Technology for Learners and Teachers

T4LT - Online Student Engagement Tips and Strategies

10 ideas to begin the sharing of student engagement strategies in online courses. Some low to no-tech ideas are included in this episode. And while we mention online courses specifically (we work in the distance learning department), many of the techniques apply to on-ground and blended courses as well. Join in the conversation and post a comment with your own thoughts on engaging students.

Call/Text Students
Require Regular Logins
Act on Report Data
Create Meaningful & Relevant Assignments
Explain Your Expectations
Assess Online Learning Readiness
Time Management Training
Assignment Variety & Ownership
Add a Live Element
Personalize Communication

Is Online Learning Right for You?
http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=14949

Managing Your Time
http://www.kirkwood.edu/site/index.php?p=14950

More File Types Supported on Google Docs

Some good news and nice timing from Google Docs. They have added more supported file types that can be viewed online. Receive a .pages file from a student? Now you can load it to Google Docs for viewing and reviewing.

From: http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2011/02/12-new-file-formats-in-google-docs.html

Today we’re excited to launch support for 12 new file types:

Microsoft Excel (.XLS and .XLSX)

Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 / 2010 (.PPTX)

Apple Pages (.PAGES)

Adobe Illustrator (.AI)

Adobe Photoshop (.PSD)

Autodesk AutoCad (.DXF)

Scalable Vector Graphics (.SVG)

PostScript (.EPS, .PS)

TrueType (.TTF)

XML Paper Specification (.XPS)

How's This for Distance Learning?

T4LT - Google Docs

Google Docs

We use Google Docs for all our collaborative script writing for T4LT. Google Spreadsheets, Forms, Presentations and Drawings complete the suite of Google Doc tools.

These collaborative document creation tools offer many advantages for group projects or for the individual who wants access to files in the cloud - no need to worry about lost or broken external jump drives (but you will need access to the Internet).

Documents in Google Docs can be private or public, shared, exported in a variety of formats, edited in real time by all those who have access, and more. Check out Google Docs for yourself!

Google Docs

http://docs.google.com

Sample Presentation - The Many Ways to Use Flip Video Cameras in the Classroom

https://docs.google.com/present/view?...

Google's Art Project

Google does it again (Google Art Project). A fantastic application of their existing street view technology applied to some of the world's most amazing art collections and museums. I know, it still isn't the same as being in the same room as these works, smelling the sterilized air, pushing past crowds and searching for the restroom, but it comes close.

Sign in and you can create your own art collections from their works and share your collections with your students.

Now I am thinking Google should apply their street view to the skies (astronomy) and the microscopic - DNA, molecules, the dust mites under my couch.

T4LT - Animation

Animation
Let your imagination run completely wild, but still within the boundaries of good pedagogy. Tools such as GoAnimate and XtraNormal make it incredibly simple to produce impressive animations at low to no cost. Most of the interface is drag-n-drop, so drawing skills and coding know-how are unnecessary.

SITES MENTIONED
GoAnimate
http://www.goanimate.com

Hybrid Course Explanation on GoAnimate
http://goanimate.com/movie/0Ox3uSMgIMNg?utm_source=linkshare

xtraNormal
http://www.xtranormal.com

Adobe (Flash and After Effects)
http://www.adobe.com/products

Take a Test to Learn! -NYTimes

The NewYork Times ran an article on January 21, 2011 on a study that demonstrates benefits of test-taking as a learning strategy (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/science/21memory.html). I find the study interesting though not terribly surprising. When the outcomes involve remembering facts and formulas, my best studying comes in the form of self-administered mini-assessments. And if you are looking for a quick flashcard type program to help you with this, check out cramberry.com (I just really like the domain name).

Naturally, the study leaves open just how much taking tests might contribute to deeper understanding or one's ability to connect different knowledge sources. Still, these connections aren't likely to happen if the memorization of key terms and concepts never happens. There is a balance for everyone.