed to providing a high-quality educational experience, and many nursing schools have teaching centers to help keep educators abreast of new technologies, pedagogical strategies, and other tools. First-time visitors to this site can look over the mission statement and take a look at the "Goals & Activities" area. Perhaps the most useful section for educators will be the "Brownbag Seminars" section. Here visitors can view over twelve full-length seminars that cover topics such as "Fostering Mentoring Relationships", "Using Graphics to Enhance Online Learning", and "Test Construction and Evaluation". While some of the presentations are focused on the health sciences, many of them contain helpful hints and suggestions that can be utilized across a wide range of disciplines. [KMG]
http://www.brookings.edu/projects/blueprint.aspx
More than four out five Americans reside in a metropolitan area, and the importance of these regions to the nation's economy is hard to overstate. The Brookings Institution is well aware of the problems and opportunities facing metropolitan areas and they have created this site as a gathering place for policy analysts, planners, and the general public to learn more about metropolitan areas. Along the right-hand side of the homepage, visitors will find sections that answer questions that include: "What is a metro area?" "Why are metro areas important?" and "What is the blueprint?" Moving on, the site also includes research reports, a press room, and a place where visitors can sign up to receive "Metro Update", which is the bi-monthly newsletter of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. The site is rounded out by webcasts and video clips of recent metropolitan policy events and commentaries by experts at the Institution. [KMG]
http://www.rhs.ac.uk/bibl/bibwel.asp
Keeping up with historical writings on Britain and Ireland can be a difficult matter. After all, the two nations have several thousand years of this type of written material, dating back to the Roman period. While those who work in British or Irish history may already know about this fine resource, others will be delighted to learn about the online Royal Historical Society bibliography website. Hosted by the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London, this online bibliography contains over 430,000 entries and the archive draws on hundreds of sources, including the British National Bibliography and the well-regarded "inside" article database. First-time visitors can start their search by indicating which area of the database they wish to start and then move to create a more detailed search that fits their specific needs. Overall, it's a formidable resource and one that covers everything from steel production in Sheffield to the life of Disraeli. [KMG]
http://www.mip.berkeley.edu/physics/appletindex.html
Created as part of the Museum Informatics Project at the University of California, Berkeley, this website serves as a clearinghouse of high-quality physics applets that can be used in a variety of settings. The site is divided into a few basic topical areas, such as mechanics, waves, properties of heat and matter, and optics. While a search engine isn't provided, visitors can use the "Find" function provided by most browsers to look for specific items of interest. It is worth noting that the applets dealing with various fields of optics are quite strong, and visitors will no doubt locate at least a handful of applets here that they can use in the classroom or just to increase their own understanding of physics. [KMG]
As part of the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) was created "to investigate the broad aspects of human development as a means of understanding developmental disabilities." Today, NICHD conducts and supports research on all the stages of human development. Their homepage is a model of accessibility, as the information available here is presented in a way that is both easy to navigate and visually stimulating. Visitors can make their way through sections that include "Health Information", "Research", and "Funding". The "Health Information" section features an A to Z guide to health and human development topics, along with information on ongoing clinical research and a publications area that includes documents for everyone from concerned parents to health care professionals. Moving on, the site also contains materials on funding for training, research, and career development. While the site doesn't currently offer RSS feeds, visitors can email any page of note to friends or colleagues. [KMG]
