February 16th, 2010

Not everyone who's on top today got there with success after success. More often than not, those who history best remembers were faced with numerous obstacles that forced them to work harder and show more determination than others. Next time you're feeling down about your failures in college or in a career, keep these fifty famous people in mind and remind yourself that sometimes failure is just the first step towards success.

Business Gurus

These businessmen and the companies they founded are today known around the world, but as these stories show, their beginnings weren't always smooth.

1. Henry Ford: While Ford is today known for his innovative assembly line and American-made cars, he wasn't an instant success. In fact, his early businesses failed and left him broke five time before he founded the successful Ford Motor Company.
2. R. H. Macy: Most people are familiar with this large department store chain, but Macy didn't always have it easy. Macy started seven failed business before finally hitting big with his store in New York City.
3. F. W. Woolworth: Some may not know this name today, but Woolworth was once one of the biggest names in department stores in the U.S. Before starting his own business, young Woolworth worked at a dry goods store and was not allowed to wait on customers because his boss said he lacked the sense needed to do so.
4. Soichiro Honda: The billion-dollar business that is Honda began with a series of failures and fortunate turns of luck. Honda was turned down by Toyota Motor Corporation for a job after interviewing for a job as an engineer, leaving him jobless for quite some time. He started making scooters of his own at home, and spurred on by his neighbors, finally started his own business.
5. Akio Morita: You may not have heard of Morita but you've undoubtedly heard of his company, Sony. Sony's first product was a rice cooker that unfortunately didn't cook rice so much as burn it, selling less than 100 units. This first setback didn't stop Morita and his partners as they pushed forward to create a multi-billion dollar company.
6. Bill Gates: Gates didn't seem like a shoe-in for success after dropping out of Harvard and starting a failed first business with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen called Traf-O-Data. While this early idea didn't work, Gates' later work did, creating the global empire that is Microsoft.
7. Harland David Sanders: Perhaps better known as Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, Sanders had a hard time selling his chicken at first. In fact, his famous secret chicken recipe was rejected 1,009 times before a restaurant accepted it.
8. Walt Disney: Today Disney rakes in billions from merchandise, movies and theme parks around the world, but Walt Disney himself had a bit of a rough start. He was fired by a newspaper editor because, "he lacked imagination and had no good ideas." After that, Disney started a number of businesses that didn't last too long and ended with bankruptcy and failure. He kept plugging along, however, and eventually found a recipe for success that worked.

Scientists and Thinkers

These people are often regarded as some of the greatest minds of our century, but they often had to face great obstacles, the ridicule of their peers and the animosity of society.

9. Albert Einstein: Most of us take Einstein's name as synonymous with genius, but he didn't always show such promise. Einstein did not speak until he was four and did not read until he was seven, causing his teachers and parents to think he was mentally handicapped, slow and anti-social. Eventually, he was expelled from school and was refused admittance to the Zurich Polytechnic School. It might have taken him a bit longer, but most people would agree that he caught on pretty well in the end, winning the Nobel Prize and changing the face of modern physics.
10. Charles Darwin: In his early years, Darwin gave up on having a medical career and was often chastised by his father for being lazy and too dreamy. Darwin himself wrote, "I was considered by all my masters and my father, a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard of intellect." Perhaps they judged too soon, as Darwin today is well-known for his scientific studies.
11. Robert Goddard: Goddard today is hailed for his research and experimentation with liquid-fueled rockets, but during his lifetime his ideas were often rejected and mocked by his scientific peers who thought they were outrageous and impossible. Today rockets and space travel don't seem far-fetched at all, due largely in part to the work of this scientist who worked against the feelings of the time.
12. Isaac Newton: Newton was undoubtedly a genius when it came to math, but he had some failings early on. He never did particularly well in school and when put in charge of running the family farm, he failed miserably, so poorly in fact that an uncle took charge and sent him off to Cambridge where he finally blossomed into the scholar we know today.
13. Socrates: Despite leaving no written records behind, Socrates is regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of the Classical era. Because of his new ideas, in his own time he was called "an immoral corrupter of youth" and was sentenced to death. Socrates didn't let this stop him and kept right on, teaching up until he was forced to poison himself.
14. Robert Sternberg: This big name in psychology received a C in his first college introductory psychology class with his teacher telling him that, "there was already a famous Sternberg in psychology and it was obvious there would not be another." Sternberg showed him, however, graduating from Stanford with exceptional distinction in psychology, summa cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa and eventually becoming the President of the American Psychological Association.

Inventors

These inventors changed the face of the modern world, but not without a few failed prototypes along the way.

15. Thomas Edison: In his early years, teachers told Edison he was "too stupid to learn anything." Work was no better, as he was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. Even as an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. Of course, all those unsuccessful attempts finally resulted in the design that worked.
16. Orville and Wilbur Wright: These brothers battled depression and family illness before starting the bicycle shop that would lead them to experimenting with flight. After numerous attempts at creating flying machines, several years of hard work, and tons of failed prototypes, the brothers finally created a plane that could get airborne and stay there.

Public Figures

From politicians to talk show hosts, these figures had a few failures before they came out on top.

17. Winston Churchill: This Nobel Prize-winning, twice-elected Prime Minster of the United Kingdom wasn't always as well regarded as he is today. Churchill struggled in school and failed the sixth grade. After school he faced many years of political failures, as he was defeated in every election for public office until he finally became the Prime Minister at the ripe old age of 62.
18. Abraham Lincoln: While today he is remembered as one of the greatest leaders of our nation, Lincoln's life wasn't so easy. In his youth he went to war a captain and returned a private (if you're not familiar with military ranks, just know that private is as low as it goes.) Lincoln didn't stop failing there, however. He started numerous failed business and was defeated in numerous runs he made for public office.
19. Oprah Winfrey: Most people know Oprah as one of the most iconic faces on TV as well as one of the richest and most successful women in the world. Oprah faced a hard road to get to that position, however, enduring a rough and often abusive childhood as well as numerous career setbacks including being fired from her job as a television reporter because she was "unfit for tv."
20. Harry S. Truman: This WWI vet, Senator, Vice President and eventual President eventually found success in his life, but not without a few missteps along the way. Truman started a store that sold silk shirts and other clothing–seemingly a success at first–only go bankrupt a few years later.
21. Dick Cheney: This recent Vice President and businessman made his way to the White House but managed to flunk out of Yale University, not once, but twice. Former President George W. Bush joked with Cheney about this fact, stating, "So now we know –if you graduate from Yale, you become president. If you drop out, you get to be vice president."

Hollywood Types

These faces ought to be familiar from the big screen, but these actors, actresses and directors saw their fair share of rejection and failure before they made it big.

22. Jerry Seinfeld: Just about everybody knows who Seinfeld is, but the first time the young comedian walked on stage at a comedy club, he looked out at the audience, froze and was eventually jeered and booed off of the stage. Seinfeld knew he could do it, so he went back the next night, completed his set to laughter and applause, and the rest is history.
23. Fred Astaire: In his first screen test, the testing director of MGM noted that Astaire, "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." Astaire went on to become an incredibly successful actor, singer and dancer and kept that note in his Beverly Hills home to remind him of where he came from.
24. Sidney Poitier: After his first audition, Poitier was told by the casting director, "Why don't you stop wasting people's time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?" Poitier vowed to show him that he could make it, going on to win an Oscar and become one of the most well-regarded actors in the business.
25. Jeanne Moreau: As a young actress just starting out, this French actress was told by a casting director that she was simply not pretty enough to make it in films. He couldn't have been more wrong as Moreau when on to star in nearly 100 films and win numerous awards for her performances.
26. Charlie Chaplin: It's hard to imagine film without the iconic Charlie Chaplin, but his act was initially rejected by Hollywood studio chiefs because they felt it was a little too nonsensical to ever sell.
27. Lucille Ball: During her career, Ball had thirteen Emmy nominations and four wins, also earning the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors. Before starring in I Love Lucy, Ball was widely regarded as a failed actress and a B movie star. Even her drama instructors didn't feel she could make it, telling her to try another profession. She, of course, proved them all wrong.
28. Harrison Ford: In his first film, Ford was told by the movie execs that he simply didn't have what it takes to be a star. Today, with numerous hits under his belt, iconic portrayals of characters like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, and a career that stretches decades, Ford can proudly show that he does, in fact, have what it takes.
29. Marilyn Monroe: While Monroe's star burned out early, she did have a period of great success in her life. Despite a rough upbringing and being told by modeling agents that she should instead consider being a secretary, Monroe became a pin-up, model and actress that still strikes a chord with people today.
30. Oliver Stone: This Oscar-winning filmmaker began his first novel while at Yale, a project that eventually caused him to fail out of school. This would turn out to be a poor decision as the the text was rejected by publishers and was not published until 1998, at which time it was not well-received. After dropping out of school, Stone moved to Vietnam to teach English, later enlisting in the army and fighting in the war, a battle that earning two Purple Hearts and helped him find the inspiration for his later work that often center around war.

