Resource Center: OER Collection

Big Universe

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:31:18 CDT

Title:	Big Universe
Subject:	Reading, Language Arts
Level:	Primary, Elementary (PK-5) Primary, Middle (6-8)
Description:	"Big Universe® is an online community where kids, parents, teachers, publishers, authors, illustrators, librarians, and others come together to explore the exciting world of online children's books. We offer hundreds of fiction and non-fiction children's books readable directly on our website, a self-publishing tool to create & publish children's books, blogs on relevant topics, and an online virtual shopping mall for children's books."
Site:	http://www.biguniverse.com/

Dimensions

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:14:12 CDT

Title:	Dimensions
Subject:	Mathematics
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	"A walk through mathematics-- Nine chapters, two hours of maths, that take you gradually up to the fourth dimension. Mathematical vertigo guaranteed! Background information on every chapter: see "Details". Free download and you can watch the films online! Commentary in Arabic, English, French and Spanish. Subtitles in Arabic, Dutch, Chinese, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian." This film is a very cool way to do math! Interesting, and carefully explained.
Site:	http://www.dimensions-math.org/Dim_E.htm

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 23:18:36 CDT

Title:	Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Subject:	Philosophy
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP) was designed so that each entry is maintained and kept up to date by an expert or group of experts in the field. All entries and substantive updates are refereed by the members of a distinguished Editorial Board before they are made public. The SEP's dynamic reference work maintains academic standards while evolving and adapting in response to new research. You can cite fixed editions that are created on a quarterly basis and stored in the Archives (every entry contains a link to its complete archival history, identifying the fixed edition the reader should cite). The Table of Contents lists entries that are published or assigned. The Projected Table of Contents also lists entries which are currently unassigned but nevertheless projected.
Site:	http://plato.stanford.edu

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:25:22 CDT

Title:	Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Subject:	Philosophy
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	An exhaustive, authoritative collection of articles on all things Philosophical.
Site:	http://www.iep.utm.edu/

Shakespeare's Sonnets

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:18:45 CDT

Title:	Shakespeare's Sonnets
Subject:	Literature, British
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	It's not the prettiest site, or the easiest to read, but it does have the full text of Shakespeare's sonnets with commentary (even line by line). Also has links to images of Shakespeare's London and other documents that illustrate Shakespeare's era.
Site:	http://www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/

Introduction to Economic Analysis

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:24:57 CDT

Title:	Introduction to Economic Analysis
Subject:	Economics, Mathematics
Level:	Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	This is the "Open Source Introduction to Microeconomics", by R. Preston McAfee, of the California Institute of Technology--a free downloadable textbook. Abstract: "This book presents introductory economics ("principles") material using standard mathematical tools, including calculus. It is designed for a relatively sophisticated undergraduate who has not taken a basic university course in economics. It also contains the standard intermediate microeconomics material and some material that ought to be standard but is not. The book can easily serve as an intermediate microeconomics text. The focus of this book is on the conceptual tools and not on fluff. Most microeconomics texts are mostly fluff and the fluff market is exceedingly over-served by $100+ texts. In contrast, this book reflects the approach actually adopted by the majority of economists for understanding economic activity. There are lots of models and equations and no pictures of economists."
Site:	http://www.introecon.com/

Roller Coaster Designer

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:17:09 CDT

Title:	Roller Coaster Designer
Subject:	Science, Physics
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	This is a game where you design your own roller coaster, and learn the principles of friction, weight, reaction, and acceleration. Deceptively simple, but the creator must take into account the safety and enjoyment of the passengers.
Site:	http://puzzling.caret.cam.ac.uk/game.php?game=roller

3D-XplorMath

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:52:24 CDT

Title:	3D-XplorMath
Subject:	Mathematics
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	"3D-XplorMath is a Mathematical Visualization program. It presents itself as a gallery of interesting mathematical objects, ranging from planar and space curves to polyhedra and surfaces to ordinary and partial differential equations, and fractals. Morever, the carefully chosen default parameters and viewing options may be changed by the user so that the gallery is turned into a experimental lab. Every exhibit has its own online documentation with suggestions for how to explore it further." Includes the Virtual Math Museum.
Site:	http://3d-xplormath.org/

