Friday, 2 September 2011
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Friday, 1 July 2011
Monday, 27 June 2011
Finito!
Well, I finished! Or have I only just begun?It has been great to be able to work at our own pace. For a few weeks, I thought I'd never get time to complete the course, but I'm there now.
The course has opened my eyes to different possibilities for my day to day teaching and certainly the need to keep up with emerging technologies. I don't want to just keep up, but make sure I'm using the tools that are relevant to the students I'm teaching; hopefully engaging them in their learning and creating curious learners.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
#22 Audiobooks and #23 Downloadable Media
Well, not entirely.
Audiobooks will become more and more common across society and over the next five years we will see a massive influx of digital content from novels to recipe books, all in digital format.
Student textbooks and novels are the main items i'd like to see in digital format for use on an ipad or other device.
The ESL or curriculum support teams at school will benefit greatly from audiobooks and i can see them being widely accepted over paper versions. Anything that students can listen to on their ipod's or phones will be more attractive than reading a novel.
As for where to get audiobooks, I especially love the fact that Project Gutenburg is absolutely free.
Copyright is a major hurdle to overcome, but with digital rights management software, I'm sure audiobooks will offer some copyright protection system.
#21 YouTube and TeacherTube
It's a sad day when you show this clip to a class and a student asks 'what's the problem' with this maths.
Abbot and Costello Maths Problem
It's sadder when the same student can't find the left-handed screwdriver or the can of striped paint...but that's another funny story altogether.
YouTube is blocked for student use at school, but it is open for teacher use. I find clips are quite handy for prompting discussion on various topics, but sometimes it's hard to find the most appropriate clip.TeacherTube refines the search even further and also searches files, docs and photos if you want education based content.
#20 Podcasts
What do you think about podcasts?
Podcasts are GREAT!!!
Do you already or think you will now use them?
I first started listening to Hamish and Andy podcasts each week. I could listen to them on the way to work or on the weekend and feel like I had not missed a show. That said, I now only use podcasts occasionally, but when I find one I like, then it's worth it's weight in Gold, particularly if it is useful in class. From 'Greatest speaches in History' to the 'NASAcast video', as long as it is applicable to class then it can be useful, especially for students to listen to outside of class time.
Can you see uses for podcasts educationally? Yes!
Science- Biology http://douchbiocast.blogspot.com/
ICT in My Classroom http://tbarrett.edublogs.org/
Podcasts are GREAT!!!
Do you already or think you will now use them?
I first started listening to Hamish and Andy podcasts each week. I could listen to them on the way to work or on the weekend and feel like I had not missed a show. That said, I now only use podcasts occasionally, but when I find one I like, then it's worth it's weight in Gold, particularly if it is useful in class. From 'Greatest speaches in History' to the 'NASAcast video', as long as it is applicable to class then it can be useful, especially for students to listen to outside of class time.Can you see uses for podcasts educationally? Yes!
Science- Biology http://douchbiocast.blogspot.com/
ICT in My Classroom http://tbarrett.edublogs.org/
#19 Rollyo
Sunday, 19 June 2011
#18 Wikis
Wiki's - the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
Wikis are great for sharing info and collaborating on tasks, but most need to be private to avoid 'others' possibly changing the content. They can be great for planning camps, events and group activities where team members find it's not always possible to meet on a regular occasion. Wiki's allow students and teachers alike to collaborate on tasks and while there are some inaccurate pages, 'most' content can be relied on to be accurate. As a rule, it 's always worth cross referencing information to check accuracy.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
#17 Delicious
Well I can't say I am too eager to use this site, Yet! Too many usernames and passwords to remember, plus bookmarks can't be that important or can they? Anyway, I have exported some of my favourites and uploaded into the Delicious account, but I can't see it saving me time or being very useful when I already have my favourites on my laptop. The import/export feature built in to the browser already allows for bookmarks to be shared on multiple PC's.
Maybe Delicious would be good for research tasks or finding the bookmark you use 'once in a blue moon'. Of course the more people tag the more it may be useful in class to students as they could find popular themed sites more readily. That said, the reliability of tags is always going to be an issue as you can tag anything with anything. I guess I'll wait and see just how user friendly it is. Happy Tagging!
Maybe Delicious would be good for research tasks or finding the bookmark you use 'once in a blue moon'. Of course the more people tag the more it may be useful in class to students as they could find popular themed sites more readily. That said, the reliability of tags is always going to be an issue as you can tag anything with anything. I guess I'll wait and see just how user friendly it is. Happy Tagging!
