Thursday 27 June 2013
Aurasma
Firstly the problem. This is a great app for either your mobile phone or tablet, but if you have a low data usage plan it will rapidly eat up your allowance.
However, if you have access to Wi-Fi network that problem is solved!
Basically any image can be given an 'Aura' and when it is scanned by a mobile device extra information is displayed on screen. This 'Aura' works in much the same way as a QR code does, but the result is not limited to just web sites.
There are already many examples of this in everyday life, and many similar bespoke versions of very similar software. Many Sunday newspapers now offer extra content that is triggered in the same way, offering their readers access to 'exclusive' information.
I shall experiment with this when I have access to a Wi Fi zone and report back later
However, if you have access to Wi-Fi network that problem is solved!
Basically any image can be given an 'Aura' and when it is scanned by a mobile device extra information is displayed on screen. This 'Aura' works in much the same way as a QR code does, but the result is not limited to just web sites.
There are already many examples of this in everyday life, and many similar bespoke versions of very similar software. Many Sunday newspapers now offer extra content that is triggered in the same way, offering their readers access to 'exclusive' information.
I shall experiment with this when I have access to a Wi Fi zone and report back later
Friday 21 June 2013
Debategraph.org
Handy if you are wanting to lead a debate in class and record it so the students can have a copy for their folders.
My example is a brief discourse on Crime and Punishment:
My example is a brief discourse on Crime and Punishment:
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Pearltrees
An application that performs the same function as bookmarks in a browser, the difference being that this is portable to any computer with an internet connection.
It also has the added plus that you can search other peoples 'Trees'. The program tries to match subjects that you have saved, so in theory you ought to get results that are helpful to you. In practice this doesn't always happen, perhaps because this is not a well subscribed application?
Worth a look at, but with reservations.....
It also has the added plus that you can search other peoples 'Trees'. The program tries to match subjects that you have saved, so in theory you ought to get results that are helpful to you. In practice this doesn't always happen, perhaps because this is not a well subscribed application?
Worth a look at, but with reservations.....
Bubbl.us
Here is a Mind Map that I have created using Bubbl.us with information re our itinerary when we are in Australia this summer.
The software is extremely easy to use, and it helps to focus the mind on the subject in hand. Visualising the components in this way helps to understand the links that hold the subject together.
Friday 14 June 2013
Animoto - Spinalonga
Copy of Spinalonga
A second attempt at Animoto.
Good fun, although I cannot see that it will be useful for our students, unless they can extend the time that it runs for. However it is a good introduction to the fun that can be had using photographs in a movie style format.
A second attempt at Animoto.
Good fun, although I cannot see that it will be useful for our students, unless they can extend the time that it runs for. However it is a good introduction to the fun that can be had using photographs in a movie style format.
Animoto - A Winter Walk
A Winter Walk
A record of us in the snow on a Winters Day.
We walked for 7 miles across the fields and along the canal. We were all very please to reach the pub at the end for a meal and a few Hot Toddies!!!
A record of us in the snow on a Winters Day.
We walked for 7 miles across the fields and along the canal. We were all very please to reach the pub at the end for a meal and a few Hot Toddies!!!
Wednesday 12 June 2013
I can see why this site is so popular! You can browse through millions of photographs that people have posted, and sorted, into loose themes. You can find pictures of everything, animals, boats, cars, planes, mountains, bridges etc.
The downsides would seem to be many:
The downsides would seem to be many:
- It is very easy to waste hours looking at photographs
- Getting distracted is surprisingly simple (you start off with one subject and another leads you away)
- There is a definite problem with images not suitable for college (i.e. pornography)
I surfed for less than an hour and saw images of naked, and semi naked, men and women that should be censored, or the user warned about.
Because of this I do not feel that it a suitable site for the students to use in college.
Prezi
I skipped this chapter of the 21 Things as I have already spent a lot of time using this application.
It is an exciting and dynamic way of presenting information to an audience, be it a class of students or to parents of prospective students at an Open Evening. There are positively hundreds of uses that it can be put to and because of its 3 dimensional movements it attracts attention even in busy places.
Like it's predecessor Power Point it presents information in 'Slides' or 'Frames' that then move around a screen. Stories can be told in a logical format and as well as text, images and movies can be embedded into it.
An added feature of Prezi is the ability to 'Explore' presentations that have been created by other people. You can make a copy of these and reuse them, adapting them to suit your own needs. Many have been created by students around the world, so sometimes they have a different slant on a subject to our own, but one thing they all have in common are grammar and spelling mistakes!