Constructor

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:31:37 CDT

Title:	Constructor
Subject:	Physics, Mechanics
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	Sodaconstructor is a construction kit for interactive creations using masses and springs. By altering physical properties like gravity, friction, and speed, curiously anthropomorphic models can be made to walk, climb, wriggle, jiggle, or collapse into a writhing heap.
Site:	http://sodaplay.com/creators/soda/items/constructor

Book Adventure

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:10:19 CDT

Title:	Book Adventure
Subject:	Reading, Language Arts
Level:	Primary, Elementary (PK-5) Primary, Middle (6-8)
Description:	"Book Adventure is a FREE reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Children create their own book lists from over 7,000 recommended titles, take multiple choice quizzes on the books they've read, and earn points and prizes for their literary successes. Book Adventure was created by and is maintained by Sylvan Learning."
Site:	http://www.bookadventure.com/

Universe Sandbox

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 17:03:05 CDT

Title:	Universe Sandbox
Subject:	Physics, Astrophysics, Science
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	"Smash planets together, introduce rogue stars, and build new worlds from spinning discs of debris. Fire a moon into a planet or destroy everything you've created with a super massive black hole. You can simulate and interact with: •Our solar system: the 8 planets,160+ moons, and hundreds of asteroids •Nearest 1000 stars to our Sun •Our local group of galaxies •An unlimited number of fictional scenarios Tinker with your creation or sit back and watch the effects of gravity unfold. It's fun, accessible, and easy to use." This is for Windows only. Free to use for the first 60 minutes, and then you set your own price to purchase a user-license. Further info.
Site:	http://universesandbox.com/

Hellenica

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:50:20 CDT

Title:	Hellenica
Subject:	History, Cultural Studies, Social Studies
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	Kind of an old-school site, and almost entirely text-based with just a few videos--this is an incredibly complete compilation of all things Greek. From Ancient to Modern Greece, literature to science and technology, biographies to fauna and flora--this is a good resource for the self-learner or for a student seeking specific information or writing a report. If there were a free textbook called simply "Greece", this would be it.
Site:	http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Greeks.htm

The Bicycle Tutor

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:38:47 CDT

Title:	The Bicycle Tutor
Subject:	Bicycle Repair, Mechanics
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	Created by self-described "bicycle geek" Alex Ramon, The Bicycle Tutor exists to teach people how to fix their own bikes. His goal is to have up to 200 videos on the site. You can even request your own tutorials.
Site:	http://bicycletutor.com/

Victorian Web, The

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:39:27 CDT

Title:	Victorian Web, The
Subject:	History, Literature, Art, Humanities
Level:	Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	An exhaustive text-based course in all things related to the Age of Victoria. Created by George P. Landow, Professor of English and Art History, Brown University.
Site:	http://www.victorianweb.org/index.html

Immune Attack-An Educational Video Game

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:15:42 CDT

Title:	Immune Attack-An Educational Video Game
Subject:	Science, Biology
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	The Federation of American Scientists presents Immune Attack™, an educational video game that introduces basic concepts of human immunology to high school and entry-level college students. Designed as a supplemental learning tool, Immune Attack aims to excite students about the subject, while also illuminating general principles and detailed concepts of immunology.
Site:	http://fas.org/immuneattack/

PenguinScience

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:10:28 CDT

Title:	PenguinScience
Subject:	Environmental Science, Zoology
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	PenguinScience is a companion site to a DVD, but it offers video clips, analysis, and various other learning tools to teach about climate ecosystem change and its effect on penguins in particular.
Site:	http://www.penguinscience.com

Reading Marx's Capital

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:27:40 CDT

Title:	Reading Marx's Capital
Subject:	Philosophy
Level:	Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	"A close reading of the text of Karl Marx's Capital Volume I in 13 video lectures by David Harvey. David Harvey is a Distinguished Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY) and author of various books, articles and lectures. He has been teaching Karl Marx's Capital for nearly 40 years." This is "talking head" lecturing, but it's an excellent way to read a complex text and get understanding.
Site:

Palabea

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:17:52 CDT

Title:	Palabea
Subject:	Languages
Level:	Post-secondary, College, University Professional
Description:	"Palabea.net’s primary objective is to improve language learning, regardless of whether it’s online or offline. With this aim, Palabea has developed tools for both online and offline language exchange. Users can easily find online language partners from around the globe. And if they want to go offline, they can also find users with similar interests in their hometown and have a “face to face” conversation at the local café." (For this reason, OWL does not recommend this site for learners under age 18.)
Site:	http://www.palabea.net/

Underground Railroad

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:08:22 CDT

Title:	Underground Railroad
Subject:	History, Social Studies
Level:	Primary, Elementary (PK-5) Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	Take the journey from the South to freedom in Canada. Interactive, text-based, but many pictures as well. Gives a good overview of what experiencing the Underground Railroad was like and who the people involved were. From National Geographic.
Site:	http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/j1.html

Collaborative Statistics

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:54:03 CDT

Title:	Collaborative Statistics
Subject:	Mathematics, Statistics
Level:	Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	Connexions offers its first open textbook: Collaborative Statistics, by Barbara Illowsky and Susan Dean, "faculty members at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. The textbook was developed over several years and has been used in courses offered by many California community colleges in regular and honors-level classroom settings and in distance learning classes. This textbook is intended for introductory statistics courses being taken by students at two– and four–year colleges who are majoring in fields other than math or engineering. Intermediate algebra is the only prerequisite. The book focuses on applications of statistical knowledge rather than the theory behind it."
Site:	http://cnx.org/content/col10522/latest/

Science Hack

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:42:41 CDT

Title:	Science Hack
Subject:	Science
Level:	Primary, Elementary (PK-5) Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	A collection of links to science videos (YouTube, for the most part). Easy categorizations, but not extensive so far. A good place to start, though, if you're looking for video supplements.
Site:	http://sciencehack.com/videos/index

Women and the Holocaust

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:31:15 CDT

Title:	Women and the Holocaust
Subject:	History
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	A collection of resources for the study of the Holocaust and how it affected women in particular.
Site:	http://www.theverylongview.com/WATH/home.html

Orbit Runner

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:24:28 CDT

Title:	Orbit Runner
Subject:	Science, Physics
Level:	Primary, Elementary (PK-5) Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	A simple game based on physics. A study of gravitation and how it affects planetary orbit. "Control the Sun with your mouse. Use it to manipulate the planets' paths. The Sun's pull gets stronger as planets get closer. If the gravity is at a right angle to the direction of travel, an orbit can form. Make sure planets don't leave the screen or collide!"
Site:	http://armorgames.com/play/2016/orbitrunner

SoundJunction

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:18:53 CDT

Title:	SoundJunction
Subject:	Music
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	SoundJunction is all about music. You can take music apart and find out how it works, create music yourself, find out how other people make music and how they perform it, you can find out about musical instruments, and look at the backgrounds to different musical styles.
Site:	http://www.soundjunction.org/default.aspa

A People's History for the Classroom

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:09:52 CDT

Title:	A People's History for the Classroom
Subject:	History, Social Studies
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	There are loads of things to buy on this site, but as free/OER goes, "A People's History for the Classroom offers 12 classroom-tested lessons and role plays for key chapters in Howard Zinn's classic text A People's History of the United States. This volume includes a new introductory essay on teaching strategies that align with A People's History of the United States, and collects exemplary teaching articles, lesson plans, and role plays from Rethinking Schools publications." (Free Download-PDF) "The Zinn Education Project promotes and supports the use of A People’s History of the United States in middle and high school classrooms across the country. "The goal is to introduce students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of United States history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula. The empowering potential of studying U.S. history is often lost in a textbook-driven trivial pursuit of names and dates. Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States emphasizes the role of working people, women, people of color, and organized social movements in shaping history. Students learn that history is made not by a few heroic individuals, but instead by people’s choices and actions and therefore students’ own choices and actions also matter."
Site:	http://zinnedproject.org/

