Learner resources

• The Globe Programme. Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment. GLOBE students make environmental observations at or near their schools and report their data through internet.

• 1998 International Year of the Ocean - Ocean Education. In recognition of the importance of the ocean, the marine environment and its resources for life on earth and for sustainable development, the United Nations has declared 1998 as the International Year of the Ocean. On this page you will find free learning resources, educational activities and links to other relevant sites and organizations. Or visit the IYO home page.

• MIT Media Lab. "If anything can be certain about the future, it is that the influence of technology, especially digital technology, will continue to grow, and to profoundly change how we express ourselves, how we communicate with each other, and how we perceive, think about, and interact with our world. These "mediating technologies" are only in the first stages of their modern evolution; they are still crude, unwieldy, and unpersonalized, poorly matched to the human needs of their users." MIT Media Lab is one of LWF's partners in exploring the opportunities and pitfalls of new technologies in learning. See also a contribution from the founder of the Media Lab, and two of his colleagues: Creating a Learning Revolution

• Education Virtual Library. Rather then searching for sites, FIND THEM! For example in the area of learning theory, cognitive science, human computer interaction, neuropsychology, constructivism, instructional design and more...

• Netgate. This website has got hundreds of free online tutorials on education, languages, science, etc.

• Explorations in Learning & Instruction: The Theory Into Practice Database. (TIP) The site has a lot of interesting elaborations on some 50 different learning theories, concepts and application domains. TIP is a tool intended to make learning and instructional theory more accessible to educators. The database contains brief summarizes of 50 major theories of learning and instruction. These theories can also be accessed by learning domains and concepts.

• Free Translation. FreeTranslation.com is an easy-to-use site for rapid translations of foreign language text and web pages.

• OneWorld Online. An interesting, somewhat different site with good links (UNICEF, news, South perspective, etc.). They are one of the partners in the Global Knowledge Partnership.From their home page you find links to many national and international NGOs. Also, try their Education area.
  For people interested in media, and or environment, health, environmental health, the Television Trust for the Environment, TVE promotes environment and development through broadcast television around the world. It acts as a catalyst for new environmental productions, with particular emphasis on working with broadcasters and NGOs in the South.

• Blue Webn. A searchable database of outstanding Internet learning sites categorized by subject area, audience, and type (lessons, activities, projects, resources, references, & tools). Blue Web'n does not attempt to catalog all educational sites, but only the most useful sites -- especially online activities targeted at learners.

• Gordon's Entomological Home Page. Is a scorpion an insect? Did you know that in a square meter of healty farmland there are more individual insects than there are human individuals on our planet? Do you have a clue what the biggest insect is? To these and many other questions you will find answers on this very comprehensive, price winning site.

• Literacy Online. The International Literacy Insititute (ILI) and the National Center on Adult Literacy (NCAL) is a useful gateway to high quality adult learning and literacy resources available on the Internet: Research & Development in learning, training programs and publications and newsletters to download.

• Canada's SchoolNet. a wealth of resources in and about Canada. Consult with on-line staff, or develop a collaborative project with Canada's SchoolNet. In the context of Learning Without Frontiers, the Vision of Learners in the 21st Century discussion paper is a very interesting initiative!

• International Centre for Distance Learning. (ICDL). The International Centre for Distance Learning is a documentation centre specialising in collecting and disseminating information on distance education worldwide. NOW featuring: the Distance Education Database on-line. Part of the UK Open University.

• The World Wide Web History Project. The World Wide Web History Project is a collaborative effort to record and publish the history of the World Wide Web and its roots in hypermedia and networking.

• Women's International Electronic University. An international, independent non-profit association/consortium dedicated to educating and empowering women through computer-modem technology, promoting cross-cultural communication, and potentially providing a base for collaborative teaching, research and projects.

• The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Global Education. The Franklin Institute is one of the main players in the yearly Global Learnday event. This site keeps you up to date as to what will happen with the next event, and it contains extensive archives of presentations related to the Internet, Distance Education, etc. A site to explore and learn from!

• Colorado University Online. Ever thought it would be possible to study on-line for a complete degree? Here you go...

