eLearning 2.0 Conference - Leveraging Web 2.0 in Teaching

Rodney Murray presented on how he utilizes Podcasts in his classes at Thomas Jefferson University. This podcast is for faculty and students interested in learning how to use and create podcasts, and other e-learning tools.

Rod's Pulse Podcast

Chris Shields - Presented on two Web 2.0 tools that he utilizes for his classes at Drexel University

Del.icio.us – social bookmarking and how the concept of “tagging” allows you to build a “network” of colleagues that share the same interest as you. Makes your searching more focused instead of using Google.

Google Reader – Subscription service for blogs, etc. Similar to Bloglines and has easy integration with existing Blogging technology such as Blogger.

If you scroll down this page, you will see a section on YouTube Videos. The first two videos show the meaning of Web 2.0 to educators.

eLearning 2.0 Conference - Utilizing Horizon Wimba Voice Tools and Live Classroom

I had the opportunity to attend the e-Learning 2.0 Conference at Drexel University and wanted to share my thoughts on three of the presentations I went to.

The first presentation was on Horizon Wimba Voice Tools and Live Classroom.

Horizon Wimba Voice Tools is a asynchronous voice recording mechanism used as a voice recorder, voice email, voice discussion board and voice podcaster within a course management system like Blackboard. Blackboard is not necessary to run Horizon Wimba. They are working on integration with Moodle.

Voice Recorder – student introduction of themselves, faculty record 5-10 minute snippet that students have to listen to before class that shapes discussion in class.

Voice Discussion Board – Students can audio record their discussion board postings for archival

Voice Email – faculty feedback on assignments and projects

Voice Podcaster – Archiving ability as well as subscription based in iTunes (integration with iTunes U?)

Virtual Classroom is the “Live Classroom” feature where you can have a synchronous class that includes text, voice, video, PowerPoint delivery, application sharing and more.

What does it mean @ PhilaU?

Can be a true enhancement to existing Blackboard system to add a robust audio and live classroom presence to our hybrid and online courses. Especially important for online programs like Disaster Medicine and the MBA program, but worthwhile for every faculty member to explore use.

Tech Tips - How do we create roaming favorites and bookmarks?

The IT Guy says:

"This was a constant source of frustration for me. Between work and home I use as many as four different computers at times, and often I couldn't find something I had bookmarked because I didn't know which computer it was on! However, all that changed when my friend Glenn introduced me to a Website called del.icio.us."

To use del.icio.us, you first need to sign up for a free account. During that process, you will set up your user name, password, and install a small button on your browser toolbar. Once you have your account set up, any new bookmarks you set up will be stored in your del.icio.us account online, instead of on the computer that you're using. Once there, you can access them from any Internet-connected computer by going to the address del.icio.us/your user name (with your user name after the slash, of course.)

It gets better. When you create your bookmarks, you also assign them "tags", which are terms that indicate which category or categories you want your bookmarks sorted into. Not only does this allow for better organization of your bookmarks, it also allows you to share your sets of bookmarks with others. Anytime I do a presentation or workshop, I set up a specific tag for that set of resources, and I only have to give participants one url! This is why it is called "social bookmarking."

Del.icio.us isn't the only site for doing this; Furl is a similar service. Whichever service you use, it frees your bookmarks to go wherever you go!

Reference:

The IT Guy @ TechLearning.com. http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196604260. Accessed on March 9, 2007

Tech Tips - Creating Flashcards by ProProfs.com

Tech Tips - March, 2007
Flash Cards by ProProfs.com

• Create your own online Flash Cards for free. Customize with your logo/name and text & colors of your choice. Post your flashcards at any webpage (your blog or classroom page).
• Find FREE flash cards on any subject. Browse through the categories, tags or simply search to find flash cards of interest.
• Submit links to interesting free online flashcards. Vote on submissions, add comments and read what others say about the flash card.

This is a great tool for students to create Flash Cards to use for memorizing terminology, understanding concepts, foreign language learning and studying for tests.

I encourage you to tell your students about this tool and place a link to it on your Blackboard site.