More good stuff on presentations.....

Check out this stuff on Power Point and making slick presentations from Lifehacker....

http://lifehacker.com/5459557/download-over-150-free-powerpoint-advanced-powerpoint-slides-to-jazz-up-your-presentations

Higher Education in the 21st Century

Two news articles described the conditions for university students in the face of budget cuts.

The first is from the Seattle Times, discussing class sizes for popular courses.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010898857_bigclasses27m.html

The second, and longer piece, is from NPR describing conditions at the once-prestigious Univesity of California, and the impact caused that the reductions in public funding.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123035049

While we are not exempt from funding problems, community colleges remain a bargain and a source of high-quality instruction, especially when compared with these stories.

Writing

Some may think that I am overemphasizing grammar, spelling, and punctuation, that is, the basic elements of writing, in my assessment of your discussion board posts. I don't think that I can overemphasize how important writing is. Writing is how you will communicate with your employer, with your customers, with your peers. Good, clear writing requires good, clear thinking and attention to detail. Your writing will be one of the key elements that defines you in the marketplace for jobs, promotions, and other opportunities.

But, don't take my word for it. Watch this video from Tom Peters....

Liz Coleman's call to reinvent liberal arts education | Video on TED.com

Liz Coleman's call to reinvent liberal arts education | Video on TED.com

What Matters Now

From Seth Godin, who collected these thoughts and comments from many who we should listen to and learn from.

This is what matters now.

Rheingold

Way New Collaboration - Prisoners' Dilemma, The Tragedy of the Commons, and other interesting ways to cooperate. 'Rational self-interest is not always the dominating factor.'

Rheingold on Where We Are Going

Howard Rheingold thinks different about social media, education, classrooms, students and teachers, how we got here and what the species needs to do in order to survive.