• The Annenberg/CPB Projects. The site provides online French language courses as well as the Online Guide: an online database on more than 1,500 reform initiatives, resources, organizations, and conferences concerning math and science education. The Annenberg/CPB Project is leader in the US in helping colleges, universities, high schools and community organizations use telecommunications technologies to improve learning for all students, including the growing number of older and part-time students, and informal learners in their homes.

• Leo Ussak Elementary School. Across the arctic landscapes of the Northwest Territories of Canada, the ancient sound of rhythmic beating on sealskin is echoed now in the click-clacking of fingers on computer keyboards. In Rankin Inlet, a tiny village 1,000 kilometers north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, with no road or rail access, the history and culture of the Inuit are no longer simply passed down orally and percussively; they travel at satellite speeds via the Internet to the rest of the planet. Check out this site which received many awards!

• DevCentral. DevCentral is a resource for software developers. It provides tutorials, articles, code, and the ITCLib MFC Extension library - all free of charge. The DevCentral Learning Center is a collection of high quality training materials for beginners and advanced programmers.

• CSS Internet News Resources. Some just have the opportunity to also do a good, if not better job as we do! On this three page site you find links to most interesting and comprehensive learning resources. From a complete online book on statistics to botanical learning guides. From what to do in December when you are in Africa to resources on astronomy. Math and science resources, as well as history. And this is just the first page, check out what the others have to offer!

• World Lecture Hall. Contains links to pages created by faculty world-wide who are using the Web to deliver class materials. You will find course syllabi, assignments, lecture notes, exams, class calendars, multimedia textbooks, etc.

• Internet World Wide Namibia Index Page. This extensive site in Namibia (by Namibia's first full commercial on-line Internet Service Provider) contains an extensive database of online newspapers from approximately 90 countries with 1750 listings. Many sites are in English, but other languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish are represented. It may be a little slower then most sites.

• The Global Schoolhouse. Internet resources for the learning community! Networking classrooms, learning communities and lecturers, this site (from Microsoft) provides a rich resource of experiences, potential partners, and learning resources.

• Open Learning Agency. British Columbia's Open Learning Agency is a unique, fully accredited, publicly funded educational leader providing a wide range of formal and informal educational and training opportunities for learners around the world.

• Mission Critical Thinking. "If it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be;
  but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."--Lewis Carroll
  An interactive tutorial for critical thinking, in which you will be introduced to basic concepts through sets of instructions and exercises. Through immediate reinforcement for right and wrong answers to a series of increasingly complex exercises, you will begin to utilize the essential tools of intellectual analysis.

• Junior Summit. Junior Summit '98 took place from 15 to 21 November 1998 and was aimed at all children, those who use a computer on a daily basis and those who don't know what a computer is, those who struggle to exist on the margins of their society and those who receive every benefit their society has to give.

• William Calvin. Talking about new insights in learning, developments in neurological science and controversy. Chek this out! William Calvin's very exhaustive site contains full chapters of some of his books, animated illustrations, and much more. We're not yet sure if we agree with everything he claims, but that should not be a reason to not include this link here.

• Online dictionaries. This hypertext Webster interface provides a point-and-click client interface (for non-linemode browsers) for accessing various dictionary services on the Internet

• MayaQuest. In Spring 1995 and Spring 1996, a team of five explorers bicycled to ruins in Mexico and Central America, met with on-site archaeologists, and attempted to unlock one of the most perplexing mysteries: the collapse of the ancient Maya civilization. But the team wasn't alone: over 1 million children, teachers and others from around the globe helped to lead the expedition by way of the Internet. Now opening the doors for next year's projects!

• Electronic theses and dissertations in the humanities. intended as a clearing-house for on-line information related to electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) in the humanities. Provides short descriptions and direct links to publications on the WEB

• The Exploratorium. On-line since December 1993, The Exploratorium's net presence, called ExploraNet, has been our center for experimentation on how to bring experiences and resources like the Exploratorium to students, teachers, and people who may not have the opportunity to come into the actual physical museum itself. In addition to the regular information about the museum (admission, directions, events, etc.) we have tried to incorporate as much content as possible. On this web site, you will find pictures, news items in science, electronic versions of our famous hands-on exhibits, even how to dissect a cow's eye! We follow current trends in technology and are always experimenting with new ways to present science on the Internet.

