Wikivid - You are going to love this!

I learned about a new video resource today from one of our participants, Chris Putnam. Wikivid! Here's how they describe it:

Wikivid creates video-courses made up of links to free video tutorials from
around the web. During our "alpha" stage, content is limited to software
tutorials only, but the vision is to add video uploads and more. Add your
own video links, edit existing pages, learn, & enjoy! Use this link to test your video settings.

The videos are short and pretty well planned. They are still in the building stage, so the choices are little bit limited, but still, there is a lot here. For example, what do you want to know about PowerPoint? They seemingly have a video that covers most queries.

Poke around on Wikivid and see if you find anything you can use.

Thanks Chris!
Lee Anne

FREE - Screencasting Software - Screen-o-Matic

I was reading an eNewsletter I get from the November Learning Group, and one of the topics was on this free screencasting software, Screen-o-matic (gotta love that name), and I felt compelled to share this information with our loyal consortium members. There are several (not free) tools out there to create slick presentations, or screencasts. Here on the Eighth Floor, we use Adobe Captivate. In fact, we teach a rather fun class on using Captivate. (next class is on March 26th)

So, I can hear you saying (we on the Eighth Floor have those sorts of ears) what exactly is a screencast and why is this such popular technology to use in and for the classroom? Here's what the November Learning Group has to say in their article:

Show your students how to become directors, publishers and producers. Help them create authentic, content-rich tutorials for their classmates and audiences
around the world. Screencasting is a quick and easy-to-use tool that can help you
create slick demonstration tutorials in any subject area, using any computer
application. The software allows you to record a movie of what you are doing on
a computer. Along with your movie, you can record voice-over audio to provide a
series of instructions.

No, it is not as slick as Captivate - but did I mention it is free? I played with it a little and found it to be pretty darn easy to create a quick screen cast. Here is my clever first attempt: http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cil1QELN. I admit that I didn't look at the tutorial as a good learner should, and I am sure that shows! http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cii3lYtk

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Here are a few of their FAQs:

1. What platforms/browsers are supported?
We're using a Java applet (requires Java 1.5) to do the screen capture and playback so theoretically it should support all major platforms and browsers. That said there are some issues with certain combinations of platforms/browsers. Here is what we've tested on so far:
All Good! - Windows Vista / IE 7.0
All Good! - Windows Vista / Firefox 2.0
All Good! - Windows XP SP2 / IE 6.0
All Good! - Windows XP SP2 / IE 7.0
All Good! - Windows XP SP2 / Firefox 2.0
All Good! - Windows XP SP2 / Opera 9
All Good! - MAC OS X / Safari 2.0.4
All Good! - MAC OS X / Firefox 2.0
Minor Capturing Issues - Linux (Redhat Fadora Core 3) / Firefox 2.0 Please let us know if you use Screencast-O-Matic on any other platform/browser combinations!

2. How much does it cost?
Nothing! It's completely free.

3. Can I export my screencast to flash, quicktime, windows media, etc?
You can export your screencast to quicktime (.mov) format.

4. Can I get better image or audio quality?
The quality of the screen image and audio is reduced since we want to have fast downloads for watching the screencasts. If you'd like to have better quality let us know and we'll work on making that available!

5. What is the max length a screencast can be?
Right now they are limited to 15 minutes each for free hosting.
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For more on screencasting and a quick list of free and not free tools, read Alan November's quick article.

Just Sharin'
Lee Anne

Wikipedia vs. Britannica?

Do you think Wikipedia, as an encyclopedia, is as accurate and up to date as Britannica? Or, stated another way, is collective knowledge = paid editors?

