What DL is happening?

November has been crazy.

No other expression fits! With the move to a One Web Presence RSC-UK website, Safeguarding Training (CEOPS) for our learning providers, two major face-2-face Events plus the pressure to keep up to date with everything has meant a number of other things were forced off the work agenda.

Blogging may have been the one thing that you may have noticed.

I was aware that something had to be put on the back burner but, it also provided me with the opportunity to experiment with Searcheeze and to continue to build the already established Scoop.it.

Wow! Of all the resources I've experimented with during 2011, these have had the greatest impact. Today, less than a month since I launched "My Searcheeze", two thousand, three hundred and forty two views (2,342) have been reached! As for Scoop.it - Five thousand, one hundred views (5,100).

Producing the stats for my monthly return (for the powers that be) suggests that 'you prefer the instant update, interactive, less formal newspaper style of searcheeze and Scoop.it to the "5 find" format of my 'What DL is Happening?' blog’.

I still believe that blogging is one of the best forms of communication/reflection – let me know what you think and, if you haven't looked at my Searcheeze and scoop.it pages, visit...

·         http://www.searcheeze.com/p/acljohn/elearning-tools-resources-etc  and

·         http://www.scoop.it/t/technologies.

Watch this space things are changing again tomorrow!

I know it's early!

I'm sorry that the URLs for internal navigation don't work so the Index, requested by a number of you, fails; the other URLs do work and, feedback suggests that the QR Codes are a hit with many of you.

You can download the presentation (Office 2007) where all hyperlinks work.

PS Feedback about the eMagazine format preference was equally divided - this format however offers more options.

Welcome to the 5th Blog for October 2011 (the 45th this year); Just a quick reminder that Anita Holt and I are online this Thursday (27th October) between 12:30 and 13:30, looking how Triptico can, enhance current practice, engage learners, be used on an interactive white board etc. “Engaging Interactive Learning with One FREE Download...”

...and you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own PC – find out more at http://alturl.com/rkzuh.

Today’s 5 Finds (270 posted this year) include…

1: Tikatok Across the Curriculum

Writing lessons and project ideas for your K-8 classroom.

This free monthly series of activities, project ideas and learner worksheets integrates writing across a variety of subjects from maths, science, social studies, art, and more.

Visit http://www.tikatok.com/writing to get your downloads.

2: Trello

Trello is an online collaboration tool helping users perform tasks in a productive manner.

Users can

-              create boards,

-              add lists and cards which contains description about the tasks,

-              share the tasks with a group of people and work on it in real time,

-              add labels and more.

Users can also track the activity on the board through Trello’s user friendly interface and monitor who is making changes on the board.

Visit https://trello.com/ to try it out - we have!

3: Reel – Present your ideas and reel in the feedback

A fast and easy way to turn your images, PowerPoints, Word documents, PDFs into mobile-friendly online slideshows, and start getting feedback from your audience without logins or special software.

Reel App provides an online service for sharing PPT, PDF, and image files with others.

Reel App provides...

-              a unique url for sharing the file;

-              an option to get feedback from the audience on each slide or images in the shared file.

-              an option to view the presentation on laptops, mobile phones, or tablets.

-              a summary page containing the overall feedback from viewers.

Learner Voice-Peer Assessment

Could be a good way for learners to get feedback on presentations they deliver and practitioners could use Reel App to check learner understanding on each slide in a presentation;"thumbs up" if they feel they understand & "thumbs down" if don't.

Visit http://www.reelapp.com/ to try it out.

4: cc:to me

CC:to me is one of those bookmarklets that "makes my head hurt"; there are so many things practitioners and their learners can do with it.

Why wasn't an idea as simple as this implemented earlier.

As its name suggests, it allows users to...

-              email stuff to themselves via a bookmarklet;

-              drag and drop text, images, videos and more from the web onto it;

cc:to me then emails them all flawlessly along with the link.

Currently free (sign up needed); pro accounts (coming soon) will bring goodies like multiple recipients (ideal for collaborative work) and more.

Find out more at http://cctome.com.

5: Claroline

Open source software is the perfect choice for learning providers - it’s free (which is great for those with very limited budgets), and the software’s flexibility and open nature suits the learning environment.

Claroline is well-suited for building online courses and managing online and collaborative environments.

As usual I highly recommend you check out the demo.

Find out more at http://www.claroline.net/ or for a DIY: Set-up - visit http://alturl.com/pbzfy.

Note: This blog is also available as…

·         A mobile version at http://acljohn.wirenode.mobi

·         Vidcasts at http://www.youtube.com/user/acljohn.

·         Items included in this blog are also available in my web portal at http://www.acljohn.com/, The ScoopIt Technologies Publication and the ACLjohn Daily.

Welcome to the 4th Blog for October 2011 (the 44th this year); Just a quick thank you to the people who have asked if they can advertise on my blog, I’m sorry but I’ll have to turn down your offers. I work for a publically funded organisation and feel it inappropriate to accept money for adverts or to promote “products” that I may not feel appropriate. Again thank you for the offers.