• ELDIS Project. An activity by the British Library for Development Studies, at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. A comprehensive database with full text, on-line articles on issues relevant to development.

• KIDLINK. Does it all for children from 10-15 years, world-wide (over 80 countries), and since a couple of years already, also in other languages than English.

• Techknowlogia. TechKnowLogia is an international online journal that provides policy makers, strategists, practitioners and technologists at the local, national and global levels with a strategic forum to: Explore the vital role of different information technologies (print, audio, visual and digital) in the development of human and knowledge capital; Share policies, strategies, experiences and tools in harnessing technologies for knowledge dissemination, effective learning, and efficient education services; Review the latest systems and products of technologies of today, and peek into the world of tomorrow; and Exchange information about resources, knowledge networks and centers of expertise.

• Center for Critical Thinking. "Feeding students endless content to remember (that is, declarative sentences to remember) is akin to repeatedly stepping on the brakes in a vehicle that is, unfortunately, already at rest." What else to do? "No questions equals no understanding. Superficial questions equals superficial understanding." This site gives not answers, it asks. This site provides resources and links that help your learning and others who want to learn with you.

• KidsHealth. KidsHealth is an exiting Web site devoted to the health of children and teens. Created by medical experts at The Nemours Foundation, KidsHealth has trainloads of information about growth, food & fi tness, childhood infections, immunizations, lab tests, medical and surgical conditions, and the latest treatments. Beware of some high tech stuff that requires recent web browsers!

• The Logo Foundation. A nonprofit educational organization devoted to informing people about Logo and supporting them in their use of Logo-based software and learning environments.

• The United Nations CyberSchoolBus. This interactive site is designed for students and teachers everywhere and carries projects and resources about the United Nations and the world we all share. The French and Spanish pages are expanding! Check out the on-line databases (data from 185 countries), learning materials, quizzes, and more!

• Finding Information on the Internet. A tutorial. Always wanting to study at the University of California in Berkeley? Check out this site, and learn to find what you are looking for on the web from your own chair.

• 2B1. There is a new force in the world: the growth of cyberspace. Inherent in this force is a breakdown in barriers of geography, age, economics, gender and culture. Sounds very LWF?

• Spectrum Virtual University. Another virtual one, but this one looks quite real! Courses are offered for free.

• New Horizons for Learning. This open learning community on the Internet is called The Building--more a verb than a noun, as it continues to grow daily. As the primary communication vehicle for our non-profit international education network, The Building:
  • acts as a catalyst for positive change in education
  • identifies, synthesizes, and communicates relevant research and information on effective teaching and learning practices
  • supports an expanded vision of learning that identifies and fosters the fullest development of human capacities
  • supports implementation of proven strategies for learning at every age and ability level
  • builds support for comprehensive lifespan learning communities.

• International Development Network. Information resources for sustainable development. A very richt and up to date site!

• Assistive Technology Web Report. An independent Web newsletter to help inform anyone with an interest in or need for more information concerning assistive technologies or related resources for disabled persons. In addition, it provides informational links to AT-related online resources, organizations, regional centers, publications, vendors, and conferences.

• Arab World. The online resource for the Arab World in the Middle East and North Africa. An extensive site! Check out the 'contents' page and be impressed of what there is to learn about the Arab World.

• ThinkQuest. ThinkQuest is committed to engaging students worldwide in its programs as participants learn to assimilate, organize, and share their knowledge with others around the world. In an effort to reach as many students as possible, ThinkQuest expanded its program internationally after its initial success in the United States and has developed 49 partnerships with organizations worldwide to encourage participation.

• Global Schoolhouse. The Global Schoolhouse provides ongoing opportunities to support learners on the Internet both in and outside of the schoolenvironment. It provides guidelines for students on how to build a student-designed webpage and tools on how to develop and manage your own projects.

• Schwab foundation for learning. This website provides information and resources for parents, educators, and other professionals who are making a difference in the lives of young children with learning difficulties.