Earth Live: Virtual Earth

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:52:25 CDT

Title:	Earth Live: Virtual Earth
Subject:	Science
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	The Earth at Your Fingertips: You've heard about global warming with its subsequent impending ecological disasters, but what's the real story? By connecting you with scientists in the field, current news and visual representations of data from NOAA and NASA, Earth Live will explore climate change and its consequences. The layers that spin across the globe are gathered over the latest 30 days giving you a near-real time glimpse of the state of the earth.
Site:	http://dsc.discovery.com/guides/discovery-earth-live/discovery-earth-live.html

Japanese-American Relocation Digital Archives

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:38:44 CDT

Title:	Japanese-American Relocation Digital Archives
Subject:	Social Studies, History, WWII
Level:	Primary, Elementary (PK-5) Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	JARDA contains thousands of Japanese American internment primary source materials: Personal diaries, letters, photographs, and drawings US War Relocation Authority materials, including camp newsletters, final reports, photographs, and other documents relating to the day-to-day administration of the camps Personal histories documenting the lives of the people who lived in the camps as well as the administrators who created and worked in the camps Explore People, Places, Daily Life, and Personal Experiences. From Calisphere.
Site:	http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/jarda/

OpenLearn-LearningSpace

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:29:46 CDT

Title:	OpenLearn-LearningSpace
Subject:	Tool
Level:	Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	The OpenLearn website gives free access to course materials from The Open University. The LearningSpace is open to learners anywhere in the world. A tool for the lifelong learner and the aspiring university student, this collection of courses is large enough to please the most discerning.
Site:	http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/

OpenLearn Scotland

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:15:35 CDT

Title:	OpenLearn Scotland
Subject:	History, Cultural Studies
Level:	Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	From the Open University--The OpenLearn Scotland collection provides you with the opportunity to access free learning resources of particular relevance to Scotland. You may wish to study a single unit to further your interest in a particular topic or to use the learning experience as an opportunity to assess your level of academic ability prior to studying at university level. By the end of this series of 30 units you should: have a broader understanding of contemporary Scottish society; have a broader understanding of Scottish culture and identity; have an understanding of the various frameworks and standards of professional recognition in Scotland; be aware of the opportunities for further supported study in your chosen area.
Site:	http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3773

SpaceClass

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:05:39 CDT

Title:	SpaceClass
Subject:	Science, Astronomy
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	The first space education program featuring virtual science experiments that simulate research actually being conducted in space, SpaceClass teaches students about science and technology for future missions. It makes learning fun! An interactive program using text, streaming video and animation, SpaceClass meets classroom learning standards. Young actors guide students through the entertaining lessons. Teachers can monitor each student’s progress and performance online.
Site:	http://www.spaceclass.org/default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fcontrolpanel.aspx

Family Tree of the Greek Gods

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:51:32 CDT

Title:	Family Tree of the Greek Gods
Subject:	Language Arts, Mythology
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	An interactive geneaologic map of the Greek Gods. Simple and easy to use.
Site:	http://www.webexhibits.org/greekgods/index.html

The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:48:19 CDT

Title:	The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats
Subject:	Literature, Poetry
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	The National Library of Ireland's fantastic interactive site where one can view their vast collection of Yeats material and memorabilia—like going to the museum without leaving home. Includes videos and "touchable" closeup views of documents that must reside in cases for the in-person museum-goer.
Site:	http://www.nli.ie/yeats/main.html

Electing a US President in Plain English

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:33:17 CDT

Title:	Electing a US President in Plain English
Subject:	Social Studies, Civics
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	A short and simple guide to understanding the election process. (Video, 3:43)
Site:	http://www.commoncraft.com/election

Biology in Motion

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:05:10 CDT

Title:	Biology in Motion
Subject:	Life Science, Biology
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8)
Description:	Topics include cell division, the mammalian cardiovascular system, evolution, enzymes, and much more. Students can practice their knowledge of biology terms in the "Organize It" activity and see an animated explanation of why eating lunch "recharges" the body. Read the Teachers First review of this resource.
Site:	http://www.biologyinmotion.com/

Space Place: NASA for Kids

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:48:20 CDT

Title:

Space Place: NASA for Kids

Subject:

Astronomy, Science

Level:

Primary, Elementary (PK-5)
Primary, Middle (6-8)

Description:

Games, animations, projects, and fun facts about Earth, space and technology.