Today’s 5 Finds (265 posted this year) include…

1: CSI: The Experience - Web Adventures

Although CSI Web adventures are based on the CBS TV show CSI: Crime Scene, these resources allow learners to experience several different types of forensic analysis.

CSI Web adventures also provides links for practitioners, and their learners, of forensic science. These include...

•             General Forensics

•             DNA (Forensic Biology)

•             Toxicology

•             Firearms and Tool Marks Examination

•             Digital Forensics

•             Forensic Anthropology

•             Forensic Pathology

•             Forensic Art

•             Fingerprints and

•             Other Forensic Games

Have a go at http://forensics.rice.edu/.

2: GCompris

GCompris is an open source educational games and software suite ideal for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and Family Learning Practitioners; it contains a wide range of activities aimed at the 2 to 10 year age group.

GCompris comprises of over 100 individual games offering various activities such as...

-              the functioning of the computer,

-              using the mouse and keyboard,

-              general learning,

-              reading,

-              writing,

-              foreign languages,

-              algebra,

...as well as various activities such as memory and logic games, scientific experiments etc.

Visit http://bit.ly/qHqYz to try out the games.

3: Sandfields Comprehensive School, Free Flash Resources for Teachers

Looking for some useful Flash resources that can be used on an Interactive Whiteboard?

Sandfields School has produced some including clocks and timers plus games such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire. These come as...

-              downloadable Flash files which can be run offline; and

-              PowerPoint templates for games such as Blockbusters.

These resources are completely free and can be edited to suit individual needs by editing the xml files.

Visit http://www.sandfields.co.uk/games/ to access these resources.

4: Blitz School

Blitz School offers educational workshops with exciting activities to help learn about World War II. Based in Greater Manchester, their website offers valuable resources.

Take a look in the Free Resources section for a fascinating video lesson, fact files about a number of objects from the period and lots of other teaching resources.

Based around the QCA unit 9 history topic "what was life like for children in the second world war?"

Visit http://www.blitzschool.co.uk/ to access the resources.

5: The Teaching Library

The Teaching Library is a place to find free teaching ideas and lesson resources, all linked to books that can be used in the classroom. Each book has ideas for uses in different areas of the curriculum, along with related video content and downloadable materials.

Ideal for Initial Teacher Training and Family Learning Practitioners

Visit http://www.teachinglibrary.co.uk to Discover teaching ideas and lesson resources linked to children's books and literature.

Note: This blog is also available as…

·         A mobile version at http://acljohn.wirenode.mobi

·         Vidcasts at http://www.youtube.com/user/acljohn.

·         Items included in this blog are also available in my web portal at http://www.acljohn.com/, The ScoopIt Technologies Publication and the ACLjohn Daily.

Welcome to the 3rd Blog for October 2011 (the 43rd this year); I know many of you prefer this blog, as a drip feed, to the eMagazine but I’ve been so busy with other things I’m a bit behind – So here is another update...

Today’s 5 Finds (260 posted this year) include…

1: minutephysics's Channel – YouTube

“Simply put: cool physics and other sweet science.”

- all in a minute!

Useful video resources for Science Practitioners at http://www.youtube.com/user/minutephysics.

2: The Children's University of Manchester

Resources for Initial Teacher Training and Family Learning Practitioners.

The Children's University of Manchester shares, with the wider community, and particularly primary schools, the excitement of the knowledge created through its pioneering research activities and teaching and learning practices.

Resources include...

-              online interactive learning materials for use on whiteboards or PCs;

-              video clips which will bring the University to your desktop;

-              downloadable resources; and

-              educational games.

Content is aligned with, and complements existing Key Stage 2 web-based learning resources.

Visit http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/ to find out more.

3: ICT Planning

Ian Addison has created this guide to ICT - with sections on...

-              Blogging & Working Online;

-              Research;

-              Digital Literacy;

-              ICT in Maths;

-              Animation and Video;

-              Art & Image Editing;

-              Presentations;

-              Sound & Music;

-              Modelling & Simulations;

-              Control, Programming & Game Design;

-              ESafety; and

-              Early Years.

Also includes information, web links and suggested resources within each section and  references to expected levels/benchmarks, for Family Learning Practitioners, that children should aim to reach at different ages.

Visit https://sites.google.com/a/stjohnsapps.co.uk/ict-planning/ to find out more.

4: Web 2.0 and Hosted Services for Schools

"web 2 and hosted services for schools..."

Providing ICT support to schools here in the UK Primary Technology also offers a huge collection of online resources that Family Learning Practitioners can take advantage of.

Tools include...

-              PrimaryWall;

-              PrimaryPad;

-              Primary Games Arena; and

-              My School Holidays;

-              Safe Search;

-              Satpin;

Visit http://www.primaryt.co.uk/web-services.html to find out more.

5: Engineering Interact

Engineering Interact is a site for younger learners designed by the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge.

Engineering Interact offers five games designed to teach students physics concepts. The games address concepts related to light, sound, motion, electricity, and space travel. Each of the five games presents students with a scenario in which they have to "help" someone solve a problem.

