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Kev
Monday, 10 September 2007
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Sprouts
Greg Ryan of Software Odyssey, has created a flash program called Sprouts. Clicking on this link will allow you to have a play with the software - it's in pre-alpha testing at the moment so its unstable and some things don't work.
Sprouts allows a user to create a tree (or sprout) with multiple branches growing from the main trunk. This ties in with an idea I had about personalised learning.
The above Sprout was created in under a minute, granted, there isn't much there but it does prove a useful point:
Imagine that an entire series of lessons were layed out in this way. The core lesson material could be accessed through the main line (lesson 1, lesson 2, lesson 3 etc.) but differentiated activities are also available coming off the main sprout. This would allow pupils to find their own path through a project, engaging in enrichment activities as they completed the core work.
In addition, the sprouts can be edited through the main page which will automatically update them in any blogs or website you have published them to.
I aim to try this idea of "personalised learning trees" out in HTML with a view to using it with my Year 9 product design class in September.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Sprouts allows a user to create a tree (or sprout) with multiple branches growing from the main trunk. This ties in with an idea I had about personalised learning.
The above Sprout was created in under a minute, granted, there isn't much there but it does prove a useful point:
Imagine that an entire series of lessons were layed out in this way. The core lesson material could be accessed through the main line (lesson 1, lesson 2, lesson 3 etc.) but differentiated activities are also available coming off the main sprout. This would allow pupils to find their own path through a project, engaging in enrichment activities as they completed the core work.
In addition, the sprouts can be edited through the main page which will automatically update them in any blogs or website you have published them to.
I aim to try this idea of "personalised learning trees" out in HTML with a view to using it with my Year 9 product design class in September.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Monday, 23 July 2007
Possible uses of Mobile Tech
Recently, I found an interesting podcast discussing how mobile phones are being used in MFL. The podcast can be found here and is well worth a listen.
After this, it made me think that a lot of the functions discussed in the MFL podcast are transferable between subjects. This led me to create a mind map of all the ways mobile devices (including mobile phones) could be used in the classroom. The results are belows, clicking on the image will enlarge it.
I will summarise this diagram in a future post, but in the meantime please add thoughts of how you use mobile tech in the classroom.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
After this, it made me think that a lot of the functions discussed in the MFL podcast are transferable between subjects. This led me to create a mind map of all the ways mobile devices (including mobile phones) could be used in the classroom. The results are belows, clicking on the image will enlarge it.
I will summarise this diagram in a future post, but in the meantime please add thoughts of how you use mobile tech in the classroom.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Nokia Wireless Pt.2
It would appear that the Nokia 770 is available now so cheaply because it has been superseded by the Nokia N800. Same principle, but.....better!
The N800 features (unlike its predecessor) a camera and microphone so that users can take pictures, videos and soundclips for editing on PC/Mac. The mic and camera also facilitate video conferencing and VoIP "telephone" calls through Skype.
Naturally the device doubles as a MP3 player, gaming device and an eBook/document reader - exciting stuff!
This gadget is a recent release and is currently a very desirable piece of kit...
Here is The official Site for the N800
But you may find that the Wikipedia Page on the N800 more concise.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
The N800 features (unlike its predecessor) a camera and microphone so that users can take pictures, videos and soundclips for editing on PC/Mac. The mic and camera also facilitate video conferencing and VoIP "telephone" calls through Skype.
Naturally the device doubles as a MP3 player, gaming device and an eBook/document reader - exciting stuff!
This gadget is a recent release and is currently a very desirable piece of kit...
Here is The official Site for the N800
But you may find that the Wikipedia Page on the N800 more concise.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
New Wireless Device
Following this morning's meeting with BT, I have researched an interesting wireless device which may have some potential as a learning tool in Parrs Wood.
It does not connect to mobile phone networks, it is simply a Wireless Network Access Point. It would allow students to interact with blogs, podcasts and other Web 2.0 Content.
The device is called the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet and is currently available from expansys for £77! Although the Nokia list price is around £300, it is clearly available cheaply elsewhere.
