How Art Improves Thinking Infographic Since Plato, the beauty found in art has been synonymous with expanding the intellect. But can art have a tangible effect on improving the human mind? Thanks to modern science, the positive benefits of art on the brain can now be measured… Getting involved in art in some way, whether that’s learning about it or doing it yourself, really can improve your thinking in several ways which are presented in the How Art Improves Thinking Infographic. 1. It heightens brain activity. An experiment involving 14 art viewers and a fake Rembrandt showed that scrutinising the value of artwork heightens activity in regions of the brain associated with reward. 2. It exercises our survival instinct. Viewing art makes the ‘fight or flight’ part of our brains more responsive to depictions of fear - an impulse that warned our ancestors of threats. 3. It develops core skills. Practising executive function activities such as drawing has been shown to significantly improve reasoning and teamwork skills for children aged 3-5. 4. It enhances wellbeing. Studies suggest that visual arts therapy reduces mental distress in patients. They also indicate that art has significant positive health effects in aiding recovery. 5. It makes you more attentive. 5 days of artistic activities, for 30 minutes a day, showed significant increases in motivation and attention span among children aged 4-6. 6. It helps you see the world differently. Scans of 44 artists’ brains show that portions of them are more developed, particularly those parts responsible for fine motor performance and procedural memory. 7. It increases your creativity. Based on studies of almost 1,500 students, integrating visual and imagined imagery into different learning tasks is shown to increase creativity in discussions, modelling and assessment. 8. It helps us find meaning. Works of art often contain visual clues and illusions to evoke particular responses, tricking our brains into finding meaning in the arbitrary. Art speaks to something primal within us, tapping into our imagination and firing our creative impulses. And best of all, doing it and viewing it is proven to make us better, more considerate thinkers. Via: www.zippi.co.ukThe post How Art Improves Thinking Infographic appeared first on e-Learning Infographics.

On the 4th Sept the University upgraded to the latest version of PebblePad. This new and improved version consists of two components: Pebble+ - a personal space to create and upload different files and assets. ATLAS (Active Teaching, Learning and Assessment Space) - a place to share work with tutors and for tutors to provide feedback. PebblePad now has a simplified look and feel with many new features. Some of the new features include: multi-tasking, template driven asset types, improved mobile browsing and features, and the ability to upload and embed videos, audio and images into assets. Tutors also have added functionality on workspaces including: shared resources that auto-submit, the ability to create groups and sets, the option to limit submission types and amounts, and improved marking facilities. If you used the previous version of PebblePad all of your assets and files will automatically migrated and will be waiting for you to view and use once you login. You will continue to access PebblePad at the same address as before e-portfolio.plymouth.ac.uk or via the portal using your university login details. Help can be found at http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/pp3help or by simply clicking the question mark button in the top right corner once logged into PebblePad. You can find out more information at the TEL website here and workshops can be booked here Promotional materials have been placed around the campus to raise awareness of the upgrade.

You know what day it is, right? Nope, it’s not Throwback Thursday—although it could be. Just not in my Multimedia I class. Instead this day of the week means it’s time for another edition of our weekly project known as Three Word Thursday. So, here’s how it works… Every Thursday my students are responsible for taking a photo or shooting a video clip. The rules for doing so are pretty simple: Their job is not only to create original media, but to add three words to the visual as well. This text can be about any topic of their choosing including but not limited to how they feel, an activity, person/people, an event, etc.—as long as it’s G-rated, of course! Words for the images can be included in the original photo, or students have the option of adding text after the fact with photo imaging software, apps and/or Web 2.0 tools (i.e. Photoshop, Gimp, BeFunky, Skitch, etc.). Words for the video clips should be creatively incorporated into the original video. So what do students do with their Three Word Thursday images? Well, for starters, they upload them to their wikispaces so they can be shared with their classmates and the rest of the world! Then at the end of the semester, they will combine these original creations to develop a Three Word "mash-up" utilizing a digital storytelling tool (i.e. Movie Maker). Here are a few examples from what has turned out to be an activity my students really enjoy: Classroom Connection: The Three Word Thursday concept is a pretty simple one, yet powerful—in my opinion—because it encourages students to think and be creative with images, video and a variety of applications and software. Feel free to hijack my idea and tweak it for your students. The only request I have in return is to share any ways you might incorporate this activity—or a spin off of mine—into your classroom. And of course, a shout out on any social media networks would be appreciated too!

