Tag: innovation

image labelling game

Michael ChalkLeave a commentadult literacy, classroom, innovation

An interesting idea from Google: they want to improve the quality of their knowledge about online images, so they create a game, the "Image Labeler". Could be difficult to play when people have serious spelling issues, but could be fun for others .. Essentially the program matches you up with another person (you may play as a guest), and you both add words to describe each image, until you come up with a match. This gives the search engine more information about the pictures it has found. Matching two strangers Read More …

Student Blogging, (efl/esl)

Michael ChalkLeave a commentcommunity, e-learning, innovation

Adult learners are starting to get into Self-Publishing (aka blogging). and Barbara Dieu, a Brazilian educator, has set up an Exchange for ESL students around the world. With two colleagues, she has found a way to gather and re-publish the writings of students who have blog journals in their ESL classes. (This re-publishing is known as ‘aggregation’.) The site is called Dakita (i don’t know why), and the collection of student writings you’ll find in The Orchard (or The Exchange). Worth a look, especially if you’re thinking of using blogs Read More …

multi-touch interfaces, wow

Michael ChalkLeave a commentinnovation, technology

Now if you know me, you’ll know that i am a keyboard junkie, my fingers can fly across the dvorak keyboard, and if i have to use a mouse, give me a trackball anyday. However when teaching people in the community to use standard Qwerty keyboard and mouse, i wish the future would get here faster. I know there are ‘tablet pc’s for people who can afford them (ie not ACE), but what i’m really wanting is something more like what Jeff Han demonstrated last year .. the multi-touch visual Read More …

Setting up an Intranet

Michael ChalkLeave a commente-learning, innovation

Over at Preston Reservoir ACE, we’re slowly setting up an intranet. Anyone on the site can set up their own “blog” (diary, or journal). This could be useful for reflective learning in the classroom: teachers could encourage students to post thoughts on their own learning progress. There’s so much going on in the world of learning- with- technology, that it would be great to involve the wonderful teachers at PRACE even more. I’m hoping this place will help us share our knowledge more effectively. We’re using moodle, the popular, open Read More …

History of Resistance

Michael ChalkLeave a commentinnovation

It seems that, back in the 1980’s, English teachers in Australian schools were the most fiercely resistant of all, to the encroachment of technologies for learning. i was fascinated to learn there was a whole history of resistance, based around viewing computers as part of the de-humanising, mechanistic collapse of caring society. As “The Machine” gradually takes control of our post-industrial world, human values are eroded, and the world of “1984” is invited to overpower us all. (In this case, resistance does make sense! i’m getting the urge to turn Read More …

New and emerging technologies

Michael ChalkLeave a commentinnovation, professional development

The incomparable Robyn Jay is presenting at the ACAL (Australian Council for Adult Literacy) Conference in South Australia, tomorrow (Friday 6th October), on the topic of "Connecting voices: new mindsets, new opportunities". She's asking people what new and emerging technologies are being used by language and literacy practitioners, so i've given a 3minute response on Odeo. (But it doesn't look like i can include it here 🙁

Learn by TV at Centrelink

Michael ChalkLeave a commentace, innovation, professional development

Only one month into this Flexible Learning Leader experience and already i’m behind and struggling .. but hey, i’ll catch up any minute now .. The highlight of our Canberra meeting – apart from meeting 40 other FLL’s – was going into the heart of the Centrelink “on-air” live satellite TV training studios – what a buzz! Presenters with proper TV voices operating live TV that goes into every Centrelink office around the country. Some 25,000 employees getting their compulsory 3 hours a week training via interactive TV. *[Case Study Read More …