Writers and Artists

We've all heard about starving artists and struggling writers, but these stories show that sometimes all that work really does pay off with success in the long run.

31. Vincent Van Gogh: During his lifetime, Van Gogh sold only one painting, and this was to a friend and only for a very small amount of money. While Van Gogh was never a success during his life, he plugged on with painting, sometimes starving to complete his over 800 known works. Today, they bring in hundreds of millions.
32. Emily Dickinson: Recluse and poet Emily Dickinson is a commonly read and loved writer. Yet in her lifetime she was all but ignored, having fewer than a dozen poems published out of her almost 1,800 completed works.
33. Theodor Seuss Giesel: Today nearly every child has read The Cat in the Hat or Green Eggs and Ham, yet 27 different publishers rejected Dr. Seuss's first book To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.
34. Charles Schultz: Schultz's Peanuts comic strip has had enduring fame, yet this cartoonist had every cartoon he submitted rejected by his high school yearbook staff. Even after high school, Schultz didn't have it easy, applying and being rejected for a position working with Walt Disney.
35. Steven Spielberg: While today Spielberg's name is synonymous with big budget, he was rejected from the University of Southern California School of Theater, Film and Television three times. He eventually attended school at another location, only to drop out to become a director before finishing. Thirty-five years after starting his degree, Spielberg returned to school in 2002 to finally complete his work and earn his BA.
36. Stephen King: The first book by this author, the iconic thriller Carrie, received 30 rejections, finally causing King to give up and throw it in the trash. His wife fished it out and encouraged him to resubmit it, and the rest is history, with King now having hundreds of books published the distinction of being one of the best-selling authors of all time.
37. Zane Grey: Incredibly popular in the early 20th century, this adventure book writer began his career as a dentist, something he quickly began to hate. So, he began to write, only to see rejection after rejection for his works, being told eventually that he had no business being a writer and should given up. It took him years, but at 40, Zane finally got his first work published, leaving him with almost 90 books to his name and selling over 50 million copies worldwide.
38. J. K. Rowling: Rowling may be rolling in a lot of Harry Potter dough today, but before she published the series of novels she was nearly penniless, severely depressed, divorced, trying to raise a child on her own while attending school and writing a novel. Rowling went from depending on welfare to survive to being one of the richest women in the world in a span of only five years through her hard work and determination.
39. Monet: Today Monet's work sells for millions of dollars and hangs in some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Yet during his own time, it was mocked and rejected by the artistic elite, the Paris Salon. Monet kept at his impressionist style, which caught on and in many ways was a starting point for some major changes to art that ushered in the modern era.
40. Jack London: This well-known American author wasn't always such a success. While he would go on to publish popular novels like White Fang and The Call of the Wild, his first story received six hundred rejection slips before finally being accepted.
41. Louisa May Alcott: Most people are familiar with Alcott's most famous work, Little Women. Yet Alcott faced a bit of a battle to get her work out there and was was encouraged to find work as a servant by her family to make ends meet. It was her letters back home during her experience as a nurse in the Civil War that gave her the first big break she needed.

Musicians

While their music is some of the best selling, best loved and most popular around the world today, these musicians show that it takes a whole lot of determination to achieve success.

42. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Mozart began composing at the age of five, writing over 600 pieces of music that today are lauded as some of the best ever created. Yet during his lifetime, Mozart didn't have such an easy time, and was often restless, leading to his dismissal from a position as a court musician in Salzberg. He struggled to keep the support of the aristocracy and died with little to his name.
43. Elvis Presley: As one of the best-selling artists of all time, Elvis has become a household name even years after his death. But back in 1954, Elvis was still a nobody, and Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired Elvis Presley after just one performance telling him, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."
44. Igor Stravinsky: In 1913 when Stravinsky debuted his now famous Rite of Spring, audiences rioted, running the composer out of town. Yet it was this very work that changed the way composers in the 19th century thought about music and cemented his place in musical history.
45. The Beatles: Few people can deny the lasting power of this super group, still popular with listeners around the world today. Yet when they were just starting out, a recording company told them no. The were told "we don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out," two things the rest of the world couldn't have disagreed with more.
46. Ludwig van Beethoven: In his formative years, young Beethoven was incredibly awkward on the violin and was often so busy working on his own compositions that he neglected to practice. Despite his love of composing, his teachers felt he was hopeless at it and would never succeed with the violin or in composing. Beethoven kept plugging along, however, and composed some of the best-loved symphonies of all time–five of them while he was completely deaf.

Athletes

While some athletes rocket to fame, others endure a path fraught with a little more adversity, like those listed here.

47. Michael Jordan: Most people wouldn't believe that a man often lauded as the best basketball player of all time was actually cut from his high school basketball team. Luckily, Jordan didn't let this setback stop him from playing the game and he has stated, "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
48. Stan Smith: This tennis player was rejected from even being a lowly ball boy for a Davis Cup tennis match because event organizers felt he was too clumsy and uncoordinated. Smith went on to prove them wrong, showcasing his not-so-clumsy skills by winning Wimbledon, U. S. Open and eight Davis Cups.
49. Babe Ruth: You probably know Babe Ruth because of his home run record (714 during his career), but along with all those home runs came a pretty hefty amount of strikeouts as well (1,330 in all). In fact, for decades he held the record for strikeouts. When asked about this he simply said, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."
50. Tom Landry: As the coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Landry brought the team two Super Bowl victories, five NFC Championship victories and holds the records for the record for the most career wins. He also has the distinction of having one of the worst first seasons on record (winning no games) and winning five or fewer over the next four seasons.

February 15th, 2010

Even if you've grown up in a world where computers and the Internet were around, you likely remember a time when they weren't such a big part of business, personal and educational life. Over the past 20 years, how information is managed and shared has changed completely in the face of new and ever more powerful technologies. These lectures will show young college students like yourselves what changes in information management you can expect for the future–a great way to plan out a career or just to get a peek at what life will be like in the years to come.

Freedom of Information

These lectures address information accessibility issues, especially those involving open media and the web.

1. Open-source economics: Yochai Benkler: Learn about the impact of technologies like Wikipedia and Linux that allow free exchange of information and how they're affecting the way business is conducted.
2. Future of the Digital Commons: Music, writing and images are all up for discussion in this talk on the world of free information on the web.
3. Brewster Kahle builds a free digital library: This lecture will give you a chance to learn more about Kahle's project to build the largest free digital library ever constructed–provided he isn't blocked in doing so.
4. Jimmy Wales on the birth of Wikipedia: Hear from the founder of Wikipedia on why the collaborative source of information has been so successful.
5. Richard Baraniuk on open-source learning: This lecture will let you learn about Connexions, an online learning site that lets students and educators freely share educational information.
6. The Future of America's Libraries: A library is a great place to find information of all kinds, and in this lecture you'll be able to see how new technologies and the changing needs of patrons will shape the library of the future.
7. The Promise of Open Media in Iran: Learn how tools like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are making it easier for people to share information quickly and accurately over the web, something that becomes especially relevant in tumultuous situations like the recent protests in Iran.
8. Internet Censorship and the Giant Firewall of China: This lecture will ask you to think carefully about what it means that one of the largest economies in the world doesn't have open access to the web–perhaps the greatest repository of information available.

Information Technology

Learn more about the technologies being developed to manage information through these lectures.