• Virtual Frog Dissection Kit. Is that clear or not? Real interactive bloody stuff! Students can dissect a frog and then test their knowledge of frog anatomy by playing the Virtual Frog Builder Game. We found it in the "Academic Guide to the Internet".

• R.I.D.E. (Resources In Distance Education). The goal of this project was to create a Web based resource for the use of educational technology in distance education. As the project evolved it became particularly focused on the potential use of the World Wide Web in distance education.

• Engines for Education. A "hyper-book" by The Institute for the Learning Sciences about what's wrong with the education system, how to reform it, and especially, about the role of educational technology in that reform.

• Library Support for Distance Learning. This site is an effort to provide easy access to web-accessible resources dealing with library support for distance learning. In addition to links to general sites on distance learning, you will find:
  • Links to about 20 Web-accessible papers/articles that I've selected to help people think critically about distance learning generally.
  • Links to 50+ Web-accessible papers/articles/reports dealing specifically with library support for distance learning.
  • Links to more than 60 individual library sites, with examples of how the these different libraries offer services to distance learners.

• Positive Lives. This initiative, hosted by DRIK (see other links on these pages) focuses on the human stories of those at the heart of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Our hope is that by sharing these stories, we can face and challenge the myths and prejudices about HIV.

• Teaching & Learning on the WWW. Here you will find hundreds examples of how the web is being used as a medium for learning. This searchable collection includes sites that range from courses delivered entirely via the web to courses that offer specific activities related to a class assignment or perhaps courses that offer class support materials via the web.

• The Exploratorium. On-line since December 1993, The Exploratorium's net presence, called ExploraNet, has been a center for experimentation on how to bring experiences and resources like the Exploratorium to students, teachers, and people who may not have the opportunity to come into the actual physical museum itself. In addition to the regular information about the museum the museum has tried to incorporate as much content as possible. On this web site, you will find pictures, news items in science, electronic versions of our famous hands-on exhibits, even how to dissect a cow's eye!

• The Children's Literature Web Guide. A very rich resource on literature for teachers, parents, children, writers, story tellers and more.

• Voices of Youth. This interactive web site was developed by UNICEF to create an appropriate environment for children and adolescents to take part in discussions on current global issues and concerns. Youths from around the world are encouraged to speak up and are asked to discuss how the world could become a better place where the rights of each and everyone, particularly children, are exercised. Voices of Youth topics include carefully researched photo essays, case studies, and in a few cases quizzes or drawings, all on topics which explore global processes that affect young people's lives and welfare, including HIV/AIDS, Child Labour, War, Urbanization, Gender discrimination, and Youth/Children's Rights. Each topic is linked to a trilingual discussion forum.

• The Complete works of Shakespeare. One example of some sound eduactional resources available on the net: For those English teachers who are looking for a topic...

• Virtual Online University. Virtual Online University, Inc. is a non-profit corporation offering a novel and effective approach to academic excellence, professional development and life-long learning. The site offers apparently a full fledged K-12 home schooling program: curricula, support and what more. It does seem to cost something, but rather peanuts (not for the real South though). It also discusses the cryptic Multiple-Object Oriented (MOO) environment. Something to learn here??

• Digital Clubhouse. A Digital Clubhouse is a new kind of community resource and learning centre that is dedicated to empowering friends and neighbours so that they can help one another to get a better understanding of the tools of communication for participating more productively in the emerging 'Digital Age'.

• Media Awareness Network. A Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to media education and media issues affecting children and youth. This site contains a wide range of copy-right cleared resources for teachers, some of which include: an electronic "verticle file" of newspaper articles; over one hundred and fifty elementary and secondary lesson plans; an "Issues" section that explores privacy, portrayal of diversity, ownership and media violence; and advice to parents on encouraging media and web literacy in their homes -- to name just a few. En Français et Anglais.

• Open Learning Australia. True learning, all through the web and the mail: that it is possible we know. How it can be done on a larger scale shows this site from 8 universities in a country that knows what it is talking about...

• Thinkquest. Think the Web is an awesome communications tool? You'll realize you've had no idea of its potential until you check out the winning entries in the Third Annual ThinkQuest Awards. Youngsters from 18 countries are represented in this Internet-based education program.

