Videos for learning

My cybersifting has enabled me to identify a number of useful tools for locating and viewing videos. My searching has been focussed on learning more bout web 2.0 applications. This site, vodpod enables you to search topics and save useful videos into a pod. At this link, you can access my collection, join up or follow others.

By saving to vodpod, you can access many youtube and google videos of educational value that would otherwise be blocked because the main site is understandably not accessible in schools.

I have a range of videos that complement what I have collected through slideshare.

Blog and wiki wisdom

I have collected some useful opinion and position statements from social software early adopters, who have gained reputations in educational technology over the last decade. These are worth noting since inevitably they bring a practical perspective to the use of new applications in teaching.

Most days, I spend up to an hour using google reader to identify new developments especially new uploads to slideshare.

I have set up a favourites list and a dedicated group, named "web 2.0 tools in effective learning". The number of relevant slideshows expands each day with educators and enterprising types around the world sharing their work. No real need to develop anything new for presentations any more.

Browse to see the possibilities:
http://www.slideshare.net/group/web-20-tools-for-effective-teaching

It's more about learning 2.0 than the tools.

I read a great article this morning on this topic. It's worth reading in full.

Jeff Utecht wrote in his blog - It's not about Web 2.0 it's about learning! He writes: "I was invited in to give a lesson on how knowledge is changing in the 21st century. My first thought was "How do I tell students knowledge has changed, when they already know that?"I set up 3 Skype [...]"

When exploring web 2.0 social software, the deliberations, discussion and reflection must be on how to best use the many applications to ensure high impact on student motivation, engagement and learning.

My task now will be to continue to deepen my knowledge and skills to use the tools effectively but mostly to explore High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS)for use of the tools.

Blogger and blogging - observations and issues

I have concentrated today on getting my two main applications - my blog and my wiki looking as I want them to. I have more to do and I have yet to look at content organisation with the wiki

I undertand now that it is almost time to make decisions about which tools I will continue to use regularly and which I will have to let go.

For instance,I ask myself how many social bookmarking sites can I reasonably manage?

Also,I ask myself how many social networking sites can I reasonably manage?

For each social network site the opportunity exists to join other groups managed by people with similar interests. This further enhances the learning, is great fun, but there is only so much time.

I always spend some time each day reading mails, blogs and looking for new slideshows. This is about keeping up to date. Each time I'm out there searching, I seem to find at least one new interesting application. Today it was:

http://quizlet.com/user/etalbert/

I set up one set with relative ease. What a great little tool!

Reflecting and evaluating web 2.0 learning journey

I am back now to blog a little about my web 2.0 learning journey. As I indicated in my start up "learning how-to" posts, I have been concentrating on finding out about particular types of social software. Absolutely fascinating is the least I could say. I have been exploring a number of issues including:
*ease of sign in
*ease of use
*time needed to learn how to use
*possible applications to teacher professional learning
*possible applications to student learning
*time needed to maximise value of use for above
*issues of privacy and security

and many other matters not yet identified. I'll add to this list.

The opportunities for learning are vast.

Web 2.0 tools

7 August 2007
I love these social networking tools them whether they should be known under that title or tag or some other!

So far, I have explored a number of applications, they include:

del.icio.us - this tool is very useful for research and so simple to use.
this blogspot
jotcloud
ning
clipmarks
wikispace
bubbl.us
Pageflakes

Most look like they could have some aplicationin classrooms.

I am also monitoring several blogs maintained by edtech experts. These are very useful and I'll provide an update soon on what I have learnt.

Social Networking

Progress so far.

I have been researching numerous tools, including podcasts, vodcasts, wikis. All in the context of learning.

I believe these tools will be useful to teachers with a little support and scaffolded resources.

This blog will be of use to me, since I can reflect on what I am doing, finding and possibly achieving.

I have looked at del.icio.us and I think it is fantastic!

I have also signed up to a poll site, a brainstorm site and I am looking at a number of other sites.

I hope I won't attract spam.