9. Erik Hersman on reporting crisis via texting: The story in this lecture will inspire you as you learn about new technologies that allowed individuals to track and share information about violent uprisings in Kenya.
10. Information Technology and Intellectual Property: With greater access to information comes more concern about how to control intellectual property, something this lecture addresses head on.
11. Blaise Aguera y Arcas demos Photosynth: Be dazzled by this video that shows off the Photosyth technology–allowing users to share photos and build an image of just about every place on Earth.
12. Transformation: From Newspapers to the New Newsmakers: This lecture is actually a discussion between several experts on the disappearance of the newspaper and what new technologies are replacing how we get out daily news and information about the world.
13. Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology: Here you'll be able to see some amazing new technologies that let people interact with their data in incredibly exciting new ways.
14. Stunning data visualization in the AlloSphere: Check out this lecture to learn about the AlloSphere technology and the ways it lets researchers approach scientific data in new and possibly very revealing ways.
15. New Technologies Serving Educational Goals: In this course you'll learn more about how the information on the web and the technologies it uses are being utilized in the classroom.

Information and the Web

Learn what a big role the Internet will play in the future of information sharing, security and management from these talks.

16. Information Security: Why Cybercriminals are Smiling: Learn why the easy availability of information on the web has a dark side as well in this lecture that addresses the growing problem of cybercrime.
17. The Past, Present and Future of Google: This lecture will showcase of the best technologies that Google has to offer and explain just how they make it easier to attain the information we need and want.
18. Tyranny of E-mail: The 4,000 Year Journey to Your Inbox: This lecture takes a different point of view, arguing against the newest technologies like email, instead encouraging individuals to return to older forms of correspondence.
19. Tim Berners-Lee on the next Web: The inventor of the web himself gives this lecture on where it can be expected to head in the future and how data may be shared and managed using it.
20. Blogosphere: Who's Talking?: Like it or not, blogs have become a major source of information, news and commentary in everyday life. This lecture talks about the future of this technology and the impact it will have on more traditional sources of information.

February 15th, 2010

The recession has brought with it a new class of students anxious to earn a new degree that will be valuable in any type of industry.  One degree program has been that in the business field, while other programs focus more on fields that are on the rise, such as criminal justice.  Since online courses offer an attractive cost-efficient solution to the rising costs of college, accredited online college courses have been the option most of these students have opted for in recent months.  

While online college courses have become an attractive solution for students who have found themselves in need of a new degree, accreditation has become an important thing to look at as well.  Accreditation is not as big an issue in traditional colleges, but has become a controversial aspect of online education since so many online colleges lack accreditation and therefore cannot issue valid degrees to their graduates.  However, after getting past the accreditation issue, students of online colleges have mostly found their experiences to be pleasant.

The economy has forced many former employees to look at other fields for their higher education and online education has opened up many doors through a period of economic downfall.  Business classes have expanded throughout online colleges to make room for students who have real-world job experience but need an additional degree to make it in the career world as a result of the recession.  Business classes have been tweaked to cater to these students and therefore have a variety of different courses to choose from, including courses that are more eco-friendly and courses that cater to business students hoping to venture into their own individual small business.  Since times have changed, degree programs have revamped their schedules and course offerings to provide a more economical and useful degree program for their students.  

Similar degree programs have changed their offerings as well, in order to attract a similar type of student who is only interested in earning a secondary degree that can compliment their current degree.  Programs from Chemistry to Environmental Studies have become more useful through their online offerings, appealing to students who would never have previously considered such courses.  The economy has changed the perception many students have toward higher education and as a result, online colleges have managed to be at the right place at the right time, offering competitive rates for any level of education.  

February 15th, 2010

The recent testimonials from students of online colleges have revealed many things about the online education community: the flexibility of classes, the easy scheduling, and the importance of accreditation.  Accreditation ahs become a word that is largely associated with online schools because it plays an important role in ensuring that students receive their degree after years of study.  Without accreditation, the years of study and work will almost have been a waste to these students since they will be unable to have a degree to show for their efforts. 

Most of the more popular and widely recognized online colleges such as University of Phoenix and Kaplan University are among the frontrunners for accredited online schools, but the smaller universities are those which students need to be wary of.  Ever since Congress passed the education bill a few years ago which allowed federal funding to go toward students of online colleges, the accreditation battle has only picked up speed.  Accreditation sources come from institutions around the education field, although it is difficult for students who are not accustomed to the industry to know whether the institution is a true organization.  It is therefore important to know the background of your potential college and learn whether other students have had any problems with accreditation at the school.

Online colleges that seem vaguely suspect are those which students should continue to be wary of: schools whose names seem very similar to Ivy League school or who promise “fortune 500” jobs after graduation.  It is a difficult world out there for the potential online student, but as long as you arm yourself with the necessary information to make a better informed judgment, you will find it easier to decide on an online college.  More than anything else, it is important to make sure that you do not waste your time and money earning a degree which will not count as a “real” degree in the employment role. 

Many students have graduated from these “diploma mill” schools that have tricked them into attending classes, only to wind up with a worthless degree in the end that no employer will accept.  Guard yourself against this potential disaster simply by researching further into the online college and finding what previous students said about the degree program and university.  Nothing can stress the importance of accreditation more than stories from former students and the heartbreak that unaccreditation has brought to their lives. 

February 10th, 2010

Whether you are looking for a movie to support a lesson you've been teaching or a book your class has read, or if you would like to offer a reward for hard work well done, these movies offer education, inspiration, entertainment, and sometimes, even a warning. Most of these films are appropriate for high school and college-aged students, but some are even great for the younger set. Be sure to preview them yourself if you have concerns about content.

History and Social Studies

There is plenty of inspiration to be found in these stories, some fictional and some true, that depict historical events or people.

1. Schindler's List. This story tells the heroic effort made by a businessman in Nazi Germany to save thousands of Jews from death.
2. Gandhi. This biography tells the story of the famed leader of India, from his beginnings as a lawyer to his eventual embracing of non-violent protest to his assassination.
3. The Duellists. Based on a story written by Joseph Conrad, The Duellists explores fencing as a means to induce justice and honor.
4. The Grapes of Wrath. John Steinbeck's classic novel about life during the Great Depression is brought to life in this film, which has also reached classic status.
5. Philadelphia. A lawyer fired from his firm because he has AIDS fights for his rights in this film.
6. Mississippi Burning. Two FBI agents arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of civil rights activists and each uses their own approach to uncover the atrocities occurring.
7. The Color Purple. Based on Alice Walker's book, this film details the life and struggles of an African-American woman in early 1900s America.
8. Hotel Rwanda. This film tells the story of real hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, who saved thousands of refugees fleeing the dangerous militia that had taken over Rwanda.
9. The Fog of War. Former Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara shares lessons he learned about modern warfare.

Survival

These stories of survival serve as an inspiration to any viewer and work well with almost any lesson plan.

10. Into the Wild. A free-spirited young man heads off into the Alaska wilderness to try his hand at survival with devastating results.
11. Alive. This movie tells the true story of a rugby team from Uruguay that must survive in the Andes mountains after a plane crash.
12. Touching the Void. This true story follows two climbers as they scale Siula Grande in Peru, the disaster that occurs, and how the two survive.
13. Swiss Family Robinson. Based on the novel by Johann David Wyss, this film tells of a Swiss family deserted on an island and their journey to learn to survive.
14. Cast Away. A white-collar executive must learn to survive when he finds himself alone on a deserted island after a plane crash.
15. The Blue Lagoon. Two children are shipwrecked on an island and grow up together. Be aware this film does contain nudity.

Health and Environment

Show your students these films to inspire them to learn about responsible care for their bodies and the environment.

16. Super Size Me. See what happens when one man lives on only McDonald's food for 30 days. You may be shocked to learn what a fast food diet does to your body.
17. Erin Brockovich. Based on a true story, this film is about an ordinary woman who takes up a cause when she learns about dangerous pollution in the water.
18. WALL-E. This touching animated film envisions a future that could be where modern culture takes itself without restraint.
19. Earth Days. This documentary takes a look at the modern environmental movement through nine individuals who helped bring the issue into the public eye starting as far back as the 1950s.
20. Food, Inc. The corporate culture that has taken over the food industry has created something far from healthy. This documentary has gotten lots of press recently.
21. The Future of Food. Take a look at what is really in the food found on grocery store shelves in this eye-opening film.
22. Be the Change. This documentary looks at people who have made the choice to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
23. Hoot. A young man starts a fight to protect the owls whose habitat is threatened in his newfound home in Florida.
24. Shooting Vegetarians. A young vegetarian is forced to go into his father's business as a butcher and finds a strange way to exact his revenge for it in this quirky movie.
25. Up. This animated film deals with issues of urban sprawl, ecology, and responsible stewardship in the midst of a touching story about unexpected friendships.
26. The Cove. This documentary takes a look at both the massive slaughter of dolphins that occurs annually in a small Japanese fishing village and the dangerous health impact of mercury poisoning.
27. Silkwood. Based on a true story, this movie recounts the story of Karen Silkwood, an employee at a nuclear processing plant who blew the whistle on worker safety issues going unchecked at the plant.
28. Gorillas in the Mist. Another film based on a true story, this one focuses on the work of Dian Fossey as she lived with and studied the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. After fighting against the illegal poaching of the gorillas, she was mysteriously murdered.

