Virtual Excursions

One of the most surprising success stories of the connected classroom has been Virtual Excursions. In a nutshell, virtual excursions are done through video connection where students can use their connected class room to visit other places around the globe. When the CCP was first introduced virtual excursion was a extremely 'hit or miss' affair - with some being terrific and others being overpriced and poorly run. This is improving rapidly.



Virtual excursions were also predominately hosted in regional and remote area schools, but this too has now changed. Virtual excursions are a great way to introduce extra activities to your lessons.

Take for instance 'Literature Live - from idea to story' would be terrific to add this to an overall creative writing program. At only $100.00 per school that's less than four dollars per child in a class of 30.

You can head to the website here and start scrolling through the possibilities.

Introduction to the Connected Classroom

The Connected Classrooms Program is a NSW Government initiative to provide the department's staff and students with new opportunities to connect with each other across enhanced technology facilities for sharing resources and data collaboration.

An introduction can be seen below

During my time as a Regional Implementation Officer for the DET we were required to introduce this to a range of schools throughout Western NSW. Cue long trips to Broken Hill and Cobar. However, there was this amazing resource that myself and my old boss slowly refined over the last couple of years.

It's basically two very large Notebook files the comprise two days worth of introduction to the NSW DET Connected classroom. The Notebook files introduce IWBs, Notebook Software, Connected Classroom Hardware and Virtual Excursions.

Follow this link to start downloading them. Be warned - they're very large files.

Day 1 here

Day 2 here

Feel free to copy and paste slides that you like.

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Web 2.0 and IWB Resources for the classroom

I've been complying a list of Web 2.0 tools and Notebook software resources.

It's only a small number at the moment - but I hope to add to it over the next couple of months.

http://www.delicious.com/WesternNSWSmart

and yes I know it's delicious, but I've been told that it's going to be around a lot longer.

Social Media in Education

The BX POD held a few workshops this week on Social Media and how it could be used in Higher Education.

We of course went through the serial offenders

Blogger (ping!), Facebook, Wordpress, Youtube etc.

But for the purpose of this post I thought I would highlight some that may not usually get a run.

1. Sound Cloud http://soundcloud.com/
The best way to explain sound cloud is an Mp3 file that also acts as a community forum. The main use for Sound Cloud is obviously music, where it is uploaded and people discuss different aspects of the song. However, from an educational perspective, sound cloud would be terrific as a podcasting tool. Imagine the scenario where a Subject coordinator releases their lecture as a podcast using the soundcloud, then invites students to comment or ask questions. Or, where the subject coordinator releases a piece of audio and students are required to analyse it. Head to sound cloud and check it out.



2. Tumblr http://www.tumblr.com

Sharing and 'liking' aspects of the web is pretty vital for social media. A lot

of people who use social media like to

be defined by what they like. Tumblr infuses all this. Tumblr is a place to share anything

you can think of, photos, music, webpages, quotes, blogs, writings. etc. Your Tumblr can then

be followed by other people. From an educational standpoint - Tumblr would be terrific as a place

where the subject coordinator could 'houses' information they find on the web that relates to a particular subject or topic. Imagine, if you will logging on to a subject and finding that it has a Tumblr with literately 100s of pages of resources that you could use. Tumblr is also a terrific social bookmarking

tool.

3. Micro Blogging - Twitter

Micro-blogging was pretty much everywhere in 2010. The biggest obviously being Twitter.

Twitter is a site where you can relay anything as along it is a in 140 characters or less.

This could mean short updates from the subject coordinator on assessment information, or a new readings that are of interests. Subjects can also establish list of prominent scholars in the field who use the technology.

Cheers

James @ BX POD

www.twitter.com/jamesbrann

Turn it in 2 Introduction

Hello everyone,

Last week I held a workshop on 'Turn It In 2' - It's a web based plagiarism tool.
If you click this link here - S:\Common\ Temp Folder Less Than 90 Days\Turnitin2
I have created a cheat sheet to get you started. It's a simple 'How to guide' to get you up and running using the application.

Cheers James @ BX POD

Best iPad Applications for Students and Academics

Well, look at that. It's the second post for the Podblog and already I'm doing a 'list' post. Ah, well. I thought this would be helpful because there are a lot of people trialling the new iPad around campus. I've been using one and have come up with a small list of applications that are pretty beneficial. It should also be noted that I'm still struggling to find any real pedagogical value with the device, it really is just 'another tool'. So, here we go.

Number 1. - Dropbox (Free)

If you don't have a Dropbox then you are missing out. Dropbox doesn't just work on the iPad but on most computers and smartphones. Dropbox is a folder that sits in the 'cloud' and allows you to sync your files online and across your computers automatically. The free account gives you 2gb of data allowance. It's great for when you need to move files around or share between peers. I think my first thought when I downloaded it was 'what's the catch?". There is none, GET IT NOW!

http://www.dropbox.com

Number 2. - Instapaper (Free or 5.99 for Pro Version)

Instapaper is a terrific little application that lets you save webapges for later reading. It's a simple application but works really well. If you were an academic you could simply 'instapaper' articles of interest to your students and share them. It's also good for budding higher grads as a literature organising tool.

www.instapaper.com


Number 3. -iAnnotate PDF (12.99)

I have only had iAnnotate for a couple of days, but already it has become very useful. This application allows you to add notes and markings to a PDF and send it off through email. It also has a space where people can edit in a shared space (like a google docs)

http://www.ajidev.com/iannotate/

Number 4 - Evernote (Free for application)

Evernote is an application designed for notetaking and archiving that can be had in a paid version or a more restricted, advertising-supported, "free" version. A "note" can be a piece of formattable text, a full webpage or webpage excerpt, a photograph, a voice memo, or a handwritten "ink" note. Notes can also have file attachments. It is a great little organising tool but comes into its own when you start linking it with other applications.

http://www.evernote.com/

Number 5 - Pebble Pad (3.99)

This is an extension of the Pebble Pad that is used on the CSU server. Using this application you can update and share assets while being highly mobile.

http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/

Number 6 - Twitter and Yammer (Free)

Get onboard the micro-blogging revolution! I have heard of some great things happing between lectures and students using Twitter. Twitter allows for an added level of social presence, something that is greatly needed for DE students. There is also great discussion happening over at Yammer and I ask that you sign up and add your two cents.

www.twitter.com
www.yammer.com

That's about it for this stage. But if you would like to add more to this list please comment below.

Cheers

James

James@ BX POD
Jbrann@csu.edu.au

How to Embed Streaming Video

Welcome to the first post of the PODblog.

Today we are talking about streaming video inside your online modules. The best place to find streaming videos is either.

www.youtube.com or www.vimeo.com

Videos work great for visual learners or can add extra asthetics to your page.



If you have any comments please post below.

James @ the CSU BX POD
jbrann@csu.edu.au