Digital Images

Flickr allows users to upload and also obtain images easily and legally, as all images are clearly labelled with their copyright terms. This is increasingly important in education and more and more resources are coming from the World Wide Web. As educators, it is important we set an example of the ethical and correct legal behaviour when dealing with internet content. I was disappointed so many of the images were copyrighted, however their is an exhaustive amount of images which aren't - it is simply a matter of scrolling through, much the same as using Google Images.

Speaking of Google Images, has everyone seen the new Google Images!!! It is fantastic and so easy to use, however most images are most likely on their illegally so we must ensure we are acknowledging our sources.

Images are something I would use every single time without doubt when using the internet to help my students learn. Graphic aids help students to develop and synthesis the information they are receiving and really enhance the students learning - especially for the visual learners.

I remember from high school art, learning that if an image is altered more than 70% you can legally call it you own. I'm not sure if this is still the current legislation, however Picnik as a free image manipulating program was fantastic. Programs such as PhotoShop can be very expensive and difficult to use without having lessons or prior expert knowledge.

Picnik was simple and allowed me to make a very wide variety of changes to the image I had uploaded. I would definitely use Picnik in the classroom if wanting to manipulate a picture to look a certain way. For example, blurring and distorting the image if teaching students about drugs and alcohol awareness. The above pictures are a before and after experiment I did with the Picnik program.

Please note the original flower picture was sourced from Google Images.

Interactive PowerPoint

Hello again,

I have just spent a reasonable amount of time trying to work out how to "File -> Send to -> Microsoft Office PowerPoint" as i have Office 2007, not 2003. I Googled it, and used the Help function in both Word and PowerPoint but still could not work it out, which was very disappointing as I can see how using the Outline view in Word would save a lot of time rather than fooling around with dot points in PowerPoint.

As I have been unable to send my outline to PowerPoint, I have now started to manually put the dot points etc. into my presentation.

(Later)

I have just finished my first interactive PowerPoint which was very easy to do, despite having instructions for using the 2003 Office program.

I would definitely use an interactive PowerPoint in the classroom as a way to break the monotony of delivering content in a secondary school class.

PowerPoint could be used innovatively to develop entire assessment preparation for a unit of work.

For example, the PowerPoint could include content, quizzes, hyperlinks to online media, images and I could even embed YouTube video's.

Details for a class assignment could be placed on the PowerPoint as well as tips and hints.

Examples of the Bibliography format required could be added.

PowerPoint would be a fantastic way to allow students to explore the content of a unit away from their desks.

If using a PowerPoint as a core resource, I feel it would be useful to provide student's wtih a 'take-home' copy, whether that be by uploading the PowerPoint to a class Website or allowing students to save it to personal storage devices.

Managing e learning presentation

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My Weebly Website

Hi all,

I have just created a Weebly account which can be viewed at s0192903.weebly.com.

My "Examples" page is very bland, however it does provide an indication of some of the things we could do with a website.

Within the classroom, I would definitely recommend the use of Websites in general for students when seeking new knowledge. There are significant results in Google alone for school education topics, and the World Wide Web provides access to resources far beyond the classroom walls.

I would also be able to create a custom Web page for students to access knowledge, as well as assessment and homework details. I could embed links, images, video's and sound within the Website, creating a fantastic resource for students.

Our Group's Wiki

Hi all,

Our Wikispace is located here at URL tarnah.wikispaces.com.

The above word "here" is my first ever hyperlink and it was SO easy to do. Tarnah and I will be experimenting with Wiki via the same space to save time (as many things appear to say the same thing).

Whilst i do like the concept of a Wiki - the community element and the opportunities for collaboration and new understanding, I would be cautious with their use in pedagogy, as I would not have sole control over the content.

However, I believe a Wiki would be a fantastic way to collaborate ideas with other education professionals. Ideas on behavior management, content delivery and even unit planning could be exchanged and developed freely. Imagine the possibilities!

For students, I feel a Wiki could be used most effectively in groups, to broaden their knowledge and create a detailed database of reference for them.

Hey! Prezi

Creating a Prezi was fun and I enjoyed the bright colours and simplicity of the program. I agreed with the Prezi's Introductory Video which admitted the zooming tool could become very nauseating and make viewers quite dizzy - a factor which would need to be considered within the classroom.

I would use a Prezi similarly to a Concept Map - to display new ideas to a class. In fact, I believe a Prezi presentation would be a great way to introduce a new topic. The zooming tool could be used, in conjunction with the grouping tool to display the values of a new unit of work, plus the topics and even briefly overview the assessment items relevant to the unit.

The main issue i have with Prezi is the limited data size offered on the 'Free' plan. However, if i was more confident in using the program and know I would utilise it within my classroom, i feel it would be worth the money.

Bubbl.us

This the Bubbl.us MindMap i created. It provides some very brief information on the Reformation - as a future History teacher, this is a perfect example of how i could use this technology within the classroom to present ideas and also organise knowledge.

I like the rounded shape to the boxes and also the colours of the Bubbl.us program better than that of Text2MindMap. Text2MindMap is perhaps simpler to use as you can type your information straight into the side box and the information is spread evenly for you.

However both tools provide the same opportunities and are a valuable teaching and learning resource.

Text2MindMap

Hello - to the left you will be able to see the MindMap I created on Text2MindMap. It was extremely simple to create.

This program proved its worth as an educative tool, providing both students and teachers with the opportunity to quickly and logically organise information.

To view the MindMap you are able to simply click on the image and it will open up, in a 'real size' version.

First impressions...

Creating my blog was very simple. It involved answering some simple questions; ticking and agreeing to the site terms and conditions and voila... A Blog!

I really enjoyed playing around with the background settings and exploring the different schemes available. So much so, that several hours passed before I finally committed to the one I liked the most.

Blog functionality can be used highly successfully in an education setting. Simply viewing my class members Blogs is evidence of this. We now have an organised network of people with common goals, posting information which will mutually benefit each of us when the time comes to implement technology within a classroom setting. A Blog seems a fantastic way to obtain different information and perspective on topics of interest.

In a classroom setting, I feel I would be able to use a blog as an effective way to stimulate my learners. A class Blog could serve a number of purposes. For example, I could post homework and assessment instructions to the Blog, where the students could freely access the information at their leisure. If used in this context, the students would also be able to post questions and queries. This would be particularly valuable over weekends, when students are studying at home.

Using a Blog would also be a fantastic way to connect with other education professionals to collaborate ideas for success within the classroom, especially important in this day and age when students are finding it extremely difficult to engage in learning.

I look forward to exploring new technologies, such as the Prezi system and developing my own knowledge further through our Managing E-learning community of Blogs.