English

Bringing literature to life through film is an excellent way to inspire students to appreciate what they are reading.

29. Romeo + Juliet. This popular film retells the Shakespeare classic and is a great way to bring the drama to life.
30. Master Harold and the Boys. This drama written by South African Athol Fugard tells a semi-autobiographical story of a teenage boy and his relationship with a black man in the era of apartheid. A new version of this movie is set to be released this year.
31. Fahrenheit 451. A firefighter meant to burn all books begins reading a few of them and his eyes are opened to a new perspective.
32. Wuthering Heights. Emily Bronte's novel comes to life in this film version.
33. Macbeth. Like Romeo + Juliet, this film offers a modern version of the Shakespearean classic.
34. A Streetcar Named Desire. This adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play is an excellent version to show your class.
35. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A popular choice in college-level English classes, this movie is not only filled with classic British humor, but also provides examples of the idea of the literary quest, allusions to the legend of King Arthur, and more.
36. Dead Poets Society. This film provides a great chance to study the poetry mentioned within as well as show an inspirational film to your students.
37. Freedom Writers. A high school teacher inspires her students to reach beyond their tough lives through writing.

Music

If your music class could use a burst of song and inspiration, try these movies.

38. The Sound of Music. This famous and much-loved film about the Von Trapp family is a must-see.
39. Woodstock. As much about history as it is music, this film chronicles the famous 1969 festival.
40. Almost Famous. Following a rising rock band, a young man in high school writes a story for Rolling Stone Magazine on the band.
41. West Side Story. The Jets and the Sharks are gangs at odds, but when a member of the Jets falls for the sister of the leader of the Sharks, the story really takes off.
42. The Phantom of the Opera. Share this beloved story of a disfigured musician who lives hidden in the Paris opera house and his desire for a young woman.

Science and Technology

From a view of insects in their natural environments to a look at the beginnings to two major computer companies to fictional accounts of science and technology in action, these movies have it all.

43. Microcosmos. This French film shows close-ups of insect life in their natural habitats.
44. Manhattan Project. When a high school science project becomes larger than expected, chaos ensues.
45. Pirates of Silicon Valley. This film provides a biographical peek into the early days of Microsoft and Apple and their founders.
46. Project X. When a new recruit to the military is assigned to look after the chimpanzees in Project X, the military gets more than they bargained for.
47. TRON. A hacker trying to prove that several computer programs were stolen gets transported into a computer, where he fights evil forces in an effort to replace them with a system security program.
48. Antitrust. A computer whiz becomes unintentionally embroiled in a dangerous company.
49. WarGames. When a young man accidentally hacks into the US government's computer system, where he is invited to play a game that is actually initiating World War 3.
50. Jurassic Park. Dinosaurs are brought back to life with dangerous consequences.

February 3rd, 2010

You don't have to leave your home to travel around the world–or at least to learn about it–with the help of these compelling documentaries. Just sit back and watch as people and stories from all reaches of the globe are brought right to your living room through these movies. Some are free and some you'll have to get at your college library, but they'll all leave you in awe of the people, places and creatures who call this world their home.

North America

Check out these films to learn more about the lives and culture of those living in the US, Canada and Mexico.

1. Super Size Me: This Morgan Spurlock documentary exposes the real dangers lurking behind fast food as he attempts to eat nothing but McDonalds for one month.
2. When the Levees Broke: Watch this HBO documentary to learn more about the true impact of Hurricane Katrina.
3. Harlan County, U.S.A.: This 1976 Oscar-winning film will let you see the effects of a dramatic and sometimes violent miner's strike.
4. America the Beautiful: In this film, the American obsession with looking younger, sexier and better is examined in detail.
5. Maxed Out: This documentary takes a hard look at the use and overuse of credit cards in American culture.
6. No Te Rajes!!: Translated into English as "Don't Give Up on Me!," this short documentary shows a period of civil disobedience in Mexico City during 2006.
7. Unrepentant: Take a different look at Canada with this film that exposes the plan to eliminate native people and one clergyman's attempts to expose the crimes.
8. National Parks: America's Best Idea: This Ken Burns series from PBS will let you learn about the history and beauty of American parks.
9. Flamenco at 5:15: You might not think about Canada as the heart of flamenco, but this Oscar-winning film documents the impact of two Spanish dance teachers on the National Ballet School of Canada.
10. King Corn: Here you'll find a film that exposes the increasing impact corn production has had on American eating and the economy.
11. Street Fight: Nominated and winner of numerous awards, this film documents the no-holds-barred battle for the mayor of Newark, NJ.
12. Dear Zachary: Keep your tissues handy when you watch this heartbreaking film, made for the son of a man murdered by an obsessed ex-lover.

Europe

These films will help you learn more about Europe past and present.

13. The Gleaners and I: This film follows the age-old practice of gleaning in modern France.
14. Hitler's Children: Check out this documentary series to learn about the real-life individuals who joined Hitler's Jungvolk movement.
15. A Nod and a Wink: This older documentary takes a look at a law in Britain called the Conspiracy Act and the unjust powers it gives to the government.
16. Auschwitz: The Nazi Final Solution: Watch this documentary series to get a complete and accurate look at the death camp of Auschwitz and others around Europe.
17. 25 Million Pounds: Here you'll get to see into the mind and life of Nick Leeson, a man who scammed numerous people out of millions.
18. Binwars: With garbage collection reduced to every other week, this film examines the battle between the people and the government over garbage.
19. Bulgaria's Abandoned Children: This film takes an often sad look at the children abandoned in a nation with more institutionalized children with disabilities than anywhere in Europe.
20. End of Nations: Learn more about the much contested Lisbon treaty in this documentary.
21. An Islamic History of Europe: Through this documentary you'll get a chance to see the many ways Islamic culture shaped Europe.
22. Mind the Gap: In this movie you'll take a more in-depth look at the London bombings following 9/11.
23. Steal This Film: This free film will help you gain a better understanding of copyright issues and piracy.

Africa

Even if you don't know much about Africa you can learn loads through these compelling documentaries.

24. The White Diamond: Werner Herzog documents a beautiful teardrop-shaped flying ship as it explores the forests of Guyana in this film.
25. God Grew Tired of Us: This film will tug at your heart with the stories of the lost boys of Sudan.
26. Invisible Children: Through this film the horrors of the ongoing Ugandan war will become clear, and the role of children in this war will become hauntingly clear.
27. Darfur Now: Watch this film to learn more about the tragedy of the Darfur region and ways that you may be able to help.
28. War Dance: Winner of numerous awards, this film follows three children in an Ugandan refugee camp and their participation in a large music competition.
29. A Walk to Beautiful: This compelling film follows five Ethiopian women suffering from obstetric fistula.
30. Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation: Through this film you'll learn about South African leader Nelson Mandela's journey from young man to prisoner to world leader.
31. Ghosts of Rwanda: This movie will shed light on the atrocities of the Rwandan genocide of 1994.
32. The Diamond Empire: Frontline examines the myths surrounding diamonds in this film.
33. The Origins of AIDS: Find out more about where the AIDS virus came from and if it really transferred from monkeys to humans.
34. Cry Freetown: This film exposes the many horrors of Sierra Leone's brutal civil war.

Asia

Explore Asia from India to Japan through these movies.

35. Born Into Brothels: This film takes a harrowing look at the children of prostitutes struggling to escape from poverty in India's slums.
36. Buddha Wild: In this film you'll hear Thai and Sri Lankan monks living far from home talk about their faith and culture.
37. Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion: Made over a period of ten years, this film takes a look at the political and social standing of Tibet today.
38. The Cu Chi Tunnels: Learn more about these tunnels and the people who lived in them during the Vietnam War here.
39. Wild China: This six-part series will give you a stunning look at the wildlife and land of China.
40. Up the Yangtze: Rent this film to see the way one family was impacted by the construction of the Three Gorges Dam.
41. Blindsight: Follow a group of blind children as they climb through the Himalayas to discover the limits of their own strength and courage.
42. Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire: Japan was once a country closed off from much of the outside world, and through this documentary you'll learn about that hidden past.
43. The Day My God Died: This heartbreaking film will tell the stories of six young girls whose lives have been impacted by the child sex trade.
44. Amongst White Clouds: Edward A. Burger journeys into the hidden lives of China's forgotten Zen Buddhist hermit tradition through this film.
45. Japanorama: This documentary series explores many facets of the pop culture of Japan.
46. Year Zero: The Silent Death of Cambodia: Many still aren't aware of the secret bombings of this Asian nation carried out by Nixon and Kissinger, but this film will bring it to light.

