Category Archives: TEL
Ideal for the classroom – How to create Youtube Playlists
A playlist is a list of videos that you organise . This is perfect if you want to watch a series of videos back to back.
You then can share this list by capturing the url of the playlist or embed the video playlist on your website. The other cool feature about this is the fact that if for example you insert a url link on your learning management system for your students to access. You only have to share one weblink, not a separate link for every video. Furthermore, the url that you have distributed to your student is automatically updated if you come back a day, a week or even years later and add new videos to the original playlist.
To set up a playlist is very straight forward
- Log into Youtube
- Find your video of interest
- Click on the “add to” button under the video
- Click on “create new playlist” to start a new playlist of click on the name of an existing playlist that you have previsouly created
- To access the url for your playlist, click on your youtube username (normally top right corner of the screen
- Click on video manager (top right hand corner of screen)
- Click on playlists (left hand side of screen)
- Click on your play list of choice
- Copy the url
40+ Super Secret iPad Features and Shortcuts | iPad.AppStorm
40+ Super Secret iPad Features and Shortcuts | iPad.AppStorm.
A selection of very useful (and a few not so useful) iPad tips and tricks
Twitter in Higher Education
For the uninitiated, Twitter is a messaging service that limits you to 140 characters and spaces per post (or per tweet)
The advantage for a lecturer is that you don’t need to know the phone numbers of students to get messages onto their device: they are the ones who authorize their mobile phone from the website and they subscribe to your Twitter feed.er “tweet”).
Twitter is basically a potential alternative to email, instant messaging and discussion forums, as ways of communicating with students.
Students can also use this when doing their classwork, trying to understand the material. Tweet: “I don’t understand what this reading has to do with New Media? any ideas?” Other students then respond. (This actually happened recently in a class)
Students can follow someone else who is on Twitter, who interests them. For example if they are thinking about technology in education they can follow @topgold who works for LIT and Tweets about a range of topics including the use of technology in education
Twitter integrates with blogs and other Web pages, providing Flash and JavaScript code options that allow Web pages to access Twitter updates.
What are the downsides?
The most common criticism of Twitter is that it enables inane interaction. Tweets that say nothing more than “I’m eating pickles” or “Really tired today” are not uncommon, and, indeed, the value of such postings to the casual user is minimal. TO be honest I just don’t follow people who put up posts like this. However there even when you have an ideal set of people to follow, as an asynchronous broadcast service, there is no guarantee that any individual tweet will be read, let alone responded to.
The selection of video tutorials below are taken from YouTube and will help you to set up your twitter account. Click on the small box in the bottom left of the youtube screen to get the full list of youtube tutorials available through this list
For more information on Twitter please below a link to useful websites I have found on Twitter
Mind Maps
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. They are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid to studyingand organizing information, solving problems, making decisions, and writing.
Mind maps can be used for:
- problem solving
- outline/framework design
- structure/relationship representations
- condensing material into a concise and memorable format
Mind-map tools that I have found useful are mind42.com, Spicynodes, Bubbl.us, SpiderScribe, Slatebox and mindmaple. Mind 42 is great for collaboration as its a web based application that doesn’t require your students to download any software and version control is not an issue. Another great web based application that can be used for mind maps is Prezi. MindMaple is a piece of software that is installed on your computer as opposed to being web based but it does offer considerably more functionality in terms of project management
Related articles
- Mind Map Your Ideas Easier with MindMaple (prweb.com)
- mind mapping (novia142.wordpress.com)
Making online quizzes using Moodle
Frequent in-class quizzes have been associated with positive learning outcomes including increased student achievement, attendance, and confidence (Ruscio, 2001; Wilder, Flood, & Stomsnes, 2001). Frequent quizzing reportedly maintains student study effort and promotes course engagement (Smith et al., 2000; Sporer, 2001). In general students rate the quizzes favorably and believe they are helpful in preparing for in-class examinations. Practice tests help students evaluate their learning and focus study effort accordingly (Maki, 1998).
Social Bookmarking for Librarians
Social Bookmarking for Librarians
Enhancing the learner experience, using librarian facilities even when they are not open, is a goal of every college library
Steering Clear of Cyber Tricks on the internet
CareerTech provide tips, ideas and help with web 2 technologies. They have made a great post highlighting simple videos from the YouTube team giving advice for children (and adults) on how to use the internet wisely and safely.
Technology Enhanced Learning 