SOFTWARE FOR CONCEPT MAPPING - Free concept mapping software is now available from the University of West Florida's Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, CHANGE. The software links information in a direct and understandable way. It is predicted that these Cmaps, will help change the information navigation on Web sites by providing a graphical illustration of how that information is linked and organized. The traditional method of organizing information now is page by page. Funded by NASA and the Navy, the software is thought to be among the best Cmap programs available. The software has already been made available for nonprofit application and plans are to offer it for commercial use. (Associated Press, 19 Feb 01)

SNACKS AND IMAGEBLENDER - Tech4Learning has added three new Snacks4Learning to its popular training series: - Adding animations and movies to PowerPoint - Editing images with HyperStudio - Using the Cool Words effect in ImageBlender Download the new Snacks today CLICK: http://www.tech4learning.com/snacks/index.html Training for ImageBlender is available at training centers in the following states: Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina and Texas. For more information, contact Carolyn Keeney at 877-834-5453 or carolyn@tech4learning.com Free ImageBlender training materials and a 30-day evaluation version of ImageBlender are available to everyone online at CLICK: http://www.tech4learning.com/products/iblender.html (News4Educators, from David Wagner, david@tech4learning.com, 16 Feb 01)

eLEARNING SURVEY RESULTS - The Masie Institute recently conducted a TechLearn TRENDS and Learning Decisions Survey on eLearning Authoring tools and approaches. There were 1,615 responses recorded the week of January 15th. Here are the results: When a unit of eLearning content is being developed internally, which tools are you using: (In order of use)
* Document Creation Tools (e.g. PowerPoint and Word Processing) Weighted Score 85
* Web Development Tools (e.g. Dreamweaver or FrontPage) Weighted Score 71
* Learning Specific Authoring Tools (e.g.. Authorware or Toolbook) Weighted Score 52
* Programming Tools (e.g. Visual Basic, C++) Weighted Score 47
* Authoring within a Learning Management System (e.g. Blackboard or Learning Space) Weighted Score 38
The Institute will continue to track these trends (TechLearn Trends #197, 7 Feb 01)

VIRTUAL WORLD IS TAKING SHAPE IN RESEARCH LABS - Researchers studying immersive Web technologies at universities across the country are pioneering the future of the Internet. The hope is that within 10 to 15 years Web users will be able to see 3D images, hear full-channel sound, and even feel the texture of a fur-lined coat they plan to buy online. Jaron Lanier, chief physical scientist at Advanced Network & Services, says the real benefit will come from being able to interact with other people using the entire range of human senses. However, bandwidth and processor speeds remain barriers to refining the supersensitive subtleties of human interaction. Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) are exploring the use of haptics, a force-feedback technology that allows people to feel digital objects. Regardless of the advance of immersive Internet capabilities, some experts doubt whether this will be the end of the line for using technology to replicate real life. Jaron Lanier says human senses are so refined that, although we may be wowed by new technologies, people will soon be able to quickly distinguish between the digital and corporeal. (Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb 01 - Edupage 5 Feb 01)