Middle East

These documentaries will help you learn more about the people and culture of the Middle East.

47. No End in Sight: Made in 2007, this film provides a compelling look at the fall of Iraq due to US decisions and sanctions.
48. Waltz With Bashir: This animated documentary shows the often painful and repressed memories one soldier has of the 1982 Lebanese War.
49. Iraq in Fragments: Everyday people share their thoughts about living in an Iraq shaken by war, religious tensions and violence in this documentary.
50. Gaza Strip: In this film you'll see life in the Gaza Strip, with a focus on one young man with limited education and limited opportunities.
51. Inside Mecca: Learn more about the center of religious worship for millions of Muslims around the world in this film.
52. Kingdom of David: The Saga of the Israelites: This PBS documentary will help you learn more about the history of Judaism.
53. The Fifty Years War: Israel and the Arabs: This series takes an in-depth look at this extended conflict in the Middle East.
54. The Accused: While incredibly controversial, this documentary presents in visually gripping detail the massacre of Palestinians in 1982.
55. The Hidden Wars of Desert Storm: Watch never-before-seen interviews in this investigation into the realities of the Gulf War.
56. Iran Is Not the Problem: This film takes a different stance on Iran, presenting the conflict between the country and the US from another perspective.
57. Muhammad Legacy of a Prophet: This film is a great opportunity to learn more about the man behind one of the world's most practiced religions.

South America

Check out these movies to gain some insights into South American culture and politics.

58. The Revolution Will Not be Televised: This film addresses the April 2002 Venezuelan coup attempt which briefly removed Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez from power.
59. Plan Columbia: Learn more about the conspiracies surrounding US involvement in Columbian drug trade and politics.
60. Cracking the Maya Code: Watch this film to learn how the Mayan language was deciphered and centuries old writings brought to light.
61. The Panama Deception: This film presents the untold story of the 1989 US invasion of Panama, winning an Academy Award in the process.
62. Keep the River on Your Right: Through this film you'll get access to the experiences of painter Tobias Schneebaum, who spent a great deal of time with the peoples of Peru and New Guinea.
63. Lost King of the Maya: Trace the rise and fall of the Mayan city of Copan in this intriguing documentary feature.
64. The Take: In the wake of an Argentinean economic collapse, this film follows a group of auto workers who want nothing more than to restart the factories.
65. Hummingbird: Nominated for numerous awards, this film tells the story of two groups in Brazil who work to get young kids off the street and out of trouble.
66. Nicaragua: A Nation's Right to Survive: This 1983 film investigates some of the corruption found in South America, especially that of the US-backed dictatorship in this small country.
67. No Volverán – The Venezuelan Revolution Now: If you don't know much about the Venezuelan Revolution, this film offers a chance to learn.
68. Salvador Allende: This film shows the life and times of deposed and killed Chilean President Salvador Allende, taken out of power because of his socialist beliefs by a US-backed coup.
69. Buena Vista Social Club: Take a look back at the people who made this Cuban dance and music club home to an invaluable amount of Cuban culture during the 40s and 50s in this award-winning film.

South Pacific

Go down under with these documentaries on Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

70. Welcome to Australia: This film will show you the brutal historical treatment of the aboriginal peoples of Australia and the inequalities that continue.
71. Fortress Australia: Learn about a plan to fortify Australia using atomic weapons in this interesting film.
72. Cane Toads: An Unnatural History: The introduction of these toads has ruined the Australian ecosystem and left the country with an overabundance of them, as this film shows.
73. Sydney: Story of a City: Check out this film to explore the city of Sydney through an artistic lens.
74. Billabong Odyssey: Watch as this group of surfers attempts to surf on some of the biggest and baddest waves in the world.
75. South Pacific: Strange Islands: This film will let you see the amazing wildlife that calls New Zealand home.
76. Solo: This movie tells that tale of Andrew McAuley's attempt to become the first person to kayak 1,600 kilometers from Australia to New Zealand.
77. Coral Reef Adventure: See some of the most beautiful and endangered coral reefs in the world, especially those in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, in this film.
78. When We Were Pirates: In this film you'll get to see a group of men as they attempt to build a ship and sail to Australia.
79. The Coconut Revolution: Here you can watch as a group of rebels in Papua New Guinea fights for their independence from colonial powers.
80. Killer Whale and Crocodile: This film unites a traditional artist from Canada with one from Papua New Guinea.

February 2nd, 2010

Over the past few decades, China has emerged as a world power both in the political and economic spheres. College students like yourself need to be prepared to enter the job market with the skills and knowledge needed to understand and work with this growing nation. These lectures will help you to gain an understanding of China’s past, the events of the past few years, and what can be expected from it in the coming years.

History

From the Cultural Revolution to the Imperial Palace, these lectures examine the rich history of China.

1. Mao’s Use of Propaganda: Learn about the use of propaganda during the Cultural Revolution to control the population in this lecture.
2. Marco Polo: Silk Road to China: In this lecture, historian Larry Bergreen traces Marco Polo’s expedition into China.
3. Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China’s Past and Present: This lecture blends history, archeology, language and culture to tell the story of China.
4. How the War of Resistance to Japan Made and Unmade China: Rana Mitter, professor of Chinese Studies at Oxford University, lays out the events of the Sino-Japanese War in this lecture.
5. A History of Sport in China: Listen to this lecture to hear about how athletics, including organized sports, developed in China.
6. Sino-Japanese Exchanges in the Eighteenth Century: This lecture will explain some of the intricacies of trade between the Japanese and Chinese in the 1700s.
7. Great Wall of China History: Check out this video to explore the history of this world-renowned monument.
8. CCTV Chinese History: This series will help you get an incredible foundation of knowledge in Chinese history.
9. The Political Machine of Wang Shouxin: Wang Shouxin was a woman who gained administrative control of the Bin County Coal State Enterprise during the Cultural Revolution and you can hear her story here.

Economics

Learn more about China’s role in the world economy now and in the future through these lectures.

10. China’s Business Outlook: Here you’ll see a panel of experts talk about China’s role in the global economy and the impact the economic crisis will have on it.
11. Jonathan Chu: Tea and the Origins of the China Trade: Learn about the origins of profitable China Trade in this lecture from historian Jonathan Chu.
12. The US and China: Economic Allies or Adversaries?: In this lecture, author Zachary Karabell discusses the material in his book called Superfusion: How China and America Became One Economy and Why the World’s Prosperity Depends On It.
13. Adam Smith and Beijing: Years before it ever came to be, Adam Smith predicted the economic rise of China, and you can learn more about this, and his other theories, in this lecture.
14. Slave Labor in China: Find out more about how slave labor may still be a reality in some parts of China from this lecture.
15. Made in China: A Changing China: This lecture addresses the growing capitalism and manufacturing power of China.
16. China’s Economy in the Global Context: Take a look at China from a global perspective in this economic lecture.
17. Economic Impact of Population Growth: Learn what impact things like fertility drops have on the economy in this engaging series of lectures from Yale.
18. Development and Entrepreneurship in China and India: This collection of lectures from Stanford will help you learn and compare these two rising Asian economic powers.
19. Enter the Dragon: Understanding the History and Future of Chinese Development: Dr. Christopher Lingle explains of the amazing growth of China and the myriad of problems it has yet to overcome.
20. Understanding China’s Economy: Don’t quite have a grasp on China’s economic place in the world? This lecture may be able to clear things up.
21. The Road to China: Fresh Insights to the World’s Fastest Growing Economy: Learn more about the Chinese economy through this lecture from the University of Pennsylvania.
22. China and the West: Divergence and Convergence: This lecture will examine the impact of China’s strong economy on the rest of the world.

Culture

Gain a more thorough understanding of some of the cultural aspects of China through these lectures on literature, art, food and more.

