The Technology Source Archives

October 1998 // Spotlight Site

The NODE

http://node.on.ca/

Note: This article was originally published in The Technology Source (http://ts.mivu.org/) as: "The NODE" The Technology Source, October 1998. Available online at http://ts.mivu.org/default.asp?show=article&id=1034. The article is reprinted here with permission of the publisher.

"The functions of the NODE are to gather and disseminate information in areas of need, to offer professional development activities, to facilitate collaboration among universities and colleges, and to commission projects and research in issues and practices in technologically-mediated teaching and learning."

With a mission statement this ambitious, the NODE has a lot to live up to. Yet the NODE does what it promises and presents a Web site that is easy to use and overflowing with information. This site not only functions as a directory, guiding the user to various Web sites where information and resources relating to technology-enhanced education can be found, but also hosts online professional development forums which examine the questions arising out of the application of technology to teaching and learning. The NODE contains articles on technology and education, but its most valuable function is as an easily searchable database of educational technology Web sites.

Bi-monthly articles in the NODE's newsletter, Networking, highlight contributions that technology can make to education, particularly postsecondary education. September's feature article concerns distance education for the elderly, while August's articles address the issue of accessibility and the use of adaptive technology to assist students with disabilities, and include a directory of organizations and associations that are dedicated to providing assistance for disabled students. Past Networking articles are stored in an easy-to-search archive, which lists dates of past issues and the articles in each.

Much of the remainder of the NODE Web site consists of two sections: Resources for Practitioners and Resources for Learners. Resources for Practitioners contains online forums, Networking, and a searchable database of Node links and information. The Practitioners section also contains a "list of professional contacts," a list of links to Web sites of (primarily Canadian) postsecondary schools, government organizations, and related associations that focus on technology-enhanced education. The Resources for Learners section guides the visitor through definitions and explanations of online technologies and concepts, such as URLs, browsers, and "netiquette." The Learners section also contains a database of distance education courses, which allows the visitor to access not only online courses, but also Web sites that provide information about setting up such courses.

The NODE Web site is extremely useful for those seeking help or information regarding technology-enhanced education. The visitor is not left drowning in a sea of information, but is instead guided through a well-stocked, well-organized library.