AccessApps
This is an initiative supported by JISC Regional Support Centres and JISC TechDis. It consists of over 50 open source and freeware windows applications that you can run from a USB stick to support writing, reading and planning as well as sensory, cognitive and physical difficulties. These tools can be used by everyone whether or not there is a disability. I heard about this at a workshop by Dr Simon Ball at TCD last week and felt other would be interested in this resource.
http://techdis.ac.uk/getaccessapps
Catherine Kane
A handy way to add an RSS feed to Blackboard (or any website)
Go to the website with the required RSS feed and copy it, then go to http://rssxpress.ukoln.ac.uk/lite/include/?t=1, paste the RSS feed and click Get Script. Copy the script that is created and paste in your webpage or VLE. Here’s a one-page handout or watch a short video.
screenr (online screencasting application)
Today I tested screenr (Articulate’s free online screencasting application linked to Twitter): http://screenr.com/
It’s easy to use, just click on Record and follow brief instructions. No software is needed to install. There’s a five minute limit, no editing options.
You need to have a Twitter account and when you produce the screencast it will automatically tweet about it (you can opt not to do this).
The screencast is produced in HD, this takes a little time (seemed like a minute or so for my minute-long screencast) – the resulting screencast is crystal clear.
Resulting screencast is given unique URL at screenr.com (can be linked to or embedded), can be downloaded as MP4, uploaded to YouTube or deleted.
Publishing to YouTube is simple – just enter your YouTube name and password to upload, then go to YouTube account to get URL.
My example: http://screenr.com/4Vs
When uploaded to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIL9srwhbqw
One disadvantage is the screencasts you produce are public – however it seems you could opt not to tweet, download the MP4 file and then delete the screencast from screenr.com.
Came across it from: http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/how-to-use-this-free-screencasting-tool-for-e-learning/
Review from demogirl including screencast overview of using screenr: http://demogirl.com/2009/08/19/web-based-screencast-software-screenr-vs-screenjelly/
I like it,
Damien
Link to a list of free and commercial photography sites
Smashing Magazine has written an article which highlights websites offering free photos.
CLT (TCD) Conference 2009 podcasts
Podcasts from CLT’s 8th Annual Conference are available to view from iTunes U.
To access iTunes U you will need to:
- Download and install iTunes
- Launch TCD’s iTunes U page within iTunes store
- CLT’s Conference podcasts can be found under the “TCD Public Events and Presentations” category
- Select the “Video 2009″ tab and choose “subscribe” beside the Centre for Learning Technology profile picture
- The first podcast will begin to download. You can view it after downloading by choosing “Podcasts” within your iTunes library
- You can download individual podcasts or choose to “Get All” from the “Podcasts” tab within your iTunes library
The Keynote presentation for the Conference is Learning Innovation: creating the future by Professor Gilly Salmon.
Gilly is Professor of E-learning and Learning Technologies at the University of Leicester, and is head of the Beyond Distance Research Alliance and Media Zoo. Her research interests span strategies for enhancing learning with and through new technologies, the future for learning in Higher Education and innovation through learning design. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a National Teaching Fellow.
Gilly has two research degrees in change management and ICT and pedagogy. Her book E-Moderating is considered seminal in the field of online teaching. Other recent books include E-tivities and Learning in Groups, with David Jaques. Podcasting for Learning in Universities was published in August 2008, with its supplementary guide How to Create Podcasts for Education having just been published at the beginning of 2009.
Gilly is currently writing a book on Learning Futures, which is due to be published in late 2009.
Podcasting for eLearning (a Prezi presentation)
I have created a Prezi presentation for the pedagogical section of Trinity College Dublin’s Podcasting workshop. Most of the material has been taken from “Doubling the life of iPods” chapter of “Podcasting for learning in universities” which is edited by Gilly Salmon and Palitha Edirisingha.
Here is the link for the presentation – http://prezi.com/35214/
If you want to edit and use this presentation for your own workshop just email me and I will give you permission to do so.
