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Posting from my iPad app

I thought that I would try the Blogger iPad app out to post on my blog. Unfortunately there are quite a few posts that don't show on the blog when you view it on the iPad. But the app is quite nice. It is very easy to use to make simple posts, quite straightforward but with far less of the frills than the full application on google offers. Only to be expected really. One nice feature though is the fact that you can create a video stream and post it straight to your blog. If I had anything worth filming I would test it now and post, but alas I sit in front of the TV relaxing on a Friday evening. It also allows you to add images from your camera roll, but I can't seem to upload a video I have already created? I will keep trying and hopefully I'll discover some useful little tricks.

The Semantic Web

20 years ago, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. For his next project, he's building a web for open, linked data that could do for numbers what the Web did for words, pictures, video: unlock our data and reframe the way we use it together.



The term "Web 2.0" was first used in January 1999 by Darcy DiNucci, a consultant on electronic information design (information architecture). In her article, "Fragmented Future", DiNucci writes:
The web as we know it is a fleeting thing...a prototype - a proof of concept. She goes on to say more explicitly "The Web we know now, which loads into a browser window in essentially static screenfuls, is only an embryo of the Web to come. The first glimmerings of Web 2.0 are beginning to appear, and we are just starting to see how that embryo might develop. The Web will be understood not as screenfuls of text and graphics but as a transport mechanism, the ether through which interactivity happens. It will [...] appear on your computer screen, [...] on your TV set [...] your car dashboard [...] your cell phone [...] hand-held game machines [...] maybe even your microwave oven."

Web 3.0 has a number of different definitions, but the most popular (and simple) explanation seems to be that it’s the virtual blending of online and offline worlds. An example of this might be your computer remembering your tastes and interests, so that your browser becomes like a personal assistant when you search or look for recommendations.

Tim Berners-Lee, calls Web 3.0 the “Semantic Web.” PCMag summarizes the concept as “… a place where machines can read Web pages much as we humans read them, a place where search engines and software agents can better troll the Net and find what we’re looking for.” Nova Spivak, co-founder and CEO of Radar Networks and a champion of the Semantic Web theory, believes that we’re already at the threshold of 3.0–that it begun in 2010, in fact, and will last until at least 2020. “Really,” he says, “it’s just Web 2.0 with a brain.” Spivak’s online company, Twine, often described as “Facebook plus Wikipedia” is one of the first to implement Semantic Web properties into its interface; it’s goal of “knowledge-networking” led to artificial intelligence categorizing groups of data (it consisted of online forums, wikis, and newsgroups).

In other words, Web 3.0 lets the Internet do all the work for users. How would you describe it?

Newspaper Clipping Generator

This is a novel idea that displays children's writing in a creative and interesting way.  
Not only does the writer produce the content of the news article, but they select a name 
for the paper and the date the paper is printed, particularly good for history projects, and
great for all areas of the curriculum. Real creative writing! 

Family Values

The photographs were taken recently by my daughter during her time in Africa, these shots were taken in the Serengeti.  I saw the pictures and thought that elephants are amazing creatures that obviously have very strong family values, well instincts at least. I had a hard job selecting seven to be honest, but the ones that I have chosen represent values that I feel are important to me...as well as elephants!

I used Microsoft Photo Story 3 to create a move from the stills as I wanted the viewer to sit back and enjoy the story effortlessly. I was tempted to add music, but decided that it was about the visual so I went for silence. The single word caption is the value that I felt the image portrays. I would be interested to read what your interpretations are.