• Alaska Pacific University's HTML GUIDE. The author tells us that she is working on a modest effort, it's what you call modest... The first steps of the creation of a distance learning "how to" site for small colleges and faculty members new to Internet technology is impressive. At this point, you'll find a well designed HTML guide, and more is promised!

• Media Theory. The home page of a dedicated lecturer, committed to keeping this site very much alive. Full with on-line resources, for learners and teachers. Links to sites of the Media and Communications Study Site, the Association for Media, Communication and Cultural Studies, and a list of publications on the issue of Media Studies. If media are your interest, this site is worth wandering through.

• EdWeb. The purpose of this site is to explore the worlds of educational reform and information technology. "With EdWeb, you can hunt down on-line educational resources around the world, learn about trends in education policy and information infrastructure development, examine success stories of computers in the classroom, and much, much more." Check out the EdWeb K-12 Resource Guide, including the Online Discussion Groups and Electronic Journals. A very exhaustive list of online discussion groups and electronic journals related to education, learning, instructional design and what more. Regularly updated!

• The Globe Programme. Thousands K-12 science classes around the world (70 countries) are collecting environmental data and posting it to this site. Research scientists use the data and offer feedback. Brows the site for the temperatures of yesterday accross the globe. The site offers interactive, GIS based interface Really a site to wander around a bit.

• The Globewide Network Academy. This is an educational and research organisation dedicated to providing a competitive marketplace online for distance learning courses and programs. Their mission is to create a comprehensive source of information, a central listing of online courses and degree programs world-wide. Over ten thousand courses and degree programs are listed. They also support a discussion forum for distance educators and maintain a help-wanted database to connect educational institutions, teachers, and technical support personnel.

• The Communication Initiative. A site worth exploring because of its interesting commitment and orientation to improve strategic communication thinking on development issues. The site provides information, ideas, linkages and dialogue on communication, development and change. A subscribtion service makes that you regularly receive relevant information by email on these issues.

• Math and Science gateway. Check out this site, found through the Virtual Open University, (elsewhere in this database, where you can find other interesting links by the way...)

• Smart Library on Urban Poverty. State-of-the-art knowledge on decades of academic research on the causes and consequences of urban poverty is now at the fingertips of anyone with an Internet connection. In an easily accessible and understandable format, the Smart Library on Urban Poverty Research brings information on urban community, urban poverty and the family, urban poverty and the economy, and work and welfare into homes, schools and offices around the world.

• NASA Langley's HPCC/IITA K-12 Program. They have some interesting course materials about teaching the use of the Internet in education.

• Science Bookmarks. 94481 bytes of science bookmarks! Quite some list, but plenty of resources worthwhile looking at...

• The Internet University (or New Promise). The Internet University is an extensive listing of courses (graduate and post-graduate level) offered by American universities over the Internet and a couple of articles related to online education. Course descriptions are rather minimal, but links and email addresses provide access to potentially more detailed information. Over 700 courses listed. Also includes a listings of discussion-lists and other links related to education, online learning, research, etc. Courses generaly require a tuition to be paid.

• The African Virtual Tutorial. A vast amount of information about Africa is available on the World Wide Web. Most of the sites providing such information, however, are specialized, and few if any provide a comprehensive array of Africa-related linked in a single, easily usable site. As the amount of accessible information about Africa increases, so too does the need for a for a well-organized, geographically-based site drawing together African resources.

• The Gutenberg Project. This is a serious effort to provide on-line access to electronical versions of public domain material. From Shakespeare to an English translation of the Koran, you find it here!

• Science Museum Network. A museum-based education project where you find, among others, a link to the Science Museum of Minnesota. This Museum presents "Maya Adventure", a World-Wide Web site that highlights science activities and information related to ancient and modern Maya culture. Also the other links are worth exploring!

• Back to School, the Electronic Library Classroom 101. A class on the net for librarians and others in search of learning resources with little or no net experience. The course presents a beginner's course in the Net and its various tools targeted toward librarians and other information professionals. Lessons include information on participating in mailing lists, usenet newgroups, and cover basic Internet tools including telnet, ftp, archie, gopher, veronica, and the world wide web.

