Tech+notes

I will post some tech notes as I go. These will be in a form of a link to the site that had the tech note.

Two web sites that one should have when it comes to technology bookmarked are: Tech&Learning and Tech Republic. And if possible get on the mailing list. Now these will load up the email box but there are some very good articles regarding technology.

For instance here are two: 10 alternatives to Youtube and [|Ten sites supporting iPads in Education], both from Tech&Learning.

4/8 A study in the UK (United Kingdom not U of Kentucky) revealed some interesting numbers in support of blended learning. The numbers were compared to those of the US were similar and identified that instructor led was almost 50% and yet considered the least effective and efficient. A forecast showed that with the evolution of web-based learning management systems and changes in how “we” teach, the instructor will be more involved in delivering e-learning and blended learning methods. As faculty and administrators review what students are looking for in education, we are seeing a change in the student make-up.

A site - http://www.oncourseworkshop.com/ - this is a good web site to assist the instructor to look at methods in teaching, especially if we direct our online and blended courses. What makes a student successful? Review the principles - http://www.oncourseworkshop.com/On%20Course%20Principles.htm.

4/25 From: @http://techlearning.com/article/37854 Have you ever had that idea and needed to make a note of it but you don’t. Or you have all the little pieces of paper with notes and you try to carry those around in your Frankie or wallet but inevitably they get lost? We have discussed “cloud” a few times but that does come with a cost. But here is a way that you can take and keep those notes – the site is EverNote and located @ [|http://www.evernote.com]. So this summer when you are traveling, you can document your notes or “clippings” to collect when you return in the fall. Windows Live and Google allows you to store documents online and edit online. Not bad when you consider you show up at the library and you forgot your thumbdrive. Then when you get back to campus, you will find your documents ready to download. If you are really looking for a “cloud” type of setup, there is CloudMe @ [|http://www.cloudme.com]. You can register online and then download the necessary software for your computers. As with most free offerings the size of your files are limited. With CloudMe, you do have 3 GB. Dropbox is an online service that is free. Dropbox will allow you to upload from your computer and with a few clicks you can share a folder with another. Just go to [|http://www.dropbox.com] and watch the video.

Microsoft releases the version 9 of Internet Explorer. Now some of the classrooms are running version 6. So just to let you know where technology stands and many of your students will be downloading the updates on their personal computer. What impact will v9 have for classrooms and online? Right now the system office is testing the version against Banner, the portal, and D2L. D2L does not support IE9 and Firefox 4. So far no problems with Banner or the Portal. Now if you are using a publisher supported program such as the Pearson MyLabs you will run into problems. Students will be frustrated if they run IE9 and so will you. Inform your students of the potential of problems with D2L. The upside is Google Chrome works quite well. Tips for students and faculty: If you are having issues with the D2L, Banner, or Portal and the internet is suspect, clear the history, cookies, and cache. · Internet Explorer – go to “tools” – “Internet Options” – and depending on the version you will see under temporary internet files “delete cookies” and “delete files.” Click on those. Also click on “clear history” under the history block. Now if using a newer version of IE you will find a cog or gear icon in the upper left corner. There you can click on that to clear via “internet options.” · FireFox – go to “tools” and then click on “clear recent history.” · Safari – click on “edit” and then “clear cache” & then click on “history” and then scroll down to the bottom and click on “clear history.” · For Chrome, Opera, Seamonkey, and others, you will have to figure those out. FYI – IE8 is the recommended and supported version for D2L. Firefox 3.6 is the recommended version for both PC and Mac.

Reading to do some video editing??? Here is a link of one school's guides for this activity - Tufts

1310653194 There are those on the radio that offer up some tech solutions for the computer users. Well, Baltimore's WCBM 680AM has the Tech Solutions show by Dan Hartman. The website to Dan is Tech Solutions Radio. I heard some ideas on the radio this morning on the drive to work so I wanted to check the website out. On the left side of the screen there are some links you will find very useful.