23. Postcards from China: James Fallows has been living in China for years and shares his experiences and thoughts on life there in this lecture.
24. Conservation of China’s Cultural and Historical Heritage: A panel of experts discusses the best way to preserve China’s cultural landmarks in this lecture.
25. Cultural Aspects of Doing Business in China: If you plan on working in the business world, this lecture is a must for learning the basics of cultural interaction.
26. Snow Falling in Spring: Writer Moying Li tells the compelling story of her struggle to maintain her identity and learn during the Cultural Revolution in China.
27. Confucius and Confucianism: Learn more about this important philosophy that impacts Chinese society to this day.
28. The Spirit Force in Traditional Chinese Medicine: In this lecture, Dr. Li Hua explains some of the basic principles of Chinese medicine.
29. Culture of Food in Rural China: See what role food plays in some of the most rural areas of China in this lecture.
30. Chinese Cultural Identity and the Beijing Games: Even if you didn’t watch the 2008 Olympic games, you can learn about their impact through this lecture.
31. Tea and Chinese Cultural Aesthetics: This lecture will teach you about the important role tea plays in Chinese society.

Politics

Chinese politics are complicated, but you can help start unraveling their complexities through these informative lectures.

32. Human Rights in China After the Olympics: China faced a lot of international criticism about human rights during the Olympic Games, but this lecture addresses whether or not anything actually changed for the better.
33. Tibet: Lens on Human Rights in China: Learn more about Tibet and the shortcomings and strengths of international human rights laws in this lecture from Lobsang Sanjay.
34. Assessing the Prospects for Political Reform in China: Is political reform even a possibility in China? This lecture addresses the issues head on.
35. China and Iran: Ancient Partners in a Post-imperial World: This lecture will let you gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between these two powerful but controversial nations.
36. Internet Censorship and the Great Firewall of China: Did you know that much of the web is censored in China? This lecture discusses that censorship and the relationship with new technology.
37. The Idea of Communism: Tariq Ali explores the difference between the ideal notion of communism and the type of government that passes as such in modern day China.
38. China: Future of a Global Environment: Learn why China has an incredibly important role to play in worldwide economic policy and conservation from this lecture.
39. The Chinese Peasant in Current Politics and Policy: This lecture will help you understand what role the common man has to play in Chinese government and national interest.
40. Politics of Piracy in China and Russia: With everything from DVDs to cars being pirated in these nations, copyright infringement has become a major and somewhat uncontrollable issue, as this lecture discusses.
41. China: Is Political Reform Possible?: This lecture from Princeton asks whether or not the politics of China will see a change anytime soon.

Changing China

Get a perspective on where China is headed in the future and how it has already changed from the past in these lectures.

42. Lessons from Japanese and Chinese Education: Get some ideas on why these countries excel in the math and sciences and what we can do to learn from them in this lecture.
43. The Last Days of Old Beijing: Learn how Beijing has changed since its early days and where it’s headed in the future from this lecture.
44. China’s Newly Rich: Take a listen to this lecture on the rising upper and middle classes in China.
45. The "Me" Generation of China: Here you can gain an understanding of some of the social and cultural phenomena affecting the youth of China today.
46. China and India: Future of Past Traditions: This lecture takes a look at a number of Chinese and Indian artists and examines their work in the context of the modern world and traditional practices.
47. Population in Modern China: Learn about some of the major population issues in China and how they are having a big impact on the country today.
48. Gaming in China: China is a huge market for gaming, and this lecture discusses how EA is developing games for local markets.
49. Global Space Agenda: China: This lecture will explain some of China’s present and future plans for space exploration.
50. The Great Transformation: Take a look at this lecture to see how China has transformed itself from the Maoist days to the consumer superpower it is today.

February 1st, 2010

One surprising side effect of the online education boom has been the good health many online students have experienced by earning their education at home.  Surely the creators of online schools did not think of this effect when they came up with the concept of online education, but in recent months it has become one factor that has attracted many students around the globe.

The H1N1 scare last year indicated that people around our nation are worried about the spread of diseases and are especially concerned about the easy accessibility germs have in public arenas.  Online education has offered an attractive solution to these individuals and offers a peace of mind to many parents.  While most online students still travel to work everyday in addition to their schooling, it seems that germs are more easily spread in the classroom than in the workroom.  It is certainly true that students are in more cramped quarters than co-workers and is also true that online students have the flexibility of working from home and taking online classes from their personal computer.  This in turn has led to a clean bill of health for many students.

As a result from these statistics, some students have enrolled in online colleges solely to avoid the H1N1 scare or other viruses that are easily spread in college classrooms such as the common flu or meningitis.  Online college students do not need to go to class with worries of diseases or viruses lurking in their desks or in their classmate seated to the right of them.  Rather, they can instead focus on their studies and complete their work without the worry of getting sick from doing it.  This is a new realm in education and while the field was not created with the purpose of avoiding mass outbreaks, it does serve that purpose.

When we were concerned last year that H1N1 would become a global epidemic, many individuals considered online education to be a saving grace within this type of scare.  It guaranteed that you did not have to go to classes filled with 50-plus classmates and could instead ward off the potential virus from the comfort of your own home.  While this is not necessarily a healthy way to live your life (in fear of diseases), it does serve its purpose in extreme bouts of flu outbreaks, such as that which happens every winter in certain areas of the country.  

January 31st, 2010

Between work at school, work you take home, and juggling family responsibilities, it may seem impossible to stay current on what is happening in the education field. Luckily, you can check out a few of these videos any time you have a few minutes in between all that you do so that you can learn about everything, from how learning can be nurtured to the role of community in education to the future of education–and a few other topics as well. Sit back and take a look at these videos that every educator should watch.

On Learning and Creativity

Take a look at these videos that all touch on the act of learning, how to enhance it, and how to nurture creativity.

1. Sugata Mitra shows how kids teach themselves. Learn about Mitra’s project called "Hole in the Wall" that shows how children will learn on their own without any guidance or formal teaching. Mitra also speaks about the implications of his findings on learning and education.
2. Woody Norris invents amazing things. Norris shares two of his inventions that can change the way we think about sound, then goes on to discuss his perspective on invention and education, which includes hands-on learning.
3. Stuart Brown says play is more than fun. Using examples from the natural world, Brown shows how play is an integral part of life and how it can change behaviors. He also describes how play contributes to happy and healthy people.
4. Tim Brown on creativity and play. Brown discusses the relationship between creative thinking and play and how this relationship can be nurtured, emphasizing his point with examples anyone can try.
5. Jonathan Drori on what we think we know. Educators who would like to discover better ways to help students learn will want to watch this lecture by an expert on culture and educational media. Drori examines how ideas take root and how difficult it is to lose ideas once they are there–even if they are incorrect.
6. Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity. Robinson is a creativity expert and shares his knowledge about nurturing creativity in the educational setting. This humorous lecture examines how the current educational system works to eliminate the natural curiosity children are born with.
7. Ben Dunlap talks about a passionate life. Dunlap’s lecture focuses on passionate living and passionate learning as he discovered through those he has known in life.
8. Michelle Obama’s plea for education. The first lady speaks to a girl’s school in the UK about the importance of strength, dignity, and compassion and applying these qualities to education. She also discusses empowerment that is gained through education.
9. Bill Gates’ talk on mosquitoes, malaria and education. Bill Gates starts out this lecture discussing his project to eliminate malaria, then moves on to his ideas on how to make a teacher great.

Administration, Reform, and the Future of Education

Principals supporting teachers, changes in the classroom that can enhance learning, and mentoring new principals are just a few of the topics here.

10. Principal Mentoring: The Push for New School Leaders. Facing a crisis with the potential loss of 40% of current principals over a projected 10-year period, a growing movement across the country began mentoring educators to become effective principals.
11. Teacher Support: Sherman Oaks Community Charter School. The principal at this school supports teachers with access to continuing education, more planning time, and other important activities without all the stress typically involved when trying to juggle responsibilities.
12. Bill Joy muses on what’s next. Looking to the future, this co-founder of Sun Microsystems examines possibilities society can take to ensure positive growth in the areas of health, education, and technology.
13. RSA Lectures – Howard Gardner – Future Minds. Gardner lectures on nurturing mental capacities for a global world. Then his lecture is followed up by a group of teachers talking about implementing his ideas in their classrooms.
14. RSA Lectures – Stephen Heppell – Learning 2016. Find out what Heppell think about the future of learning and what it may look like in 2016 in this 2006 lecture given to teachers in the UK.
15. Fixing problems in K-12 education. Watch this video to see one way that New Schools is working to eliminate the financial inequality in schools between low- and high-income communities.
16. Patrick Awuah on educating leaders. After leaving Microsoft, Awuah returned to his home in Ghana and helped establish a liberal arts college. He shares his experience in Africa and provides his thoughts on the importance of a liberal arts education to create true leaders.
17. Neuroscience, Schools and the Future. Four scientists discuss how the typical school day can be changed for the better to enhance learning in students.