Sunday, 22 May 2011
#15 RSS and #16 Subscribing
RSS feeds are helpful when collecting information/news etc...particularly something you are interested in. While this is so, it can take quite a while to sift through the feed(s) looking for the info you want. It definitely has its educational uses and would allow students to group feeds from (potentially) a wide range of sources, credible or otherwise. The best use for my classes may be simply keeping students up-to-date with current classwork or homework, although I can currently do this via our college Moodle site. The subscribing 'danger' is having too many feeds to consider relevant information from.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
#13 MySpace and #14 Facebook
MySpace -
Since starting a MySpace page back in 2007 it has been basically sitting idle for the best part of four years. Only the odd post or two over this time and certainly not the attention my Facebook page has received. Originally I used it to keep in touch with mates from cricket, and it was great for listening to music(great also for killing downlod limit) but I find Facebook or listening to my ipod is much easier.
MySpace has a different appeal than Facebook because you can customise the 'skin' on the page and set it to play music when the page is loaded, etc... MySpace certainly didn't have the 'boxes' like the old facebook layout and it quickly lost it's glossy appeal. Most people I know don't use MySpace anymore!
Facebook -
Well, as far as being user friendly, it takes the cake. I find it much easier to navigate and use than MySpace and quite frankly where else could you throw sheep at people!
Facebook has changed considerably since it began and despite it's 'bad' publicity as long as you've got the security settings 'tight' then it is the social media of choice. As a medium to keep in touch with family and friends it is great, particularly if you have friends and family overseas (it's almost like they never left).
NING - Not sure why you would pay money for this!
Linked in - Not sure it will 'Power my career' (as advertised).
Since starting a MySpace page back in 2007 it has been basically sitting idle for the best part of four years. Only the odd post or two over this time and certainly not the attention my Facebook page has received. Originally I used it to keep in touch with mates from cricket, and it was great for listening to music(great also for killing downlod limit) but I find Facebook or listening to my ipod is much easier.
MySpace has a different appeal than Facebook because you can customise the 'skin' on the page and set it to play music when the page is loaded, etc... MySpace certainly didn't have the 'boxes' like the old facebook layout and it quickly lost it's glossy appeal. Most people I know don't use MySpace anymore!
Facebook -
Well, as far as being user friendly, it takes the cake. I find it much easier to navigate and use than MySpace and quite frankly where else could you throw sheep at people!
Facebook has changed considerably since it began and despite it's 'bad' publicity as long as you've got the security settings 'tight' then it is the social media of choice. As a medium to keep in touch with family and friends it is great, particularly if you have friends and family overseas (it's almost like they never left).
NING - Not sure why you would pay money for this!
Linked in - Not sure it will 'Power my career' (as advertised).
Google is Shutting Down Google Video
"If you have any videos uploaded to Google Video, you might want to make sure you've saved them. Google told users this weekend that it is shutting down the service." By Leslie Horn
View Article: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383691,00.asp
View Article: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2383691,00.asp
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Saturday, 2 April 2011
#10 Online Image Generators
Now these are tools we use in ICT! For a few years now Online Image Generators have become more popular and the tool of choice for students when needing a flashy heading, title or pic, etc.... It doesn't take long either!
Myspace Picture Generator
Myspace Picture Generator
Friday, 1 April 2011
#9 - Virtual Worlds
Second Life
Well, so far I've found that Second Life is mostly used by 'gaming types' and those who love to spend their time in 'another world' online. While it is appears to be a highly imaginative and creative environment, I'm yet to see how using Second Life can be applied to my current teaching. I would further suggest that the amount of effort needed to set up and trial it's use, even with a small class, would be most complex and any benefit would be hard to gauge.
If our First Life takes so much effort and we generally don't have time for all the important things in our First Life, where will you find time for your Second Life?
Maybe, a whole new world of sitting behind your computer awaits!
Things to ponder:
"Escape to the Internets largest user-created, 3D virtual world community."
Why do we need to create a new world when we live in the REAL one? Is the reason only to escape reality?
Who will you be? The REAL Me! Why should I feel the need to create a fake reality and live out a fake existence.
What will you discover? Possibly that I have wasted too much time and met other not so real people!
'Second Life has a very poor retention rate for new users, the overwhelming majority of people who try it never come back. (Mitch Wagner http://blogs.computerworld.com/15638/second_life)
Link:
Education in Second Life: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Second_Life
Well, so far I've found that Second Life is mostly used by 'gaming types' and those who love to spend their time in 'another world' online. While it is appears to be a highly imaginative and creative environment, I'm yet to see how using Second Life can be applied to my current teaching. I would further suggest that the amount of effort needed to set up and trial it's use, even with a small class, would be most complex and any benefit would be hard to gauge.