Special thanks to Paul Gormley, Michelle Tooher and Damien Rafferty.
CIT Masters degree in Media Design
Cork Institute of Technology are now accepting applications for their Masters degree in Media Design in the Cork Institute. This is a taught masters beginning this September, specifically designed for multimedia and media design graduates. It runs over a relatively short nine month period, is flexibly delivered and, enjoys joint accreditation with the University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt, Germany (the only such award in Europe). Please pass on the word to any interested students passing through your offices over the summer time (we are accepting applicants until late August).
For more info please see the website.
Gearóid
XERTE – Open Source E-Learning Developers Tools
Not sure if you have seen this before but its worth having a look at Xerte Online Toolkit http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/xerte/index.htm.
Its being developed by the University of Nottingham and it was brought to my attention by Gareth Waller (thanks Gareth!) from EDINA. The Xerte Project provides a full suite of tools for elearning developers and content authors. Xerte is a fully-featured elearning development environment for creating rich interactivity.
Xerte Online Toolkits is a server-based suite of tools for content authors. Elearning materials can be authored quickly and easily using browser-based tools, with no programming required.
CLT Trinity College Dublin, 8TH Annual Conference
Embedding Innovative Technology Enhanced Learning:
Podcasting to E-moderating
Tuesday 12th May, 9:30hrs to 13:30hrs
Swift Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College
Keynote speaker: – Professor Gilly Salmon
The Centre for Learning Technology (CAPSL) is delighted to invite you to participate in the 8th annual conference on enhancing learning and teaching using technology. This year’s conference will explore innovative approaches to enhancing student learning through more active engagement and highlight innovative technology enhanced learning across Science, Health Science, Arts & Humanities and Law & Business.
The Conference Programme is free of charge, however, to facilitate planning for the day, visit out web site http://www.tcd.ie/capsl/clt to register.
Opportunities within the maelstrom of the recession
The recession is affecting Universities / Institutions as the government has put a freeze on staff recruitment throughout the public sector. One of the few glimmers of light is that Universities / Institutions will turn to technology in an attempt to save courses which have lost or need academic staff to teach effectively. We are entering a period where academic staff will have to embrace the idea that technology can enhance their teaching. We can encourage and enthuse these academics by showing the possibilities technology affords their teaching.
In tandem with this opportunity is the body of work and support within the open source community which can be appropriated for teaching needs.
One such example is an article I stumbled upon which shows you how to Build Your Own Multitouch Surface Computer
Commercial companies are selling these devices for $12,000 but an effective alternative is built by the contributors of Maximum PC magazine for just $350. The use of touch screens within Universities / Institutions can range from the informative to interactive learning tools and they can be built today. For peanuts.
If anyone is interested I would like assistance in building one of these computers to see if it is feasible for teaching in Universities / Institutions. So leave comments and I’ll make up a plan of action. Who knows if it works it could be unveiled at the NDLR showcase on the 20th May.
Profiles
Name: Catherine Kane
Centre for Learning Technology
Name: Catherine Bruen
Title: Manager, National Digital Learning Repository
Name: Gearóid Ó Súilleabháin
Title: Elearning Manager
Name: Roisin Garvey
Title: Multimedia DeveloperRegister
Highest Rated
- Workshop resources on Google Docs and podcasting added to the NDLR
(5.00 out of 5) - Google Launches Lively
(3.00 out of 5) - Welcome message (0.00 out of 5)
- Elearning 2.0? (0.00 out of 5)
- Reusable Learning Objects (0.00 out of 5)
- New Masters (0.00 out of 5)
- 3 ebooks on multimedia in elearning from the elearning guild (0.00 out of 5)
- Avoiding gratuitous multimedia – A case study (0.00 out of 5)
- Online Dynamic Content Builder (0.00 out of 5)
- Global Classroom (0.00 out of 5)
- Workshop resources on Google Docs and podcasting added to the NDLR