Community and Education

Community is a vital part of successful education. These videos focus on several aspects of community’s contribution to education.

18. Parents as part of the K-12 learning community. Learn about how GreatSchools.net is working to educate and empower parents to become a more informed part of their child’s educational experience.
19. Dave Eggers’ wish: Once Upon a School. Eggers talks about his tutoring center, 826 Valencia, and how it has helped so many children and inspired adults to become involved in education.
20. Ann Cooper talks school lunches. Ann Cooper is passionate about serving local, sustainable, and organic food to students and shares her role doing just that as the head of nutrition at Berkeley schools. She discusses why the community should care about how we are feeding the children, how to change children’s relationship with food in a positive way, and other topics such as big business’ role, childhood obesity, and sustainability.
21. Teacher Education in a Multicultural Society – Dr. Etta Hollins. Dr. Hollins discusses preparing teachers for working more effectively in a multicultural society in a lecture from the Rossier School of Education’s TEMS Program.
22. Neil Turok makes his TED Prize wish. This physicist shares his wish to provide opportunities for the future of Africa through nurturing the creativity found in the young people there. Turok uses his math and science background to understand why and how Africa has been left behind, and how that can be rectified.
23. Joseph Lekuton tells a parable for Kenya. This member of parliament in Kenya discusses the importance of education to children in Africa. He shares his vision for making his dream become a reality.

Specific Subjects

These videos focus on more specific issues that deal with teaching math as a social activity, work others have done in the field of science education, teaching storytelling, and much more.

24. Teach Area and Perimeter Using Google Earth. A fourth grade teachers takes viewers through an engaging math lesson using Google Earth as a tool.
25. Cooperative Arithmetic: How to Teach Math as a Social Activity. This master teacher shares how you can teach math as a social and emotional lesson.
26. The Abacus-How to Use This Ancient Wonder. If you would like to offer your students a math and culture lesson together, watch this video to learn how to use both the Japanese and Chinese abacus for teaching math techniques in the today’s classroom.
27. Teaching Storytelling in the Classroom. Educators discuss the storytelling experience as children tell stories themselves in this video that shows the value of teaching storytelling.
28. for teachers: Videos (Teaching Evolution Case Studies). PBS provides four videos filmed in actual classrooms that demonstrate how these educators teach evolution.
29. Paul Sereno digs up dinosaurs. This paleontologist tells about a teaching project designed to recruit students that might typically have poor performance in science and technology and how it helps them move on to college.
30. Mae Jemison on teaching arts and sciences together. Jemison discusses the importance of teaching arts and sciences together in an effort to provide an education that balances intuition and logic. Jemison believes that educating students in this manner creates strong thinkers.
31. David Hoffman shares his Sputnik mania. Take a look at this filmmaker’s documentary, Sputnik Mania, where Hoffman describes how the space and arms race lead to an inspirational movement in math and science education.

Special Education

From peer-to-peer learning to assistive technology, watch these videos to learn about topics relevant to special education.

32. Edutopia AT Video. Watch this video to discover what type of assistive technology is available for students with special needs and see how this technology can transform the learning experience for these students.
33. School Matters–Coping with Bereavement. When catastrophe strikes, teachers must frequently help students deal with the grieving process. Learn how schools can make a difference in helping students deal with bereavement.
34. Peer-to-Peer Learning: Kids Helping Kids with Autism. Take a look at how typically-developing children interact with children with autism in this program that helps teach social skills to children on the spectrum.
35. Whole Schooling Video Project. This site offers video clips on a wide range of special education topics, including inclusion, assistive technology, and teaching community.
36. Temple Grandin – Focus on Autism and Asperger’s. Temple Grandin, famous for giving her first-hand insight on the way the autistic brain works, talks about autism spectrum disorders in the classroom in this video.

Arts and Physical Education

The arts and physical education are an integral part of a child’s education, but often overlooked when it comes to funding. See what these videos have to say about the role these subjects play in education.

37. Funding for arts and sports. Kim Smith discusses the need for funding all children in arts, sports, and other important extracurricular activities in schools.
38. Art Works: Integrating Creativity in the Curriculum. This art academy has discovered how to nurture students’ passion for the arts while also teaching the basics.
39. A Conversation with Martin Scorsese: The Importance of Visual Literacy. Martin Scorsese discusses the importance of teaching and learning visual literacy so that students do not blindly follow what is presented to them.
40. Learning and Working in the Collaborative Age: A New Model for the Workplace. New media is a hot topic, and Pixar University’s Randy Nelson discusses what he believes schools must do to prepare students for careers in this field.
41. Smart Moves: The New PE. This video provides great activities that are designed to strengthen both the body and the mind.
42. Student Body: Classroom Exercises Make Learning Lively. Often getting students moving can boost their ability to focus. Find out about four techniques that you can use in the classroom to get your students focused and energized.
43. Yoga Across the Curriculum. This teacher introduced yoga into the classroom with amazing results beyond physical fitness.
44. Jose Abreu on kids transformed by music. Abreu founded a Venezuelan youth orchestra, El Sistema, and shares his goal of spreading music throughout Venezuela and the world as a tool for social change and empowerment.
45. Gustavo Dudamel leads El Sistema’s top youth orchestra. Now watch the students that are in the top youth orchestra in El Sistema perform Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, 2nd movement and Arturo Marquez’s Danzon No. 2.
46. Bill Strickland makes change with a slide show. Strickland grew up in a tough neighborhood, but found his successful future through ceramics. He has since watched the power of fine arts inspire at-risk children and advocates the arts as an important part of education.

Technology

Learn about technological advances that will likely play a role in the future of education when you watch these videos.

47. Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child. The founder of the MIT Media Lab discusses his program called "One Laptop Per Child, " which aspires to build $100 pedal-powered laptops and distribute them to children in developing countries around the world in an effort to promote education.
48. David Merrill demos Siftables. Siftables are tiny computers that interact in amazing ways and offer interesting new approaches to teaching art, math, science, language arts, and more.
49. Richard Baraniuk on open-source learning. Baraniuk is the founder of Connexions, an open-source education system, and discusses the benefits of open source for educators.
50. Alan Kay shares a powerful idea about ideas. Kay talks about techniques for educating children by relying on computers to illustrate experiences and complex ideas.

January 24th, 2010

If you’re a consummate procrastinator–despite your best efforts to be otherwise–then you’ve undoubtedly waited until the last minute to start that research paper or read that book more than once. Here you’ll find a collection of resources that can help you cram for tests, understand the main ideas of a work of literature, do your math homework and a whole lot more so your procrastination won’t send your college career down the tubes.

Study Guides

These study guides can help you understand literary metaphors, summarize readings and give you the tools necessary to muddle through the densest of texts.

1. SparkNotes: Whether you’re reading Shakespeare or something a little more modern, you’ll find helpful study guides and notes on this site.
2. PinkMonkey: Here you’ll find over 460 study guides you can use for free to better understand just about any work of classic literature.
3. BookRags: This site is home to study guides and summaries aplenty, as well as information for research topics.
4. Bibliomania: Search through study guides on this site by title or author.
5. Study Guides and Strategies: Try out this site for some ideas on how to study better as well as some more specifically designed study guides for reading and math.
6. CollegeCram: This site is a great place to find social learning resources from study guides to shared notes.
7. Bartleby.com: Lose your book? On this site you’ll find a collection of many works of literature as well as helpful study resources as well.
8. Free Book Notes: This site is essentially a free online version of CliffsNotes.
9. Shmoop: There are loads of literature guides available on this site as well as other teaching materials you can use for learning.
10. LitSum: If you didn’t bother to do your reading, you can find basic summaries of well-known books on this site.
11. GradeSaver: On this site you’ll find a great number of study guides as well as example essays and other learning tools.

Study Tools

Use these study tools to quiz yourself, solve math problems and cram at the last minute.

