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.

Computer aided assessment (CAA) can be applied to provide a range of assessment types including summative (in which the mark contributes to a course result), formative (which provides a learning experience which is not graded), diagnostic (by which a teacher can assess the current understanding of students), and self-assessment (to provide the student with a measure of their own understanding).   The full guide can be accessed on this topic can be accessed here.  

BYOD & HTML5 For K-12 Infographic BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programs extend the flexibility and reach of students, staff and administrators to learn and work from anywhere on all types of devices. The BYOD & HTML5 For K-12 Infographic highlights why BYOD and HTML5 are perfect together for K-12 organizations. A Game Changer! Combining BYOD with HTML5 browser-based technology allows users to access Windows applications as well as physical and virtual desktops from any device (iPads, Chromebooks, PC and smartphones, etc.) without installing anything on the device itself. BYOD and HTML5 access changes the way K-12 schools teach while providing new opportunities to learn. Transparent to users - HTML5 technology is supported by all major web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. What could be simpler for students, teachers and parents, as well as the IT staff and helpdesks that support them? Great for Teachers HTML5-based remote access solutions deliver optimal learning experiences that cut across technological and socio-economic barriers. Teachers can easily access learning environments and applications from home and other remote locations - all from within a standard web browser. Helping Parents Get "In The Know" HTML5 technology gives parents 24/7 access to their children‘s curriculum and academic progress, wherever they are and from any device. For increased parent participation, HTML5-based access improves engagement by enabling universal, device-agnostic remote access to school lT resources, including hosted Windows desktops and applications. Empowered Students HTML5-based remote access bridges the gap between school and home, connecting students to information, teachers and to their peers, from any place and on any device. Browser-based access democratizes learning environments by working on an array of cost-effective laptops and mobile devices. Whatever device they’re working from, students can stay connected both inside and beyond the classroom. An Ideal World for IT Staff Technical support is always a challenge for school IT staff. With clientless, HTML5-based remote access, schools can extend the life of existing IT assets, such as desktops and Windows applications, and eliminate the need for endpoint configuration and maintenance. HTML5 technology also offers a great degree of lT control and data security, providing the capability to centralize resources and make them remotely accessible from any device via standard browsers. Even with reduced budgets, K-12 schools can find creative ways to stretch their IT investment to deliver 1-to-1 computing initiatives to every student, without compromising quality of education. Via: www.ericom.comThe post BYOD & HTML5 For K-12 Infographic appeared first on e-Learning Infographics.

As the debate about the importance of learning a second or even third language rages, more and more people are considering taking Spanish lessons. Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and there are many reasons you should develop a real interest in leaning Spanish. Here are some reasons why learning Spanish could transform your life. 1. You are able to compete for jobs in Spanish speaking countries If you are feeling like your career isn’t quite as exciting as you imagined it would be, leaning Spanish is one way to give it a boost. Spanish speaking countries are constantly looking for English speakers to work in different industries. If you are already a Spanish speaker, you have a much greater chance of being selected than an applicant who only speaks English. There is a wide range of jobs to choose from; you can become a teacher, a nurse, an Engineer - the list is endless which means you should be able to find something that you like. If you live in the UK you can consider taking Spanish Language lessons in London with native teachers. 2. Improve your brain power Recent research has proved that you have a very good chance of bettering your brain’s ability as you grow older by learning a new language. With so many people afflicted with Alzheimer’s and other memory related conditions, you have a great chance of keeping your brain in good working order by taking Spanish lessons. In addition to that, learning a new language appears to slow ageing. Mental health aside, learning Spanish helps you become more interesting and helps you meet new people - people who have many friends seem to live longer and enjoy better health. 3. You enjoy travel more Today, people are travelling more than ever. All it takes is a plane ticket and in an hour you are in another country. Imagine how much richer your experience will be if you can communicate with the natives of your destination in their own language. Spanish is the official language in 21 different countries and in many others it may not be the official language but it is widely spoken. In the United States for example, where the official language is English, there are millions of Spanish speakers. If you want to open yourself to absorbing the Spanish experience, make an effort to learn the language. These are just 3 reasons why you should learn Spanish. There are plenty of affordable courses online that you can choose from. Get started today!