For this version I used a PowerPoint slide to arrange the images, then took a snapshot of the screen to create my collage of Family Values

The Art of Reflection

The importance of reflecting on what you are doing, as part of the learning process, is often emphasised. Students in higher education are responsible for their own progress as independent learners. They must of course take notice of and act upon formal feedback from their lecturers, but it is also important that they think about, or more REFLECT on, their learning. I use mind mapping tools to help my students to focus on aspects that help the reflection process. One of my favourite Web 2.0 tools for this job is Bubbl.us. It is a concept mapping application, similar to Inspiration, that allows the user to make graphical representations of ideas. Bubbl.us calles these concept maps "mind maps". But the Web 2.0ness allows users to share a bubbl mind map and work collaboratively, it also allows creators to embed their bubbls on their blogs, wikis or other webpages. In the words of Blue Peter, "here's one I started earlier"

Starting to blog

Beginning a blog is the hardest part.  Once you start, there'll be no stopping you! Well that is what I am telling me new Year 1 Ed Studies students.  Mainly because they have to create a blog for their module Visual Communication Culture & Creativity.  More than that the blog is their assignment.

'Blogging' - the term is a contraction of the term 'web logging' - is perhaps best described as a form of micro-publishing. It is easy to create use a blog, from any internet browser from anywhere in the world and is firmly establised as a method od communication. Lots of travellers, my daughter included, crate a blog to share their experiances with us less fortunate atill at home! The blogging phenomenon has evolved from its early origin as a medium for the publication of simple, online personal diaries, to the latest multi-modal technology, designed to engage people in collaborative activity, knowledge sharing, reflection and debate. Many blogs have large and dedicated readerships, and blog clusters have formed linking fellow bloggers in accordance with their common interests.

So if you are reading guys (that's you Ed Studies Year 1 2012/13) remember your blog will be your assessment for this module so ensure that you keep it up to date and interesting!

I found this site too which I though was interetsing if you are thinking of using blogs in HE.

http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/help/2011/02/22/7-uses-for-blogs-in-higher-education/

The medium is the message (1974)

Click to view

When you get through the repeated words, there is indeed and important message. Play it and leave your comments please. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Welsh Government | Written Statement - Review of history, Welsh history and Curriculum Cymreig

Welsh Government | Written Statement - Review of history, Welsh history and Curriculum Cymreig

The power of mobile technology

For the last few years I have been promoting the possibilities of mobile technology. I could see great opportunities for collaboration, innovation and pupil autonomy. Now, in schools all other country, there is an iPad craze. I'm not so sure of the actual tech but some of the concepts are sound. I do however, feel that, nothing much has changed, except children are using APPS instead of applications...such a world of difference? For me it should be about autonomy, having a digital device that does it all is quite empowering. The tablet, iPad, iPod, smart phone, whatever device you have available empowers the user to select whatever tools they need for the job in hand. That's the power of mobile technology. Not the device. Not the name tag. Good pedagogy will ensure that the learning comes first, the technology is just a means to an end.

I spent the day in Casllwchwr Primary School on Monday, observing a dream realised, outstanding practice and children motivated.  In the junior classes, each child has their own mobile device, and in the infant classrooms there are plenty to share.  The children are no longer dazzled by the technology nor are they fazed by adults stopping to ask questions as they work. Will we be witnessing a radical change in pedagogical approaches now or will we be wondering where the money went?

Posted from my tablet whilst watching the football!

Tim Rylands Inspires

I have been to lots of conferences and courses during my time in education, for CPD etc., and no matter how good they are, I can't help but look at the clock and wonder wistfully when the coffee break will allow me to re-establish a connection between my brain and the rest of my body. Today, in ESIS listening to Tim Rylands, however I felt like a child waiting for the next instalment of my favourite TV programme, and I could not believe when it was time to go home, let alone break for coffee!

I met Tim Rylands a few years ago at Bett when I accidentally walked in to a seminar on Gaming in Education. I have been an avid fan ever since. As a lecturer in higher education I am always looking for new and exciting ways to reach our 21st century learners, and as such I often endorse Myster Rylands and his amazing approach to teaching and learning. Tim has always been supportive when I send my students in his direction, guiding them in their journey to innovative practice. After today's activities at ESIS I can see why they come back to university bursting with enthusiasm. Tim and Sarah are incredibly inspiring, I'm not sure it would matter what they were talking about though, as they are such charismatic individuals. But their chosen topic is ICT to Inspire and inspire they surely do. The blog is amazing, it is a fabulous resource and a great way to inject interesting and creative ideas to feed your children's enthusiasm to learn! Their training days are incredible, but the most important aspect of the whole approach is the realistic and believable way in which they deliver their wares, giving you real life contexts and examples, so that you truly believe you can do it too!

