Using YQL with MERLOT

Instructors can use the "Recently Added" selection on the MERLOT RSS Channels to get information about IOS and Android apps to use in their classrooms. Here is a link to a mobile web-based tool under development used for searching MERLOT for  mobile apps.  There are many more RSS feeds available from MERLOT than are currently demonstrated on the tool. http://terrygleason.com/YQL/YQL_Merlot.html. YQL ( Yahoo Query Language ) is a free platform from Yahoo! to simplify collecting information from different sources all over the internet. This platform can be used to organize online information which instructors can then use in their classes on a wide variety of mobile devices.

Use Yahoo! Pipes to Update Your Page

Instructors can use Yahoo! Pipes by adding a Gadget to their Blogger site. Pipes is graphical and no programming is required. Titles of relevant materials can be collected from all over the internet, and linked from one place for students to use. The feed source is updated and remains current. Try Pipes at pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/

Instructors can reach the largest number of student phones by creating messages using HTML5.  There are compelling reasons to begin using HTML5 as soon as you can. Instructors will be able to move to multimedia messages using either Audio and/or Video short messages, and reach the largest number of student phones. Don't forget students with a top of the line iPhone or Android phones will receive, and render your messages no problem. To reach all the students you need to create messages that render on the less-than-the-best cheaper phones.

Web Standards in the Classroom:

Many educators are impacted by economic down turn with no end in sight. If your institution is unable to support expensive online teaching tools you might be interested in Coursesites.com from Blackboard. You will arrange to get your own students into your virtual class but the tools offered in Coursesites are state of the art and FREE from Blackboard. Coursesites is great for practice tests, online grades and discussion forum's. There are many more tools in Coursesites that I have not mentioned. I also recommend going back to using some basic web tools like HTML, CSS and maybe a little javascript to add some new activities to your class environment. Combining virtual teaching tools with on campus classes is the future, and offers students the best of both worlds. Want to learn more try out Lynda.com for online training or Educator.com. These are self teaching aids that instructors can fit into a busy schedule.

Feed2JS.org For Instructor Web Sites

Instructors here is an easy way to incorporate RSS feed information into your class site. Check out Feed2js ( Feed to Javascript ) - You can use this service as long as you can cut and paste code into an HTML editor. This tool is simple and for many instructors this tool will work Great! Find your feed address as HTML and paste it into the Feed2js text box that loads from the "Build" tab on Feed2js. Then set up your parameters, and copy the code to paste on your own page for your students. This is quick and will add something new for your class.

For instructors that are interested in improving their understanding of Cascading Style Sheets - Adobe has free training. Check out "Learn to work with CSS" Here. There are plenty of basic examples and plenty of examples such as Tableless Layout from scratch.

Hello Instructors - Here is a link connecting you to easy-to-read information about Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and Dreamweaver. Creating web pages for your students is one way to demonstrate "originality" and "regular effective contact" in your class. Check out this site providing tips on many points relevant to creating class content.

Web Technologies Reference

Instructors if you are interested in learning more about CSS ( Cascading Style Sheets ) to style your class materials, and publish to phones - then check out this reference from sitepoint.com. Here is the Link - http://reference.sitepoint.com/css
Sitepoint also provides references on Javascript and HTML as well.