An e-portfolio is a great way to collect your plans, ideas, and experiences in one place. You can store thoughts, documents, images, plans and just about whatever you want. The documents are then ready to be compiled; for example to make a CV. You can then share them with others to see online; for example to impress a potential employer.   The full guide can be accessed on this topic can be accessed here.

As the world becomes more and more connected through the internet and easy travel, many people are realizing that learning new languages may be the only way they can improve their careers. Before, it used to be that so long as one spoke English it was the job of the other party to try and understand what they were saying. Today, taking this approach can mean the death of a career and some businesses have even found themselves losing out on deals because they could not communicate in the language of prospective clients. Enhance your career - source Trillian Password Recovery 1.03.03.10   Why has there been such a radical change? The reason is simple: English speaking countries no longer dominate trade and other essentials of life. Today, for instance, China is one of the strongest economies in the world. If you want to do business with the Chinese you better be prepared to speak to them in Mandarin. You may be wondering why the Chinese cannot learn English. The reason is that this country is largely closed from other cultures and many who grew up here speak only in their native language. It is the same in Russia and many other countries that have big economies. Because the money is in these countries, ignoring language learning is like burying your head in the sand. Which languages are best to learn? This is a commonly asked question. The answer, of course, is to learn as many languages as you can muster. This isn’t realistic for most of us so it makes sense that we isolate the languages that are spoken by big populations around the world. Spanish, French and Mandarin are a must. There are some Portuguese countries especially in South America that hire expatriates to work at different capacities; this means that if you take the time to learn Portuguese you can easily qualify for an expatriate job in one of these countries. It’s not all about your career… Learning new languages isn’t just all about jobs and your career. Imagine how much more fun it would be to be able to different countries and talk to the natives in their own language. You will understand the different cultures, you have a chance to interact with almost anyone, you will understand directions and signs and so on. In short, joining language learning centers is a way to not just to add to your career success but also to enrich your life in so many other ways.

Every week over at e-learning heroes, there’s a new challenge to probe participation, innovation, and creativity. This week, the challenge was to design a poster around your favourite education or instructional design quote. Previously I had been a wallflower to these weekly challenges, enjoying all of the submissions, but this week I decided to make my first submission! This particular quote is one of my favourites because there have been many times in recent years where I’ve pondered the value of my education and whether it would ever make a difference. Time (and patience) has proven that there are folks out there who appreciate my education and that appreciation has helped me to stop and appreciate the time it took to achieve some of my goals, and motivates me to keep learning.

A Personal Response System (PRS), also known as Audience Response System, allows you to "ask the audience" and get them to vote or answer questions whilst attending a lecture/presentation. TurningPoint is one such system used at Plymouth University. This system was chosen due to its quick and easy configuration and the ability to add question into preexisting PowerPoint presentations. The full guide can be accessed on this topic can be accessed here.

