The Composed Gentleman

The iCAMP researchers were guided by an educational theory called constructivism. They believe that students gain new knowledge and skills most readily by working together with others on projects that they themselves define and manage, facilitated rather than controlled by teachers.

In addition to the specifics of what students learn, iCAMP’s approach prepares students to be more self directed, teamwork oriented, and technologically adept later in life.

The iCAMP researchers believe that blogs are the most important single tool. They are really easy to use, people like them, and they can be used in lots of different activities and learning environments. So the researchers developed FeedBack, a system that essentially lets blogs and bloggers communicate with each other easily and manage automatic feeds and updates smoothly.

the researchers went on to create additional communication and collaboration tools. One of these tools is an open-source software package called iLOGUE.

The iLOGUE tool “scaffolds” self-directed learning by guiding learners through the steps of specifying a learning contract, setting goals and sub-goals, identifying resources, and maintaining a learning diary.

People start by entering their objectives and resources. They then maintain a conversational, reflective diary, and discuss their learning progress and problems with the facilitator and their peers.

the iCAMP team are excited about the potential of their approach and software tools to create a rich, empowering and easy-to-use environment for interactive, student-driven learning.

Several universities in the east of Europe are already offering iCAMP-based courses.

The clumsily titled special airs at 8 p.m. Wednesday on WBBM-Ch. 2 and will announce nominations in top categories. It’s the first time nominations have been announced in prime time.

Performers include Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, B.B. King and John Mayer, all past Grammy winners. LL Cool J and Taylor Swift will host, with the country-pop Swift possibly up for nominations of her own.

Spears will begin rehearsing for her incredible tour production this January with famed director and Emmy-winning choreographer Wade Robson, before launching the 27-city North American trek on March 3, 2009 in New Orleans with special guests The Pussycat Dolls. Spears will also dazzle British fans at London's O2 Arena on June 3 & 4 of 2009. Tickets go on sale beginning Saturday, December 6. Fans should visit BritneySpears.com for tour and ticketing information.

Shanghai Tower will be shaped like a soft triangle, have a skin of two walls of glass and steel, and will generate some of its energy from wind turbines. The building will have office space, residences, a hotel, retail space and restaurants.

The Food and Drug Administration has long warned it was coming, and lung specialists have spent the past year easing many of the nation's 20 million asthma patients - as well as millions of emphysema sufferers who also use albuterol to ease breathing - into it.

Liz Lemon favors her right side. That's because a faint scar runs across Tina Fey's left cheek, the result of a violent cutting attack by a stranger when Fey was five. Her husband says, "It was in, like, the front yard of her house, and somebody who just came up, and she just thought somebody marked her with a pen." You can hardly see the scar in person. But I agree with Richmond that it makes Fey more lovely, like a hint of Marlene Dietrich noir glamour in a Preston Sturges heroine.

Several streets and some freeway access ramps will be closed due to the Hollywood Santa Parade.

The on- and off-ramps of the north- and southbound Hollywood (101) Freeway at Highland Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard will be closed today from 3PM to 10PM.

Current closures include:
- Hollywood Boulevard from La Brea Avenue to Highland Avenue is closed until 6AM Monday.
- Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Wilcox Avenue is closed until 11PM.
- McCadden Place and Las Palmas Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to Hawthorn Avenue is closed until 11PM.
- Hawthorn Avenue from La Brea Avenue to Highland Avenue is closed until 10PM.

Closures from 2PM to 9PM:
Las Palmas Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to Yucca Street.

Closures from 2PM to 10PM:
- DeLongpre Avenue and Fountain Avenue from La Brea Avenue to Highland Avenue.
- Lanewood Avenue from La Brea Avenue to Orange Drive.
- El Cerrito Place from Hollywood Boulevard to Franklin Avenue.
- Sycamore Avenue and Orange Drive from Franklin Avenue to Fountain Avenue.
- Sunset Boulevard from La Brea Avenue to Highland Avenue.

Closures from 3:30PM to 10PM:
- Highland Avenue from Franklin Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard.
- Hollywood Boulevard from Wilcox Avenue to Gower Street.
- Vine Street from Franklin Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard.
- Sunset Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Gower Street.