12. QuickMath: Use this site to get answers to math problems quickly and easily over the Internet.
13. Cramster.com: Join study groups, get answers to your questions and find help with textbooks on this study site.
14. TutorLinker: If you are struggling to work on your own, use this site to find a tutor to help.
15. FlashcardExchange: Create, study, print and share flashcards of all kinds on this site.
16. PocketMod: Make your class notes small so you can take them with you and study them anywhere you go.
17. StudyStack: On this site you can use flashcards made by others or create your own to use.
18. Quizlet: This tool can help you study more effectively for just about any subject out there.
19. Flashcard Machine: Use this tool to build helpful flashcards so you can study better.
20. StudyRails: Try out a free trials of this tool designed to help keep you organized, help you study and eliminate those pesky distractions available when you do work online.
21. Mathway: Use this tool to get easy answers to your math homework or to double check your work.

Sharing Notes

On these sites you’ll be able to share your notes and get notes from others from classes you might have missed.

22. Notely: On Notely you can store and share your notes as well as keep track of your assignments and schedule.
23. MyNoteit: Use this tool to take, store and share your notes in an online format.
24. NoteCentric: Get notes from others and share your own on this site.
25. Stu.dicio.us: This site acts as a social note-taking forum so you don’t have to work alone.
26. NoteMesh: Fill in any gaps there may be in your notes with help from this site and your classmates.
27. ShareNotes: With this site you can look through class notes for free and also make a profit selling your own notes.
28. GradeGuru: Share and search for notes from your courses on this site.
29. StudyBlue: This tool makes it simple to keep track of your notes and connect with others who have taken or are taking your courses.
30. ShareCourseware.org: Find free lecture notes on this site.
31. FruitNotes: This site acts as an online notebook, making it simple to share work with friends, make voice recordings and even add photos.
32. Helipad: Sick of searching through your notes for important facts? This tool makes it easy to store and search through all your notes.

Reference

If you need to look up any kind of basic information from word translations to a more intelligent sounding word, these tools will help.

33. Dictionary.com: Look up just about any word you could need the definition for on this site.
34. Wikipedia: While it won’t hold up as a citation on a research paper, it can give you a great starting point for your real research.
35. RhymeZone: Writing a poem or a song? This site will help you come up with great rhymes when you’re at a loss.
36. ArtLex: Look up art terms you don’t understand in this free online dictionary.
37. Webopedia: Don’t understand all those techie terms? This dictionary is here to help.
38. Dictionary of Algorithms: On this site you’ll find a collection of algorithms and other data structures.
39. Biographical Dictionary: Check out this resource for information on the lives of tens of thousands of people.
40. Roget’s Thesaurus: Make your writing sound fancier by finding synonyms in this free thesaurus.
41. BabelFish: Translate basic phrases and webpages from another language into your own with this tool.
42. WordReference: Look up words in English, Spanish, French, Italian and more on this site.
43. Visual Dictionary: If you’re more of a visually oriented person, this dictionary can help you understand a myriad of concepts.

Research

Augment and speed up your research with these helpful tools.

44. Ottobib: Simply enter in the reference information into this tool and you’ll get an instantly rendered citation in MLA, APA, and Chicago style.
45. Zotero: This Firefox extension can help you organize and track your research from beginning to end.
46. WizFolio: Manage your references and cite them when you’re done with this tool.
47. EasyBib: Use this tool to ensure that you’re citing your sources correctly when you turn in your paper.
48. Bibme: Add your reference material to this site and it will generate a bibliography for you.
49. CiteULike: This tool allows you to search for and manage a wealth of scholarly resources.
50. Delicious: Bookmark sites that look promising for research on this site.
51. Backpack: While designed with business in mind, this tool can be an excellent way to manage your research projects as well.
52. WorldCat: Find just about any book you could need using this site that searches the world’s libraries, letting you know where you can find it nearest to you.
53. Google Scholar: Use this search engine to scan through loads of helpful scholarly articles.
54. High Beam Research: Search through thousands of reputable sources for research materials using this site.
55. Diana Hacker: This site will help you to double check your citations to make sure they’re done correctly.
56. GoogleBooks: You can often find some extremely useful books you can look through for free on this site.

Writing

Improve your writing and get a little help in the process from these tools.

57. Viper Plagiarism Checker: Ensure that your work is free from any plagiarism by using this tool. With its help, you can make sure you’ve cited any resources.
58. Etherpad: Those who have to rush to turn in a group project can use this tool to work together at once online.
59. GoogleDocs: Take your writing with you whether you are at home or at the library with this online word processor.
60. Eduify: This site knows that writing isn’t always easy and offers tutorials, writing samples, help with citations and even stores your writing online.
61. Elements of Style: Check through this classic book to make sure you’re sticking to correct grammar and style.
62. Ultimate Style: Here is a more updated version of the Elements of Style you can look to for help.
63. Technical Writing: Those who work with more technical subjects should consult this guide.
64. WordCounter: This tool will tell you what words you’ve used most frequently in your text so you can make sure you’re not repeating the same things over and over.
65. Verbix: Use this tool to conjugate any English verb correctly.
66. Advanced Text Analyzer: Create a profile on this site and you’ll be able to use the text tools to analyze your work, determining a wealth of information that can help you improve your writing.
67. yWriter: Try out this word processor that’s designed just for writing stories and novels.
68. Scholar’s Aid Lite: The free version of this tool will give you a place to write your paper, organize your notes, cite sources and more.

Presentation

Use these tools to put together a last minute presentation.

69. Sliderocket: This online tool uses drag and drop functionality to make it simple to create great presentations.
70. Slideshare: Whether you’re working together or by yourself this tool will make creating presentations a cinch.
71. ZohoShow: Use this open source tool to build presentations, if you don’t have another program to do so.
72. Prezi: Create great presentations on the web using this impressive tool.
73. Jing: Use the free version of this tool to easy snap pictures of your screen and create great presentations.
74. 280Slides: Try out this presentation tool to make sure you’re prepared for your class.

Productivity

Remind yourself of your important tasks with these tools.

75. Ta-Da Lists: Create an easy-to-use to-do list using this free tool, a big help in keeping your work on track.
76. Toodledoo: Organize your tasks and improve your productivity using this tool.
77. 30 Boxes: This online calendar can help make sure you don’t forget upcoming due dates.
78. Stickies: As you’re doing your research, use these stickies to make notes to yourself for later.
79. Remember the Milk: Whether you want to track your social schedule or make sure you get all of your homework done, this tool can help.
80. HassleMe: This tool will incessantly remind you of tasks you need to get done so you have no excuses about forgetting.
81. Bla-Bla List: You can use this list-making tool to create your own to-dos or create a set for your group.
82. Diigo: This tool will help you organize all of your important research and keep everything easy to find.
83. WebNotes: Manage and make notations on your research using this time-saving tool.
84. A.nnotate: Try out this tool to make searching for and storing information on the Internet easy and more productive.

Brainstorming and Organizing

Pull your ideas together and get your information organized using these tools.

85. Thinkature: This site allows users to create mindmaps of their ideas and easily share them with others.
86. FreeMind: Check out this free mind mapping software to better organize your ideas.
87. Bubble.us: Keep all of your material and ideas for projects in order with this tool.
88. WiseMapping: This open source tool makes it simple to lay out outlines and organize information for a paper.
89. Mapul: This tool takes a different approach to mind mapping, creating outlines that are much more organic in nature.
90. View Your Mind: Insert pictures, links and other information into your mindmap using this tool.
91. Gliffy: If a flow chart is more akin to what you need, then try out this free tool.
92. Mindomo: With this tool you’ll be able to organize, get productive, define goals and track what you need to get done.
93. Manage My Ideas: Try out this demo to get a leg up in organizing any project you’re working on.
94. DeepaMehta: Keep all of the information and ideas you’ve complied for your paper organized using this software.
95. The Brain: Pick your own brain using this mind mapping software that’s incredibly fully-featured.

Miscellaneous

From writing help to printable graph paper, these tools offer a range of assistance in finishing homework and projects.

96. ProBoards: Use these forums to post your homework and project questions.
97. Spreeder: Learn how to speed read using this site.
98. Printable Paper: Need specialized graph or printed paper but don’t have any lying around? It’s no problem with this site.
99. PDF Creator: This tool will help you to turn any kind of document into a PDF.
100. Box.net: Need to store some data online? This tool will make it easy to store and access the important things you need.