All in all an enjoyable and useful site
It is an exciting and dynamic way of presenting information to an audience, be it a class of students or to parents of prospective students at an Open Evening. There are positively hundreds of uses that it can be put to and because of its 3 dimensional movements it attracts attention even in busy places.
Like it's predecessor Power Point it presents information in 'Slides' or 'Frames' that then move around a screen. Stories can be told in a logical format and as well as text, images and movies can be embedded into it.
An added feature of Prezi is the ability to 'Explore' presentations that have been created by other people. You can make a copy of these and reuse them, adapting them to suit your own needs. Many have been created by students around the world, so sometimes they have a different slant on a subject to our own, but one thing they all have in common are grammar and spelling mistakes!
All in all an enjoyable and useful site
Monday 10 June 2013
Twitter is one of the most popular Social Networking sites around today, after Facebook. One Tweet can contain up to 140 characters, so is very short.
My impression of the site is that it is like reading in staccato, with trivial information displayed in very short bursts. I found that I would be easily distracted and follow links, eventually wasting much valuable time on fruitless searches! I do not see it as being much use in an academic setting, and can see students doing as I did, and becoming led on wild goose chases after information that is not relevant to the task in hand....
My impression of the site is that it is like reading in staccato, with trivial information displayed in very short bursts. I found that I would be easily distracted and follow links, eventually wasting much valuable time on fruitless searches! I do not see it as being much use in an academic setting, and can see students doing as I did, and becoming led on wild goose chases after information that is not relevant to the task in hand....
Friday 7 June 2013
Poll Everywhere
Hey, this is great. You can create a poll and publish it on your Blog. People can then vote using a variety of devices, including their Mobile Phones, Tablets, Laptops and their PC's.
Here is the quiz that Jessie and I designed for the Moodle sessions, converted into a Poll.
I imported all these questions from a Word Document - easy peasy once I got the hang of it.
Heather helped me as I couldn't figure out how to embed the poll into Blogger, but that is easy too, once you know how!
Here is the quiz that Jessie and I designed for the Moodle sessions, converted into a Poll.
I imported all these questions from a Word Document - easy peasy once I got the hang of it.
Heather helped me as I couldn't figure out how to embed the poll into Blogger, but that is easy too, once you know how!
Wednesday 5 June 2013
Padlet
Is an online notice board. Imagine virtual post-it notes, and you are close to what this program does.
It could be useful with a group of students where they could all post a note onto the wall at the start of a class, and then discuss further their ideas.
Here is an example of how it might be used by two people who are packing for a long trip where each can record what they have done, and what they each feel remains to be dealt with.
As you can see Will is using the wall to post questions as he thinks about them, so that either he, or John, can consider them and then answer at a later date.
It could be useful with a group of students where they could all post a note onto the wall at the start of a class, and then discuss further their ideas.
Here is an example of how it might be used by two people who are packing for a long trip where each can record what they have done, and what they each feel remains to be dealt with.
As you can see Will is using the wall to post questions as he thinks about them, so that either he, or John, can consider them and then answer at a later date.
Tuesday 4 June 2013
Friday 31 May 2013
Delicious
Delicious allows the user to store the URL's of the sites that they want to visit most regularly. By logging in to the site they can effectively 'carry' their bookmarks to any internet connected computer that they use.
Simple to join and use it is an easy way of never losing the addresses of those sites that you find most useful, with the added bonus of being able to search for articles and sites that other people have bookmarked. This can be useful as you can search for a subject and then see what sites other people have found to be informative enough to keep returning to
Simple to join and use it is an easy way of never losing the addresses of those sites that you find most useful, with the added bonus of being able to search for articles and sites that other people have bookmarked. This can be useful as you can search for a subject and then see what sites other people have found to be informative enough to keep returning to
ProProfs Quiz
Of the two quiz generating sites I have tried (the other being Quizlet) I think that this is the most useable. Instead of just matching words and phrases this can be used to ask specific questions on a given subject in a fun way that could engage the students and help them learn at the same time.
Here is an example that I designed around the theme of flying times.
Hope you enjoy!
Tuesday 28 May 2013
Quizlet
Quizlet is a fun way of testing yourself on a number of subjects. I particularly liked the 'Scatter' option, where you have to match two words or sentences together, and they then disappear from the playing board. Great fun, and I could see students getting a kick out of trying to complete the task quickly.
This is a Quizlet that I have created, in its 'Scatter' mode. just to give you a taste of how to use the program.
Generally very impressive and engrossing. just takes a little time and effort to set up, and it is then a resource that can be used repeatedly in classes. Could even be a task to be given to the students to do!
This is a Quizlet that I have created, in its 'Scatter' mode. just to give you a taste of how to use the program.
