Tag: Uncategorized

E-learning livens up at Lalor

Michael ChalkLeave a commentUncategorized

It’s probably time to profile one or two e-projects and their early progress. The other day I took the opportunity to visit Assunta and Carmela at Lalor to assist them with their first e-project and to review some of the resources available for their e-learning and networking generally. Neither of the two e-leaders are teachers of ICT yet they are targeting their first project to beginner ESL students entering the computer room for the first time: developing an enhanced Powerpoint presie showing how to sit, use a mouse and log Read More …

Let’s Google it!

Michael Chalk1 CommentUncategorized

It seems that not only has ‘Google’ entered the English language as a verb describing the most ubiquitous web searching tool/ process on the planet, but its other components are becoming equally obligatory work tools. This year is the Year of Google Documents: not only can you share your docs in the cloud but you can invite others to collaborate, that is, to edit them anywhere anytime – even simultaneously whilst you’re working on the very same one! Other must-have features include: a neat Revisions History that reveals each editor’s Read More …

Do you think Moodle will meet your needs?

Michael Chalk2 CommentsUncategorized

Prabhakar from AMCS and Joanne at Djerriwarrh are both considering using a “learning management system (LMS)” known as Moodle. What is it, and how do you get it? Fundamentally, moodle is an environment where you can set up discussion forums and course outlines. * 1) Talk to eWorks. They can set you up with a “TrainingVC” account, which gives you access to your choice of Blackboard or Moodle (both of these are learning management systems with forums, space for resources, student tracking etc). I think the initial outlay is $2000. Read More …

Follow the stream from Converge conference

Michael ChalkLeave a commentUncategorized

This could be too much information (TMI) for some of you, but there is some great activity at the Converge conference in Preston right now. I’m currently in a session on the moodle “learning management system” (LMS), where Michael Coghlan is presenting in the room, and co-presenting with Stephen Schmidt who is in Adelaide. If you’re interested in following some of the activity and links emerging from the conversation, you could follow this link, to the “twitter feed”. Many of the people here at the conference are using twitter to Read More …

Best gadgets for audio recording?

Michael Chalk2 CommentsUncategorized

Reel to Reel? Meg and Frith over at Yarraville were asking, “What’s the best audio recording gadget?” Here’s what we know, but we’re definitely on the hunt for more information. A lot of people use the Easi-Speak (for example Sarah Phillips when she was at Continuing Education Bendigo). We  recommend getting the “professional” one, ie a level up from basic. Josie and Ann at the CAE have been using “The Yeti”. Ann says, “The Yeti has been a great tool for both our classes and meetings. Basically the Yeti runs through the Read More …

What’s holding you back? [Please give your input here]

Michael ChalkLeave a commentUncategorized

We’d like to hear your views about some of the constraints that may be inhibiting your progress at this (early) stage? Could you please fill out the survey below so that we can plan future opportunities to connect and progress the projects? So what are the common constraints? The most obvious ones are lack of physical resources (many sites still don’t have ease of access to computing and data projector in their classrooms). Some of the sites visited need a general upgrade of computing resources OR just some IT assistance Read More …

Common threads across the North-West

Michael ChalkLeave a commentprofessional development, Uncategorized

Common strands of e-ndeavour From our perspective, joining a mentor program to improve your understanding and implementation of e-learning (or “e-business”) isn’t just about what happens in house. It’s also about the connections you’re making with the people and networks around you. Many people have been saying in recent years that professional development these days is about strengthening and expanding your “Personal Learning Network” (PLN). So what do you have in common with the other organisations in the North-West e-mentor projects? There are some clear strands emerging from our discussions Read More …

Search flickr creative commons via “Compfight”

Michael Chalk2 CommentsUncategorized

i have no idea why they called the site “Compfight“, but it’s a terrific way to search flickr for photos that have a “creative commons” license. What creative commons usually means is that you can use the image freely, as long as you credit the original photographer, and pay attention to the specifics of the license (for example ‘no derivate works’, ‘no commercial use’ etc). Here’s a video screencast in which i show how to use compfight to find some really good images. Let me know in the comments how Read More …

The Ten Step Wiki Plan

Michael ChalkLeave a commentprofessional development, Uncategorized

Now that we’ve nearly finished our round of initial site visits to the 11 centres involved in the E-mentor project in 2011, it seems that the Ten Step Wiki Plan originally developed for staff at Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre (CNLC) last year to identify component e-skills has universal and immediate application for a number of centres. If you’re thinking of starting and developing a wiki for students or for staff, or even generally building people’s e-skills for producing internet-ready teaching resources, then this stepped plan will be useful to you. Read More …

New people on the 23 Things adventure

Michael ChalkLeave a commentUncategorized

So we’ve dusted off the learning materials and brought them out for another zoom around the block. Just started off a new round of 23 Things adventures with a new bunch of people from all over the shop: Laverton, Glen Waverley, Mirboo.. and more. This time people arrive via the 2011 ACFE e-learning mentor projects. From the North-West region, we have Alex J,  Eastern region: Christine D, Southern: Kerrie S and Rani.  As soon as i have people’s blog address, i’ll post a link to you in the sidebar here.