What DL is happening?

Note: For an audio version of this blog visit http://drop.io/wdlihblog to listen and/or download and/or subscribe to an RSS Feed or for  iTunes downloads.

Items included in this blog are also included in my website, http://www.acljohn.com/.

So much to do and… you know the rest! Two live presentations coming up in November. On the 9^th a live TV Broadcast on ”Just in Time Resources” and on the 12^th an Adobe Connect Workshop on eXe. If you wish to attend the eXe presentation you will need to book online on our events page.

Today’s Finds include…

1:

ClockEasy can be described as an effective way to have a clock in your blog, website and/or VLE.

There is not any mysterious algorithm or complicated set of tools working behind this site. The truth is it is a simple application that is can be highly useful and efficient when it comes to setting countdowns to important mile posts; deadlines etc.

When visiting the site visitors will see the four main options they can use. Simple and uncomplicated, this provides practical solutions for both practitioners and learners if they decide to place it in their site for many reasons.

Find out more and/or try it out at http://clockeasy.com/.

2:

Five Card Stories is an experimental web site designed to foster visual thinking.

How does it work? Users...

• are dealt five random photographs for each of five draws,
• select one each time to add to their selection of images; they will probably find it easier if the first image they select is of a person or animal, which can then be the main character in their story.

·         take the 5 images to tell a story; illustrated by them...

• give it a title,
• add a name (it doesn't have to be your real name)
• complete the story and then
• type in the two security words and
• save it to the site.

will then be able to come back each day and see how people have voted on their story.

Five Card Stories provides learners with...

• quick writing practice and
• the opportunity to...

• give feedback and criticism to other users and
• receive feedback and criticism of their own written work

Find out more at http://web.nmc.org/5cardstory/index.php or
play the Five Card Flickr Game at http://web.nmc.org/5cardstory/flickr.php.

3:

In S. Hendy's own words...

"I love finding digital resources and exploring ways to integrate technology into the classroom. I am particularly interested in online applications. This blog has been designed to share resources I have found and collected as both an educator and a parent. My background is in Art and Multimedia education, however, I love finding ways to enhance learning in all subject areas."

For example Hendy's slideshow, 'Tap Into the World of Comics', presents a series of comic creation tools followed by twenty suggestions for using comics in the classroom. Creating comics can be a fun way for learners to develop their skills for planning a storyline. Comic creation is also a good way to get reluctant writers started on creating a story.

Visit the blog at http://digitaltoolsforteachers.blogspot.com/ or access the presentations at http://www.slideshare.net/shend5. 

4:

In their words...

"Ever read one of those top ten lists or photo galleries where every item is on a different page? You spend more time clicking "Next" and waiting than actually reading anything. PageZipper is a free bookmarklet which automatically merges all the "Next" pages into one, so you can skip directly to the stuff you want." 

Watch an introductory video at.

To add Page Zipper to your browser and/or to find out more go to http://www.printwhatyoulike.com/pagezipper.

5:

During October three of us, from the RSC Team, were involved with an eProgress Review with a learning provider whose staff were dispersed across the UK. Holding face to face interviews was not economical, or green, so we used skype to interview their staff. With the Call Graph Plug-in we were able to record the conversations. A very successful use of technology!

I've now come across an article in Time Magazine that starts...

"Get ready for a closeup: your next job interview might be on webcam. Looking to save time and money, companies are turning to video-chat software as a cheap, low-hassle way to vet job candidates. That means a growing number of people looking for work are meeting their prospective new bosses not at the office but in the comfort of their own home."

Read the full article at http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1930838,00.html.

More and more companies say they are using Skype to interview potential employees; some even use it as a first screening by HR before narrowing down candidates.

Are you or your learners prepared?

Have they experienced on-line interviews/discussions etc?

If they are being interviewed by video, at home, do they realise that they must be sure to remove all environmental distractions. Put the dogs out, remove the whisky bottles from the area they’re sitting in, and pyjamas are a real No-No :-).

6:

Are you a learning provider who wants to implement eLearning across your organisation? YES, then a number of toolkits and services exist that can be used to help benchmark you, and move your (ILT) strategy forward.

We at RSC Northwest, along with the 8 other English RSC, are running Generator workshops as part of the big Becta push to get learning providers engaged in a self evaluation process.

The...

• ACL sector has had the eLPS tool for a while now
• WBL sector likewise the WeLPS tool; we also produced an eMagazine to support these providers available at http://www.rsc-northwest.ac.uk/acl/eMagArchive/RSCeMag2008/eLPS_Tool/index.html.
• other sectors we supported, until the Becta Generator was developed, didn't have such tools so the team produced separate Generic Tools to aid all our supported learning providers.

Kevin Brace, RSC West Midlands, in his Gabber Blog <http://kev-brace.blogspot.com/> flagged up two other tools that may also be of use to learning providers, when addressing eLearning and self evaluation; they are...

• The NHS eLearning ToolKit at http://www.elearningreadiness.org/index.php
  This may be an appropriate tool for those engaged with NVQs that possibly lead to NHS employment; and
• Nga Kiwai Ketev at http://www.nkk.org.nz/kete1.php, designed to be used in the context of face-to-face interaction and support.
  These online resources are structured within five kete, each providing a different perspective on enhancing e-learning capability:

• Introducing e-Learning
• Planning e-Learning
• Designing e-Learning
• Teaching online
• Supporting e-Learners and Teachers

7:

ShopTalk is an application that aims to make professional collaboration an easier task.

ShopTalk lets different members of a team chat with each other in a setting which is both private and secure.

One of the best aspects of the whole service is that it enables users to employ tabbed chat rooms. i.e. a person who is in more than one department/curriculum area/faculty etc., within the same organisation will be able to take part in different chat rooms at the same time should that be necessary. Activity in each room is flagged by highlighting Room Tabs, so that users don't not have to check manually every five seconds to see if someone has posted a message.

Every session is stored so there is no need to write down anything which has been talked about within the chat room. Simply refer to the conversation and the relevant exchange of information will be found.

Note: This service can be used for free during the provided free beta. So, if you want to know whether a tool like this one is what your organisation needs in order to channel its productivity, now is the perfect time for finding it out.

I've experimented briefly and, along with the default Lobby, have set up two 'Project Room'; I've invited colleagues and we have...

• chatted
• shared documents (Images are displayed and hyperlinks are included for participants to download docs) and
• switched from room to room

Feedback has been very positive and I can see great potential for those who wish to communicate with staff or learners who are spread far and wide.

Find out more and/or sign up at http://shoptalkapp.com/.