Generally very impressive and engrossing. just takes a little time and effort to set up, and it is then a resource that can be used repeatedly in classes. Could even be a task to be given to the students to do!
Thursday 23 May 2013
Tagul
Been trying for two days to get a password from this site.
Needless to say I am less than impressed!
-------------------------------------------------
It is now the 5th of June, and there is still no word from this site. Perhaps it has imploded?
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9th June 2013
At last! After what seems like months of silence, I finally got an email from Tagul, and can now use the site!!!
Here is the Word Cloud I have created, and it is, of course, based on the Greek Islands (I wouldn't say I was obsessed, but you may be of a different opinion).
Needless to say I am less than impressed!
-------------------------------------------------
It is now the 5th of June, and there is still no word from this site. Perhaps it has imploded?
-------------------------------------------------
9th June 2013
At last! After what seems like months of silence, I finally got an email from Tagul, and can now use the site!!!
Here is the Word Cloud I have created, and it is, of course, based on the Greek Islands (I wouldn't say I was obsessed, but you may be of a different opinion).
Tuesday 21 May 2013
You Tube Extra
Couldn't NOT put this in.
What is the coolest thing to see in space?
Courtesy of:
What is the coolest thing to see in space?
Sunrise from the Space Station
Courtesy of:
You Tube
A revised version of David Bowie's Space Oddity, recorded by Commander Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station.
Not only is this one of my favourite songs, it is given added poignancy being sung in space.
Not only is this one of my favourite songs, it is given added poignancy being sung in space.
Wednesday 15 May 2013
Using Google Maps
Google Maps lets you 'see' places without actually going there. You can search the globe, either using the town name, the name of a destination or tourist attraction or either a postal (in the UK), or zip (USA), code.
Street view is available in most of Europe, Japan and North America, parts of South America, South Africa and Coastal and Central Australia.Coverage is patchy across the rest of the globe, but does increase steadily as the mapping project continues. Click here for an up to date map of the coverage available
Once you have found the place you are looking for, on the map, you can 'pull' down to street level and look at photographs.
View Larger Map
Here is a map that I have customised to show some of the Greek Islands that I have visited over the last few years: Greek Island Holidays
There are other sites that deal with maps available on the Internet. some are similar to each other, such as Bing Maps, which has a clever and realistic 'Birds Eye' view and others are more specialised, e.g.
Street view is available in most of Europe, Japan and North America, parts of South America, South Africa and Coastal and Central Australia.Coverage is patchy across the rest of the globe, but does increase steadily as the mapping project continues. Click here for an up to date map of the coverage available
Once you have found the place you are looking for, on the map, you can 'pull' down to street level and look at photographs.
View Larger Map
Here is a map that I have customised to show some of the Greek Islands that I have visited over the last few years: Greek Island Holidays
There are other sites that deal with maps available on the Internet. some are similar to each other, such as Bing Maps, which has a clever and realistic 'Birds Eye' view and others are more specialised, e.g.
- http://www.oldmapsonline.org/ which is a vast repository of antique maps that you can explore. This link takes you to a map of Greece from 1811!
- http://labs.necenzurat.com/foursquare/ which asks for your location then shows a map of where you are with a list of businesses in the vicinity. Presumably these businesses pay to be included in some way, so the list only includes them.
- http://www.mapometer.com/ This allows you to map where you have walked/run/swam or cycled and calculate the distance traveled along with the estimated calories you have used. An excellent resource in the fight to get, and keep, fit!
Tuesday 14 May 2013
QR Codes
A QR Code is a coded URL, or web page address. If it is scanned by a reader it will generate the web page on an internet connected device such as a mobile phone, or a tablet computer.
They are often used as an advertising gimmick, and can be found on shelf edges in supermarkets and on the products wrapping, and when scanned will link to a web page that gives the consumer more detailed information about the product. They can also be found in magazines and papers for the same purpose.
In and education setting they can be used as a revision aid for students to be able to link easily to websites where they can read information, or watch videos, about their subjects. To that end they can be employed to create a study. or reminder, page or wall, where the student can scan the code, then revise the subjects covered on the page.
Here are a few examples:
Here is a QR Code to Thomson holidays!
They are often used as an advertising gimmick, and can be found on shelf edges in supermarkets and on the products wrapping, and when scanned will link to a web page that gives the consumer more detailed information about the product. They can also be found in magazines and papers for the same purpose.
In and education setting they can be used as a revision aid for students to be able to link easily to websites where they can read information, or watch videos, about their subjects. To that end they can be employed to create a study. or reminder, page or wall, where the student can scan the code, then revise the subjects covered on the page.