The Space Place is a joint effort by:

	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
	Jet Propulsion Laboratory
	California Institute of Technology
	International Technology Education Association

Site:

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/

10th Planet--Nova

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:13:13 CDT

Title:	10th Planet--Nova
Subject:	Astronomy, Science
Level:	Primary, Elementary (PK-5) Primary, Middle (6-8)
Description:	In January of 2005, astronomers discovered a distant object larger than Pluto orbiting the sun. However, since there is no authoritative definition for the term planet, disagreement exists between those who think the discovery may be a tenth planet and those who think it is another kind of object. This NOVA scienceNOW segment: reports that a team of astronomers detected a distant object larger than Pluto orbiting the sun. explains that the term planet is a Greek, nonscientific word that means wanderer. It originated before people understood that planets orbit the sun. relates how the newly detected object was given the temporary code name Xena, and its satellite was named Gabrielle; both names came from characters in a television program.
Site:	http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3302/01.html

The Cave of Lascaux

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:41:49 CDT

Title:	The Cave of Lascaux
Subject:	Art, Art History, Humanties
Level:	Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	The Official Lascaux Cave site available in English, French, German and Spanish. Includes opportunities to both discover and learn about the cave, including a history of the cave, a virtual tour of the drawings, and a chance to test what you have learned.
Site:	http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/en/

Google Mars

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:47:10 CDT

Title:	Google Mars
Subject:	Science
Level:	Primary, Elementary (PK-5) Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12)
Description:	In collaboration with NASA researchers at Arizona State University, Google Labs has created some of the most detailed scientific maps of Mars ever made. Read the Teachers First review of this resource.
Site:	http://www.google.com/mars/

Digital Dialects

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:46:36 CDT

Title:	Digital Dialects
Subject:	Language Arts
Level:	Primary, Elementary (PK-5) Primary, Middle (6-8) Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University
Description:	Digital Dialects was launched in January 2007, originally a by-product of a dissertation reviewing web resources for language learning. The site was conceived as an educational tool for learning languages, and as a guide to online resources. All animation and webpage design is by Craig Gibson. The animated activities are intended to incorporate the interactivity of computer aided language learning software with the web-design principle of simplicity in use and access. In essence the games are intended to provide a relaxed way of acquiring basic language skills, a break from the books! The site will continue to be a work in progress, and it is intended that Digital Dialects will represent the World’s major languages, with a cross-section of languages from diverse regions. Audio files are to be gradually incorporated into animations for certain languages. The development of particular language sections will be dependent on assistance from translators and native speakers.
Site:	http://www.digitaldialects.com

Terrain for Schools

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:56:14 CDT

Title:	Terrain for Schools
Subject:	Science, Environmental, Ecology
Level:	Secondary, High (9-12) Post-secondary, College, University Professional
Description:	The Ecology Center offers Terrain for Schools, a current events-based curriculum for high school teachers and college instructors, offering science, social studies, and language arts lesson plans that fulfill California state content standards. Read the TeachersFirst review.
Site:	http://www.ecologycenter.org/tfs/

Resource Center: OER Collection

Big Universe

Dimensions

"A walk through mathematics--

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Shakespeare's Sonnets

Introduction to Economic Analysis

Roller Coaster Designer

3D-XplorMath

Constructor

Book Adventure

Universe Sandbox

Hellenica

The Bicycle Tutor

Victorian Web, The

Immune Attack-An Educational Video Game

PenguinScience

Reading Marx's Capital

Palabea

Underground Railroad

Collaborative Statistics

Science Hack

Women and the Holocaust

Orbit Runner

SoundJunction

A People's History for the Classroom

Earth Live: Virtual Earth

Japanese-American Relocation Digital Archives

OpenLearn-LearningSpace

OpenLearn Scotland

SpaceClass

Family Tree of the Greek Gods

The Life and Works of William Butler Yeats

Electing a US President in Plain English

Biology in Motion

Space Place: NASA for Kids

10th Planet--Nova

The Cave of Lascaux

Google Mars

Digital Dialects

Terrain for Schools