VoiceThread, so that's what I heard!

VoiceThreadis an online service which provides a collaborative multimedia slide show, displaying documents, images and videos. Users can upload this content, and display it for others to see. It is fully online and a very interactive slide show presentation website. It provides much more than the standard PowerPoint, as people can also leave comments in many different ways. They can comment by text, voice, webcam and also with and audio file. VoiceThreads also can be imbedded into websites and blogs where users can comment, as well as the ability to be exported to mp3 or DVDs.

References:
VoiceThread, 2009, VoiceThread, viewed 13 August 2009, http://voicethread.com/about/

It Must Be Music!

Music is very convenient, as it can break a silence and convey a mood. Music has been all around us, and many websites offer royalty free music that can be downloaded and used in various productions and work under the creative commons license. You can also download different beats and compose a score as well as a range of different sound effects are available. Teachers can use music for use in PowerPoint presentations, providing a better experience for students. You can also use music and sound effects in slide shows and short films. Here's TV commercial that I did for one of my university courses.




iPhone Commercial By David Pierson at Stritec Productions

File Hosting

File hosting websites like MediaFire, provides users with storage space on servers, so they can upload files to share with others. These services are good for teaching, as teachers can upload various course work, and the students can access the files. Students studying a course externally will also greatly benefit as they can download the files at any location with an internet connection. The file hosting services also allow users to upload images and display them on blogs and websites just like I have done below.


This image was part of a short Film that I did some time ago. To view the short film, go to Stritec Pictures

This image is copyright (C) Stritec Pictures 2009. All Rights Reserved

Web Quests

A Web Quest is a web page that is composed of information and activities, using internet resources to encourage students to use their knowledge to solve problems. Teachers make Web Quests for students, where they are provided with online resources and are asked to use the information to solve the presented problem. Web Quests are very popular with teachers, as it is a new way to give students activities rather than using the old method of using pen and paper. However, making a Web Quest requires quite some time, as teachers have to research the information they seek and the compose a scenario that the student have to try and solve. They then have to publish the Web Quest using a web authoring tool like DreamWeaver and upload it to a website hosting service so it can be viewed by students. This takes more time, but once it has been completed, the quest will be a more exciting adventure, that is, if you do it right!

References:
WebQuest Direct, 2009, What is a WebQuest, viewed 10 August 2009, http://www.webquestdirect.com.au/whatis_awq.asp
Tom March, 2003, The learning power of WebQuests, viewed 10 August 2009, http://tommarch.com/writings/wq_power.php

Earthly Enough?

Google Earth is a program that displays satellite images of the Earth, allowing users to see houses streets and landmarks in a birds eye view. The program also allows you to enter in a address and the camera will fly to the location. Teachers can also use Google Earth as a learning program for students to explore, keeping them up to date with the latest technologies. They can use Google Earth for geography and showing students landmarks and countries they may be researching. It also helps students and teachers learn the new technologies and they can upload photos of a location and add it to Google Earth.

Podcasts

The word Podcast, is a combination between the word iPod and broadcast. But you don't need an iPod to enjoy the benefits of podcasts, as they can be played back on a computer. They are small audio files that can be downloaded and viewed by others. They are very useful for teachers, as they can upload a recording of a lecture and students can listen to it. It is particularly great for students that are studying a course online and also is useful for providing new and updated information. Creating a podcast is similar to blogging, although instead of words, users can listen to what you say. This gives a greater atmosphere to the listeners providing an experience where the audience feels like they going on the same journey.


References:
tech FAQ, 2009, What Are Podcasts, viewed 6 August 2009,http://www.tech-faq.com/podcasts.shtml

YouBet it's YouTube

Some people may say that videos are basically moving images with sound, but they are not, they are much more. Videos have provided people with plenty of information and techniques in a visual and concise way. They are another step forward in the internet, as you can watch someone explain how to set up an e.portfolio or blog, rather than reading it. Video sharing sites like YouTube are very popular because of this, and users can also share their stories and work they have created, adding a more 'involved' atmosphere with feedback and comments.

YouTube can help teachers to show students course work, and show them examples of what sort of work professionals do. Here is an example of a VFX breakdown of a video done by Dan Stevers.

Test Time!

Class Maker is a test creation tool that Teachers can use to test their students. It is very useful and has many options, enabling you to provide many different types of questions to quiz the students. Writing the questions is simple, and you can choose how many points one will get if they answer correctly. Class Maker takes it to the next step in tests, as it is fully online and there is no paper needed. This is great for students studying externally and is simply more convenient than picking up a pen and paper. Try out the 1 question test I made with Class Maker here. To visit the Class Maker website, go to http://www.classmarker.com

Lets Have A Picnik

As we become more reliant on the internet and we are always on the go, it would be more convenient if we just carried around NetBooks. But these have limited space, and limited power. So how do we fix this? Well you can just use the internet for storage, and use it for applications. Yes, the internet has provided everything we need, but is this more convenient and the way of the future? Well I went out to have a Picnik to find out.

Picnik is an online photo editing service, where you can add effects and apply text and stickers to images that you upload. The service has a lot of options but is not as good as an application like Photoshop or even free programs like Paint.net. The loading times are quite long, even with a 256kb internet connection, but the service is good for spicing up photos and is very easy to use. Here's an images I did using Picnik.

Images That Flickr

Images can be a part of a design of a website, but can also provide insightful information that couldn't be explained by words. Not only do images add more interest in websites, but they can help the readers to see what is being explained to them and they will be able retain an image better than writing. There are also various websites that allow users to upload images to massive servers so they can be shared by others. These sites include ImageShack and Flickr which provide free image hosting services. Setting up a Flickr account is very easy, and you can start sharing images in no time. You can also search for images to use on your websites and even blog postings! But before you use an image, check what the copyrights are. Many users allow you to use and modify images, providing you acknowledge the author.

Image By: Sonic Julez

Use That PowerPoint

Teachers provide PowerPoint presentations for students so they can view weekly course work. They are single files which are small sizes and because they are electronic, PowerPoint presentations can be easily accessed on the web. There are a range of effects you can place on a PowerPoint to improve the style and look. PowerPoint presentations support images animations and videos, enabling a stylish and modern presentation. PowerPoint 2007 provides templates that can be used to add a professional look.

Creating a PowerPoint was very easy as I have done many presentations previously. Firstly I modified the Master Slide to ensure all of the pages were the same (background and header and footer wise). Creating Headings was very easy, and usually bullet points are placed for the information. Now with just writing, the presentation seems dull, so images and videos are placed in the presentation to add balance. The animations for the words need not to be exciting, but a simple fade-in and fade-out effect, adds a professional look.

Image From:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmo-quva/ / CC BY 2.0