• World Links for Development (WorLD). A global collaborative learning program sponsored by the World Bank's Economic Development Institute. Apart from the fact that the site is just a very good resource, we include this link here because Learning Without Frontiers collaborates with the WorLD Program in several countries in Africa. While LWF primarily works with teacher training institutes, the WorLD Program links students and teachers in secondary schools in developing countries with their counterparts in industrialized countries for collaborative research, teaching and learning programs over the Internet. The site is available in English, French and Spanish.

• Connected magazine. "... decision-making requires the creation of suitable frameworks for knowledge to be shared and developed in collaboration with others. Writing, e-mail, the Web as well as face-to-face meetings, conferences and seminars are the tools used. Writing in this context takes on the form of an on-going dialogue in the search of an increasingly clear understanding of the way things are." Connected provides a platform for exactly that suitable framework the initiator talks about. A comprehensive site with a miriad of articles raising basic questions about cyberspace, and its use. (Aussi des recources en Français!!)

• The Global Schoolhouse. The place where classrooms on the Internet meet to share ideas and join in collaborative projects. The Connected Classroom is designed to link classrooms from all over the United States and the world into one global classroom.

• African'TI: Information Technologies in Africa. The Developpment of the new technologies of information and communication is a fact in the african countries too. This website offers a comprehensive vision of this evolution in the african continent in order to show the implication in spatial organization.
  En Français: Les nouvelles technologies sont souvent l'apanage des pays du Nord, mais force est de constater que les Nouvelles Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication ( les N.T.I.C) se développent très rapidement sur tout le continent africain. L'objectif de ce site est d'offrir une vision cohérente de cette évolution afin de pouvoir déterminer les implications d'un tel développement notamment sur le plan spatial.

• Development Education Program (DEP). This site's interactive learning modules use charts, maps, case studies, photos, and data tables -- all based on World Bank data and resources -- to teach about social, economic, and environment issues of sustainable development. Special features include an on-line student newspaper and an extensive "For Teachers" section. A new site by the World Bank Economic Development Institute.

• Beginners Guide to HTML. This is a good primer for publishing on the WEB.

• Learn 2.com. A very nice way to learn all sorts of things, from pizza dough making to dealing with diarrhoea and cleaning your computer. Instructive, completely on-line, and fun to work through!

• What is an Educational Object Economy?. This EOE is a community of Educators, Developers and Businesses working together to use, create, and collaborate upon Educational Java objects on the web. Currently, there are over 1350 educational Java objects in the library, covering virtually every subject area. These interactive simulations, illustrations, and exercises are available at no cost for anyone with web access to use.

• Childhood schizophrenia. "I found adults lacking in originality, incapable of providing answers to the pressing questions which I had; with them, it seemed, most human activities were devoid of sense. When I wondered how children were born and why; when I asked about how come my mother was pregnant or why a neighbour had aborted; when I saw meaning in the movement of vulture's head; when I inquired as to the significance of the quick descent of a hawk on its prey, when I asked about a crow hopping about as though something was the matter with one of its feet, when I lighted on a new idea_when I asked such things I was told to be quiet. My parents loved me but I got no solace from them." Copyright Hal-Abuur, Journal of Somali literature and culture. By Nuruddin Farah. Plenty of other stories, mainly in Somali.

• NASA's Educational Resources. NASA, the US Space Agency, is made up of many different programmes, each of which has fascinating learning resources available. One way to get into this vast amount of material is through this link (scroll down!!). The two categories to look for on this page are:
  • Online resources for educators
  • Education Home Pages by NASA Field Center (each one will have educational resources)

• DRIK. In September 1989, a small group of people, in an effort to change the negative portrayal of people in the developing world set up a picture library, not in the traditional locations of London, New York or Paris, but in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. DRIK, a Sanskrit word, stands for vision, inner vision, philosophy of vision. It was an attempt to extract at least a degree of control from the West in terms of how people in poorer nations were represented. Seven years and 85000 images later, DRIK stands tall amongst image banks in the Third World, not only in the quality or quantity of its images but through the nature of its work.