The device features a large high definition screen for reading web pages, text and displaying pictures in the way they would appear on a computer. It also boasts bluetooth connectivity for synchronisation with cameras and phones. More infomration is available on the Nokia site:
Click Here for more details
- Kev Shirtcliffe
It does not connect to mobile phone networks, it is simply a Wireless Network Access Point. It would allow students to interact with blogs, podcasts and other Web 2.0 Content.
The device is called the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet and is currently available from expansys for £77! Although the Nokia list price is around £300, it is clearly available cheaply elsewhere.
The device features a large high definition screen for reading web pages, text and displaying pictures in the way they would appear on a computer. It also boasts bluetooth connectivity for synchronisation with cameras and phones. More infomration is available on the Nokia site:
Click Here for more details
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Live Mobile Tech Test with Pupils
This morning I used my Year 7 class to test some mobile learning applications that I have been working on. I wanted to see if the use of mobile technologies were feasbile for real time use in a lesson.
Method
For this lesson, I wanted to teach the pupils a method of product analysis known as ACCESS FM. This is a national strategy activity in Design Technology which I am very familiar with. This allowed me to focus on the use of mobile devices without worrying too much about the lesson content.
Firstly I set up a class blog. This can be found by clicking here
I then asked pupils to work through the tasks on screen.
Range of Devices
I provided the class with access to several laptops, both PC and Mac, an O2 XDA Smartphone and a Palm Pilot TX (pictured above).
All devices were wi-fi enabled and could connect to the internet.
Embedded Media
I used the blog to facilitate the delivery of the lesson. As I moved through a class discussion, I asked pupils to record thoughts in the comment sections of the blog.
In addition to this, students listened to a sound clip where I explained what the students had to do. Next, the year 7s watched a video which gave more intricate detail on the lesson's task.
This showed the capability of the mobile devices to stream both audio and video to individual handsets.
Results
To conclude, I asked the pupils to comment on how they found the day's exercise. I used a Poll (tested earlier in this blog) to document. Students submitted their answers via mobile devices and the results were as follows. I fed this back to the class using the interactive whiteboard, this was easy because the blog system updates automatically and is accessible from classroom computers just as easily as hand held devices.
Although there were some teething troubles with the devices (the O2 XDA in particular proved difficult for children to use), the systems I put in place worked fine.
The most important factor I found from conducting this experiment was that video and audio must be fomatted correctly and the blog page must be designed in such a way that it loads quickly on hand held devices.
I will research further uses and devices in future posts. But for now, be sure to look at the Year 7 blog page from today's lesson.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Method
For this lesson, I wanted to teach the pupils a method of product analysis known as ACCESS FM. This is a national strategy activity in Design Technology which I am very familiar with. This allowed me to focus on the use of mobile devices without worrying too much about the lesson content.
Firstly I set up a class blog. This can be found by clicking here
I then asked pupils to work through the tasks on screen.
Range of Devices
I provided the class with access to several laptops, both PC and Mac, an O2 XDA Smartphone and a Palm Pilot TX (pictured above).
All devices were wi-fi enabled and could connect to the internet.
Embedded Media
I used the blog to facilitate the delivery of the lesson. As I moved through a class discussion, I asked pupils to record thoughts in the comment sections of the blog.
In addition to this, students listened to a sound clip where I explained what the students had to do. Next, the year 7s watched a video which gave more intricate detail on the lesson's task.
This showed the capability of the mobile devices to stream both audio and video to individual handsets.
Results
To conclude, I asked the pupils to comment on how they found the day's exercise. I used a Poll (tested earlier in this blog) to document. Students submitted their answers via mobile devices and the results were as follows. I fed this back to the class using the interactive whiteboard, this was easy because the blog system updates automatically and is accessible from classroom computers just as easily as hand held devices.
Although there were some teething troubles with the devices (the O2 XDA in particular proved difficult for children to use), the systems I put in place worked fine.
The most important factor I found from conducting this experiment was that video and audio must be fomatted correctly and the blog page must be designed in such a way that it loads quickly on hand held devices.
I will research further uses and devices in future posts. But for now, be sure to look at the Year 7 blog page from today's lesson.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Saturday, 14 July 2007
Related Research
I have found a couple of interesting papers realating to the areas of mobile learning. They are both in PDF format and can easily be accessed by computer or smart phone. These links cannot be accessed by mobile phone.