A great day and I'm looking forward to seeing how it is all put into practice tomorrow in school...

Make Your Own Word Search

ToonDoo - lots of creative fun

By smu316 | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon

Some new Web 2 tools

I'm sure that Doink is not a new discovery for some of you but here is a lovely new animation tool that is free and easy to use and embed on your website, bog or wiki.

Tyrannosaurus by Terik, made at DoInk.com

The creator says this about his animation "A new kind of tyrannosaur called Yutyrannus huali has recently been discovered, and it was covered from head to toe with downy feathers, making it much more likely that T. rex was also covered in feathers. (It still would have been much too heavy to fly, though.) The idea of the scariest predator of all time being soft and fluffy was just perfect for this FND"

Story Bird

Storybird is a fab web 2 application that uses collaborative storytelling to connect people. You can create your own stories or create a Storybird in a round robin fashion by writing your own text and inserting pictures, then pass it on to a friend!  You then have the option of sharing your Storybird privately or publicly on the network.  The final product can be printed, watched on screen, played with like a toy, or shared through a worldwide library.

What’s more it is simple to begin the collaboration fun. Someone starts a Storybird by writing a few words or grabbing a few images. Then the next person takes a turn, adding more words and pictures, once you have finished you can share the Storybird.  All this can be done sitting side-by-side or across the country from each other.  I have tried to write my own, but I am yet to try the collaboration element.  Here is one I stole earlier! 

Story Bird

The Magic Meadow by bekkeran on Storybird

Wallwisher in the classroom

To blog or not to blog!

One of the ideas of blogging is to imprint your ideas on a new and wider audiences (and save paper), that the printed test alone can reach. I am under no illusions though, my blog is not read by many, but for me, my blog is a place to collect and share ideas even if it's only for me! I read some great blogs, and then I place a sample of my finds here on my blog. I guess that most people are now using Twitter for this sort of concept; that’s a place for those able to be more concise that me! I digress, something not allowed on Twitter! (maybe they have something there!) My initial point was to share and save paper– re-blog, however an idea that Tim Rylands shared with me this week and that is to create a PDF from a blog post.  You can make a professional looking document from your blog, or blogpost to put up on a wall display, or to have as evidence in hard copy.  They do look quite professional, however they don't allow you to have any say in the design or layout.  Check out the button on the top right of my home page Joliprint creates a nice looking page from your blogpost and could be used quite effectively in a classroom if you want to print the children’s post for a different purpose.  He also mentions other applications that provide a similar service check out his post

Some great new titles for Primary ICT

At last there are some great titles for using emerging web technologies in the primary classroom!  I have been suggestive, for a number of years, about the great opportunities for using Web 2 in the primary setting.  However, there has been some resistance, especially from LAs that manage schools web access.  My students have also been quite sceptical at times, although they do humour me to some extent.  The concerns range from internet safety, access to the relevant sites, time restraints and expertise. None of these concerns are to be scoffed at I know, but we must provide our primary school children with the skills they need to be successful learners of the 21^st century otherwise we are not fulfilling our obligations at educators.

These two new titles for 2012 give great practical examples of how to actually integrate innovative ICT tools in the classroom.  Barber & Cooper, “Using New Web Tools inthe Primary Classroom”, have written a practical guide for enhancing teaching and learning with new web tools.  Their book is written for those interested in the application of new web-based ICTs to primary teaching.  It has been specifically designed for anyone who works in the primary classroom or who is training to do so.  It is divided into 2 sections; the first section justifies the use of Web 2.0 tools, laying the ground work for the second section which gives specific and tangible ways in which these technologies can enhance classroom practice.  “The Really Useful ICT Book” from Jesson and Peacock is more of an overall technology across the curriculum guide – but it is up to date and incorporates a range of new tools as well as the more traditional ICT resources that many of us are more familiar with.  Both are well work a look.