The Best Apps for Elementary & Secondary School Students Infographic It’s almost impossible to keep children away from the computer or their Smartphone these days. We are fighting a losing battle if we try to stop them spending a lot of time on their phone but it is possible to encourage them to make better use of that time with some direction from the parents. There are apps available that can be hugely beneficial to children of all ages. This means that children can still spend a lot of the time on their phone but it is now educational and fun for them. Also, there are some apps that can be used in the classroom that may transform the way children learn. With thousands of apps available on a vast global market, it can be difficult to select the best apps for children. The Best Apps for Elementary & Secondary School Students Infographic outlines the benefits of mobile apps for children and provides a guide for selecting these apps along with recommendations for the best educational apps currently available. Benefits of Mobile Learning Apps for Kids Round the clock availability. Effective utilization of leisure hours. Becoming tech-savvy. Learning by sharing. Fun and informal. Staying connected with teachers and guides. Portability How to Choose the Perfect App for Your Child Always evaluate if your child will learn something. Think about the specific skill you wish to enrich and how an app might fit into that activity. Any app you choose should encourage your child to engage with others. lf you are unsure about which app to choose talk with parents, teachers and the children themselves. There are many support networks online to help you make your decision. Use a variety of apps that cover all disciplines. Check reviews online first before letting your children use an app. Top Educational Apps for Teachers and Students Dropbox: lt can be used to store additional copies of hand-outs. Students print copies on their own. Students can turn in homework assignments and Dropbox will time stamp submissions. It also makes distributing PowerPoint presentations easy. Evernote: Effortless solution to note-taking makes this app the best note-taking and organizational program you’ll find and makes the information you need available to you anywhere. My Study Life: It works like a calendar application allowing you to plan out your days, weeks, months, and years. This can make planning ahead a lot easier than trying to remember. Socrative: Engage the entire classroom with educational exercises and games white capturing student results in real time. Interact with the data to further student understanding in the moment, and review the reports to prepare for future classes. Toontastic: Kids choose the character and setting for each scene to tell their story. The app doesn‘t Just allow kids to make their own cartoons, it also teaches the fundamentals of storytelling. Gosoapbox: GoSoapBox is used during participation barriers, keeping students engaged. GoSoaPBox is anonymous among students so teachers will hear questions and opinions that they never would have otherwise. Hungry Fish: A simple app to help students polish up on their number skills. This app features instant addition - bring two numbers together and they’ll merge and add. Balloony Word: Children will learn practice spelling skills while trying to keep a gorilla afloat with a handful of balloons. Number Train: Children can learn how to count, sequence, and write numbers 1 through 20.   Via: www.tutoringexpert.caThe post The Best Apps for Elementary & Secondary School Students Infographic appeared first on e-Learning Infographics.

As a member of Leah Kalamakis’ Freelance to Freedom Project Community,  I was prompted to consider the reasons why I freelance, and make some suggestions as to how you too can kick start your freelance career and potentially freelance to freedom. My Experience: Originally, I began freelancing strictly to have an extra revenue stream and, specifically, to pay off my undergraduate debt. My freelancing wasn’t very pointed and I used popular freelancing sites to find odd jobs (proofreading, editing, transcribing…groan).  While I was able to secure several fantastic clients, I often considered myself as selling out in that the content sometimes wasn’t my finest moment, ethically, and I knew that the work I was doing was a means to an end. Once I was able to pay off the remainder of my student debt, I very quickly took a year hiatus. After working full-time at my regular job, full-time freelancing, and going to school as a full-time graduate student, I was BURNT OUT. I needed to take some time to refocus myself and realize that I didn’t need this added income to sustain my lifestyle. During this freelance hiatus, we were able to save a large amount of money in a very small amount of time and purchase our first home. Achieving this goal really made me realize that we were in a great financial state. However, once I finished my graduate degree this past May, I quickly began to grow bored and stagnate within my role. I love my job, but it’s been a labour of love and has been very one-sided. Long after considering this, I realized that I needed to be the change - If I wanted to take control of my career, I really needed to get in the drivers seat and let go of my anxieties in order to be successful. So, what did I do? I made the decision to think strategically about my potential business. I did this by reading a lot of books (Do Cool Sh*t,Creative, Inc., My So-Called Freelance Life, The Anti 9 to 5 Guide, Daring Greatly, and The Power of Habit - *I am in no way affiliated with any of these books, but they’re all awesome reads, so I highly recommend them!*) I made other freelance friends and observed what they were doing, I bid on projects that I was actually interested in working on, and I gained some stellar clients in industries I only dreamt of being a part of. After awhile, I began taking more calculated risks by applying for part-time positions, asking my full-time employer about flex scheduling and the potential of moving from full-time to contract (meaning a loss of hours, consistency, and health/dental benefits). I didn’t let my previous anxieties get the best of me - a year ago, I would have cowered at the thought of asking my boss to reduce my scheduling hours, thinking they would fire me. Instead, I was met with a fairly positive outcome, and currently split my time between two roles that I love. Most recently, I enlisted the help of Kory to get my website up and running. I had been sitting on doing this for far too long and it was just something that desperately needed to get done, and I registered (last minute) for Marie Forleo’s B-School. I’ll write about my impressions and experiences of B-School later, but I’m excited for it to begin! Where am I going from here? My long-term goal is to begin securing contracts and shift my freelancing/independent contractor-ship to a full-time commitment. This may be a goal that is closer than it seems right now, but I’m patient. Until then, I’m going to continue doing what I’ve been doing, and remain strategic in my approach for engaging in and soliciting new work. It’s my hope that B-School will help tremendously with ironing out all of the administrative issues with my business that I’ve been avoiding, allowing me to have a narrow, but sustainable, business focus. What advice do I have for you? My advice is simple - just go for it! But you should be organized and calculated about going for it. Most businesses begin before they were ready, and my business is no different. My only real words of wisdom is to do a lot of research and make some financial plans, such as saving up a reserve fund in the event that everything goes south and you need to float yourself financially for a little while (instead of ignoring the fact that finances are a part of daily life). Did anyone find this helpful? If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! I’m always learning and improving, but I’m happy to help out where I can!

This guide has been produced by the Academic Support Technology and Innovation team (ASTI) at Plymouth University, specifically for staff working within academic partnerships at Plymouth University. In addition to the tools available to you at your own organisation there are others provided by the university you and your students are able to use. The full guide can be accessed on this topic can be accessed here.

Download the guide for digital skills and practices

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When developing courses, I tend to take the Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS) approach. There’s no point overcomplicating things that some may already find complicated. Tip #1 - Put yourself in your learner’s shoes. While you might be the Subject Matter Expert (SME), try to present information in a meaningful way, avoiding industry jargon at all costs. When a course isn’t successful, often times the issue is in the structure and presentation of the course, not the ability of the learners. Tip #2 - Engage the learners my providing concrete examples that may allow learners to activate their prior knowledge as a foundation for new learning opportunities. Tip #3 - CHUNK CONTENT. The last thing a learner needs is to spend hours scrolling, and scrolling, and scrolling through content. Tip #5 - Be concise. I don’t think I can emphasize this point enough - maybe I could make a marquee banner? Learners likely spend a lot of their time scrolling through PDFs and reading textbooks or other course materials. Value your learner’s time by concisely structuring your content. Doing this will also allow you to easily chunk your content. Tip #6 - Provide assessment opportunities coupled with meaningful feedback. Learners want to know they’re on the right track. If you allow them to apply their knowledge through assessment opportunities, you open up a door to provide them with meaningful feedback, which will likely contribute to higher academic achievement and learner satisfaction. Tip # 7 - Add appropriate media. This is tricky because everyone has a different idea about what might be considered ‘appropriate media’. What I mean by this is engaging the learner with multimedia, when appropriate. For example, you’re teaching an individual about car doors and how they can open and close. For this example, a side-by-side static graphic of the car door open and then the car door closed would be sufficient. Creating an animation to illustrate this may enhance engagement, but is not necessary to meet the learning objective. Tip #8 - Be smart about your use of audio. I’d like to think that most folks can use their heads here and make good judgement calls, but I’ve worked on projects where the client requested, and truly believed it was necessary, to have 1.5 minutes of audio narration for an animation lasting 45 seconds (cut to a classroom of sobbing learners). Use audio when it makes sense. You might explain a procedure in detail in the onscreen text, but in the audio you should paraphrase the procedural steps to line up with what’s happening in the onscreen media.

