Sometimes just a different way to present information can create an additional level of interest.
The image in this blog was created using getclippings.com. You can decide on a name for your newspaper and type in your own content.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Create your own Newspaper clippings
Sometimes just a different way to present information can create an additional level of interest.
The image in this blog was created using getclippings.com. You can decide on a name for your newspaper and type in your own content.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Innovation - use of mobile phones / videos in the classroom
Today's post is a reflection on two different stories I have heard - in both cases the story was the very similar...
A lecturer noticed that one of the students had their mobile phone out during the lecture and appeared to be playing with it. Rather than telling the student to put it away the lecturer engaged with the student and asked what he was doing. The student explained that he was videoing the lecture and the reason for this was that he had a problem taking detailed notes and particularly relating to the complex diagrams the lecturer used to support his lesson so the video was something he could watch at a later point and go over the things he was unclear about.
I am not sure how many of us would feel if we found out we were being filmed without our permission but the brave lecturer took on board this idea and decided that if it was useful, he could do the videoing himself and organised for a video camera to be set up in his class for the following week. After the lesson he uploaded it to the colleage learning environment system. This proved very popular and did not reduce attendance significantly as had been expected. Rather students who had already attended the lecture were reviewing the videos after the lecture for more detail. So popular was this that lecturers in other subject areas started to do this too.
To read more about the benefits and drawbacks of using videos in lectures, click on the link.
I am not suggesting that all lectures should be videoed (or even taped) but there might be a value in this in some instances. For example some of my students tape my lectures (with a digital recorded) because they have learning problems that mean memory or note-taking are difficult.
What I am suggesting is that we should remain open to new approaches and ideas.... Any comments on this are welcome!
A lecturer noticed that one of the students had their mobile phone out during the lecture and appeared to be playing with it. Rather than telling the student to put it away the lecturer engaged with the student and asked what he was doing. The student explained that he was videoing the lecture and the reason for this was that he had a problem taking detailed notes and particularly relating to the complex diagrams the lecturer used to support his lesson so the video was something he could watch at a later point and go over the things he was unclear about.
I am not sure how many of us would feel if we found out we were being filmed without our permission but the brave lecturer took on board this idea and decided that if it was useful, he could do the videoing himself and organised for a video camera to be set up in his class for the following week. After the lesson he uploaded it to the colleage learning environment system. This proved very popular and did not reduce attendance significantly as had been expected. Rather students who had already attended the lecture were reviewing the videos after the lecture for more detail. So popular was this that lecturers in other subject areas started to do this too.
To read more about the benefits and drawbacks of using videos in lectures, click on the link.
I am not suggesting that all lectures should be videoed (or even taped) but there might be a value in this in some instances. For example some of my students tape my lectures (with a digital recorded) because they have learning problems that mean memory or note-taking are difficult.
What I am suggesting is that we should remain open to new approaches and ideas.... Any comments on this are welcome!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Using technology to teach
Have you noticed the increase in in technological gadgets that students are carrying around and using - ipods, mp3 players, laptops, mobile phones ....
We may be able to get their attention if we make use of some of these technologies in our teaching. Technology gives us the opportunity to engage with students where they are using tools they are familiar with. If we might be able to succeed in getting students to learn using these tools is it worth the time to investigate the possibilities? I do not propose that we throw away all we have used before but that we consider if there are any new applications. I will come back to this again over the next few weeks and explore some possibilities.
In the meantime have a look at what this video has to say on the matter.
We may be able to get their attention if we make use of some of these technologies in our teaching. Technology gives us the opportunity to engage with students where they are using tools they are familiar with. If we might be able to succeed in getting students to learn using these tools is it worth the time to investigate the possibilities? I do not propose that we throw away all we have used before but that we consider if there are any new applications. I will come back to this again over the next few weeks and explore some possibilities.
In the meantime have a look at what this video has to say on the matter.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Travelpod
Yesterday's post was about the cultural etiquette of different countries. Today's site is an opportunity to learn more or share your travel experiences.
Travelpod is a free travel blog lets you plot trips on a map, share photos and videos, and stay in touch while you travel.
One section of this site provides a Travellers IQ Challenge Here you will find several different quizes to test your knowledge or that of your students. The quizes are under the following under the headings:
World North America Europe World Capitals
Canada Asia UNESCO Sites Africa
Latin America Oceania/Australasia Flags of the World Photos of the World
USA Challenge Amazing Race
Travelpod is a free travel blog lets you plot trips on a map, share photos and videos, and stay in touch while you travel.
One section of this site provides a Travellers IQ Challenge Here you will find several different quizes to test your knowledge or that of your students. The quizes are under the following under the headings:
World North America Europe World Capitals
Canada Asia UNESCO Sites Africa
Latin America Oceania/Australasia Flags of the World Photos of the World
USA Challenge Amazing Race
Monday, November 24, 2008
Geography & Culture
If you want to know more about different cultures, you could have a look at the World guide to cross-cultural etiquette. This may be particularly useful if you teach a travel or tourism subject.
The site also provides some tools for understanding your own culture, by exploring the values, communications styles and other elements that guide actions, interactions and reactions.
This site offers the chance to ask questions, read reviews, test your cutlural knowledge with weekly quizes and access useful resources for travel.
The site also provides some tools for understanding your own culture, by exploring the values, communications styles and other elements that guide actions, interactions and reactions.
This site offers the chance to ask questions, read reviews, test your cutlural knowledge with weekly quizes and access useful resources for travel.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Donate Rice with Freerice.com
Want to test your knowledge (and that your students) and donate to those in need at the same time. FreeRice is a great site to try out.
The site has two goals - to provide a free education to everyone while at the same time helping end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.
You can choose a topic from art, chemistry, geography, English and maths (they are working on adding more topics) and the website will ask multiple choice questions about your topic. For each correct answer, the site will donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.
United Nations have reported that about 25,000 people die each day from hunger or hunger-related causes. According to their website, FreeRice has generated enough rice to feed more than two million people since it started in October 2007.
Start donating today!
The site has two goals - to provide a free education to everyone while at the same time helping end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.
You can choose a topic from art, chemistry, geography, English and maths (they are working on adding more topics) and the website will ask multiple choice questions about your topic. For each correct answer, the site will donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.
United Nations have reported that about 25,000 people die each day from hunger or hunger-related causes. According to their website, FreeRice has generated enough rice to feed more than two million people since it started in October 2007.
Start donating today!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Videojug
Videojug is a website that makes use of videos to provide information on countless subjects - including food & drink, beauty & style, sport & fitness, health, leisure, technology, DIY, education, careers, environment, travel and much more!
The Videojug.com site was launched in 2006 and claims to have grown into "the world’s most comprehensive library of free factual video content online".
I checked this out by searching for videos related to "tourism" "holiday" and "travel" and got quite a selection of alternatives. So if you are searching for possible teaching resources, or for expert advice on how to put up shelves, or information about the latest trends ...or pretty much anything...check this out.
The Videojug.com site was launched in 2006 and claims to have grown into "the world’s most comprehensive library of free factual video content online".
I checked this out by searching for videos related to "tourism" "holiday" and "travel" and got quite a selection of alternatives. So if you are searching for possible teaching resources, or for expert advice on how to put up shelves, or information about the latest trends ...or pretty much anything...check this out.
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