ASTI Technology Enhanced Learning Showcase in the Faculty of Business. Academic Support Technology and Innovation (ASTI) with the support of the Faculty of Business IT team (FoBIT) will be holding an event on the 29th October to demonstrate and discuss a range of learning technologies and how we can support you to incorporate them into your teaching. On the day there will be 2 sessions running in parallel. One with a series of technology demonstrations and discussions and another where there will be an informal drop in where you can come and speak to members of the ASTI and FoBIT teams and Dave Fleming the Business Partner for the Faculty. Coffee and cakes will be provided. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Event details: 29th October 2013 from 11-2 in Cookworthy 236 and 020. Event poster here ______________________________________________________________________________________ Informal drop in discussions and demonstrations in CKY020 from 11-2 Please drop into CKY020 at anytime between 11-2 where the ASTI and FoBIT teams will be available to have a chat about a range of tools. Dave Fleming the Business Partner for the Faculty will also be there to talk to. There will be laptops and iPads so you can have a play with any technologies of interest. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Presentations/Demonstrations in CKY236 from 11-2 Learning Technologists Emma Purnell and Mark Pannell will be giving overview presentations on the following:  Learning Technology Landscape  - what learning technologies are out there? Xerte - a tool to develop interactive course material Turnitin - text matching software and electronic marking and submission system PebblePad - Personal Learning System and eportfolio tool For more details about the areas Emma and Mark will be discussing see here _______________________________________________________________________________________ Digital Skills Developers: IT training is a University-wide service for staff to make you more effective when using your computer.  During this event they will be represented by Jacqui Hunter who can tell you about the courses available, one-to-one support, bespoke training and online training videos to support your development. Information Specialists Amanda Southam and Graham Titley will be demonstrating and discussing the following:  Box of Broadcasts (BoB) - an off-air recording and media archive service. Talis Aspire - online reading lists Nexis Newspapers online - UK and international newspaper collection Core online collections supporting the Schools of Law, Management and Government - core journal collections  For more details about the areas Amanda and Graham will be discussing see here _______________________________________________________________________________________ We hope to see you on the 29th. If you have any queries please contact tel@plymouth.ac.uk and if you could complete this expression of interest form it would be greatly appreciated. N.B. ASTI will host similar events within other faculties (look out for invites). However, as we provide University wide services, staff from other faculties are welcome to attend.

ASTI Roadshow Poster Do you have all the Library, Technology or Digital skills for your teaching? Do you want to enhance your student experiences? Do you have any burning ideas, but don’t know where to start? Then this drop-in event is for you! Smeaton 005 from 11:30 to 13:30 on 22nd October 2013 Register your interest form Eat cake and speak informally with your Learning Technologists, Information Specialists & Digital Skills Developers. Tea, coffee and cakes will be provided.   Informal discussions available: Podcasting - learning for the masses Show and TEL - discover something new about ASTI Digital skills - what do you need to know? Information Specialists - reading lists. How to know if students are using them Xerte - Web based learning on a budget PebblePad - enhancing student employability Want to discuss something else? - No problem N.B. ASTI will host similar events within other faculties (look out for invites). However, as we provide University wide services, staff from other faculties are welcome to attend.

Inspiring Children’s Book Quotes Infographic It has been said that to destroy an entire civilization all you need is to destroy its books and rightly so because books contain all the knowledge that mankind have been gathering since time immemorial and to destroy even one book would mean to destroy a large portion of that knowledge. Books have always been a veritable source of knowledge that every individual gains and wants to share with the rest of the world. In that context, there have been several books that have given us new ideas and more so, children’s books. The Inspiring Children’s Book Quotes Infographic wraps up 20 children’s book quotes, from Harry Potter to Peter Pan and Snow White which can be a source of inspiration for not just children but also for adults who look upon them in times of need. Via: www.quotery.comThe post Inspiring Children’s Book Quotes Infographic appeared first on e-Learning Infographics.

As Quincy Jones once remarked, "I’ve always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, "Ain’t that the truth." That said, Edu-fun Friday is a series devoted to adding some humor to the lives of teachers who visit this blog. After all, there’s nothing better than ending the week on a positive note! Plus, do we have the best topics to provide us with some comic relief or what? I thought that’s what happened during summer vacation, but I stand corrected! A shout out to artist Randy Glasbergen for providing this week’s edutech humor!