As I was reviewing material for my class on Wikis tomorrow, I ran across this in an article by Karl Kapp, Embracing Informal Learning: Understanding the tools of informal learning and their impact on organizations. On page 8 he shares this:

The British journal Nature—a reputable scientific journal first published
in 1869—published a peer-reviewed article examining a range of scientific entries in both the Encyclopedia Britannica and Wikipedia through a rigorous peer review process and found few differences in accuracy. "The average science entry in Wikipedia contained around four inaccuracies; Britannica, about three [21]." The researchers found eight serious errors such as misinterpretations of important concepts in 42 reviews, there were four such errors found in each encyclopedia. Additionally, the reviewers found factual errors, omissions or
misleading statements in both. Wikipedia had 162 of these types of errors. The Encyclopedia Britannica had 123.

Essentially, the accuracy of the paper-based encyclopedia created by
paid editors and researchers was about the same as the collective encyclopedia created by visitors to the Wikipedia site—volunteer writers and editors [22] The implication? Collective knowledge is as accurate, reliable and helpful as edited and carefully reviewed knowledge. The openness of Wikipedia and wikis in general
helps to ensure accuracy. When a person browsing the site sees something they believe is wrong, they update it. The openness of the information ensures its accuracy. The concept of freedom of the press taken to the nth degree and it works.

It got me thinking. Am I telling my students to only trust people who are well paid to share information?

Just Sayin'
Lee Anne

Online Professional Development Opportunities

While it is true that the Eighth Floor is primarily thought of as a technology learning center for educators, there is more to us than may meet the eye. There is an "AND" in there! We are a technology AND learning center for educators.

So, where is the AND, you may be asking? Well, check it out: http://eighthfloor.org/services.html

We have made available some pretty cool online professional development courses. Most of them have nothing at all to do with technology -- there's the AND. The Eighth Floor, in partnership with Knowledge Delivery Systems (KDS), has put together a customizable list of online professional development courses with our area educators in mind.

Why are YOU interested in these online courses?
1. They are available 24/7/365. (That means over holiday breaks, too)
2. You set your own schedule.
3. KDS has developed a wide variety of timely topics of interest to all educators.
4. While some classes dealing with tech integration are available, that's not the only focus.
5. You get a lot of learning for your dollar.
6. Group rates are available.
7. Proven quality course content.
8. Proven quality online facilitation.
9. We've done all the "leg" work; only the "clicking" is left to you.
10. Your continued professional development is as important to us as it is to you.

Sample Courses:
Classroom Management
Differentiated Instruction
Leadership
Aiding Students with Learning Disabilities
English Language Learners & Cultural Awareness
Teaching Diverse Learners
Preparing Students for High-Stakes Tests
Coaching & Mentoring to Improve Student Learning
Improving Literacy in Secondary Schools
Anger Management & Effective Discipline to Prevent Violence
Hands-On, Discovery-Based Mathematics
(New courses are currently being developed)

Take a moment to look at this PDF that details all the classes and lays out course content: http://eighthfloor.org/Forms/courses.pdf

If you have any questions at all about these courses or group rates, please feel free to contact
Dr. Lisa Cole at lcole@eighthfloor.org.

Thanks!

Even Something Completely Del.icio.us Needs a Backup Plan

If you have taken a Web 2.0 course on the Eighth Floor, then you know how extraordinary I think social bookmarking is and how much I depend on my Delicious account. For nearly three years I have been building a repository of internet resources for our consortium members - and me, of course. Hundreds (plural) of sites on anything from elementary lesson plans to Podcasting tools to YouTube videos that explain skills better than I can. I have been collecting all those resources on my Delicious account. Many of you were part of my Delicious network. We had a great network!

Last week the unthinkable happened. I deleted my account. In the process of deleting a few dummy accounts, I committed a slip of the mouse and deleted my REAL account. I'm sure you all heard my tragic wail of "Nnnoooooooo!" all across the land.

I learned several things from this experience. One, clicking on the back button 50 times, even 1/10th of a second later, won't reverse the action. Two, the people at Delicious can not be suckered into reviving your account by the promise of "a lot of money." And three, I should have backed up my account. The third lesson is the one that really slaps me in the face. Hello! Don’t we all know to back "things" up? Don't we all know to save, save, save, and save even when we haven't done anything worth saving?