Here are a few examples:
Here is a QR Code to Thomson holidays!
Link to Jamie Oliver's website
I created these links using http://www.mobile-barcodes.com
Here is a link to their website, created using their website!
Wednesday 1 May 2013
RSS Feeds embeded into a Blog
This type of feed appears to be more useful to the casual user. Using the Layout tab in blogger, it is possible to insert an RSS Feed using the 'Insert a gadget' option.
It follows the same process as inserting gadgets (like the fish tank and the clock), just scroll down through the options until you get to the 'Feed' option. It is just a question of copying the URL address from the web page, containing the XML code, and pasting it into the space provided. Following this you get a couple of options to edit what will be displayed (i.e. the number of posts from this feed).
I have chosen three feeds to add to this blog,
Using this type of feed to add to a Blog is a good way of telling readers what your interests are. If a student is going to produce a Blog to act as an online addition to their CV then these Feeds could, and should, reflect their interest in the subject they are studying, and hope to work in.
It follows the same process as inserting gadgets (like the fish tank and the clock), just scroll down through the options until you get to the 'Feed' option. It is just a question of copying the URL address from the web page, containing the XML code, and pasting it into the space provided. Following this you get a couple of options to edit what will be displayed (i.e. the number of posts from this feed).
I have chosen three feeds to add to this blog,
- '48 Hours in RSS Feed' is from the travel section of the Independent Newspaper
- 'Word of the Day' from wordsmith.org
- 'Whats on at Buxton Opera House'
Using this type of feed to add to a Blog is a good way of telling readers what your interests are. If a student is going to produce a Blog to act as an online addition to their CV then these Feeds could, and should, reflect their interest in the subject they are studying, and hope to work in.
Tuesday 30 April 2013
RSS Feeds - are they good or bad?
After some false starts, where I tried to do more than was expected (or possible), and having discovered that Chrome doesn't automatically display RSS Feeds, I installed 'Feedly' into my Chrome Browser and entered into their wild and wonderful world.
Recipe RSS (RSS Number 1)
The first feed I have subscribed to is a recipe blog. Great because I like to eat, so this is like a fix every day and, because it is written by an American, Elise Bauer, the foods they eat, and the combinations, are interesting to say the least!
The site I found it on is http://www.simplyrecipes.com/ and she goes some way to describe her motivation for setting up the blog in the first place, and goes on to inform about the awards her blog has won, and how popular it has become.
In case you are interested enough to want to take a look, the latest recipe is for these, delicious looking, Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Recipe RSS (RSS Number 1)
The first feed I have subscribed to is a recipe blog. Great because I like to eat, so this is like a fix every day and, because it is written by an American, Elise Bauer, the foods they eat, and the combinations, are interesting to say the least!
The site I found it on is http://www.simplyrecipes.com/ and she goes some way to describe her motivation for setting up the blog in the first place, and goes on to inform about the awards her blog has won, and how popular it has become.
In case you are interested enough to want to take a look, the latest recipe is for these, delicious looking, Chocolate Chunk Cookies
This blog could be of use to Hospitality Students in search for some 'off-the-wall' inspiration for their menus.
Self Help RSS (RSS Number 2)
Following this I found another blog that interested me and added it to my growing list of sources of information. This one is called Dumb Little Man (http://www.dumblittleman.com/index.html), and purports to give 'Tips for Life'
It is full of Lifestyle Advice and Self Help Inspiration with articles called 'How to get off your Butt and Start Running this Spring' and 'Why Motivation is Overrated'.
Having already said that this blog might interest me, I think I have changed my mind and will delete it. All a little too David Icke for me .....
Buxton Opera House RSS (RSS Number 3)
Finally, by way of a total change, I looked for an RSS Feed that would give information from the arts. I searched, using Google, for Opera Feeds, and found this one, which gives data regarding forthcoming shows.
It lists the next 4 shows, in chronological order, so that you can see if there is anything that you might fancy attending, and hopefully give you the time to get tickets.
Conclusion
All in all it seems that RSS Feeds can be useful if you want to keep abreast of news from certain areas without having the hassle of actually having to go to the site in question. I feel that in an academic sense it could be good if the student needs to be kept abreast of any changes to the object of their research. maybe they would be looking at a holiday company and want to know when the brochures are going to change, or if they are studying Performing Arts to be informed as to dates of shows etc. Hospitality students woule benefit from a recipe Feed, or from looking at hotel chains etc.
Too many, of course, will just confuse and distract them, so I think that it is a question of balance. I can see numerous sports students glued to the RSS Feeds from their favourite football teams, to the detriment of their studies, but this is always the case for students on less academic courses.
Tuesday 23 April 2013
Holiday Countdown Widget
This widget, that tells me how many days that it is before I fly of to Oz, has come from:
http://widgets.hotelscombined.com/Vacation-Countdown-Ticker.htm
Just as easy to use as the other site, and again, it is a question of copying their code and placing it into the HTML tab of the post.
Australia here we come!!!
http://widgets.hotelscombined.com/Vacation-Countdown-Ticker.htm
Just as easy to use as the other site, and again, it is a question of copying their code and placing it into the HTML tab of the post.
Not only can you set the destination and the date of departure, but you can specify what 'skin' (background colour) that you would prefer.
Australia here we come!!!
More Widgets
I have copied the 'This Day in History' widget from onlinewebgadgets.com.
Easy to do, just go to the site, choose the widget that you want to install, follow the instructions and copy the code. Open your blog post and click on the HTML tab at the top. Paste the code in and then update the blog.
When you View Blog, there it is.
Friday 19 April 2013
Fish Widget
Hi all
Just added my first widget. I took the easy route by using one of the ones that are ready for use within Blogger. Dead easy, all I had to do was:
- Go to 'Layout', when on the dashboard
- Click on one of the 'Add a Gadget's
- Select the one that I wanted, and voila!
I did edit the one I have chosen somewhat, in that I altered the colour of the background, and added a few extra fish, but that's all there was to it.
Happy days.......
Time Zone!!!
I have just realised that I have been working in the wrong time zone!
Blogger defaults to West Coast USA (California), so you need to change it, unless you live there, of course!
Easy to do.
Blogger defaults to West Coast USA (California), so you need to change it, unless you live there, of course!
Easy to do.
- Go to 'Settings'
- Choose the 'Language and Formatting' tab
- Change the Time Zone (and anything else that you wish to)
Now your post will reflect the time and date that you published it.
Wednesday 17 April 2013
Learning Styles
Well, I have done the test at BrainBoxx.co.uk (follow the link below).
The result is distinctly undecided! The Learning Styles, and my 'scores' are:
So, as the three score are so close together, I must be able to learn in any of these styles! Kinaesthetic is probably the best for me, but only marginally.
The result is distinctly undecided! The Learning Styles, and my 'scores' are:
Learning Style
|
Points
|
Visual
|
6
|
Auditory
|
5
|
Kinaesthetic
|
7
|
So, as the three score are so close together, I must be able to learn in any of these styles! Kinaesthetic is probably the best for me, but only marginally.
Does this mean that I am more, or less, intelligent than someone with a definite bias to just one method of learning?
Presumably it means that I am more adaptable.....
As for using these as a teacher/tutor I think that they are a fantastic asset for those times when teaching on a one-to-one basis or with a class where the learning styles are all the same, but if you have a class with students disparate styles it might cause problems, with some students feeling distanced from the activities taking place.
As for using these as a teacher/tutor I think that they are a fantastic asset for those times when teaching on a one-to-one basis or with a class where the learning styles are all the same, but if you have a class with students disparate styles it might cause problems, with some students feeling distanced from the activities taking place.
Creating a Link
No, not the missing one!
It is easy to insert a link to either a page, or section, in your Blog, or to an external website.
Voila!
Here is a link to my 'Favourite Book' page
Here is a link to just one of the places I am going to this summer
It is easy to insert a link to either a page, or section, in your Blog, or to an external website.
- Firstly you need to get the URL (Internet Address) of the page that you want to link to - simple go the the site and copy the address.
- Next, go to the position on the page where you want the link to go.....
- Click on the 'Link' icon on the toolbar and paste the address where directed. Then you can type the words that you want to appear in the post you have created.
Voila!
Here is a link to my 'Favourite Book' page
Here is a link to just one of the places I am going to this summer
Tuesday 16 April 2013
The Start
Here we go!
This is the first post of my new Blog, and I will be recording my thoughts, decisions and progress as I work through the '21 Things' project this year.
The '21 Things' will help expand my knowledge of all things digital, and allow me to look at some of the applications that I either hadn't tried, or didn't even know existed! Hopefully I will find applications that will be useful to both staff and students that we will be able to implement over the next few years.
This is the first post of my new Blog, and I will be recording my thoughts, decisions and progress as I work through the '21 Things' project this year.
The '21 Things' will help expand my knowledge of all things digital, and allow me to look at some of the applications that I either hadn't tried, or didn't even know existed! Hopefully I will find applications that will be useful to both staff and students that we will be able to implement over the next few years.
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