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Welcome to LESTER!

LESTER (Learning Science and Technology Repository), an online community and database focused on innovations in learning science and technology (LST), profiles innovative research projects and researchers. Registered users can add, update, or modify records about their projects and organization, thereby keeping the information accurate and up-to-date. Registration is not required to search or browse the database.

Developed by Rice University's ETRAC with the support of Microsoft Research, LESTER supports the development and application of innovative learning methods and technologies. Users can search or browse the database of over 800 records, participate in online discussions, contribute new information, or read more about LESTER.

Note: This site works best in Internet Explorer 5.5+.


News and Features

 
Major new study shatters stereotypes about teens and video games
"The first national survey of its kind finds that virtually all American teens play computer, console, or cell phone games and that the gaming experience is rich and varied, with a significant amount of social interaction and potential for civic engagement."   read more...
ISTE announces updated National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T)
You can find the update at the ISTE website.   read more...
America's Top Wired Colleges, 2008 Edition
The Princeton Review and PC World reveal the top 20 high-tech U.S. college campuses—and just what makes them digitally advanced.   read more...
School takes modern approach to student exams
"Not long ago it would have been called cheating, but students at a Sydney girls' school are now being encouraged to take their phones, laptops and MP3s into exams and even phone a friend if they want help with a question."   read more...
Next-generation program reveals how a student's mind processes information
"Developed by researcher Mogens Jensen, these online programs reportedly can map a student's behavior, both mentally and emotionally, and then suggest a highly customized solution for growth as the student develops academically."   read more...
Studies suggest the benefits of playing video games go well beyond thrills
The study found the game encouraged scientific thinking, such as using systems and models for understanding situations and using math and testing to investigate a problem.   read more...
Project-based online learning model proves its value
"Five years ago, the government gave computers to students at two schools in high-crime neighborhoods in Birmingham. For the students, a Web-based portal is the virtual doorway for assignments, school social activities, online mentoring, discussion groups and e-mail... Today, the schools are among the top in the nation in yearly improvements in students’ performance in reading and math tests."   read more...
Postyourtest.com raises ethical concerns
"Experts say sites like Postyourtest.com could change the way professors assemble their tests, aware that previous versions of their questions might be available in cyberspace."   read more...
Congress: Schools must clamp down on file sharing
"Colleges and universities soon will be required to take measures to combat illegal file sharing on campus and ensure that students enrolled in online classes are the ones taking their tests."   read more...
Free software applications aim to make research easier
"Microsoft’s research group has announced a set of free software tools designed to improve the interoperability of programs that scholars and academics currently use and better meet their research needs."   read more...
More...
Latest Projects

 
Math Playground
Summary:  "Math Playground was created by teachers who are passionionate about math and technology. Many of th" (...)
Created Date:  9/19/2008
 
elearnspace
Summary:  "This site and blog explore elearning, knowledge management, networks, technology, and community." (...)
Created Date:  9/19/2008
 
WiZiQ
Summary:  "WiZiQ is a place where you can teach and learn using an easy-to-use Virtual Classroom. You are welc" (...)
Created Date:  9/19/2008
 
Roy the Zebra (RTZ)
Summary:  "The site is home to a package of interactive games, stories and resources that have been developed " (...)
Created Date:  9/19/2008
 
LectureShare
Summary:  "LectureShare lets instructors post lecture notes to their students, or the world, quickly and easil" (...)
Created Date:  9/19/2008
 
ICT Games
Summary:  "This site provides educational ICT activites linked to the English National Curriculum. These games " (...)
Created Date:  9/19/2008
 
Web 2.0 Cool Tools for Schools
Summary:  "A large collection of programs and online applications that can be used as part of a teaching curicu" (...)
Created Date:  9/19/2008
 
The Flat Classroom Project
Summary:  "The Flat Classroom Project is a global, collaborative project using Web 2.0 tools to foster communi" (...)
Created Date:  9/18/2008
 
Picturing America
Summary:  "An initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities brings masterpieces of American art into" (...)
Created Date:  9/18/2008
 
Studio 4 Learning
Summary:  "Studio 4 Learning is a free repository of instructional videos for a variety of K-12 disciplines." (...)
Created Date:  9/18/2008
 