Are you… revisiting curriculum design? re-evaluating your assessment methodologies? needing a platform to facilitate your role as a Personal Tutor? wishing you were more social media savvy? looking for useful apps (such as a collaborative to-do list or holiday planner!) …or just wanting to know how to use your iPad more effectively? We are hosting an event that can help you achieve your goals in teaching on: Monday 11th November,  in Rolle 106, from 12 - 2pm Your local Academic Support, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) Team consists of Learning Technologists, Information Specialists (Librarians) and Digital Skills Developers. Learning Technologists Rebeccah Freeman, Flea Palmer (Arts) and Edd Bolton (Education) can advise about how technology can enhance learning - the focus being pedagogy. Your Information Specialists are Amanda Russell, Ian Rayment (Arts) and Julie Moody (Education).  Not only do they teach your student about information literacies, they also advise on digital and physical library resources that can support your course, such as Aspire and BoB, and provide copyright advice. Digital Skills Developers: IT training is a University-wide service for staff to make you more effective when using your computer.  During this event they will be represented by Liz McGregor, who can tell you about the courses available, one-to-one support, bespoke training and online training videos to support your development. There will be opportunities to talk to our TIS Business Partner, Tash Harden, who is the liaison person between Faculty needs and the University’s technology provision.  AMSYS, who provide Apple technical support from 09:00 - 17:00 and are based on campus, and with fellow practitioners, Steve Wheeler, Oliver Quinlan and ADTL Steve Butts. You can also have a play with iPads, cameras, clickers and any other tech we can get our hands on… We’re here to support you so come along and chat with us - ideas, issues, rants and raves, we’re all ears! …and we’ll provide tea, coffee and cakes :o) Although you are free to drop in and out of the event as you wish, can you please register your interest so we know what numbers to expect: Thank you! Possible informal discussions about… ASPIRE Reading Lists Box Of Broadcasts (BOB) PebblePad - (v. quick overview & discussion of possible uses ) Collaborating online - Google Hangouts & Drive BYOD - useful apps - share & discuss…  

Secrets of a Successful Instructional Designer Infographic The Secrets of a Successful Instructional Designer Infographic reveals 5 secrets that will help you succeed at eLearning course development. Someone who can simplify content Thinking of the learner Engage, Engage, Engage Let’s make it unique Guide the client 5 Secrets of a Successful Instructional Designer Someone who can simplify content: No matter how complex the content, the instructional designer is able to simplify the content and make it digestible for an eLearning experience. Thinking of the learner: An instructional designer who has correctly identified the target market will have no problems with designing a course to meet the expectations/requirements of the learner. Engage, Engage, Engage: Instructional designers who can balance learning and interactivity will be able to produce courses which not only entertain but still meet learning objectives. Let’s make it unique: Strictly no copying and coming up with innovative ideas is a winner and not only makes clients happy but chances are, get more work for you as there is no other course like yours in the market. Guide the client: A successful instructional designer is not only one who can create amazing courses but one who can also engage the client and guide them by offering suggestions and persuading them to make changes where absolutely necessary for learning outcomes to be achieved. View also:  Top Instructional Designer’s Skills Infographic The Exceptional Instructional Designer’s Skills Infographic     Via: www.synotive.comThe post Secrets of a Successful Instructional Designer Infographic appeared first on e-Learning Infographics.

Do you want to embed more technology into your curriculum? Are you looking to enhance your students learning? Do you want to learn a new tool and see what software and equipment is available to you and your students? Do you want to know more about the full range of information resources? If the answer to any of the above is yes, then this ASTI drop-in event is for you. Wednesday 30th October 2013 10:00 - 14:00 Rolle 605A & 605B Coffee, Tea and Cakes will be provided Register Now The Academic Support, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) event will include Digital Skills Developers, Information Specialists and Learning Technologists. IT training is a University-wide service for staff to make you more effective when using your computer. During this event the Digital Skills Developers will be represented by Sarah Barnes, who can tell you about the courses available, one-to-one support, bespoke training and online training videos to support your development. Nicola Cockarill and Joanna Triplett, Information Specialists, will be available for you to speak about: Box of Broadcasts (BoB) - how to record, create clips and embed TV and radio programmes into your module sites. Electronic resources, e.g. Nexis, the newspaper archive; Lexis, the law database; key statistical resources; or our collection of digital Masters theses. How we can support you in your teaching and students in their learning. Learning Technologists, Joan Gavin and Daniel Metcalfe can advise on how technology can be used to enhance learning with the focus being pedagogy. The event will provide you with some informal discussion on what each of the teams provide, showcase some existing case studies and offer talks on a variety of tools including: PebblePad Creating e-portfolios, PDP, blogs, CVs and much more. Question Mark Perception and Observed Assessments Computer aided assessment and a new way to evaluate competencies. Creating a podcast using Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Did you know you can use PowerPoint 2010 to create a podcast and publish on the web? You can easily narrate any presentation you create, save the presentation as a video and publish on UPmedia, the University online media directory to make available to students, staff and members of the public. You are also free to chat to us informally about other tools and share your experiences and findings with us and other colleagues. You will be given the opportunity to get hands on with lots of equipment including iPads, clickers and cameras amongst other tools. Although you are free to drop in and out of the event as you wish, can you please register your interest using the form below so we know what numbers to expect: Registration form Please feel free to contact us for any additional information and we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 30th October. N.B. ASTI will host similar events within other faculties (look out for invites). However, as we provide University wide services, staff from other faculties are welcome to attend.