The games require learners to learn and analyze the information presented to them.

Try out the games at http://www.engineeringinteract.org/interact.htm.

Note: This blog is also available as…

·         A mobile version at http://acljohn.wirenode.mobi

·         Vidcasts at http://www.youtube.com/user/acljohn.

·         Items included in this blog are also available in my web portal at http://www.acljohn.com/, The ScoopIt Technologies Publication and the ACLjohn Daily.

Welcome to the 1st Blog for October 2011 (the 41st this year); back to 5 Finds for this blog!

Today’s 5 Finds (250 posted this year) include…

1: SimpleMeet.me

Basically SimpleMeet.me is a chat service. A simple and easy one.

The basic idea is to be able to chat with defined group of people instantly without having to sign up somewhere or install anything. This is achieved by using a simple code system. Every visitor of the page gets assigned a short number code. A chat is started by simply passing this code to your contacts.

This is so unlike other solutions. Try it out at http://www.simplemeet.me/#.

2: Get your computer

Research shows that everything practitioners do to inspire and encourage learners – providing them the right skills to go online – will gradually slip away if there is no PC at home to keep the excitement alive and provide easy, instant access to the internet.

For many learners, engaged with ACL/PCDL/IAL/WBL and other Learning Providers, and others within the communities they support, the last significant barrier to getting people connected is the cost of a PC in the home.

It’s not enough for them to go online while attending taster or longer courses – the goal is to make it possible for them to stay online – and to feel the wonderful benefits of...

·         using Skype with friends and family;

·         unlimited video calls to any part of the world;

·         finding information just when they need it;

·         making the most of learning opportunities and develop their particular passions.

Help your community and current learners overcome this final barrier by pointing them towards GetOnline@Home website – the best place to buy a no-nonsense, affordable computer, which will give them a chance to stay online for good and to enjoy all the benefits that many take for granted.

Visit http://www.getonlineathome.org/default.aspx to find out more.

3: Merriam-Webster's Word Central Games

Functional Skills/Key skills/English etc., Interactive word games, from the Merriam-Webster website, that are great for an Interactive White Board (IWB)...

Alpha-bot - has an engaging method for spelling words, challenging spellers of all ages. Listen to the audio then drag, drop and click your way to success!

Robo-Bee - Learners control the flight of the Robo-Bee through a garden of synonyms, antonyms, spelling, and usage puzzles! This one works much better on Internet Explorer.

Bigbot - ideal for the younger learner; word-automated machines with an appetite! Challenges learners to find the antonym or synonym for different words - fun for the kids.

Jumble Kids - has potential as a fun lesson starter. The game has 10-12 Jumbles to choose from and seems they have a new Jumble each week.

Find out more at http://www.wordcentral.com/games.html.

4: What Makes Someone Leave A Website?

Attracting a potential learners (prospects) is hard enough. Grabbing their interest and retaining them is even more difficult.

It’s important to design a learning provider website so that user frustration is kept to a minimum, thereby maximizing prospects' retention. This resource provides some examples of what not to do when designing a website.

Find out what not to do at http://blog.kissmetrics.com/leave-a-website/?wide=1.

5: PageFlip-Flap

Transform your doc(x)/ppt(x)/xls(x), pdf/ps, ods/odt/odp..., jpg/png/gif/svg/eps..., avi/mov/ogm/flv... into an interactive flipbook.

It's very easy:

     - upload a file;

     -enter your email; and

...you will receive an email with the url to access the creation.

You can share this with colleagues, learners, other stakeholders... by email, blog, VLE, website, facebook, twitter and other web presence.

Try it out at http://www.pageflip-flap.com/.

Note: This blog is also available as…

•           A mobile version at http://acljohn.wirenode.mobi  

•           Vidcasts at http://www.youtube.com/user/acljohn .

•           Items included in this blog are also available in my web portal at http://www.acljohn.com/, The ScoopIt Technologies Publication and the ACLjohn Daily.

Join me online for an hour on Monday 3^rd October 2011 at 12:45 – details at http://bit.ly/qt1OXj - and find out more about the new eMagazine format strategy, tools used etc.

Available in 3 formats (which do you prefer?) the “NEW” October eMagazine, can be found at...

1.    http://slidesha.re/nBWSWc ;

2.    http://www.pageflip-flap.com/read?r=BUETRsUE1VF55cJB#/cover ; and

3.    http://www.reelapp.com/bed395 .

Please vote for the format you prefer at http://bit.ly/njrDXI and provide some constructive feedback.

Keep up to date by following one or more of the following - my...

·         “What DL is Happening?” Blog at http://acljohn.posterous.com/;

·         ScoopIt Technology Website at http://www.scoop.it/t/technologies;

·         Website at http://www.acljohn.com;

·         Twitter posts @ACLjohn and/or

·         Facebook http://www.facebook.com/acljohn;

Note: As I’m sure you are aware, our website, along with the other 11 RSC websites, is moving to a single RSC-UK website. As a result I was unable to continue the eMagazine in its previous format – don’t forget to vote on the format you prefer.