Educational Origami

Educause publishes a series of useful resources for administrators and teachers. Here are their latest offerings:

• http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-connected-learning – One of the critical skills universally identified for thriving in the 21st Century is the ability to communicate and collaborate.
• http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-infographic-creation-tools I love infographics and the research about our brains ability to process images and develop meaning from these back up their use.
• http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-video-communication Video conferencing is no longer the domain of the special few with the expencive equipment. Tools like Skype for education, which allows multi person video conferencing for free for educators are change this.
• http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-makerspaces – this is an interesting one – this isn’t so much about a technology but about a physical space that enables the use of technology for all users – a must read for anyone investigating libraries, multi purpose spaces etc.

These resources are slightly older but are very useful for teaching IT theory or providing accessible PL resources for teachers

• http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-ipv6 7 things you should know about IP version 6 – this is the new IP protocol that is being gradually being implemented
• http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-mobile-app-development This is a briefing paper on mobile application development – we only have to look at the rapid emergence of tablets and broad acceptance of smartphones to see the relevance of this.
• http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-agile-development Agile project management is a very useful approach to the development of software and IT based projects (its not the only one though). This is a useful resource for this.

In this update of on the wire I have a couple of interesting articles and the odd infographic to share

1. BBC Future – Why your brain loves to get feedback – http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130226-why-your-brain-loves-feedback An interesting article on the importance of feedback. This supports the research from Professor John Hattie in his book Visual Learning about the importance of feedback (not that I think Hattie’s work needed further support – http://www.treasury.govt.nz/publications/media-speeches/guestlectures/pdfs/tgls-hattie.pdf)

2. Free Stock Photos – There are some excellent sites that will provide you with access to good quality stock photography for free. Here are a couple to check out

• http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images
• http://www.kozzi.com/
• http://www.morguefile.com/

3. On a lighter note – Paper is Not Dead. This video about the iPad and paper is doing the rounds at the moment, and it makes a valuable as well as humorous point that is worth considering. technology isn’t a replacements for traditional approaches to activities, its an alternative. We need to consider the best tool for the job.

paper is not dead

4. Virtual Tours from Mountain peaks and Base camps – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10872387

This is an article from the NZ Herald that contains a number of virtual tours of mountain peaks and base camps. Here is the link to the blog post by the adventurer who created the tours – http://googleblog.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/explore-everest-kilimanjaro-and-more.html

and finally an infographic on apps and the impact these are having – http://mobilefuture.org/resources/app-infographic/

Here are a couple of useful links that I have come across recently.

1. Educause  - 7 things you should know - http://www.educause.edu/

There are two recent updates in this useful series. The first is collaborative learning spaces and the second infographics tools. We are seeing across education a shift towards learning happening not just in the classroom but beyond. Collaborative learning spaces are useful tools that allow a common point for the learners to link to.

• http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-collaborative-learning-spaces
• http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-infographic-creation-tools

2. The commoncraft show - http://www.commoncraft.com

This is one of my favourite sites and I am happy to pay the annual membership to get access to these resources. You can access this site for free and view the videos by going to http://www.commoncraft.com. There are three things that are worth highlighting on this site at the moment:

• http://www.commoncraft.com/blog  - this blog has a number of very useful tips and posts about constructing your own explanation videos – its good reading
• http://www.commoncraft.com/new-video-credit-card-responsibility-0 This is an appropriate video that would be useful in the social sciences and economics as well as at home. Credit card responcibility
• http://www.commoncraft.com/new-video-email-access-explained-common-craft This is in the tech series and is useful resource

3.  Robotics articles in the news

Robotics has recieved a little bit of press recently and here are some useful articles from my twitter feed (@achurches)

• When are we going to learn to trust robots - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21623892
• Robot warriors: Lethal machines coming of age - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21576376
• BigDog four-legged robot now sports throwing arm http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21630212
• Police use drones to catch criminals - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10868674

In this on the wire post I have revisited one of my favourite media sits – Mediastorm to see the latest work they are doing. They are brilliant and their videos are challenging and moving.

1. Mediastorm http://mediastorm.com

Media storm produces “Cinamatic Narratives”, short videos that tell a story. The stories are wide ranging some made by Mediastorm themselves, some for clients and some are the product of student workshops. Check out the links:

• About mediastorm – http://mediastorm.com/about
• Client projects – http://mediastorm.com/client/projects
• Student projects – http://mediastorm.com/train/projects
• Publications – http://mediastorm.com/pub/projects

Check out “a darkness visible – Afghanistan” http://mediastorm.com/publication/a-darkness-visible-afghanistan

2. Make online learning more personal – http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/977276#ixzz2HJU5P54C

This is a  list some of which that is worth considering if you are looking at an online environment or reviewing your existing one. The list includes:

• document sharing
• co-working spaces
• group projects
• discussion groups
• social media channels

3. Ask3 ipad application – http://blogs.techsmith.com/for-educators/ask3-for-ipad/

This is a free ipad application developed by Techsmith. Here is the Blurb:

“Ask3 is a free app that allows teachers and students with iPads to easily share knowledge and collaborate via threaded, text and video conversations. By recording voice, drawings, and images, Ask3 can be used to quickly create videos that are shared directly through the app to a small group or class through a private code. To foster collaborative learning, students can pin questions at exact points within a video that are visible to the entire class, and other students can create responses in real-time by adding their own text and video responses. For educators, Ask3 helps teachers learn what information their students understand and areas where they need extra help, allowing them to quickly address challenging and confusing areas right away.”

