eLearning Blog Don't Waste Your Time - Latest Comments

Re: Thought on using Prezi as a teaching/learning tool

Simon Ball — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:34:31 -0000

Prezi is a great tool for grabbing students' attention, but compared with PowerPoint it is highly inaccessible. It is completely inaccessible to blind and visually impaired students - there is not even a version you can give to students to run through their own screen reader software as you could with PowerPoint. The non-linear nature may be troubling for students with, for example, Asperger's, while on the other hand its non-linear nature may be very beneficial for students with dyslexia, for example. Teachers should be aware of its lack of inclusivity before embarking on learning a new tool, when others, such as Xerte Online Toolkits for example, offer many of the advantages of Prezi (easy inclusion of audio and video etc) and fully accessible outputs as well.

Re: Thought on using Prezi as a teaching/learning tool

hopkinsdavid — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:00:33 -0000

The idea of the interactive state map sounds good, look forward to seeing it when you get it sorted.

Re: Thought on using Prezi as a teaching/learning tool

hopkinsdavid — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:59:45 -0000

Thanks for sharing Deborah.

Re: Thought on using Prezi as a teaching/learning tool

John Sutton — Sat, 12 May 2012 07:54:51 -0000

2 thoughts to add:

1. When working with primary aged children I have found that the non-linear nature of Prezi presented a bit of a challenge and (surprise, surprise) the results were best when they physically laid out their plan on the table or floor using sticky notes or sheets of A4/A5.

2. I'm working with my daughter on her homework project to produce a presentation on a US state, we've come up with the idea of creating an interactive map of minnesota and are going to try to realise it in Prezi. Will link it here if we succeed!

Re: Thought on using Prezi as a teaching/learning tool

Deborah Seed — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:20:17 -0000

This is a work in progress Prezi I created for accounting students. I don't think Prezi's are good for presenting a lot of information in class, but then again what presentation tool is?!
I have now come to the conclusion that it is better if students create their own.
They are made for iPads though!http://prezi.com/3ei6pm37k3jd/...

Re: What is a MOOC? #edtech

hopkinsdavid — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:26:18 -0000

Here's another useful resource on MOOCs, from Steve Wheeler this time - http://steve-wheeler.blogspot....

"That is both the strength and the weakness of the MOOC. You see, you
can connect to anyone, anywhere, at any time to learn from each other. But you
can also miss those connections, if certain people decline to join in. MOOCs
are also at their most successful when there is a critical mass of
participants. So what if you gave a party and no-one came? A sparsely populated
MOOC is just .... well..... an OOC, isn't it?"

Re: What is a MOOC? #edtech

hopkinsdavid — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:39:27 -0000

I read this today: "The Massive Open Online Professor" from the Academic Matters website - http://www.academicmatters.ca/...

"The challenges faced by higher education around the world are daunting
and cannot be met by the traditional institution-based education system.
For the current model to meet the needs of future generations, we would
need to build and fund thousands of new universities. And yet the past
ten years have demonstrated that there is another way. Scalable
education on the web is increasingly possible, largely through the use
of commodity software that is easy to use and available freely or at low
cost to anyone."

"The backing of prestigious institutions is clearly a factor in
attracting large numbers of students. Brand recognition is likely to
remain a differentiating factor, but MOOCs also offer opportunities for
professors at smaller institutions to establish themselves as great
instructors. Jim Groom at the University of Mary Washington has been
able to attract thousands of students (and a number of other
institutions) to participate in a digital storytelling course he
designed and teaches with a number of collaborators. Not all professors
will be excited by Thrun’s vision of Wonderland, but MOOCs may offer
opportunities for academics to have their educational cake and eat it,
too, by being the sage on a huge stage while also being a guide who
remains closely by the student’s side—through the power of open and
social technologies."

Read in full on the link above.

Re: Presentation: Prezi for advanced users

hopkinsdavid — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:10:15 -0000

Hi Larry - it depends on how you use Prezi, for some this is advanced, for others (like you and I) this is not. Bear in mind this was posted 15 months ago, before Prezi became the (popular) presentation tool it is now.

All the best, David

Re: Presentation: Prezi for advanced users

Larry — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:18:56 -0000

This is a great presentation, but I'm not really sure what part of it would be constituted as for advanced users.

Re: ‘Dermandar’ Photography App

Simon Wood — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:29:07 -0000

You can zoom in on detail in photographs, too, using the mouse scroll wheel.

