Have you seen these?

The future of multi-sensor screens

Take a look at this video about a piece of technology with implications for classroom practice – these are set to become a classroom tool during the next couple of years. Imagine what you could do with this!

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April 25th – Follow this link to the BBC and learn more about Web2 technologies (may only be up for a short time as it is based on a weekly TV programme.)

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April 24th – Yugma

Yesterday we investigated a web based utility called Yugma. This allows you to link with others across the web and let them see whatever it is you are doing on your computer. So you could demonstate how to do something in an art package, for example, to children in a school on the other side of the World. All you need to do is download a very small program from the site and then register. Schools you wish to “work” with need to do the same. The host user then “starts” a session. You will be provided with an id code that you give to the other participants. They “join” a session, type in the id code and they can then see your screen replicated on their computer. The host can give control to any participant so that they can demonstrate from their owm computer. There is also a “chat” facility included that allows text communication in real time. However the program comes into its own when you link it with an internet phone program like Skype. We used Skype so that I could hear the host user talking me through a presentation. This is well worth looking at. It requires very little technical ability to set up and it seems to work problem free. You don’t need contacts on the other side of the World to use it. Why not think about one class in school presenting to another or maybe the school council could present to the rest of the school.

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Things are changing?

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Read “Their Space”, latest research into the use of the interntet by youngsters. Approaching technology from the perspective of children, it tells positive stories about how they use online space to build relationships and create original content. It argues that the skills children are developing through these activities, such as creativity, communication and collaboration, are those that will enable them to succeed in a globally networked, knowledge-driven economy.

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If you are interested in learning about Social Technologies and Web2 read “Coming of Age”.

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Flashmeeting - Did you know that you can video conference across the internet for free? Flashmeeting is a web based program that allows you and several others to “book” a URL and take part in a video conference. All you need is a video camera (anything from a small web cam to a digital video recorder will do) and a microphone & speakers. Many laptops have these built in, so it really is a low cost option. Full instructions are provided on the link given above. One brilliant feature is that the conferences are recordable, great for turning into podcasts! We intend to build this into a project soon so look out for details regarding its success.

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Yugma – This online utility allows you to conference online and share your desktop with others. This might be worth exploring if you want to try some remote teaching. It operates on PC and Mac and is free for the basic package (probably all you will need)