Random Links for 6/29/09

The Evidence on Online Education

Online learning has definite advantages over face-to-face instruction when it comes to teaching and learning, according to a new meta-analysis released Friday by the U.S. Department of Education.

The study found that students who took all or part of their instruction online performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through face-to-face instruction. Further, those who took “blended” courses — those that combine elements of online learning and face-to-face instruction — appeared to do best of all. That finding could be significant as many colleges report that blended instruction is among the fastest-growing types of enrollment.

Working to Conserve Endangered Playboy Bunnies

Rosanna Tursi, a master’s student and graduate teaching assistant, is using population genetics to aid in the conservation of the Lower Keys marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri), which were declared endangered in 1990. It is estimated that less than 300 rabbits remain today.

Researchers Find Vibrator Use to be Common, Linked to Sexual Health

The studies, led by researchers at the Center for Sexual Health Promotion in IU’s School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, are the first to publish data about vibrator use from nationally representative samples of the U.S. population. This lack of data has existed despite a longstanding practice by many physicians and therapists to recommend vibrator use to help treat sexual dysfunctions or to improve sexual enjoyment.

Three Day POGIL Lab Workshop June 2009

I am serving as the local host of a three day POGIL (process oriented guided inquiry learning) workshop on labs for the next three days. If you follow the link, you can learn a lot about POGIL. This is the third three day POGIL workshop that Linfield has hosted, and the fifth workshop that I’ve been part of either as a participant or participant/host.

If you really want to know a lot about POGIL, follow the link above. Briefly, POGIL is