Wall wisher

Just created a "Wall Wisher" for students to use at the beginning of next term - to identify what they want to learn and what they want to do in term 2: http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/youthatsouthbank

... and my delicious site is:
http://www.delicious.com/mairy
http://www.wallwisher.com/build

Collaboration

http://www.delicious.com/stacks/view/IIbgF6?editMode=true

Co-working with Noddlepod

Noddlepod is a tool for enabling collaboration and mutual support between members of a community.
Noddlepod works by allowing members of a group to see their own work in the context of the group.

EduApps

just use it, give it, share it - all for free  

(the web site's motto)
http://eduapps.org/

The EduApps Family covers a range of user requirements to support teaching and learning, so just choose the one that’s right for you.

• AccessApps, provides a range of solutions to support writing, reading and planning, as well as sensory, cognitive and physical difficulties.
• TeachApps, is a collection of software specifically designed for teachers or lecturers.
• LearnApps, as its name implies, is specifically designed for learners. All learners or students can benefit from LearnApps.
• MyStudyBar, is our most popular program, providing a suite of apps to support literacy.
• MyVisBar, a high contrast floating toolbar, designed to support learners with visual difficulties.
• MyAccess, a portal to all your favourite and accessible applications providing inclusive e-learning options for all.
• Create&Convert, is our new kid on the block, designed to help publish accessible information for all. Version 1.5 now available to download!
• Accessible Formatting WordBar, create accessible Word documents with ease using our innovative WordBar.

All EduApps collections can run from a USB pendrive plugged into a Windows computer.

Adding video content to an ePub ebook

Doing some more reading of the "ebooks" paper and thought I would record the following information about adding video content to an ePub ebook:
 STEPS:
1. Convert video to MP4 ...eg
2. Rename ePub file to .zip and unzip it
3. Find the xhtml main file
4. Make a folder there called video and copy the testvideo.mp4 file in there
5. now add <video src="video/testvideo.mp4" controls="true" width="320" height="240" autoplay="false">This is an introductory video</video>
6. now open the content.opd file and add <item id="video1" href="video/testvideo.mp4" media-type="video/mpeg4" />
7. Now zip the whole thing back up
8. Rename the file as .epub
9. Copy to iTunes and sync to device

Not sure how it will work at the moment but wanted it easily accessible.testvideo.mp4

... and perhaps I need to consider guarding the eBook I am creating against unauthorized access and illegal file sharing:
"it can be done manually through sites like http://www.electronicdeadbolt.com/ and Virtual Vault "

... another aspect to be considered - ereading devices! Strategies to consider:

• Test on real devices - difficult getting access to the broad range of devices
• ebook Emulators - free through web browsers (incl Mobile Device and OS Emulators) - but usually require developer kit and knowledge of use
• Peer Editing - fresh eyes

... and standards: http://e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au/index.php

Podcast summary

Just waiting for our web cast to start and listened to the podcast:  
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/eden-tree/RobHubbardInterview.mp3 
Step One - gather information

• Focus on the learners - who are they, what are their needs and what are they already using (technologies, social media etc)
• Design is critical - research what works and what you want to achieve and how you are going to measure success

Step Two - putting it together

• involve all the stakeholders in the process
• identify what elearning is good for and what it is not good for
• consider - the learning process, the time required to build it as well as the skills development required
• Identify appropriate authoring tools - what can you use and how difficult are they to use eg 'articulate' vs 'captivate'
• Only use what is relevant - use mapping process to identify what is essential

ebooks

I have started reading the "ebooks" pdf developed by Scripture Union Queensland 2011 (Flexible learning Framework Innovation Project) that my sponsor gave me so will put key bits here:

"The development process and planning needs to start with the learner and work backwards to the content, considering the opportunities and limitations devices, delivery, formats and dynamic elements will bring to your content.

Key Questions:
1. Who are your learners and what are their preferred reading styles?
Readers with experience of using online content will expect to be able to navigate easily eg Content menues, hyperlinks, non linear content, interactivity
2. What eReading devices do your learners already use or have access to use?
iPads, androids, smart phones, kindle ...
3. How and where will you publish your ebook for learners to access?
???
4. What ebook formats are compatible with your Online publishing and eReading devices?
??? PDF
"Each ereading format is defined by the structure fo the HTML, the behaviour and layour of elements and can be recognised by it's unique file extension eg Kindle = .azw, fiction books = .fb2
Wikipedia 21/04/2011 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Pre-book_formats
From the above list Multimedia EBook (.exe), EPUB (.epub) and Portable Document Format (.pdf) are the only formats at this stage that support interactive digital content as well as audio content.  However Portable Document Format and Multimedia EBook do not support 'word wrap' - EPUB supports all features listed.  EPUB does have some limitations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPUB 
A particular concern is that there is a problem with interconnectivity within the ebook - linking is hindered by the use of zip files. It also favours text-centric content and may be unsuitable for precise layouts.
5. What multimedia or dynamic elements do you want to include in with your online publishing and eReading devices?
hyperlinks, multimedia - movies, audio, images/linked images, photostory

6. What dynamic elements do you want to include in with your text?
as above - not sure of the difference - need to ask
7. What text based content are you going to convert to an ebook?
build content
Just a reminder to myself that I need to check out this site (RE: EPUB 3): http://www.writersservices.com/www/t_epub_v3.htm

Thinking about the questions:

My Planning outline and proposal have identified the scope of my project.

