Looking back: the last 12 months at PRACE

People often ask, “Why e-learning?”  For me, it’s about providing a strong balance of flexibility and access. Ideally learners (and teachers) can connect with their peers and explore the learning materials outside of set class times and independently of location, in ways that are simple and straightforward. Wherever you are, at a time that suits you.  At PRACE, people continue to explore these themes of flexibility and access in more and more practical ways. Here’s the quick overview of what’s happened at PRACE in the last year. Please tell us Read More …

Sign in, Sign up. The challenges of email in an ESL class

Last week, i spent one session working with Chris at Reservoir Neighbourhood House, in her “very beginner” English as a second language (ESL) class. One of the English students was having a terrible time trying to sign up for a gmail account. They had tried to connect week after week, and kept getting some kind of “verification code” message. Fortunately we managed to resolve that issue, and she could sign in for the first time. First task was to send Chris a message. After that, send a message to one Read More …

More email tips – using the gmail “labs” settings

It’s always challenging to learn your way into a new software tool.You know how the old application behaves – its shortcuts and folders. The new application might confound your expectations, with different models of behaviour^^. At PRACE, we are now using the google-owned gmail to send and receive messages in-house**. And while using the PRACE gmail account to send messages, you may be interested in the more experimental side of things. Did you know you can set up a default text styling, for example?That you can have your text looking a particular way in Read More …

Email with your students? Take it easy, step-by-step

by Travelin’ Librarian at flickr Here’s a challenging assignment: Chris Mooney came into the teacher room asking for ideas and guidance around setting up email accounts for all her students. Yes, that can be a huge and daunting job, especially if you try to set up all the accounts in one go. [I have tried that, and Never Again is my motto.] So here are some ideas that came up while Chris and i were talking about it: Single group email account1) You could start, not with individual email accounts, but rather with Read More …