All the pictures and news shown on this eMagazine are the property of their respective owners.

• We don't hold any copyright about these pictures and news.
• These pictures have been collected from different public sources including different websites, considering to be in public domain.

If any one has any objection to displaying of any picture and news, it may be brought to our notice by sending an email to support@rsc-northwest.ac.uk & the same will be be removed immediately, after verification of the claim.

Links that have been included in previous eMagazines...

To visit the shared links go to http://www.only2clicks.com/pages/acljohn/ or use the live pages below...

Familiar with Maslow's hierarchy of needs? YES, then you will instantly recognize where this came from.

The Hierarchy of Digital Distractions maps the various distractions of the digital age in accordance to their importance and attention they receive.

It takes a few moments to understand what’s happening in the pyramid. There are at least 9 columns within the pyramid, starting from Flickr/LinkedIn, Google, on the left and ending at eBay on the right.

Entries at the top of the pyramid win attention over the lower levels of the hierarchy. Note that a land-line still has a place here but is thoroughly trumped by a text message and a mobile call is more important than a text message.

This isn't based on any scientific study, but it seems pretty accurate.

Take a look at http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/the-hierarchy-of-digital-distractions/.

Can the distractions, at the top of the pyramid, be used to get the attention of learners?

Please see below our programme of events for the next two months.

Some of these events may count towards your Continuing Professional Development.

New training and awareness raising events are being added regularly - for the most up-to-date listing, visit our website at:

www.rsc-northwest.ac.uk/events/eventlist

Dates 2009	Events & Training	Location	Time & Cost
12 October	"IN-TOUCH" MONTHLY LIVE PROGRAMS	RSC-NW TV (Online)	12:45 - 13:15 FREE
14 October	"A Demonstration of Free Software Tools and Web2.0 sites for Education"	Adobe Connect (Online)	12:00 - 14:00 FREE
15 October	Security in the Prison Classroom	Birmingham	09:00 - 16:00 FREE
23 October	RSC NW Online Resources Lunchtime Showcase No.7 - Credo Reference	DimDim (Online)	13:00 - 14:00 FREE
09 November	"IN-TOUCH" MONTHLY LIVE PROGRAMS	RSC-NW TV (Online)	12:45 - 13:15 FREE
18 November	RSC NW Online Resources Lunchtime Showcase No.8 - Infotrac and Custom Newspaper	DimDim (Online)	13:00 - 14:00 FREE

Full event descriptions and online booking forms (where required) are available on our website or call and chat to one of our team if you need more information.

Website: www.rsc-northwest.ac.uk/events/eventlist Tel: 01524 593797 Email: events@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

Advance Notice:

"uNET (Using New and Emerging Technologies) in Education" Exhibition Event, Tue 24 November 2009

Further details will be released very soon.....

RSC-NW TV is going live! - "IN-TOUCH" MONTHLY LIVE PROGRAMS - Online, Mon 14 December 2009

News, Innovation and uNET (using New & Emerging Technologies)

RSC NW Annual Event 2010, The Reebok Stadium, Bolton on 24 June 2010.

New training and awareness raising events are being added regularly - for the most up-to-date listing, visit our website at:

www.rsc-northwest.ac.uk/events/eventlist

Date: November 3rd 2009
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Venue: Euston House, London

e-Portfolios are not a new concept. In various guises, digital presentations of skills and competences, online records of achievement, and action plans with opportunities for reflection have been in use in education for nearly a decade. So what is new about e-portfolios?

This free-to-attend workshop will explore what we mean by e-portfolios and how e-portfolios can support 21st century learning. Drawing on the work of JISC-funded projects and other significant e-portfolio developments, it will provide a snapshot of learning enhanced by e-portfolios in higher, further and continuing education.

Topics will cover:

- Introducing, understanding and investigating e-portfolios
- Putting e-Portfolios in context
- How e-portfolios work - developing a model
- The next steps in developing and embedding e-portfolios
- e-Portfolio processes including collaboration, reflection and responding to feedback
- Introduction to - Effective Practice with e-Portfolios- and e-Portfolios infoKit
- Examples of current systems and completed projects

This workshop is for those who use, or support others use of, e-portfolios: practitioners and managers in higher and further education; staff developers; those involved in initial teacher training; and in the management and implementation of PDP, CPD and lifelong learning.

Register now at:  http://www.netskills.ac.uk/content/products/workshops/event/euston-nov09-eport-r1/index.html. Please add ‘eport’ in the voucher code box under ‘Payment Method’. 

Subject coaching networks...

• encourage the use of varied teaching and learning approaches and resources in order to develop coaching skills,
• compare continuing professional development (CPD) activities,
• improve teaching and learning practices and
• provide inspiration, motivation, peer support and expert guidance along the way.

To find out more about...

• the Subject Learning Coaches visit http://www.subjectlearningcoach.net/about_subject_learning_coaches/index.aspx.
• their Autumn Calendar Events List visit http://www.subjectlearningcoach.net/events.aspx?regionid=0&subjectid=0&typeid=25.
  The Subject coaching network Northwest event is on 11/11/2009 at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

• the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Events visit http://www.subjectlearningcoach.net/events.aspx?regionid=0&subjectid=39&typeid=25 and filter by region. 

The STEM Event here in the Northwest of England is on Wednesday 18th November at the Science Learning Centre North West, Manchester

College & University Support Network (CUSN) provides free support services specifically for all staff working in...

• adult,
• further and
• higher education.

Supported by the University and College Union (UCU), CUSN complements the work of the union offering...

• information and advice,
• telephone counselling,
• online coaching and
• financial assistance.

College & University Support Network has over 700 factsheets available for download on issues that have been raised by staff working in further and higher education.

The factsheets cover a wide range of topics...

• from managing your workload to
• resolving disputes with colleagues,
• dealing with stress or
• preparing for your retirement.

Find out more at http://cusn.info/.

If your learners, or you, have a blog, website etc., they/you are already aware that catching the eye of visitors is the name of the game. What options, that are not tried and tested, are available to make the blog/website etc., stand out from the crowd at least a little?

Tagul may well be what you are looking for.

Tagul will let users create tag clouds that can have different shapes and features like text inside text and rollover effects. Users can likewise choose from different fonts and select those that match the theme and/or spirit of the blog/website.

This is hardly groundbreaking but it could entice visitors without actually interfering with their browsing activity. The fact that Tagul allows users to create up to 10 clouds and that it is free just makes it all the more appealing.

Take a look at my first effort at http://www.acljohn.com/google-uk-cloud-search.php; Internet explorer does provide the best results.

Sign up and create your own at http://tagul.com/.

An update from Ruth Simons (eCPD Programme Regional Lead Facilitator)

Dear colleagues,

With the autumn term well under way and our activity at the eCPD Programme for 2009-10 now commencing I thought you may like to know about  opportunities for new PDAs and Advanced  PDAs in year 2 of the programme and we would like to ask your help with publicising the programme

We have begun advertising recruitment for Year 2 of the programme which now attracts funding for successful applicants to two different programmes; PDA Training and Advanced PDA training. Funding available is  £700 Capital Grant for PDAs and £1,500 Capital Grant plus £1,200 training bursary for Advanced PDAs.

Our target is to recruit 200 PDAs and 30 Advanced PDAs by 25 September. Application details are advertised on the home page of the OLS. This link will take you through to further details for PDAs (http://ecpd.bdplearning.com/ecpd/how_to_get_involved_pda.php) and this link to further details relating to Advanced PDAs (http://ecpd.bdplearning.com/ecpd/how_to_get_involved_pda_advanced.php)

Places on the Advanced PDA programme are limited and will be offered to middle or senior managers who:

• are working in either large multi-sited organisations or are supporting an established network of providers where the need to build e-learning capacity has been identified;
• are responsible for driving their organisation's Information Learning Technology ( ILT) strategy forward at both a strategic and operational level;
• have begun to implement a cross-organisational approach to using technology to enhance teaching and learning; and
• are experienced deliverers of eCPD and who are in a position where they can lead the development of a team of a minimum of 5 PDAs.

The Advanced PDA training will focus on tools and strategies to bring about change and on materials and approaches that that can be used by Advanced PDAs to support the training and development of a team of PDAs. It is a ‘train the trainer' cascade model. You do not need to have completed PDA training to join the Advanced PDA programme but it would be helpful.

Please get in touch if, after reading the information on the OLS you would like any further information about the programmes. Please forward this information to interested colleagues.

With best wishes for every success in 2009-10.

Information from NIACE & LSIS...

NIACE and the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) are pleased to announce a new series of events as part of the E-Guides training programme – see dates at foot of this text, or alternatively please refer to the website for further information: www.niace.org.uk/eguides-ecpd

After another successful year of the E-Guides training programme, which has seen the total number of trained E-Guides reach over 2,500, the training programme forms part of the eCPD programme funded by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) along with the Professional Development Advisers (PDAs) eCPD programme.

“The PDAs and E-Guides eCPD programmes are exciting opportunities for practitioners in the learning and skills sector to support and enhance learning through the effective use of technology. The programmes will help to support your IfL 30 hour or pro rata CPD requirements, engage and improve learning employability skills and deliver new demand-led markets. The programmes form a cornerstone in the delivery of 21st Century Skills outlined in Harnessing Technology for Next Generation Learning”

Markos Tiris (Programme Director, LSIS)

What is the E-Guides eCPD?

The E-Guides eCPD is a three-day blended training programme which aims to increase the confidence and competence of staff in using technology to deliver learning, teaching and support services. It commences with a face-to-face day, followed by a day of online learning activities accessible through the eCPD Online Learning Space (OLS), and concludes with another face-to-face training day. The E-Guides eCPD complements the PDAs eCPD.

The objectives of the training programme are to:

· explore the role of E-Guides;

· develop skills in the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning;

· consider and plan models of cascade training, coaching and mentoring;

· provide E-Guides with resources for developing e-learning with their colleagues in their organisations.

Who can be an E-Guide?

The training is aimed at all staff, paid and unpaid, in the learning and skills sector who are involved with the delivery of learning across different subjects and areas of learning. This includes staff from Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funded learning providers in voluntary & community sector organisations, Workers' Education Association, staff in offender learning and skills, work-based learning organisations, local authorities and FE colleges.

E-Guides need to be confident in their use of ICT, enthusiastic about e-learning, willing to champion change and able to work well with colleagues. E-Guides are expected to cascade their e-learning skills and knowledge across their organisations by contributing to the development of their colleagues’ e-learning skills.

What do previous participants of the E-Guides programme say?

“The course was very informative and interesting, I am leaving more knowledgeable and I believe a better trainer.”

Maria E. O’Meara, tutor, Care Training East Midlands Nottingham

“It has really inspired me to do even more to encourage colleagues to utilize technologies that are out there to make their lives easier and the students lives more fun.”

E-Guide

“Very helpful facilitators with excellent subject knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject”

Anita Collins, Advanced Practitioner, Leeds College of Technology

When and where does the training take place?

Location - Region - Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3

Liverpool - NW - 13/10/2009 - 06/11/2009 - 26/11/2009

London - LO - 15/10/2009 - 05/11/2009 - 19/11/2009

Hatfield - EA - 22/10/2009 - 10/11/2009 - 24/11/2009

Birmingham - WM - 24/10/2009 - 07/11/2009 - 21/11/2009

Newcastle - NE - 03/11/2009 - 17/11/2009 - 02/12/2009

Oxford - SE - 10/11/2009 - 26/11/2009 - 10/12/2009

Leeds - YH - 12/11/2009 - 30/11/2009 - 09/12/2009

Taunton - SW - 07/01/2010 - 21/01/2010 - 04/02/2010

Nottingham - EM - 13/01/2010 - 27/01/2010 - 17/02/2010

I am interested, how do I find out more?

To apply for a place online please visit the NIACE website: www.niace.org.uk/eguides-ecpd

Further information can also be obtained by contacting Raksha Kanani on Tel: 0116 204 2811, or emailing: e-guides@niace.org.uk

For more information about the PDAs eCPD visit: http://ecpd.bdplearning.com

Furthermore, a training programme will be available for developing Advanced PDAs and Advanced E-Guides.

Funding is available for PDAs, E-Guides, Advanced PDAs and Advanced E-Guides. Contact us for further details.

Ideas to Inspire is a collection of ideas for using...

• software,
• hardware, and
• online tools in the classroom.

All ideas are presented as suggestions rather than how-tos.

The ideas are presented in a slideshow format using Google Docs presentation. As all of the slideshows are Creative Commons licensed and in Google Docs, you can share these ideas with your colleagues on a website/vle/staff wiki/blog etc.

Ideas to Inspire was created by and hosted by Mark Warner and can be viewed at http://www.ideastoinspire.co.uk/.

The gamers among you may find the section on using Nintendo DS in the classroom to be of interest.

• Take a look at Super Maths Games in the Maths Section.
  
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

 

 

• Internet Safety
• Northern Ireland Curriculum
• Virtual Multi Language Keyboard
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Childnet's Know IT All is a UK company that provides resources for teaching all learners how to have a safe an positive experience on the internet FOR FREE.

Know IT All has a number of resources for teaching learners with special needs/"exceptionalities" about the internet and internet safety.

The website explains some of the risks for some users, for example - individuals on the autism spectrum may take things literally and believe that if they are asked for personal information they must give it out. In order to assist in using their Know IT All curriculum with individuals with special needs Childnet offers a number of additional free resources.

These include...

• BSL (British Sign Language) SMART Rules, (Safe, Meeting, Accepting, Reliable & Tell)
• BSL advice for parents,
• SMART Rules in Widgit Literacy Symbols,
• Widget symbol flash cards and lotto games,
• Clicker 5 SMART adventure,
• Microsoft Word only version Of SMART Adventure, and
• Print Outs from SMART Adventure.

Take a closer look at http://www.childnet-int.org/kia/sen/.

The Sample classroom resource section at http://www.childnet-int.org/kia/secondary/resources.aspx has an alphabetical list of some useful resources for getting e-safety messages across.

The Northern Ireland Curriculum has produces some excellent materials in its SEN and Inclusion section

There are good teaching resources based around Learning for Life and work

Each unit...

• is in a PDF format and
• has Lesson plans packed with useful resources - found at the end of the PDF.

Each thematic unit also has accompanying power points and online activities. There are links to these under each of the PDF links.

In the severe learning difficulties section visitors will find:

• Learning for Life and Work Thematic Units - the resources contain guidance and a variety of interactive activities to help learners explore issues that will help them meet the challenges of independent adult life. The content is...
  
  • Responding Responsibility -
    • Energy Exploration
    • Houses and Homes
    • Money Matters
    • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
    • Weather Watchers
  • Knowing and Growing -
    
    • My Body
    • Becoming a Teenager
    • My Choices Now
  • Let's Celebrate -
    
    • Clothes Conscious
    • Festivals
    • Helping
    • The World on my plate
  • In, Out and Beyond -
    
    • Taking Part
    • Where in the World
    • What's Out There
    • Who's Who

Find out more by visiting http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/inclusion_and_SEN/SEN/sld.asp.

This is a revisit, as I have flagged this online keyboard before.

If you and/or learners want to type a text in a foreign language with appropriate characters (accents, umlauts etc.) that are not present on a keyboard, head to TypeIt.org.

TypeIt hosts multi language keyboard for 15 European languages...

• Czech
• Danish
• Dutch
• Finnish
• French
• German
• Hungarian
• Italian
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Romanian
• Russian
• Spanish
• Swedish and
• Turkish

...as well as

• Currencies
• International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and
• Symbols.

Simply...

• select a language from the menu on the left to load the relevant set of characters.
• Select/change the font
  and/or font size of the text
  and/or hover your mouse over a character to see its keyboard shortcut.
• Type/edit text in the box and then
• copy the completed text to a document, e-mail message, etc.

Try it out at http://www.typeit.org/.

Supported browsers include Firefox 3, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer 6/7/8 and Safari 3/4.

• ALP LIG 5
  • Also take a look at eCPD Programme for 2009-10 and 
  • eGuides eCPD training & dates, both in the eCPD Section.
    

 

ALP is pleased to announce the official launch of LIG 5 and invite applications from providers to bid for £3 million of LIG phase 5 capital funding.  The full prospectus, application form and supporting documents are now published on the website www.elearningproviders.org.

The submission deadline for LIG 5 bids is 7th October 2009

Successful applicants could receive funding in...

• the single bid range of £25 -100k or
  
• the consortium bid range of £50 -150k range.

ALP is keen to see bids from consortiums, as well as encouraging applications from providers who have not previously bid for LIG funding.

Providers are being encouraged within their LIG 5 bids to address issues such as sustainability, accessibility, green technologies, e-safety, and where the use of technology can help providers to improve business efficiencies and take advantage of the economic upturn when it comes.

ALP is also delighted to announce in addition to the £3m LIG 5 fund, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), via the LSC, has released a further £1m grant fund to the ALP for providers in the sector to test how high quality e-learning content could be pump-primed to improve the cost effectiveness of delivery.

This exciting new e-learning content creation (ECC) programme aims to identify gaps in the e-learning content market, particularly to support new industries.  It will focus on the development of e-learning content that will have a direct impact on improving the learning experience, the service provided to employers and business efficiencies.

ALP strongly encourages providers to form a consortium to bid for the large scale projects.  Between 2 - 4 proposals will be successful with the bid value set from £250,000 - £500,000.

It is anticipated the ECC prospectus and application form will be available at the end of September.  As more details become available they will be posted on www.elearningproviders.org

A new organisation called JISC Advance <http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/> has been launched bringing together eight established JISC services as part of JISC’s ongoing strategy to deliver world-class support to colleges and universities.

The organisation is led by new managing director Guy Lambert and will co-ordinate...

* JISC Digital Media ,
* JISC infoNet,
* JISC Legal

* JISCMail,
* JISC Netskills
* JISC Procureweb,
* JISC TechDis and

* JISC Regional Support Centre UK

...by centralising funding and business development opportunities.

Managing director Guy Lambert said:

“All of these services are extremely well-respected within the education sector and receive good feedback from their users. JISC Advance will allow the services to reach new audiences, and will help our users to understand what we can collectively deliver for them.”

Guy, working with the JISC Advance team of service directors, will be talking to sector-wide organisations as well as individual universities and colleges to better understand their priorities and needs.

PS If you are looking for the RSCs on the JISC Advance Website we are found under the Advice Tab at http://www.jiscadvance.ac.uk/advice/regional-support-centres.

FiTES - I'm inviting you to Find, Try, Evaluate and Share.
You are the experts in your field of work, management, administration, practitioners etc., and you know what works for you! By sharing not only will you raise the awareness of your colleagues but you should also benefit from their submissions.

Share your resources by completing the form available at http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=p6ZzsRcFe4Rh71c9ArHs2OQ&email=true. or use the embedded form below...

If you are a member of the Microblogging service Twitter, you can now receive updates from the JISC RSC-Northwest by following us at http://twitter.com/JISCRSCNW

Below is a live feed using Scoopler <http://www.scoopler.com/>

This publication is from Richard Byrne, author of Free Technology for Teachers that I've previously included in eMagazines, blogs etc..

Contents include...

• Creating Documents and Presentations
• Communicating with Learners (and Parents)
• Places to Create Collaborative Projects and Alternatives to YouTube

The guide is designed to provide practitioners with a selection of tools that can be used in most classroom settings regardless of content area. All the resources are 100% free for teachers.

Visit Richard's Blog at http://www.freetech4teachers.com/ where the publication can be downloaded for free. 

A big thank you to John Davey for updating us on the latest Case Studies published on the Excellence Gateway.

John has listed the NW ones first, then loosely categorized the other regions’ studies.

NW case studies

Blackpool and The Fylde College: Feeling secure with an award-winning campus-wide wireless network

Published: 24 September 2009

Blackpool and The Fylde College has implemented a campus-wide wireless network that allows secure connectivity to College systems and services for learners and staff using their own laptops. The development has won a Cisco 'Secure Campus' award. Via a future development, the College hopes to provide learners with access to the College systems and services when out and about in Blackpool town centre.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=250716

Southport College: Hearing things – improving audibility in teaching rooms

Published: 16 September 2009

Southport College has been improving audibility in classrooms by installing a ceiling-mounted microphone at the front of the room above the interactive whiteboard. Linked to an amplifier and ceiling-mounted speakers, this distributes sound clearly and evenly across the classroom.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=247774

Southport College: Information on display – providing accessible information for students via digital screens

Published: 16 September 2009

Southport College has installed 24 centrally-controlled digital information display screens across the College to display a wide range of information. A user-friendly touch-screen facility has been developed and implemented on two of these screens, enabling students, visitors and staff to select college information they would like to view such as course details, news, events and videos. This information is presented to users in a virtual panel that automatically appears at a height suited to their needs.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=247623

Tools, Technologies, Resources

Southampton City College: EFL lecturer raises ILT game to achieve Moodle Gold

Published: 11 September 2009

This case study examines how one EFL (English as a foreign language) lecturer at Southampton City College decided to ‘raise his ILT game' by making full use of the Moodle virtual learning environment (VLE) to create blog-style resources and interactive forums to increase the levels of engagement, motivation and collaboration for four of his student classes. As a result, his courses have received a Gold Award under the College's Gold, Silver and Bronze Moodle benchmarking initiative.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=245988

South East Derbyshire College: Media server – one college's approach to providing video resources

Published: 8 September 2009

Getting video resources to staff and learners at South East Derbyshire College was a relatively costly and time-consuming process until the College adopted a new piece of cheap software and created their own media server. This has allowed far greater use of video resources and improved the quality of the picture.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=245582

RNIB College Loughborough: Visually-impaired learners benefit from audio and synchronised text on their mobile phones

Published: 7 September 2009

Using DAISY Player software on a mobile has allowed visually-impaired learners at RNIB College Loughborough to copy e-books to their mobile phones and to listen at their convenience.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=245477

Bromley College: eTracker enables personalised learning

Published: 18 September 2009

Bromley College offers a diverse range of learning opportunities from A-levels, BTECs and NVQs through to work-based learning and Train to Gain programmes. This diversity presents a major challenge in how to monitor the performance of its learners to ensure they achieve their potential. eTracker is an electronic individual learning plan (eILP) solution that enables lecturers to take a highly personalised approach to the individual needs of their learners. It enables them to identify issues early and intervene quickly – not just academic issues but also pastoral and behavioural. eTracker has been a motivating force for the learners at Bromley College and it facilitates good communication across the College.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=248227

Northampton College: Capturing TV programmes for use in the classroom

Published: 21 September 2009

Northampton College has introduced a commercial system (ClickView) for recording and then digitally distributing TV programmes within the classroom. This has allowed greater integration of video into traditional teaching methods than was previously happening via DVD-based resources.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=250739

Quality, Strategy, Approaches

Southampton City College: Southampton City College strives for Gold with Moodle benchmarking scheme

Published: 11 September 2009

How do you answer the question: “How well is your VLE being used?” Southampton City College rose to the challenge with the creation, development and implementation of a highly motivational ‘Gold, Silver and Bronze' benchmarking system to evaluate and recognise quality of content and activity on its College Moodle system. The results are impressive.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=245895

Hillcroft College: Introducing blended learning

Published: 18 September 2009

The staff responsible for the employability programme at Hillcroft have developed the College's use of blended learning in response to the needs and requirements of learners and their specialist tutors, some of whom live some distance away.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=248038

Tees Valley VLE Partnership: Collaboration success story

Published: 21 September 2009

The Adult Education Services from six local authorities in the North East joined forces to set-up a shared virtual learning environment (VLE) called TeesLearn. It provides their learners with new and inspiring learning opportunities, and supports them across a rural and wide geographical area.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=250707

Gateshead College: Hairdressers get a head start with technology

Published: 25 September 2009

Gateshead College's Hair and Beauty department uses IT for both effective course management and teaching and learning. Technologies such as interactive whiteboards, video, electronic individual learning plans (e-ILPs) and online course files have improved teaching and learning, as well as simplified course administration.

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=250753

Learning Spaces

Calderdale College: The end of the classroom?

Published: 15 September 2009

Calderdale College is creating a radically different learning culture and environment, based on using the most appropriate space for each "learning event".

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=247517

Edutopia has created a new guide - Ten Top Tips for Teaching with New Media.

A free PDF for download offering some very solid advice. If you are beginning to explore the uses of social media in teaching & learning, this guide is well worth downloading.

If you're in an ILT/eLearning leadership role, this guide is worth distributing to colleagues.

Find out more and or download the pdf at http://www.edutopia.org/node/6660/done?sid=116759.

The Health and Safety Executive is making some of its publications available for free in pdf format.

Initially...

• HSG (guidance) and
• L (legal)

...series are available, and we are informed more publications will be added in future.

Visit http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/home.jsf.

• Fast Flip
• Radio Locator
• Xpert

Google Labs have just announced Fast Flip:

"Google Fast Flip is a web application that lets users discover and share news articles. It combines qualities of print and the Web, with the ability to "flip" through pages online as quickly as flipping through a magazine. It also enables users to follow friends and topics, discover new content and create their own custom magazines around searches."

Try it out for yourself at http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/.

Radio Locator can...

• help foreign language practitioners find radio broadcasts that they can use in their classrooms for learner listening exercises.
• be useful for social studies practitioners who would like to bring the sounds of other cultures into their classrooms.

Radio Locator, formerly the MIT List of Radio Stations on the Internet, is a search engine that helps users locate radio stations that are broadcasting on the Internet. Users can find radio stations by US zip code, by radio genre, or by country.

Try it out at http://www.radio-locator.com/.

The Xpert website (beta) is one of the recent developments for the Xerte project.

This is a JISC funded rapid innovation project (Summer 2009) to explore the potential of delivering and supporting a distributed repository of eLearning resources created and seamlessly published through the open source eLearning development tool, Xerte Online Toolkits.

The aim of XPERT is to progress the vision of a distributed architecture of e-learning resources for sharing and re-use.

Creators of learning resources can also contribute to XPERT via RSS feeds created seamlessly through local installations of Xerte Online Toolkits.

Xpert has been fully integrated into Xerte Online Toolkits, enabling users to publish open content easily, but also where permissions allow to easily edit and re-use interactive multimedia content through Xerte Online Toolkits.

You can find out more about Xpert at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/xpert/. 

Overview of Resources, in this month's eMagazine, that could be use in Art...

• Take a look at Kseniya Simonova – Sand Animation in the Genealogy-History Section
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section.

Overview of Resources, in this month's eMagazine, that could be use in Business Courses...

• Free Online Barcode Decoder
• Stock Markets in Plain English
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

I have reviewed tools like...

• Barcode Label Printer <http://www.barcodesinc.com/generator/index.php> and
• Barcode Generator <http://terryburton.co.uk/barcodewriter/generator/>

...that allows users encode information (text, phone number etc) into a barcode label. That Information, behind the barcode label, can then be read by a standard barcode scanner or a mobilephone with reader software.

Online Barcode Reader, on the other hand, lets you decode and read the information behind the barcode label online from your browser.

Simply...

• upload a file with the barcode (as a PNG, JPG, GIF, TIFF or BMP) Note: Max upload file size 1 MB; and
  
• click “Send file”.
  
• Online Barcode reader automatically detects the barcode format and type of encoded information (text, URI etc.) and extracts the value. (Online Barcode Reader currently supports common barcode formats UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8, EAN-13, Code 39, Code 128, QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF 417 and ITF).

Online Barcode Reader is...

• Free, with no registration.

Try it out at http://www.onlinebarcodereader.com/.

Common Craft has released a new video - Stock Markets in Plain English.

As usual, Common Craft has taken a potentially confusing topic and boiled it down into clear, easy-to-understand terms.

Stock Markets in Plain English...

 

• begins with a clear explanation of the differences between a private company and a public company.
• moves on to explain how people can make or lose money in the market.
• concludes with an explanation of the Dow Jones and the S&P 500.

Stock Markets in Plain English could be a great resources for economics and business teachers to use to introduce the fundamental concepts of the stock market.

Visit http://commoncraft.com/stock-markets-video to view the video.

Overview of Resources, in this month's eMagazine, that could be use in Catering...

• CookThing: How to Cook Anything
• Two Foods
  
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section
    

Visitors to CookThing can...

• enter what they want to cook,
  CookThing sends back the most common ingredients in that dish.
• select the ingredients they want to use,
  CookThing will return the recipes for what they want to cook with the ingredients they want to use

Try it out at http://www.cookthing.com/.

TwoFoods is a nice online tool for those who are calorie conscious or, more importantly, studying Food Science and would love to know the nutritional value that food has to offer.

The website has a simple interface showing two boxes where users enter names of two foods and compare their nutritional values. It provides a comparison table showing the...

• calories,
• proteins,
• carbohydrates and
• fat

...in both of them.

A simple and nice user interface found at http://www.twofoods.com/.

Overview of Resources, in this month's eMagazine, that could be use in Design...

• Free logo design tool
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Need a quick logo? Try OnlineLogoMaker.

A web based service that lets users create logos online for free. Whether it is going to be a business logo, or just a simple logo for personal use, website or blog for example, OnlineLogoMaker can help.

Features:

* Easily create logos online.

* Create as many logos as you like.

* Upload/add

• images,
• text and
• symbols.

* Customize

• logo size,
• position,
• colours,
• fonts,
• shadows… etc.

* Download resulting logos as PNG images.

* Free and no registration.

Visit http://www.onlinelogomaker.com/ and try it out.

Overview of Resources, in this month's eMagazine, that could be use in Economics...

• Take a look at Stock Markets in Plain English in the Business Section
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Overview of Resources, in this month's eMagazine, that could be use in Family Learning...

• Take a look at Home Safety Game in the General Section and
  
• Internet Safety in the eInclusion Section.
  

• Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Overview of Functional Skills Resources included in this eMagazine...

• Functional Skills: Teachers' TV Video
• My Avatar Editor
• Spell Checker
  • Take a look at Super Maths Games and Tutor USA both in the Maths Section
    
• Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Teachers TV has a 20 minute film explaining the new Functional Skills (Numeracy,Literacy and ICT) which will be with us by 2010.The programme is an introduction rather than a detailed analysis.

There will be an eMagazine Supplement providing resources for Functional Skills after a workshop(s) later in the year.

The Teachers TV page also has suggested links for further information, visit http://www.teachers.tv/video/33488.

I've included similar software in the eMagazine before and have often been asked why such online software is included in ESOL/EFL/ESL/etc. resources.

The answer is simple...

It provides an interactive tool for learners to practice physical descriptions such as eye and hair colour as they...

• create avatars, import the resulting image into PowerPoint, a blog or wiki or ePortfolio, adding text and/or audio descriptions or
• create avatars, following audio and or written descriptions.

My Avatar Editor...

• is a simple and straightforward tool for creating avatars.
• has an intuitive interface that is easy to use and allows learners a great deal of choice when customising their image.
• does not require users to register.

For 'whole class activities' practitioners can use the Random button and encourage learners to  provide descriptions.

Visit http://www.myavatareditor.com/ to try it out.

Learners often expect practitioners to correct their written errors!

However learners can learn a lot from looking for and correcting errors in written work.

Practitioners can provide learners with texts that may, or may not, have spelling errors. Learners can then be encouraged to look at the text carefully and try to find any errors. If they see any they should try to correct them. They can then copy and paste the text into SpellChecker and then 'Spell Check'.

Try it out at http://www.spellchecker.net/spellcheck/english_united_kingdom_spell_checker.html.

PS this tool is also useful for those learning other languages as users can select from currently 11 languages.

Overview of Resources, in this month's eMagazine, that could be used in a number of curriculum areas...

• Academic Features added to Google Docs
• A Simple Web-Based Break Timer
• Conciseness: The art of...
• Health & Safety
• Home Safety Game
• Online course content site
• Safe Share TV  
  
  • Why don't you suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

The new equation editor, subscript, and superscript tools that have been added to Google Docs, make it possible for math and science practitioners and learners to use Google Docs for more of their document creations.

Now online collaborative document creation isn't limited to the humanities. Science and mathematics students can now collaborate, using equations, effectively.

Find out more at http://docs.google.com/.

Whether you need a timer to keep you and/or your learners on task or to remind you/them occasionally get off task and take a break, FocusBoosterLive can help ensure users keep on schedule.

I've included timers and time tracking in previous blogs, eMagazines etc., as simple timers are great tools for keeping an eye on the time users have and reminding them to take ever important breaks.

FocusBoosterLive is a web-based tool. Users don't need to remember their flash drive filled with portable applications or have permission to install any software.

Just...

• visit the site,
• Click on the "i" to open the settings options
• tell FocusBoosterLive...
  • how long of a session is required,
  • how long of a break will be taken, and
  • what sound effects are required.
• Start the timer and start the session knowing a notified break is on the horizon.

Try it out at http://www.focusboosterapp.com/live.cfm.

Shortology provides a way for users, administrators-managers-practitioners-learners etc., to voice their opinion or promote a website, resource or course that they render in just Seven bullet points.

The idea is to concentrate the mind, as users need to formulate their opinion in 7 “bullets” and publish it. This makes all users put their thoughts/arguements across more effectively.

Think about it...

• what is the attention span of a regular reader?
• how does that translate into the Internet, where everything is far more concise and people have no problem navigating away from a site if the content seems to meander even a small bit?

The philosophy adopted by Shortology, “Talk short, to the point and reach the right audience fast and easy”, is all the more appealing. Talking short and to the point is a way to get noticed!

If you feel like mastering the practice of putting your thoughts to others in a concise fashion, the website is worth a look.

It's easy and absolutely FREE!

Find out more by visiting http://www.shortology.com/index.php.

Note: The samples in the Technology Section are worth a look. 

There is a health and safety signs worksheet available at TES Connect (Visitors will need to register to download the word document).

Suitable for entry level students, particularly those taking a work based skills health and safety unit.

Find out more at http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6023673.

Developed on behalf of Streetwise Safety Centre by Sharon Burn and Gary Smith these pages also  include worksheets kindly provided by McMillan Scott PLC.

All of the resources may be reproduced or photocopied for educational purposes only and may not be used for any commercial purposes or commercial gain. 

Investigate the resources on the Teachers' Page at http://www.homesafetygame.com/teachersPage.htm. 

McGill University offers the content of many of their courses for free online.

McGill calls their online course content site COOL; it offers course materials dating back to autumn (fall) term (semester) 2005 through to autumn (fall) term (semester) 2009 semester.

The bulk of the course offerings are in the sciences.

The COOL course materials include...

• video and audio lecture files
• slides and
• other reading materials.

Video files are available in a variety of formats including...

• MP3,
• WMV, and
• MP4.

Visitors can also subscribe to courses via iTunes.

Visit http://cool.mcgill.ca/Default.aspx to find out more. 

Not all educators are happy with the ways in which YouTube has changed.

• Some claim that videos now are far more interactive and engaging, and
• others say that the current way in which videos are presented is cluttered and encourages learners to 'go off task' and/or to 'show & tell' videos that have little if any relevance to education.

Both sides may be right to a certain degree, of course.  But if your position is the latter one - “I want my learners to watch the video and nothing else” - then Safe Share TV will make your day.

In principle, Safe Share TV will let users view and share YouTube videos in a very quick fashion. Cut and paste the YouTube URL, and a safe link will be generated.

The safe link omits distracting elements and dispenses with offensive videos that have a risk of cropping up in the “related” section if learners are watching the video on YouTube.

Although the service will be useful for a wide range of users, it is obvious that practitioners and parents/guardians are going to benefit the most by using it.

In their own words...

“A better way to share YouTube videos without distracting recipients with unrelated and/or offensive videos. “

The question for many , if YouTube is blocked in their learning environment,  is "Can these videos now be used?" Please let me know if they can!

Visit http://www.safeshare.tv/ to try it out.

Overview of Genealogy - History Resources included in this eMagazine...

• Kseniya Simonova – Sand Animation

• Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Kseniya Simonova (born 1985) is a sand animator from Ukraine. She was the 2009 Winner of Ukraine's Got Talent, constructing an animation that portrayed life during Ukraine's Great Patriotic War against the Germans in World War II.

View at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo or via the embedded version below... 

Simonova won ₴1,000,000 Ukraninan Hryvnia for her first place in the show.

Overview of Hair - Beauty Resources included in this eMagazine...

• Daily Make Over
• Hairdressing Training
• Hair Styling Videos
  
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Daily Makeover is a virtual makeover site combined with information on...

• hairstyles,
• makeup,
• fashion etc.

via...

• articles,
• blogs and
• other sources.

Similar to Taaz, that I've written about before, Daily Makeover has an online virtual makeover tool. It is called Makeover Studio < http://www.dailymakeover.com/makeover/virtualMakeover>.

• Click on “start your makeover”,
• upload photos and
• apply a variety of effects using makeup materials from different beauty brands.

The choice of...

• hairstyles,
• cosmetics,
• looks,
• accessories available

...is quite extensive and users can completely transform the look of the picture. The resultant picture can be shared, emailed and downloaded.

Free registration so try it out for yourself at http://www.dailymakeover.com/.

A new batch of hairdressing resources are now freely available online. These are high quality videos that demonstrate popular hairdressing techniques, such as...

• cutting,
• straightening, and
• also cover areas such as client consultation and health and safety.

They have been developed by Worcester College and have now been shared on the web for others to use.

If your organization delivers hairdressing training, and have a virtual learning environment, links to these resources can be easily established. They can also simply be accessed and viewed directly from the webpage, as there is no log in or registration required.

Find out more by visiting http://hairdressing.ac.uk/free.php.

This site was designed by Heikki Paulaharju, a Senior Designer at JABA Multimedia Design in Australia

VS Sassoon is a nice example of eLearning as a commercial solution for hairdressers/learners who want to know how they can improve their skills.

• Click on the “Hair styling wizard” icon, underneath the VS Sassoon logo or the text in the menu.
• A wizard opens which users can work through, selecting appropriate elements
• When complete a video is provided with instructions and proposed tools to achieve the style require style

Try it out at http://www.vssassoon.com.au/default.aspx.

Overview of Language Resources included in this eMagazine...

• Take a look at Radio Locator in the Reference/Research section and
• Spell Checker in the Functional Skills section.
  
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Overview of Mathematics Resources included in this eMagazine...

• Super Maths World: Games
• Tutor USA
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Super Math Games has some limited free games that work very well on Interactive White Boards (IWBs). 

Click on the “guest” login.  The free games are indicated by the green check marks;

Free games include...

• Algebra
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Sequences
  • Shaded Regions
• Data
  • Stem & Leaf
  • Tallying
  • Tree Diagrams
• Number
  • Negative Numbers
  • Number Lines
  • Percentages 1 & 2
• Shape
  • Measuring Angles
  • Perimeter
  • Pythagoras' Theorem
• Kids
  • Percentages
  • Place Value
  • Probability
• Expert
  
  • Logarithms
  • Quadratics
  • Radians
• Activity
  
  • 24 Game
  • Millionaire
  • Put Tup

Enjoy them at http://www.supermathsworld.com/.

Tutor USA is a site that offers a variety of links for mathematics teachers.

In addition to free worksheets and lesson plans (Dead-Tree Resources), Tutor USA has a collection of video tutorials.

The videos in the collection come from sources like...

• YouTube,
• Blip.tv, and
• TeacherTube.

Some of the videos are quick how-to videos while others are longer lecture-style explanations of mathematics concepts.

Practitioners may well be advised to locate videos using Tutor USA and then to embed them into eXe documents/blogs/websites etc.

Find out more by visiting http://tutor-usa.com/.

Overview of Media Resources included in this eMagazine...

• Sound Sleeping
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

SoundSleeping is a website with a web player that plays relaxing music and nature sounds which aid sleep and reduce stress. It lets users customize their own tune by mixing different sounds like...

• bonfire,
• creek,
• bird song,
• rain,
• ocean… etc

with drums, flute or vibe.

Users can also adjust the volume and pan each sound the way they like.

Try it out at http://www.soundsleeping.com/.

Streaming music is free and there is no sign up; perhaps an ideal resource for Yoga practitioners etc.

Overview of Music Resources included in this eMagazine...

• iNudge
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

iNudge is a free and fun music synthesizer that lets users create their own sound patterns by selecting steps on a 16×16 matrix.

It seems pointless at first, but once users start creating more advanced sound patterns it can get quite addictive.

Start by selecting little squares on the matrix with a mouse. Users can adjust volume and speed (tempo) of the 'tune' or clear the pattern with “CLR” button at the bottom.

If users want to save and play the tune later, the Get & Share allows them to...

• Send Mail,
• Get a Link (URL),
• Get the Embed code or
• Spread in communities.

Try it out at http://www.inudge.net/index.en.html.

or use my embedded version below...

Overview of Science Resources included in this eMagazine...

• Big Bang Video
• Encyclopedia of Life - Maps
• Get Body Smart
• Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care
• The Tree of Life: The Story of our Origins
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

Janna Levin, a professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University, narrates a two-minute video about The Big Bang.

Or view at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV6aQbnHSRo.

The Encyclopedia of Life is now using Google Maps to display the geographic range of various animals, plants, and other organisms.

To view the maps simply...

• select an...
  • animal,
  • plant, or
  • other organism
    from the collection of information and
• click on the "map" tab on the reference page.

Note: maps are not available for every organism.

This addition of the Encyclopedia of Life's maps could be very useful for biology learners to see the climate and range of the organisms they are learning about in their courses.

Visit http://eol.org/ to try it out.

Divided into nine categories of anatomy and physiology, Get Body Smart has both tutorials and quizzes.

Each category...

• Overview of Human Body Systems
• Skeletal System
• Muscle Tissue Physiology
• Muscular System
• Nervous System
• Circulatory (Cardiovascular) System
• Respiratory System
• Urinary System and
• Histology

...is divided into subcategories where visitors will find quizzes for each topic.

The tutorials and quizzes are designed for use in Biology, Human Biology, anatomy and physiology courses. Learners involved in Sports Science will also find this site useful.

Visit http://www.getbodysmart.com/ to find out more.

Teaching or studying nursing, midwifery or health and social care? 

Intute has recently released new or completely updated free Internet tutorials in your subject area!

The updated...

• Internet for Nursing, <http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/tutorial/nursing>
• Internet for Health and Social Care <http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/tutorial/healthandsocialcare>  and...

the brand new...

• Internet for Midwifery <http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/tutorial/midwifery>
  

...can be found either in the Virtual Training Suite <http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/> or by visiting Intute: Nursing, midwifery and allied health <http://www.intute.ac.uk/nmah/> and clicking on the required subject in the Virtual Training Suite box.

The tutorials aim to help learners make more successful use of the Internet for their coursework and assignments. All the tutorials have been written and reviewed by subject specialists from UK universities, who are experienced Internet researchers.

The interactive features of each tutorial include...

• quizzes,
• practical exercises, and
• a ‘links basket' which allows users to keep a record of the substantial number of website addresses mentioned in the tutorial.

Each tutorial takes around an hour to complete, but it allows visitors to work through the material in their own time and at their own pace.

Also available for students of the Allied Health Professions is...

• Internet for Allied Health <http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/tutorial/alliedhealth>

Narrated by broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough...

...the Tree of Life is a six-minute documentary that retells the story of life on earth, from its very early days up to the present era.

Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6IrUUDboZo.

or watch here...

Overview of Sports-Leisure Resources included in this eMagazine...

• Take a look at Get Body Smart in the Science Section
  
  • Why not suggest a resource, that you use or feel has potential, in our Over2U section

BeQRious is a unique online service which can generate QR codes from any...

• web URL,
• email address,
• phone number,
• text message,
• social networking profile or
• pictures.

QR or Quick Response codes are two dimensional bar codes which are designed in a way that they can be instantly decoded, especially by devices like cellphones.

For more information about QR codes, visit this article – What Are QR Codes? Digitize your World & Back Again <http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/qr-codes-can-digitize-your-world-and-back-again/>.

To start...

• select what you want to encode,
• enter the input text and get the corresponding QR code on the right hand side as PDF or a GIF image. 
• The codes can be then shared with anyone
• Recipients simply need to scan the QR code with their phone to decode the content.

Visit http://www.beqrious.com/ to find out more.

A big thank you to Joe Dale for bringing to my attention, through his Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom blog, the Innovative Teachers NETWORK.

In their words, once you register (It's FREE)...

"On the Innovative Teachers Network you will find a wealth of content, debate, resources, help and contacts from leading ICT practitioners around the world.

Don't be afraid to take advantage of everything the Network has to offer!"

Well an offer that may be of interest to practitioners is Songsmith, a clever tool that is designed to generate backing tracks automatically to match the sound of the user's voice. A free download and although it may be 102MB in size it is worth the wait.

Tutorials are available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/songsmithvideos.

Here is an example of How to Start a New Song <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFk5Ab3NPkY>...

...another Songsmith Tutorial - Change the Sounds <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ebWpqvmqV8>

Have you ever wanted to take pictures of a sprouting seedling, or watch an artist painting in slow motion, or document what went on in a teaching environment all day? Well this can be achieved with a webcam and free software.

If you are using a PC...

• download Microsoft's Webcam Timershot. (Doesn't work with Vista)
  Timershot will save all the photos into a folder of your choosing.
  To incorporate the the images into a video drop the pictures into movie maker or PhotoStory 3 and see photographs come alive.
• Visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx to download Timershot.

If you are using a Mac...

• try Gawker it will take pictures in intervals with the built in iSight camera and when it's done Gawker will put all the pictures in to a Quicktime movie. Gawker will also allow the use of multiple webcams.
• Visit http://gawker.sourceforge.net/Gawker.html to find out more and/or to download Gawker.
  Example
  

Motion Portrait is a Japanese application that can turn any portrait-style photograph into a 3D animated face.

Just...

• upload any photo by clicking on “Change” and then “Upload”, and
• wait till it animates the face; you will see the face becoming alive, blinking eyes and reacting to your mouse clicks and movements.

That’s not all, visitors can add...

• different hairstyles,
• moustaches and
• other 'stuff' over the face - just for fun.

Try it out yourself at http://labs.mppark.jp/hige/.

Here is some I made earlier...

Are you looking for free Web 2.0 software downloads?

Yes! Then GetABest may well point you in the right direction.

In principle, GetABest acts as a directory of web 2.0 software, divided into a wealth of categories including...

• Business,
• Home & Hobby,
• Education and so on...

The featured software can, in general be procured at no cost, but, in the event that a license or a fee has to be paid, it is clearly set down as part of the software description.

The description, incidentally, also includes a picture for reference purposes along with crucial information like the size of the file and the actual developer.

And if you are not exactly sure what it is you want, it is always possible to visit the “Top Downloads” and “Top Searches” and get some ideas that way.

Find out more at http://www.getabest.com/.

You can make your own word searches, and more, at Worksheet Genius; be warned... worksheet genius uses java so the resulting resources may not be accessible by all learning providers.

• Completely free
• Randomized worksheets
• Design your own
• Easy to differentiate
• Quick to download
• Desktop publishing quality text and images

Try it out at http://worksheetgenius.com/index.php; word searches at http://worksheetgenius.com/html/word_searches.php.

Download a word search I made earlier - RSC Northwest WordSearch

Many learning providers have learners from other countries.

In contrast to western codes for smiley faces, eastern emoticons can be read without tilting the head.

Here is a selection that may help practitioners understand their 'eastern learners emoticons'.

• Smile for happiness (^_^) or (^.^)

• Open mouth for laughing or singing (^o^)

• Wink for joking (`_^) or (^_~)

• Closed eyes for sadness or sighing (-_-)

• Lowered head for bitterness or disappointment (._.) or (,_,)

• Sweat drop for nervousness or embarrassment (^_^’)

• Big eyes for wonder (seriously?) (0.0) or (O_O)

• Beaked lips for a kiss (^x^) or (^3^)

• Blushing for embarrassment (^///^) or (>///<) or (o///o)

• Crossed out eyes for death (X_X)

• Tears for sadness and crying (;_;) or (T_T)

• Distorted eyes for pain, failure or frustration (>_<) or (>.<)

• Closed eyes and zzZ for sleeping (-_-)zzZ

• Headphones for listening to music d^_^b or d-_-b

• Distorted eyes for annoyance (>_>)

I must say I like most of these.

d^_^b

More and more learning providers are using Google Docs with their learners.

Below is a handy little feature in the Google Docs Tools menu, which practitioners may find useful...

• Select the word count option (in the Google Docs tools menu)
• There users will find three indicators of the reading level of the document being viewed/creating. Google Docs has calculated...
  • the Flesch Reading Ease,
  • the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flesch-Kincaid_Readability_Test>and
  • the Automatic Readability Index <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_Readability_Index>. It is this Index that most practitioners will find useful - adding 5 to the index gives an estimate of the typical reader's age.

Could the Google Docs reading level indicators be useful to learning providers who are sending letters/information etc., to learners where English is not the primary language? The reading level indicators could perhaps help administrators/managers/practitioners formulate letters so that they can be read by all learners.

"By default, Windows copies text, along with formatting, every time you select and copy from, say, a website. I frequently find myself pasting to notepad and recopying to get rid of the formatting. Is there a Windows shortcut to allow me to just paste pure text without any formatting? PLEASE HELP!"

The answer to your problem is a little piece of freeware called Pure Text.

PureText makes what you want to do simple by adding a new Windows hot-key (the default is WINDOWS+V) that allows you to paste text to any application without the formatting.

PureText is available from http://www.stevemiller.net/puretext/.

After running PureText.exe, you will see a "PT" systems tray icon appear near the clock on your task bar. You can...

• click on this icon to remove formatting from the text that is currently on the clipboard.
• right-click on the icon to display a menu with more options.

However the easiest way to use PureText is to simply use its hot-key, WINDOWS+V, to paste text; instead of using the standard CTRL+V hot-key that is built into most Windows applications.

To configure PureText...

• right-click on its tray icon and choose "Options" from the pop-up menu.
• The default hot-key is WINDOWS+V, but this can be changed.
• In this Options window, you can also configure PureText to run each time you log into Windows.

Are you quicker with a mouse or the keyboard?

Either way, it pays to know keyboard shortcuts. With habit we get to be faster with it.

The Office 2007 Suite has found a nice way to use keyboard shortcuts minus having to learn/remember them.

Try it out by opening a new office document e.g. Word

• Press the Alt key to see the Key Tip bubbles appear for each tab
  
• Type the key for any tab to switch to that tab. For instance...
  • press N for the Insert tab.
  • the key tip bubbles for all the commands in the tab should be visible (if not type Alt again).
    For instance...
    • pressing P in the Insert tab will open up Pictures.

A few days practice and a few uses later, you may be near to ditching the mouse.

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