How are you clarifying the focus and brief of your project with your sponsor and Institute?
I have had my first meeting with my sponsor since our first 2 day conference and she is trying to set up our next meeting with someone else from the Institute who I hope will be able to support me in the process of the practicalities of making an e-book.  (See previous blog entry)

1.  What research are you doing , have you found,  that clarifies your target learners and their characteristics and learning needs?
 
I have read a lot of papers on digital pedagogies, identified issues for the learners and for teachers seeking to take on elearning through my study (Master in Learning Innovation).

I am going to concact my school's liaison librarian to ask about resources as well as about copyright.

2.  What information have you found, interpreted and analysed that helps you determine the digital content design/learning design for your project?

At the moment I intend to use a mind mapping tool (from the internet) to help me to identify the areas that I want to cover.  I will also use the curriculum and assessment criteria.

3.  What types of digital content, learning design might be suitable for this learner group? 

As students are learning English digital technologies offer fantastic ways to introduce students to concepts as well as offer unique and interactive learning experiences.  I will be using a range of digital technologies in the development of the content and learning activities: photostory, audacity, screen cast (?), wikis, photoshop, adobe indesign, prezi etc

I think the students will enjoy using and learning to use digital technologies - they really feel proud of things they achieve that I have put up on their wiki this term

4.  Are there legal ethical issues you must be aware of, as you design your digital content/learning strategy? 

At the moment the only issues I can think of relate to copyright.  If I use photos of students I need to ensure that they have signed a release (get their permission)

5.  How and where are you documenting your research?

This is where I am documenting the progress of my project - My Blog!

My Project

I had a meeting with my sponsor yesterday to discuss my project.  I am going to create an ebook for Certificate II in Spoken and Written English, Module G: Interviews.  Deborah is going to set up a meeting with pat Dennis (Cookery) as he is experienced in developing ebooks.  She is emailing me a copy of an ebook "Beginners Guide to ebooks".

I am also going to look up a web site that my sponsor recommended: Bity.ly/25Webooks as well as SIGIL, 2epub and CALIBRE.  Some of the iPad apps that she has found related to speaking are: Speaking Pal, Quick Voice (searched for 'speech' 'learning speaking'

I have asked about getting some software that I can use: Adobe Creative Suite 5 as I want the ebook to be interactive as well as getting access to an iPad.

I have started to write up my project: Digital Content - Leading Practice Action Learning Project Plan and Project Proposal.

I need to contact my liaison librarian at SBIT and ask for resources available (that I can use - copyright issues to be addressed etc)

My Delicious site

http://www.delicious.com/mairy/

My March "to do" list

Creation
Set up your blog and use it to reflect on your project and learning. Make a habit of posting what you are learning and use the questions below to focus your thoughts in March. Follow your fellow participants learning via their blog and make comments where useful.

Phase 1 of your Digital Content - Leading Practice project is about research ( so in March think about blogging around the key questions below) PS these questions align with the TAADES503A unit

Element 1 - Determine the scope and research the e-learning resource.

1. How are you clarifying the focus and brief of your project with your sponsor and Institute?
2. What research are you doing , have you found,  that clarifies your target learners and their characteristics and learning needs?
3. What information have you found, interpreted and analysed that helps you determine the digital content design/learning design for your project?
4. What types of digital content, learning design might be suitable for this learner group? 
5. Are there legal ethical issues you must be aware of, as you design your digital content/learning strategy? 
6. How and where are you documenting your research?

Communication:

•  post to the my.TAFE forum for this group

Collaboration

• Meet with your sponsor and clarify what you are designing for your project and what your thoughts were about the recent workshop.  Set up a monthly schedule of checkin coffee chats!
• Share your project plan documents in the document library folder that has been set up for each of you in the my.TAFE site.

Collation

• Set up a filing system and delicious site where you can bookmark useful research and links that you find
• Feel free to add useful documents to your my.TAFE folder in the document library
• Check out this FlickR site I have created where I http://www.flickr.com/groups/connectcolleen/pool/show/am going to collate all photos once permission from you all has been granted.

Connections

• Consider using twitter/RSS feeds or other as a way to check out what other Learning professionals are reading and commenting on 
• Feel free to follow me on twitter and check out who I follow

March scheduled Activities

1. iConnect web conference Friday 9th March between 12- 1pm.  This web conferecne will focus on the blogging process and ensuring that all communication tools and strategies have been set up and understood.  The link and information for how to connect is located in a document on your USB called Web conference 1  
2. iConnect web conference March 23rd 12- 1pm.  This session will allow us to share progress and activity around your project and will focus on skills, activities that you determine are Just in time learning for you.  Input as to what you would like to see, hear, do in this session can be emailed to Colleen at any time prior to the 16th March 2012 or posted in the Webconference 3 - March 23rd thread in the my.TAFE site
3. Complete the survey monkey workshop evaluation survey that will be sent to you in the 3rd week in March

Day 2: Digital Content

We had 5 coaches who showed us some digital technologies we can use:

• Delicious: an alternative to using "Favourites" to store and share websites.  My Delicious account: http://delicious.com/mairy/ - I have started to add some of the interesting sites that we were introduced to.
• Recording and streaming - http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/
• My.Tafe: training management tools
• Prezi: http://prezi.com/ 
• Robyn's delicious site: http://prezi.com/cadfuiqbyxfg/stacks-of-delicious-goodies/ 
• Taking and making videos: