Sunday, October 25, 2009
Have Your Say, October 2009
A selection of exciting new resources and opportunities we have seen this month all of which are free to use or take part in.
Van Gogh's Letters: the artist speaks.
The Art world has often been characterised by exclusivity and wealth but has become a leading light in increasing access through technology. We have featured Google Art in the newsletter before, allowing students to study famous works on art online in amazing detail, for free. This month a new collection of 900 letters by Vincent Van Gogh have been made available for the first time. The letters are a complete correspondence between the artist and his brother, Theo, which provide a coherent account of Van Gogh’s explanation and understanding of his own work and his mental health. The letters also include sketches sent between the brothers. This month the letters are available to the public in an exhibition at the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and part of the collection will form a smaller exhibition at the Royal Academy in London later this year. The complete set of 900 letters have been made free to view online by the museum . There is also a free iPod Application , Yours Vincent, to allow access to the letters through a tour of his life by Van Gogh. There is also a blog.
Galaxy Zoo is a website attached to an ambitious scientific project to map the galaxies. Scientists from different communities have collaborated to run the project which uses volunteers to gather the information needed to accurately classify the galaxies. The site contains images from the most powerful telescopes and detailed guidance on how the user can make classifications which are known to be more accurate and efficient than computer predictions. 150,000 visitors have taken part in the classification survey. The site also contains the findings so far, since the project started in 2007 and can be visited here.
YearDot is a educational project run by Channel 4 which follows 15 young people who are at a turning point in their lives, a YearDot through television programmes, an interactive dedicated website and social networking sites. The 15 young people are profiled and post video diaries about their progress in their year of change. Visitors to the website can add their own YearDot profile as well as comment on the progress of the original 15. A visit to the website can inspire young people to set their own ambitions.
The Internet Archive is a non-profit organisation based in San Fransisco which aims to set up a digital library of archived internet sites and material. Following the principles of public libraries material on the site is free to use. The site has separate areas for text, audio and moving images and is already very comprehensive. The material ranges from single web pages to full length films. Visit the website.
Futurelab, the non-profit organisation promoting new ways of learning and innovation in education, have launched a second podcast series. The first podcast explores how best to create opportunities for children and young people to be "active citizens." To view this or podcasts from the first series. Go to the website.