Not too long ago I mentioned that I had registered for the Bluenose Half Marathon. I ran this race last year, and really enjoyed the course, so I registered as a motivator to get out and ramp up my running again. At the end of summer I had a nasty running injury. After several x-rays and being checked out by an orthopeadic surgeon who specializes in running-related injuries, I found out that I have pes cavus (my arches do not look as extreme as the wiki photo). What does this mean? Well. For me it means that I often experience metatarsal pain after running, no matter how much stretching or post-running care I attempt. Initially I thought it was a shoe issue, but my surgeon told me that no matter which shoes I purchase or which gimmicks I try out, I will just need to find ways of managing the pain and impact if I want to continue running. Now that my foot no longer throbs and I’ve registered for the half, I’m trying to get my butt in gear and get ready for the race. What better inspiration than to share my favourite running items?!   From top to bottom, left to right: Lululemon Wunder Under Crops - These are my all time favourite workout pants. They keep everything feeling secure and have a gusset, which is CRITICAL when purchasing any tight-fitting pant. Nike Free Run+ 2.0 - This particular style of the Nike Free Run is my favourite and has since been discontinued. None of the newer versions have fit quite as well, so I’m guilt of having ordered several pairs off eBay. Typically, I fit into a size 5 shoe, which in our city is near impossible to find in a woman’s shoe. Most sneaker retailers in our area offer size 6 as the smallest size, and kids shoes won’t cut it for long distance running. I find the size 6 in this style of shoe to fit me particularly well. I never feel like they’re too loose, and they’re extremely lightweight and flexible. Lululemon Power Y Tank - There are few things I purchase from Lululemon, but they make a pretty good (and affordable) workout tank top. I have a few different styles, but the Power Y is my all-time favourite. It doesn’t ride up into my armpits, and the shelf bra offers enough support for my purposes. GapFit Breathe Long Sleeve - This is a fantastic lightweight long sleeve that I love wearing on my runs. It isn’t too heavy and it’s breathable, so sweating doesn’t get uncomfortable. I often toss this over my tank top when I’m on the way to the gym, or will wear it at the beginning of a race if it’s a bit chilly to start. Nike+ Running App - I’ve only recently begun to use this app, but I’ve been enjoying it so far. I like that it starts within seconds and I don’t have to wait as long for my GPS to configure. The battery life is dependent on my iPhone, so if I leave with a full charge, I can run the app and listen to my music for at least 3 solid hours before it craps out on me. And, it’s FREE! It has a lot of settings that you can configure based on your preferences, and even has a social media hookup if you want to report your results/progress or in the event that you need some social media cheerleaders. Garmin Forerunner 10 - This is a great little garmin that is fairly affordable and has done me well for many of my long runs. Unfortunately, I think it’s going to be phased out by the Nike+ Running app, but we’ll see - I’ll report back in a few months. I love this device for the run/walk feature, but the battery drains quite fast, and I always worry that it’s going to die before the end of my run. I really do love my forerunner 10, but another negative is that it takes FOREVER to configure my GPS location. I’m not sure if anyone else has this problem, but I more or less need to stand still for 10 minutes on my doorstep to get it to make any progress. Once it’s set though, we’re good to go! Any readers out there who are also runners? Have you dealt with injuries? Have any advice to share? Which products are you loving?

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The Do’s and Don’ts for Teachers on Social Media Infographic There are millions of teachers on social media right now. They discuss professional, personal, and cultural things on a daily basis. But what are the best ways to make the most of your time on social networks? The Do’s and Don’ts for Teachers on Social Media Infographic presents a few best practices to keep in mind as you embrace the brave new world of social media for teachers. Best Uses of Social Media Do the following: Post updates and comments. If you’re in a public forum, keep it light and positive. If you can’t, keep quiet. Connect with colleagues with whom you feel safe. Don’t connect with colleagues you’re unsure about. Being friends with everyone isn’t part of the job description. Control your privacy settings. And keep up with the changes that Facebook makes to those privacy settings. Take care when posting pictures of others. If you tag a colleague, just think how you’d feel if they did the same to you. Disconnect from negativity. Unfriend or block those who continually blast you with negativity and trolling. Show what you’re proud of. Done something great? Let people know. Worst Uses of Social Media Avoid the following: Don’t follow your students on Facebook. Your intentions are innocent but there’s little to gain and much to lose. Don’t comment on status updates of your students, even if its positive, because you’ll either be criticising of showing favouritism. You can’t win. Think twice before you connect with parents on social media. In a small community it can be fine, but think twice before you do. Don’t drink and tweet or post. Comments made after a bottle has been opened never look so wise or amusing in the morning. Do not post party pictures off social media. if you lost dignity and it was photographed, don’t revisit the crime scene. Please don’t share the beach photos of anything with a state of undress. Those bikini photographs may look fabulous but will just cause comment. Don’t overpost. Don’t offer the world continuous updates on your activities. Do not post during work hours. It just doesn’t look good. Not even if it was scheduled. View also: Top 10 Social Media Competencies for Teachers Infographic   Via: dailygenius.comThe post The Do’s and Don’ts for Teachers on Social Media Infographic appeared first on e-Learning Infographics.