Creating computer games in the classroom

Whatever you think about computer games, making computer games is a creative process just as writing a story or painting a picture. All creative efforts require a substantial degree of intuition, logic, problem solving and fun. It is fair to say that we can learn and develop a range of skills from anything we create from scratch. Moreover making computer games are a good way of getting children interested in topics that they may not normally choose to spend time involving themselves in. Creating computer games can entice children to stretch their creativity and their intelligence. It is also making a tentative start on diversifying the ICT content taught in out classroom and it may even stimulate an interest in developing their own more complex games later on.


In this week’s sessions we have been exploring Gamemaker - the light version. Students were initially asked to create a game following the onscreen tutorial. This gave them hands on experience of the game making process, and it allowed them to learn the tools of the application as they progressed.
In the main they were successful in creating a basic game. Some were more creative from the outset, only following the tutorial when they needed help. It was interesting to see how their games differed when they were asked to just write suggestions of the progression of their game, outlining what improvements they would make to their original game with only the limitations of their creativity to stop them. I introduced them to Tim Rylands today too so hopefully he will inspire them to persevere in their voyage of discovery in the gaming in education process.

This is a tagxedo of the image I found when I googled Mandy. I selected my blog address to create the final effect!  This week my students are exploring a range of web2 applications that help them make creative images from text. Their task was to use the 4 applications I selected thematically and add them to their blog. The online applications I chose were: wordle, tagxedo, text-image and graffiti creator.

Creating images with text

Below is a selection of on-line applications that allow you to create simple but effective images and shapes from text.  Explore with them using a theme that you feel might help with your project.  It is wonderful to explore the written word and even more amazing to discover how creative you can be by simply developing the concept of simple visual communication.  We see text all around us from bill board posters to graffiti in the street, from signs and instructions to warning and encouragement in our workplace.  Explore the power or words and text just for fun and see how creative you can be.  I used the theme of gaming for my selection.

 The image above is created using text-image.  You select any image that you fancy, choose the text that you wish your image to created from and click.  It takes a few minutes depending on the size and complexity of you image.  If you are clever enough you can copy the code and edit it to suit, maybe to get rid of the background.  I stuck to the simple screen shot using the Snipping tool in windows 7 then uploaded the image to my blog.  See the original below to see where it came from.

The image of gaming

Tagxedo is fabulous way to express yourself, using the magic of text with the power of image. In case you can't quite make out the text image below this is it! Check out this blog for some great ideas http://blog.tagxedo.com/

The Face of Gaming

You may say that first and foremost games are ‘fun’. This is, of course, true, but games can be much more than that. Click on the Mr Toledano link below and take a look at some pictures of gamers playing and you will see fun in some of their faces. You may also notice another much more constant emotion: challenge. Games challenge in ways traditional linear media, from feature films to textbooks to PowerPoint presentations, generally do not, certainly not at such regularity with such power and impact. And in an age when politicians, parents and many educators feel that learning has lost its rigour, gaming presents a superb means to challenge young people. For a start, games seem to raise our expectations from the moment we launch them, like a Hollywood blockbuster, and then engage us for as long, sometimes longer. No matter what your own ideas and preferences about gaming are you will have an opinion about whether there is a place for it in education.  Simon Egenfldt-Nielsen discusses the challenges of edutainment in his PhD ‘Making Sweet Music: The Educational Use of Computer Games’. Where he suggests the area of ECG is not yet well defined.  He states that it is not enough that a player is more motivated, or that game culture is collaborative, or even to suggest that computer games as complex devices will somehow automatically transfer knowledge to the player.  Rather he promotes the notion that it is how each of these elements helps constitute the activity educational use of computer games.

Integrating Games-based Learning: A Conversation with Tim Rylands