So here's the moral of the story, kids. Back it up! Most every Web 2.0 tool can be saved or backed up one way or another. Just do it.

I am beginning the slow and painful process of personal healing and rebuilding my account. If you were part of my network before, I invite you to add me again. I’m still "lamorris". Yes, I jumped right back on and reclaimed my logon. If you aren't sure what social bookmarking is, watch this video and get out there and create your own account.




Now, if you want to know how to make your new Delicious account dance, come take the Social Bookmarking class on the Eighth Floor.

Happy tagging!
Lee Anne

What About Blogs? - Oct 2007

Welcome to the Eighth Floor class, "What About Blogs."

We thought you might be interested in looking at a few of the blogs we find particularly relevant to education and technology integration. There are thousands and thousands of blogs out there. You will find blogs on any topic, from pet grooming to dissertation research. People of all ages are drawn to blogging as a form of expression.

As a collaboration and communication tool, blogs have found their place in education. Many teachers use them for professional development and continued learning.

Check out the following education/professional development focused blogs:
Webblogg-ed
Moving at the Speed of Creativity
Teachers Teaching Teachers
Blog of Proximal Development
2 Cents Worth
The Good Habits Blog
Blogs on Educational Blogging

Several teachers are using blogs in the classroom as a tool for collaboration and communication. They find that blogging results in much more authentic learning for students.



Here's Room 9's Blog: http://room9nelsoncentral.blogspot.com/

Check out the following education/classroom use blogs:
Mrs. Watts Second Grade Computer Classroom
Miss Baker's Biology Blog
AP English Literature and Composition
English 12
Maybry Online.org - Classroom and Teacher blogs
Applied Science Research Blogs Alan November - Examples in Education
Mrs. Cassidy's Classroom Blog (1st and 2nd Graders)
Blogical Minds

Check out the following education/safety focused postings and articles:
MySpace Education
Change Agency BlogSafety.com
Blogs, Fair Use, and Paying to Play

Blogging Tips and Tricks:
Web Blog Basics
Blogs - Anatomy
Bogs for Learning
Evaluating Blogging
Blogging Best Practices
Top 10 Blog Writing Tips

Being as this is a class about blogging, we think you ought to do a little, well, blogging. (Those of you reading this who are not enrolled in the class, please jump in!) We’d like you to share some of your thoughts or concerns about setting up and using blogs either professionally or in the classroom.
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Here are some questions to get you started thinking:
- What do you want to know about blogs?
- What do you already know about blogs?
- How do you think you can use blogs?
- How do you see others using blogs?
- What are you concerned about when it comes to blogs?
- What experiences (good or bad) have you already had with blogs?
- How important is digital literacy for our students?
- OR anything else you would like to blog about.
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YOUR TASK:
Come up with at least one idea for using or creating a blog - it doesn't even have to be "school" related, and post a comment at the bottom of this post. Share any other thoughts you might have. If you can't think of something to "DO" with a blog, then share something you have learned about blogs or blogging.

Post your thoughts as a "comment" by clicking on the “comments” hyperlink at the bottom of this post. You can contribute as “other.” Be sure to include your name somewhere. Read others’ comments and feel free to comment on their comments.

Thanks!
Lee Anne

Social Bookmarking in Plain English

I love it when I find exactly what I am looking for. Over the last year, the Common Craft Show has created several videos that aid my instruction, both online and face-to-face. They are simple, clear, short, and exactly what I would do if I had the time. So, last night while I was thinking about the Social Bookmarking and RSS class I am teaching this afternoon, I wondered if they had created one for this topic yet. Sure enough!

Lee LeFever really puts social bookmarking in . . . well . . . plain English.





Of course, I have to remind you that we offer classes on social bookmarking. Our next class, Social Bookmarking and RSS: Your Internet Partyline, is October 23, 2007 from 4:15 - 7:15 pm on the Eighth Floor.

Just sharin'

Thanks!
Lee Anne

Web 2.0 Tools - What Can Bishop Kelley HS Do?