Kaleidoscope 's Big Issues in Mobile Learning Report
Narrative and Mobile Learning in Practice - Kevin Walker
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Kaleidoscope 's Big Issues in Mobile Learning Report
Narrative and Mobile Learning in Practice - Kevin Walker
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Glossary
The nature of this blog means that I will frequently use technical terms, acronyms and other such language. To save you trawling around the web trying to find meaning in these words, I have now set up a glossary. It can be found on the information bar at the right hand side of this blog.
You will not be able to see the glossary if you are reading this blog through a RSS or email subscription, but it can be checked at any time by visiting the blog's homepage at:
http://parrswoodtechnology.blogspot.com
- Kev Shirtcliffe
You will not be able to see the glossary if you are reading this blog through a RSS or email subscription, but it can be checked at any time by visiting the blog's homepage at:
http://parrswoodtechnology.blogspot.com
- Kev Shirtcliffe
New Subscription Options
In addition to offering subscription via RSS (which can now be achieved by clicking on the RSS link on the right hand side of this blog) I have also set up email subscription.
Simply type your email address into the box on the right, hit subscribe and any updates to this blog will be forwarded to your inbox - easy!
Whilst this is useful for keeping up to date with this blog, it provides another option for children to receive lesson content should a teacher decide to run a subject/class blog.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Simply type your email address into the box on the right, hit subscribe and any updates to this blog will be forwarded to your inbox - easy!
Whilst this is useful for keeping up to date with this blog, it provides another option for children to receive lesson content should a teacher decide to run a subject/class blog.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Poll Test Results
You can also download this image Here
The above image shows the poll tested on three mobile devices; a windows smart phone, a standard mobile phone and a PalmPilot PDA. The direct linked worked on all devices whilst the Flash and Javascript code did not. It is interesting to note that the PDA did not understand RSS feeds and so pupils could not subscribe to lesson content, they would actively have to seek it out rather than it being delivered to them automatically.
Loading time through 3G/GPRS was around 20-30sec, whereas WLAN access was instant, both are perfectly acceptable for use in the classroom.
The results are displayed in a graph (inset), this is instantly accessible by the teacher - this is how the results would be displayed to the class on a OHP or interactive white board.
I hope that this test shows one of the ways that mobile technology can be employed in the classroom. No special equipment or applications were needed to allow this to happen, just standard mobile phones and innovative application of freeware web services.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
The image was created on a MacBook using ComicLife. This is a great piece of free/bundled software which I use with Year 10 students to create product storyboards for their coursework.
Friday, 13 July 2007
Poll Tests
It may be useful for children to be able to interact with questions posed by the teacher in a poll type format. It would allow pupils to "vote" for a particular answer and have the results fed
back to the teacher on the board.
This would be similar to a "Who wants to be a millionaire". Systems like this already exist but cost a great deal of money. An example can be found Here.
This system would be facilitated by having pupils vote using their mobile handsets. After looking into various systems, a service known as "PollDaddy" is able to offer polls for free. The previous posts test three possible options, Flash, Javascript embedded code and a direct HTML link. It will be interesting to see if these operate on mobile phones.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
back to the teacher on the board.
This would be similar to a "Who wants to be a millionaire". Systems like this already exist but cost a great deal of money. An example can be found Here.
This system would be facilitated by having pupils vote using their mobile handsets. After looking into various systems, a service known as "PollDaddy" is able to offer polls for free. The previous posts test three possible options, Flash, Javascript embedded code and a direct HTML link. It will be interesting to see if these operate on mobile phones.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Image Test Results
The photograph worked fine through a standard mobile phone. The above image shows *this* very blog syndicated to a Sony Ericsson W850i.
Note the image and the text from this blog. Remember this hand held device is a normal mobile phone without any modifications. Many children use more advanced hand sets than this already and that will increase as time progresses.
Note the image and the text from this blog. Remember this hand held device is a normal mobile phone without any modifications. Many children use more advanced hand sets than this already and that will increase as time progresses.
Image Test
This is a test image. Sadly of my ugly mug! This shows that images can be hosted on a blog and can be shared onto a mobile device through the RSS reader. Images could be of key components of lessons, homework tasks or experiments etc.
Over the next few posts I hope to demonstrate other possibilities.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
RSS feed now active!
This blog now has an RSS feed. It can be found at:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/ParrsWoodTech
What is RSS?
RSS is a web service which stands for Really Simple Syndication. In short, it allows a user to receive web content automatically from a given provider - for free.
How do I subscribe to an RSS Feed?
By subscribing to an RSS feed, you will automatically receive updates, news and other multimedia. To do this, you will need an RSS reader (also known as news readers and aggregators). These are free pieces of software which understand the RSS feed and display it to the user in a friendly format.
Most web browsers have them already built in, as do recent mobile phones. I am able to read this through my Sony Ericsson W850i - a phone available free with a mobile phone contract.
How could it be used at Parrs Wood High School?
Teachers could publish information a blog such as this one. This could be a summary of the lesson, learning objectives a home work or even video or sound clips. Pupils that subscribe to the feed would then automatically receive the content on their mobile devices or home computers.
They would be able to interact with this content (even from modern free contract mobile phone) by replying with comments, sound clips or by downloading worksheets from the teacher's blog directly onto their mobile's memory card.
So what's the catch?
Well, there isn't one really! Provided that pupils subscribe to the RSS feed by typing in the address into their mobile device (mobile phone, pda, smartphone or other) they would receive the content automatically.
The only limitation is that without a mobile device that offers WLAN (Wireless) support, pupils would be receiving data through their mobile phone's data billing plan (GPRS or 3G).
A list of RSS readers for mobile phones can be found at http://www.allrss.com/
And Finally...
In conclusion the use of RSS feed enabled blogs would enable pupils to learn independently as they could access lesson content remotely and interact with teaching staff without being in school.
To do this currently requires no special new technology other than a mobile phone with an RSS reader - this is fast becoming standard on many models.
The only problems that I can foresee is that of how students will pay for their connection to the internet and how can we ensure that any resources (video, word documents, presentations etc) are universally available to all students.
I aim to look into this in future posts and provide trials which will test out current hand sets/devices.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
http://feeds.feedburner.com/ParrsWoodTech
What is RSS?
RSS is a web service which stands for Really Simple Syndication. In short, it allows a user to receive web content automatically from a given provider - for free.
How do I subscribe to an RSS Feed?
By subscribing to an RSS feed, you will automatically receive updates, news and other multimedia. To do this, you will need an RSS reader (also known as news readers and aggregators). These are free pieces of software which understand the RSS feed and display it to the user in a friendly format.
Most web browsers have them already built in, as do recent mobile phones. I am able to read this through my Sony Ericsson W850i - a phone available free with a mobile phone contract.
How could it be used at Parrs Wood High School?
Teachers could publish information a blog such as this one. This could be a summary of the lesson, learning objectives a home work or even video or sound clips. Pupils that subscribe to the feed would then automatically receive the content on their mobile devices or home computers.
They would be able to interact with this content (even from modern free contract mobile phone) by replying with comments, sound clips or by downloading worksheets from the teacher's blog directly onto their mobile's memory card.
So what's the catch?
Well, there isn't one really! Provided that pupils subscribe to the RSS feed by typing in the address into their mobile device (mobile phone, pda, smartphone or other) they would receive the content automatically.
The only limitation is that without a mobile device that offers WLAN (Wireless) support, pupils would be receiving data through their mobile phone's data billing plan (GPRS or 3G).
A list of RSS readers for mobile phones can be found at http://www.allrss.com/
And Finally...
In conclusion the use of RSS feed enabled blogs would enable pupils to learn independently as they could access lesson content remotely and interact with teaching staff without being in school.
To do this currently requires no special new technology other than a mobile phone with an RSS reader - this is fast becoming standard on many models.
The only problems that I can foresee is that of how students will pay for their connection to the internet and how can we ensure that any resources (video, word documents, presentations etc) are universally available to all students.
I aim to look into this in future posts and provide trials which will test out current hand sets/devices.
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Trials
I am going to use this blog to trial/showcase technologies which I believe will help make best use of mobile devices and increase the potential for individualised learning.
Keep checking back for updates
- Kev Shirtcliffe
Keep checking back for updates
- Kev Shirtcliffe
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