The last entry reminded me of a brilliant resource, now out of print but still available (eg via Amazon), called Keystrokes to Literacy by Antonia Stone. Many adult basic educators (and online groups such as the LiteracyTent folk) refer to this when teaching beginning literacy and computer keyboard at the same time.
Here’s an example of the world of technology emerging into the classroom. The BBC reports on a new game called “Keyboard Crazy”, which is a physical, on-the-table game, instructing people in the position of letters on a computer keyboard. Educators in Britain seem to be impressed by this commercial product, judging from a review from the Basic Skills Agency. One teacher claims it helps people learn “mental literacy” (as distinct from your physical, instinctive literacy?).
This year (’05) at PRACE, we were very fortunate to have the opportunity to research computer games in a learning environment. Our group of adults studying literacies with Margery seemed to enjoy playing games in their computer session, so we went off to discover what other games might be useful in a literacy-learning environment. My favourite game was AddemUp, from Blue Bug Games – a number game that really challenged people in the group. We found using the data projector very useful, for making this into a group activity. You Read More …
Found a terrific set of basic images, at a Japanese language teaching site. Basic vocabulary type images – could be useful for low-level classroom. There are so many places online where you can find free images these days. (We've got some more in the AL-T Treasure Trove of Links.) Teachers are sometimes concerned about copyright – and if you're thinking of re-publishing, then it's an essential concern. (You can read up more on this issue at the Au. Flexible Learning Framework, or at the new "Copyright Kitchen", on the
Here at the Eureka! e-volutions in e-learning conference, Ballarat, Vic. an interesting presentation from the South Grampians adult education centre – who have been using digital storytelling as a way to engage their students in the 'disaffected youth' program. "Low literacy levels" are a major issue with the group, and the teachers have found the power of using images and voice to reconnect people with learning.
Found this inventive alphabet on a 'free photo' site, and wondered if it could be a good seed for beginning literacy learners. A teacher could display the letters via projector (or print-out – you can download large copies of the letters), encouraging learners to find the word behind the image.
Launch of new community area Very exciting stuff going on in the new Community Networks area at EdNA. Good to see the Australian Flexible Learning Community having a go with moodle at last. Today’s the launch day – will my computer crash just as i get into Elluminate? Ha ha.
Government Monopoly on ‘dot-edu’ names For a couple of years, educational bodies could get free domain names. Now we have the flip side. Education.au has taken over the running of the .edu domain, and now they’re the most expensive domains you could possibly have. You can buy a .com.au domain for under aud$60 for two years. A .org.au for under $20 if you shop around. But the .edu domain name space has shot up from free, to aud$110. Why should schools pay more than private companies? I guess if you Read More …
Research into Flexible Learning in ACE Currently reading Josie, Glenda and Mary’s research into Flexible Learning in ACE, put together by TAFE frontiers in 2004. It’s a brilliant and thorough piece of research, and i hope it’s getting the attention it deserves – especially now as we have a major review into education in Victoria. From the ‘themes’ page, their research “showed overwhelmingly that flexible teaching and learning is flourishing in ACE – as it has for a long time”. Urban providers could learn to broaden their learner base using Read More …
NetWorking 04 Coming up – the most looked-forward-to online conference in Australia – NW04. Presenting with Frankie Forsyth on ‘free and open source software’ on Friday the 19th November. Were you touched by the DNA swindle? ".. Justice Finkelstein found that various domain name notices sent by Domain Names Australia (DNA) in July and September 2003 were, as alleged by auDA, misleading and deceptive." Our accountant said to me one day, "oh, i paid that invoice for our web something". Wait a minute, our account shouldn’t be due for another Read More …