Also check out – http://blogs.techsmith.com/tips-how-tos/

4. ipads for learning ebook – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ipads-for-learning/id588683835?ls=1&utm_source=buffer&buffer_share=b9e25

This is a free ebook about ipads for learning. Downloads to iTunes and has some good information and suggestions.

On the wire today we have a focus on digital citizenship, and a little on a global project

1. Facebook privacy settings http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/facebooks-privacy-settings-a-complete-guide/

This week seems to have had a number of digital citizenship articles in the various online news sites that I subscribe to:

• Stuff article on “mum’s cell phone contract” – http://t.co/UWVQINiY 
• Bank hacking – http://t.co/YcC9juMb
• 70% of Kiwi’s effected by cyber crime – http://t.co/iE5I09RE
• Drivers using social media to avoid check points – http://t.co/9pILRXke
• Safe sexting app and the facebook poke – http://t.co/14UD7lWn
• Mashable article on facebook and violoence against women – http://mashable.com/2013/01/08/facebook-violence-against-women/

So its appropriate to look at some advice from Make use of http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/facebooks-privacy-settings-a-complete-guide/ and stuff’s how to avoid internet fraud - http://t.co/BqMnvKKw

2. Unfortunate truth about child pornography and the internet http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/unfortunate-truths-about-child-pornography-and-the-internet-feature/

Another interesting feature on make use of. Its disturbing and at times alarming, but there is a need for awareness and balanced responce. Also check out the article from the university of new hampshire – http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV269_Child%20Porn%20Possession%20Bulletin_4-13-12.pdf

3. 8 Good tech habits to adopt right now – http://mashable.com/2013/01/08/good-tech-habits/

This is in a slightly lighter vein, but is offering good solid advice that would save most people a degree of heart ache and stress – especially the back up you device regularly part.

4. 1 face watch fundraising  http://1facewatch.com/

I like this site, select the cause you want to support, buy the watch that suits you while making a difference. Check out how much of a difference you have made and the different causes which include:

• AIDS – keep a child alive
• HUNGER – one days wages
• CANCER – the american cancer society
• ENVIRONMENT – the adventure project
• WATER – charity water
• BREAST CANCER – National breast cancer

Source: http://1facewatch.com/skin/frontend/default/oneface/images/metrics.gif

Its been a while since I have had the time to pen an on the wire update, but here is one.

1. TinEye Labs – http://labs.tineye.com/

This is a search engine with a difference, this one is based on colour. The search feature allows you to select a colour and then search through Flickr for creative commons images that match this colour. There is also TinEye which is the reverse search engine that allows you to search by inputting an image.

2. The Flynn effect – http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Are-You-Smarter-Than-Your-Grandfather-Probably-Not-181842991.html

The Flynn effect is a discovery by a NZ scientist in the 1980′s that Human intelligence in the developed world increases by about 3 points every 10 years. Average human intelligence is meant to be 100. This is an interesting discussion on this phenomena.

3.Is artificial intelligence a threat to humanity? http://www.3news.co.nz/Is-artificial-intelligence-a-threat-to-humanity/tabid/1160/articleID/278117/Default.aspx

This is an interesting opinion piece syndicated on to New Zealand’s TV3 News. worth a read as we see the speed at which artificial intelligence is progressing

4. 3D Printing  – educause – 7 things you shoould know about 3D printing - http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-3d-printing

If you are not familiar with this series of resources, they are a great and balanced perspective on the impact of a tech nology on education (its focused on higher education). Each paper asks seven questions:

1. What is it?
2. How does it work?
3. Who’s doing it?
4. Why is it signficant?
5. What are the downsides?
6. Where is it going?
7. What are the implications for higher education?

This one is looking at 3D printing and benefits and downsides. No long ago you were looking at 3D printers costing in the thousands of dollars, but now you can pick them up for under AU$1000 and if you look to the US there are lots available – http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/ This is an amazing development and I would imagine that the price will come down a little more. Unlike printer ink, the plastic for the these tools is probably more easily obtained, so companies will be hard pressed to maintain there monopoly and there for extortionate cost on the consumables. What a great opportunity for students to work right through the creative and development process – Solution Fluency

For those with an endless budget, check this out – Buildatron – http://buildatron.com/

5. Cambridge Digital Library – http://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/

This is an amazing and fascinating site to visit. It holds, in digital format, an array of books, manuscripts and works from various religions, authors and scientists.