The Periodic Table of Videos
Summary:  "Tables charting the chemical elements have been around since the 19th century - but this modern ver" (...)
Created Date:  9/18/2008
 
The Great Plant Escape
Summary:  "A resource for 4-5th grade studying plants." (...)
Created Date:  9/18/2008
 
WebPlay
Summary:  "WebPlay offers imaginative projects designed to link primary school children in different localities" (...)
Created Date:  9/17/2008
 
PRISM
Summary:  "PRISM is a free website that provides collections of online resources for Indiana educators in the " (...)
Created Date:  9/17/2008
 
Open Textbook
Summary:  "Open Text Book is a registry of textbooks (and related materials) which are open — that is free for" (...)
Created Date:  9/8/2008
 
Digital Research Tools wiki
Summary:  "This wiki collects information about tools and resources that can help scholars (particularly in the" (...)
Created Date:  9/8/2008
 

Funding Opportunities

 
NSF Computational Science Training for Undergraduates in the Mathematical Sciences (CSUMS)   
Summary:  "The goal of Computational Science Training for Undergraduates in the Mathematical Sciences (CSUMS) "(More Info)
Rewarding Schools for Engaging Students   
Summary:  "The Best Buy Teach Award program recognizes creative uses of interactive technology in K-12 classro"(More Info)
THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE MEASUREMENT OF CLASSROOM QUALITY   
Summary:  "The Spencer Foundation and the William T. Grant Foundation, in collaboration, reopen our grants com"(More Info)
Excellence in Teaching Technology   
Summary:  "This award recognizes and encourages the integration of a quality technology education program withi"(More Info)
NSF Discovery Research K-12 (DR-K12)   
Summary:  "The Discovery Research K-12 (DR-K12) program seeks to enable significant advances in K-12 student a"(More Info)
Learning and Teaching Innovation Grants   
Summary:  "JISC invites institutions to submit funding proposals for projects to undertake work under the third"(More Info)
Science of Learning Centers (SLC)   
Summary:  "The Science of Learning Centers program (SLC) offers awards for large-scale, long-term Centers that"(More Info)
NSF Cyber-Enabled Discovery and Innovation (CDI)   
Summary:  "Cyber-Enabled Discovery and Innovation (CDI) is NSF’s bold five-year initiative to create revolutio"(More Info)
Toyota TAPESTRY   
Summary:  "Toyota offers grants to K-12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education"(More Info)
NSF Community-based Data Interoperability Networks (INTEROP)   
Summary:  "Digital data are increasingly both the products of research and the starting point for new research "(More Info)

Conferences

 
Handheld Learning Conference 2008   
Summary:  "The Handheld Learning Conference is the international signature event for learning using mobile or u"(More Info)
Georgia Educational Technology Conference   
Summary:  "With a wide variety of strands and topics, the GaETC will benefit teachers, media specialists, tech"(More Info)
National Association for the Education of Young Children   
Summary:  "NAEYC conferences bring together early childhood educators representing many roles -- teaching staf"(More Info)
Ubiquitous Learning Conference 2008   
Summary:  "The Ubiquitous Learning Conference investigates the uses of technologies in learning, including dev"(More Info)
11th Annual Accessing Higher Ground   
Summary:  "Accessing Higher Ground focuses on the implementation and benefits of Assistive Technology in the un"(More Info)
2008 NCTE Annual Convention   
Summary:  "Join thousands of K-12 teachers, college faculty, administrators, and other educational professional"(More Info)
FETC 2009   
Summary:  "The conference program is designed so educators and administrators have an opportunity to learn how"(More Info)
International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics   
Summary:  "ICTCM is for anyone interested in or already using technology to teach mathematics. Helpful hands-o"(More Info)
TechEd 2009   
Summary:  "A K through 20 educational event, we strive to bring thousands of educators and administrators toge"(More Info)
2009 Instructional Technology Conference   
Summary:  "For thirteen years, the Instructional Technology Conference has provided thousands of higher educat"(More Info)
International Conference on College Teaching and Learning   
Summary:  "This is the twentieth year of a highly successful international conference stressing the applicatio"(More Info)
LIBRARIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE (LIDA) 2009   
Summary:  "The annual international conference and course Libraries in the Digital Age (LIDA) addresses the cha"(More Info)
More...