If our First Life takes so much effort and we generally don't have time for all the important things in our First Life, where will you find time for your Second Life?
Maybe, a whole new world of sitting behind your computer awaits!
Things to ponder:
"Escape to the Internets largest user-created, 3D virtual world community."
Why do we need to create a new world when we live in the REAL one? Is the reason only to escape reality?
Who will you be? The REAL Me! Why should I feel the need to create a fake reality and live out a fake existence.
What will you discover? Possibly that I have wasted too much time and met other not so real people!
'Second Life has a very poor retention rate for new users, the overwhelming majority of people who try it never come back. (Mitch Wagner http://blogs.computerworld.com/15638/second_life)
Link:
Education in Second Life: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Second_Life
Saturday, 26 March 2011
#8 iGoogle
iGoogle is the newest way to bring all your daily tasks and interests together in 'one' easy to use, easy to waste time on, page! For anyone who is attracted to sparkly things or likes to procrastinate iGoogle is the easiest place for them to fill the day. Have I stirred the pot enough?
On a serious note I think iGoogle has many good features and it is a lot of fun to use. Like most Google tools it is quite easy to navigate and very easy to personalise. The only part that I don't really like about iGoogle was that I couldn't resize the boxes to the size I wanted, only minimise if needed.
As for working at Google, MOST people, if given the chance would love to work in a place that offers this relaxed environment. My questions are,...Where do they spend the rest of their life? Do they see their families?
On a serious note I think iGoogle has many good features and it is a lot of fun to use. Like most Google tools it is quite easy to navigate and very easy to personalise. The only part that I don't really like about iGoogle was that I couldn't resize the boxes to the size I wanted, only minimise if needed.
As for working at Google, MOST people, if given the chance would love to work in a place that offers this relaxed environment. My questions are,...Where do they spend the rest of their life? Do they see their families?
#7 Google Books
Google Books works well in eliminating other search results for the same item. One book i searched for through google had 400,000 hits come back, while the same search through Google Books only had 3470 results. It still gave enough info about the book and other titles from the same author.
I also searched our students texts and came back quite impressed about the results available. While it's not a feature I'd use everyday it certainly has merit for more avid readers.
I also searched our students texts and came back quite impressed about the results available. While it's not a feature I'd use everyday it certainly has merit for more avid readers.
Friday, 18 March 2011
#6 Google Maps
Google Maps have helped me save time on many occasions. I first used it to find directions to a cricket ground I was playing at a few years ago. It has certainly become useful in planning directions to different locations and I find i now use it first before I use my Melways, since I can print the route and not have to worry about turning pages etc...
The ability to edit locations and save 'My Maps' makes it more user friendly. Being able to choose between Map or Satelite view is an advantage and the addition of Google Street view also makes finding the correct address even easier.
The ability to edit locations and save 'My Maps' makes it more user friendly. Being able to choose between Map or Satelite view is an advantage and the addition of Google Street view also makes finding the correct address even easier.
#5 Google Docs
Will Google docs spell the end for Microsoft Office? Probably not!
While Google docs does the basic Office functions it certainly has it's formatting limits.
That said, I will trial it's uses in class and see what the reaction is across the board.
I guess I'll use it most to eliminate saving multiple versions or copies of files to send to others.
The best feature so far is the ability to collaborate with others in the same doc at the same time.
To be continued...
While Google docs does the basic Office functions it certainly has it's formatting limits.
That said, I will trial it's uses in class and see what the reaction is across the board.
I guess I'll use it most to eliminate saving multiple versions or copies of files to send to others.
The best feature so far is the ability to collaborate with others in the same doc at the same time.
To be continued...
#4 Web 2.0
Web 2.0! Best explained as a new way we interact with information on the web.
It's more than just using 'open source' sharing of information. We can access, navigate, share, collaborate and review information/data in new and innovative ways. The overall appeal and sophistication of websites has changed dramatically with increased interactivity.
It's more than just using 'open source' sharing of information. We can access, navigate, share, collaborate and review information/data in new and innovative ways. The overall appeal and sophistication of websites has changed dramatically with increased interactivity.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
How 2 of Web 2.0 - #2 Create a Blog
Hello one and all,
I have joined the blogging revolution! Yay!!!
It's nice to be here. Personally, I hope to find a use for blogging in my classes.
Hopefully you can help me on my journey.
DMS
I have joined the blogging revolution! Yay!!!
It's nice to be here. Personally, I hope to find a use for blogging in my classes.
Hopefully you can help me on my journey.
DMS
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