Follow me on Twitter?

Here are a couple of educause updates. These are part of the excellent seven things you should know series, published monthly by Educause.

The latest two are:

• 7 Things you should know about microlectures – http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-microlectures
• 7 Things you should know about group texting – http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-group-texting

Educause has a number of interesting libraries that are worth exploring – here is one I like, the video and multimedia production library – http://www.educause.edu/library/video-and-multimedia-production. Have a look at this 7 things about the evolution of the textbook  to see the links that are coming through with video and multimedia production – http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-evolution-textbook

Also have a loom at the K-12 Library - http://www.educause.edu/library/k-12

The BBC website hosts a series of brilliant gems that are very useful to teachers. While many of us will be familiar with the news page which is accessable via the web or using apps on our phones, there is a whole lot more that’s worth exploring and using. Here are some of my favourites…

1. BBC Future - http://www.bbc.com/future this is a stimulating site that has some interesting and often challenging articles. The site matches well with ITGS and also TOK for the IB’s out there.
2. BBC Science and Nature - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/ and Nature home page – http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/ some great resources here including videos
3. BBC School - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ this is cool, stretching across the curriculum there are over 7000 resources here.
4. BBC Learning – http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/ this is learning for all ages from the very young to the not so young.
5. BBC bitesize http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ and GCSE bitesize http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ this is learning resources grouped by year level and subject area. Awesome.

Here are a set of resources from Microsoft for working with Windows and MS office in the classroom. This is useful set of materials.

1. accessibility in the classroom - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/Accessibility.aspx
2. Mathematics 4.0 in the classroom _ http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/Mathematics-guide.aspx – this includes a step by step guide, plus links to the download of the product as well
3. Bing (Microsofts search engine) in the classroom  - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/bing.aspx
4. Windows 7 in the classroom - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/windows-7.aspx this also has videos as well to help you out.
5. One note in the classroom - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/one-note.aspx again with videos to support the professional development.
6. Microsoft Office in the classroom - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/microsoft-office-system.aspx  - videos and other resources.
7. Digital Storytelling in the classroom - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/digital_storytelling.aspx
8. Free tools from Microsoft - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/free-tools.aspx – this is Autocollage, photo synth and Movie maker live
9. Product How to’s - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/how-to/Pages/index.aspx
10. Microsoft Free Products - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/Pages/free-products.aspx some interesting software here like the chemistry add in for word, the mathematics add in, flash cards, songsmith, Kodu game lab and more. Check out this as well - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/faculty/Pages/free-software.aspx 
11. Templates - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/Pages/templates.aspx This is an interesting set of templates, some of which are quite useful.
12. Critical thinking in the classroom - http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/guides/Pages/critical_thinking.aspx – This is an interesting one with set of lesson plans, students hand outs and teacher resources for:

• Searching
• Plagarism
• Citing web resources
• Validity and reliabilityt
• Civil Discourse

They call this the new wonders of the world but these are interesting and useful resources which give a 360 degree perspective on some of the fascinating places most of us will never visit. Check these out:

1. Colosseum - http://www.panoramas.dk/7-wonders/colosseum.html
2. The Great wall of China - http://www.panoramas.dk/7-wonders/great-wall.html
3. Petra - http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen2/full24.html
4. Taj Mahal - http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen/fullscreen23.html
5. Machu Picchu in Peru - http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen6/f2-machu-picchu.html
6. Christ the redeemer in Rio de Janeiro - http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen6/f40-rio-de-janeiro.html
7. Chichen Itza in Mexico - http://www.panoramas.dk/7-wonders/Chichen-Itza.html
8. There are more in the archive - http://www.panoramas.dk/archive.html

In this update there’s some excellent professional development and IT resources, stuff on QR codes and an interesting article or two from the BBC

1. Commoncraft video – Web Browsers – http://www.commoncraft.com/video/web-browsers This is another excellent product from the commoncraft show. This video looks at the basics and features of web browsers. A very useful tool for professional development and within IT courses. Consider becoming a member, its cost efficient and ethical.

2. Seven things you should know about projecting from mobile devices - http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7082.pdf This is another useful perspective from Educause. We have all seen the amazing growth in mobile devices, the ability illustrated by iPhones having applications like “keynote” which allows you to present from your iPhone or for the really game, edit and create your presentation. This is a useful view.

3. QRstuff http://www.qrstuff.com/ have you played with QR (Quick response) Codes? Increasingly we are seeing these versatile codes appearing everywhere. So much more than a barcode they can send you emails, text messages and much more. QRstuff is an easy to use site that allows you to create and generate QR codes. try this link:
4. BBC Future - http://www.bbc.com/future This is an interesting series of articles and columns that I have recently discovered while browsing around on the BBC site. Today’s article is an interesting one – Is email evil? http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120328-is-email-evil

This is a site to book mark and visit often.