Bishop Kelley High School
Web 2.0: An Introduction

What is Web 2.0?
We are going to get a taste of what Web 2.0 – or as it is also called, the Read/Write Web – is all about. We will explore how you can harness the power of the Read/Write web as a means of constructing new knowledge through conversation, networking, and collaboration.

The following video from the Youville Blog will not only get your head started spinning, but will also get us started talking.


Find more videos like this on Classroom 2.0


Or, what about this one?

The Machine is Us/ing Us.

BLOGS
We thought you might be interested in looking at a few of the blogs we find particularly relevant to education and technology integration. As a collaboration and communication tool, blogs have found their place in education. Many teachers use them for professional development and continued learning.

Check out the following education/professional development focused blogs:
Webblogg-ed
Moving at the Speed of Creativity
Teachers Teaching Teachers
Blog of Proximal Development
2 Cents Worth
The Good Habits Blog

Several teachers are using blogs in the classroom as a tool for collaboration and communication. They find that blogging results in much more authentic learning for students.

Check out the following education/classroom use blogs:
Mrs. Watts Second Grade Computer Classroom
AP English Literature and Composition
English 12
Maybry Online.org - Classroom and Teacher blogs
Applied Science Research Blogs Alan November - Examples in Education
Mrs. Cassidy's Classroom Blog (1st and 2nd Graders)
Blogical Minds

Check out the following student blogs:
Thom Thumb Stuffs
L heure entre chien et loup

Check out the following education/safety focused postings and articles:
MySpace Education
Change Agency BlogSafety.com

Blogging Tips and Tricks:
More Blog Resources Than You Can Read (On Lee Anne's Delicious Account)
Web Blog Basics
Blogs - Anatomy
Blogs for Learning
Evaluating Blogging
Blogging Best Practices

WIKIS
Best Wiki Ever – 8th Floor’s Wiki About Wikis
Wikis in Plain English

PODCASTING
Grammar Girl
Radio Willow Web
Just One More Book
What is Podcasting – Ask A Ninja
Psychology Rap – videocast on YouTube

Other Web 2.0 Tools to Explore
Classroom 2.0 – Kind of like MySpace for Teachers!
TeacherTube
RSS in Plain English


Please Do!
Post your thoughts as a "comment" by clicking on the “comments” hyperlink at the bottom of this blog post. You can contribute as “other or anonymous.” Be sure to include your name somewhere. Read others’ comments and feel free to comment on their comments.

Thanks!
Lee Anne

K12Online Conference Teasers

What a fantastic idea! Teasers. The presenters at the conference have made little teasers to let conference attendees SEE and HEAR what their presentations will cover.

You can find them on the K12Online Conference wiki: http://k12online07.wikispaces.com/Teasers

I saw several I am interested in, for example:
Karen Richardson-- “Crossing the Copyright Boundary in the Digital Age”


Go. Look. See.

Thanks!
Lee Anne

K12 Online Conference 2007 - FREE ONLINE Conference

I can't believe I forgot to remind every one about this FREE online conference. If you have attended in the past, you know what a gluttonous, overabundance of resources are shared every day. It is not too late to jump in.

Here is a link to the conference home: http://k12onlineconference.org/
Here is a link to the conference wiki: http://k12online07.wikispaces.com/

"The K-12 Online Conference invites participation from educators around the world interested in innovative ways Web 2.0 tools and technologies can be used to improve learning. This FREE conference is run by volunteers and open to everyone. The 2007 conference theme is “Playing with Boundaries”. This year’s conference begins with a pre-conference keynote the week of October 8, 2007. The following two weeks, October 15-19 and October 22-26, forty presentations will be posted online to the conference blog (this website) for participants to download and view. Live Events in the form of three “Fireside Chats” and a culminating “When Night Falls” event will be announced. Everyone is encouraged to participate in both live events during the conference as well as asynchronous conversations. More information about podcast channels and conference web feeds is available! "

Hope to see you there!
Lee Anne