Educating Students using Twitter

By Paul Silli

Your students have already gone home for the day, and you forgot to remind them that homework is due tomorrow. A state of frustration runs through your mind knowing this assignment is key for them to turn in because it’s a major component of their final project. What can you do? Twitter them! Twitter has become one of the most popular micro-blogging applications. It is a free Web 2.0 service with near one million users called “twitterers” who can send and receive text messages via the web, short message service (SMS), and by instant messaging through cell phone communications.

 

For example, if you did forget to inform your students about an assignment, all you would have to do is login to your twitter account, type the message in the text box (you are allowed 140 characters per message), and then send the message directly to your students via cell phone text messaging. As you may know cell phones are a great educational tool – and just about every student has one. Using them as activity reminders is a wonderful, innovative method.

 

For students to get your messages they would need to subscribe to your twitter “feed” which is a free application where students are only charged by their text messaging service which in most cases, they already have… I’m sure you’ve seen them texting messages to their friends all over campus. 🙂 

 

What exactly is Twitter?

According to Wikipedia online, twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users’ updates known as tweets while on the internet or by use of a mobile phone service. Tweets are text-based posts which are displayed on the user’s profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them.

 

For the past year many educators as well as popular newspapers, and TV shows have been using Twitter to connect with one another to share ideas and resources.

 

How to Sign Up for Twitter?

To get an account simply create an ID, password, and have a valid email address. Once logged in you can add pictures to your profile, and customize your color background. Then you can get online to find friends within the twitter network. To broaden your network tell your friends, co-workers and students to create a twitter account, and then they can subscribe to your feed so you can communicate with each other.

 

→ How else can Twitter be used in Education? Please add your comments.

 

Teacher Technology Survey

 By Paul Silli

Click here to take brief Teacher Technology Survey

We really need your opinion. The below survey link is being conducted to gain important information about your experiences as a teacher. You are asked to kindly provide your “perceptions” about technology and how you use it with your students (14 questions). The responses to this survey will be analyzed by our IT-Staff to improve the quality of learning for our school. Your responses are confidential. Big thanks for participating. 

Storyboard Presentations: Ideas in Graphic Form

By Paul Silli

A presentation without a storyboard is like a wagon without a horse. Storyboarding should never be at the beginning of any creative project because you cannot get to this stage unless you have a clear vision of what you want (Indezine Online, 2). If you are undertaking a project for yourself or for a client, there would be little to be gained in using a storyboard without ideas – the storyboard is an element to capture and refine your thoughts.

What exactly is a storyboard? It is an organizational layout, that is put on paper or created on a computer as screen-shots. A storyboard is both abstract and physical. The abstract storyboard is a visualization or source of inspiration; and the physical is when you put your thoughts on paper in a timeline, graphical format. For instance:

Storyboard Example 1

In this example, the upper part shows a layout of the screen. The two middle boxes provide space to describe the interaction of buttons and text fields. Comments are added to detail the color scheme, text attributes, audio, and details for the programmer (Maricopa, 1).

Storyboard Example 2

For this example, you see two screen representations, one for the computer and one for a second screen that would detail a video (this was typical for multimedia where video was shown on an external device such as a VCR or a laser disk player). Again, there is space to define the interactive features, and the nature of additional media (Maricopa, 2).

Storyboard Example 3

This example provides a larger area for the representation of the computer screen, but provides plenty of room for describing what is needed. By having these areas on both sides, the storyboard artist can also use arrows to link descriptions to parts of the screen (Maricopa, 3).

No matter which storyboard format you choose, the following info should be included:

• A sketch or drawing of the screen-shots, pages, or frames…
• Color, layout/placement, and size of graphics included…
• Actual text, title excerpts, if any, for each screen, page, or frame…
• Color, size, and type of font, if there is text…
• Narration, Animation, Video, Audio, other media, if any…
• Audience interaction: target market directed…

Please visit: http://www.umass.edu/wmwp/DigitalStorytelling/Storyboard.htm, to see a storyboard worksheet that may help you develop your ideas.

Tips for Performing Research Online

Back to School Already

By Paul Silli

 

The following may be helpful to you in preparing to research and write a report project.

 

Select a Specific Topic

Find a subject that is limited enough so it is manageable to work with in terms of the requirements of your assignment, the resources available, and the time-frame from which the work must be completed. Some preliminary research is necessary to determine what sub-topic is of interest to you, and for which there will be adequate available information.

 

Searching for Information

Unlimited info on any topic in the world may be found by using an online database:

• There are many search engines on the World Wide Web. For example, some are directories that provide broad information such as Yahoo; while others are more complex and combine search terms. It is a good idea to search more than one database and compare the information you collected to make sure the data is factual and accurate. Two very good search engines for academic research are: Google and Ask-Teoma. You also could do research using your local public library resources.  
• Each search engine on the Web searches in a unique manner, and will have instructions on the main page on how to effectively use its particular tool. See Google Scholar to improve your search matches for educational areas. You can visit Google Cheat Sheet for search help.

Top-10 BEST Research Tools visit: http://xooxleanswers.com/topten.aspx

Are Smart Boards SMART?

By Paul Silli

First, what in the world is a Smartboard? If you don’t know… according to Wikipedia, a Smartboard or interactive whiteboard is a large, touch-controlled screen that works with a projector and a computer (Wiki, ref-3). The projector throws the computer’s desktop image onto the interactive whiteboard (usually in the front of a room), which acts as both a monitor and an input device. Users can write on the interactive whiteboard in digital ink or use a finger to control computer applications by pointing, clicking and dragging, just as with a desktop mouse.

Now that you know a bit about this new technology, I refer back to my original question. Are Smart Boards smart? Maybe yes, or perhaps no!

There is no doubt that this colorful-board technology rocks for educational uses. You can have a student come up to a board in front of a class, and by using his or her fingers, can interact with it to perform many “hands-on” activities. But where this technology falls short — is in the depth of your pockets. You see, Smart Boards are very expensive to purchase for an average K12 School. They cost about $1,200 to $3,000 per unit, and that does not include the cost for a fast computer to run it, and you also will need a modern projector to show the image onto a screen — Visit this link for: Estimated Costs, (near $5,000).

Unfortunately, most schools, especially the one’s I have visited, do not have the essential budget to pay for such a techie-device. And for those schools that do have the budget, and decide to buy a Smart Board, often do not have the needed technical support to teach the teachers how to use the boards. Sadly, in many schools, Smart Boards just sit in a media center storage area collecting dust because staff members simply do not know how to use them.  

What is the value of educational technology if it is so overpriced that most of the public can not afford to use it? Technology needs to be cost efficient and user friendly if it is to be “innovative.” 

To see the many benefits of using a Smart Board visit LEARN: http://www.learnquebec.ca/en/content/pedagogy/cil/teach/smartboardworkshop/

What is Instructional Design?

By Paul Silli

Instructional Design and Technology is a comparatively new field dedicated to applying what is empirically understood about how humans learn and improve upon performance to the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of learning and performance support products, processes, and environments (eLearning, ref-7).

Instructional technologists understand and leverage technologies as both product (such as a Web-based course for distant learners, eLearning, or print-based job-aids for the workplace) and process (such as a formative approach to learner assessment and evaluating if a work was successful). Instructional technology is a unique, multidisciplinary profession that practices a variety of settings including industry, pre to K-12 schools, higher education institutions, to government work.

To further define the term, according to Wikipedia, Instructional Design is the practice of arranging media and content to help learners/teachers transfer knowledge most effectively. The process consists broadly of determining the current state of learner understanding, defining the end goal of instruction, and creating some media-based “intervention” to assist in the transition.

There are many positions that reflect the practice of this incredible and growing field such as instructional designers in special technical training/curriculum, or performance consultants in industrial settings, and as professional teachers or technology coordinators in K-12 Education.

Why Hire an Instructional Designer?

• Subject matter experts aren’t always effective as instructors in design implementation.
  
• Teachers don’t always have the needed time to develop new curricula.
  
• Instructional Designers know the systems for teaching a variety of students, from at-risk kids to working adults in the corporate field.
  
• Instructional Designers can design instruction that works within the limits of your situation, such as restricted budgets, high teacher turnover, corporate needs, or specific learner development.
  

Gimp, Similar to Photoshop but Free

By Paul Silli

 

Gimp is a free photo + screen shot editor which is somewhat similar to Adobe Photoshop. It is a great Open Source Web 2.0 application. To access gimp visit http://www.gimp.org/. Gimp takes about 17 megabytes of compressed memory to download, and installs easily to your PC. If you notice the tag at the end of the link “.org.” Meaning, this is not a commercial software product. It is meant to be used by everyone, and with no obligations to its creators. Open source software is wonderful! 

 

Within the Gimp program you have the option to clone-edit, photo retouch, image author, and more… It has lighting effects, text editing, add lines, graphics, art, images, blur, burn, whiten, color manipulators, resize effects, and other features.  

 

For example, take a look at the two photos. The picture on the left is the original of my mom holding me at age two; and the picture on the right has been edited with Gimp. You can do a lot with this program. The clone feature and feather options are especially nice. With the right picture I lightened its tones, removed several blemishes, marks, and old stains. I also whitened the teeth and darkened the eyes. This program rocks. 😉

 

 

 

To download gimp visit: http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

 

Buying the Right Video Graphics Card for your PC

By Paul Silli

Purchasing a new video card for your computer can be a tough decision. There are approximately 60 different models of video cards available for purchase in America (PC World Magazine, 08). Most of which feature graphics chip technology from one of the two large graphic companies: ATI Technologies and NVidia Corp. However, if you can answer a couple questions about how you plan to use the card and what computer system you have, you can make the process much simpler and choose the best video card for your needs and budget.

Whether you are considering an upgrade to your current system, or you want your new system to be able to run the latest games, here are some things you should know before buying a video card.

Did You Update the Drivers?
If you’re thinking of replacing your video card because you’re having problems running a certain game or whatever, make sure you have the latest version of the drivers for your current graphics card. You will find the latest drivers for your card available for download from the manufacturer’s Web site.

Chipsets

For the purpose of gaming or high-end graphic work… two developers of 3D graphics card chipsets have come to dominate the market: NVidia and ATI Radeon. While there are many video card manufacturers, most of them build their cards around chipsets designed and supported by one of these two companies. Certain games and heavy graphic applications will run a little better on one chipset than another – something you might want to consider before deciding which way to go.
My Recommended Video Card

A fantastic PCI Graphic Video Card is the DIAMOND ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series. With this card you can Play the latest PC games supporting DirectX 10.1, run the newest gaming graphics, work & perform just about all of the productivity applications available, create video-playback, edit in AVI formatting, run High Definition video playback (Blu-ray), and create work for everyday home computing applications (such as Vista, photos, standard and videos).

Visit http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonhd4800/index.html for info.

Good News for Cell Phones in Education

By Paul Silli 

 

Simply put, when Harris Polled, 95% of parents want their kids to have cell phones for recreational purposes, to be able to get in touch with them if they are attending a school activity, for the GPS — such as tracking where they are, and finding specific locations when lost. Cell phones appear to be very important for today’s students and consumers!    

So, what is good about them for education? If you think about it, there are many applications within the technology of cell phones which can be useful as a “tool” for classroom instruction. After all, they are mini-computers.

 

For example, students can use them to take pictures; record notes and log other media which can be shared with students who maybe absent from class. The record-option can be used as a “dictation tool” for note-taking which later can be listened to for the preparation of an up coming test. There is Cellipedia http://cellipedia.com/ which offers users a rich, research tool; and you can use them as an interactive lesson while on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/, which is an online collaborating network service. A great feature to use is the “calculator” option. Students can work-out math problems and create math applications.  

 

Moreover, research shows that students with Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD) perform better in both behavior and work-output when they are listening to music. Cell phones, with wireless Bluetooth Technology, can be used to listen to MP3 music which can hold many digital songs. There also is a “calendar” feature which allows users to input data to remind them of up coming events, project due dates, and things to do etc. You can even use your cell phone as an on-the-spot journalist… Cell phones can record both pictures and audio tracks which can be useful if you were to have your students perform a live-interview as a project. Text messaging is the most popular feature used. Teachers could have student’s text message each other notes, portfolios, and visual literature while in class as an activity.

 

There are so many features in cell phones today, it would be unwise to dismiss the possibilities they offer for class activities. It may just take a little creativity to put something educational together. 😉  

 

→ What do you think? Have you ever used cell phones within your classroom instruction?

 

Create Presentations using Google Docs

By Paul Silli 

Click link for my Screencast Tutorial: http://www.utipu.com/app/tip/id/1641/;jsessionid=3AABB4217DFB512EBB7731674462469F

Google Docs is a wonderful, FREE online program for users which offers multiple options to create documents, “presentations,” spreadsheets, and other media. All of the work created within its program can easily be published and put online for others to view & leave comments through its email, sharing options. But first you need to create a user account which is free and easy to do. Then, you will be given a user name which is usually your email address and password to access the program which allows 10-megabytes of memory space for your files and documents. 

 

MAKING PRESENTATIONS ONLINE

♦ Google Program Tour: http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour1.html

 

Under the options menu in the program you can create in minutes a presentation which offers you several colorful themes, text, shapes, and image insertions to make a formal slide-show (Similar to PointPoint). After you create a presentation, you can then at the touch-of-a-button publish your work and receive a URL/domain to offer others the opportunity to view and give you feedback. Here is a basic presentation example: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=ddbz73br_14gx67nddw.  

You can make basic documents from scratch, and easily edit your work such as making bulleted lists, sorting by columns, adding tables, images, comments, formulas, changing fonts and more… Additionally, you also can upload to its server your existing file formats such as: DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, PPT, etc. The familiar desktop feel makes editing a breeze — just click the toolbar buttons to bold, underline, indent, bullet, change the font or size format, change the cell background color and so on…

Google Docs is an awesome, free program resource to use to create fast presentations with multiple slides; And when you are finished with your work, it can be easily published. It’s an incredible tool to use.