Re: ‘Out of Office’ emails put to good use

Toner Giant — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:02:55 -0000

Great tip. Never though of using my auto response in this manner. Thanks

Re: Don’t underestimate local knowledge

hopkinsdavid — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:21:39 -0000

HI Peter. Teach them how to think, yes. But if they're new to the campus (or online) shouldn't we at least point them in the direction of the library and/or which floor/shelf to find the journals or books on?

All the best, David

Re: Don’t underestimate local knowledge

Pmerchant — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:59:15 -0000

Maybe it is necessary to refer to some of the books in the reading list which was given out in the first lecture, in order to find some information. But Remember, one of teh main things that university is supposed to teach you is how to THINK.

Re: ‘ePortfolios’ are out, ‘bPortfolios’ are in (apparently)

Malcolm Murray — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:25:08 -0000

Interesting discussion David.
Has anyone looked at the use of "pages" within a blog to provide some of the crafted prose available in a wiki? Also the question of capture (freezing) for formal assessment?

Malcolm.

Re: ‘Kindle’ eBook App

Dave Appleby — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:17:37 -0000

There is some anecdotal evidence that people with dyslexia find eBooks easier to read than printed books. I am currently conducting research into whether this is true and if so what features of an eBook give these advantages. I would love to know your views on this or the views of any of the readers of your blog (especially any adults with dyslexia).

Re: Should employers ask for access to a (potential) employees Social Media account?

Darkone — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:46:12 -0000

Ah, but Facebook has responded by pointing out it's a violation of its T&Cs to solicit a user's password. A few companies being made an example of by losing their Facebook fan pages should curb zealous HR functionaries.

As a user, you shouldn’t be forced to share your private information and communications just to get a job. And as the friend of a user, you shouldn’t have to worry that your private information or communications will be revealed to someone you don’t know and didn’t intend to share with just because that user is looking for a job. That’s why we’ve made it a violation of Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities to share or solicit a Facebook password.

https://www.facebook.com/note....

On the legal side, it's being argued that while it isn't illegal for employers to ask, given the circumstances, it could be seen as coercion ( the act of compelling by force of authority).

Re: Should employers ask for access to a (potential) employees Social Media account?

hopkinsdavid — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 03:01:24 -0000

We need a lawyer here ... technically the employer is not breaking the T&Cs as the individual is 'willingly' allowing them to view their Facebook account and has logged in voluntarily. Yes, No?

Re: Should employers ask for access to a (potential) employees Social Media account?

Tia — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:22:15 -0000

Very good points about the risks the interviewer/employer take on by such an intrusion. It's pretty much a non-issue though since FB announced it would be a violation of their terms of service for any employer to access an applicant's account and they will pursue legal action against anyone who does.

Re: Pinterest, what’s the fuss?

Protocol Education — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:09:38 -0000

This is a great post. Having just started our Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/protocoled) we are learning every day! At the moment we use it to share blogs and teaching resources for educators.
Thanks for the extra tips!

Cordelia, Protocol Education

Re: “Using QR Codes in Higher Education” Workshop: Jan 31st, 2012 #QRCode

chales joseph — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:03:58 -0000

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly
about it and really like learning more on this matter. If possible, as you gain
expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is extremely
helpful for me.

health&nutrition

Re: Alternatives to PowerPoint in the classroom

Proslideservices — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:11:30 -0000

I like powerpoint and I like prezi but which is better there's only one way to find out...

...FIGHT!

Boring presentations can be produced using either pieces of software. The habit of using slides to display bullet pointed lists is not an effective way to communicate zooming in and out of these lists really doesn't make it any better.

There is a presentation from Coca-Cola on the Prezi website which is no better than just using PowerPoint to display the bullet points.

Re: QR Code Trend Infographic #QRCode

Graham44784 — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:44:00 -0000

I dont think you have to you have to offer them something you just have to make them appealing and covetable when the information is offered. Tailored QR codes, called Maze QR's or mazes, are just that and they are scanned out of pure amazement. Dont you think?

Re: So long, and thanks for all the fish!

hopkinsdavid — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:44:34 -0000

Relocation - I'm hoping there can be some flexibility in the first couple of months to enable time for family and house-hunting but the plan is to sell in Bournemouth and buy in Leicestershire.

How is it working with you in Brighton these days?

All the best, David

Re: So long, and thanks for all the fish!

Craig Taylor — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:30:17 -0000

Are you relocating Dave or will you be remote working?

Re: So long, and thanks for all the fish!

hopkinsdavid — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:23:59 -0000

Thank you, we'll be able to meet up and sort collaborative work far more easily now!

All the best, David