Category Archives: altc2007

altc2007, apple, m-learning, mobile, video

iPod touch

September 10, 2007 James Clay Leave a comment

In a session at ALT-C I mentioned (and blogged)…

…about the rumours of new OS X based iPods, these may be wireless and may have browser capability. We should know by about 7pm tonight.

Well by 7pm we did know. I checked out the details via my phone at the conference dinner.

Apple did announce a new iPod with a touch interface (aka the iPhone) which will be available worldwide and will be wireless, have a browser and run a version of OS X.

Whether I get one, different story, £200 is a lot of money for a touch interface. I already have devices which can play music and video and portable wifi capability as well.

Having said that , it would be nice to have one, then again do I wait until the iPhone is available in the UK and get the phone element as well?

Decisions, decisions.

Whatever I decide one of the key things to remember is that our learners will by buying this iPod, they will be buying other iPods, other mp3 players, new phones, etc…. and we need to think about how they can utilise those devices to support their learning.

altc2007, google

Google’s Peter Norvig’s keynote at ALT-C

September 6, 2007 James Clay 2 Comments

altc2007, blog, blogging

Caught in the act…

September 6, 2007 James Clay 6 Comments

It seems I am not the only one who was entertained by David Bryson’s piece on A blog about bloggers blogging others also enjoyed it, including Steve and Haydn.

I was caught on camera, and yes I was blogging (and eating at the same time).

Blogging and eating

I did also talk to the person sitting next to me…

One thing that I have found blogging about stuff at ALT-C is how it can be used to create and stimulate verbal communication. I doubt I would have spoken to Steve Wheeler if he hadn’t blogged about a session we both attended and on his blog he mentioned my blog.

Other delegates have come up to me and mentiond my blog. Others have mentioned the photographs I have uploaded to Flickr.

Yes everyone focusing on their computers can be seen to be rude (here I am typing this during a session), but I know I have talked and discussed more during this conference as a result of blogging then I have at previous ALT conferences.

I reflected during the refreshment break this morning that though there were some people using laptops, many, many more were talking.

Personally I think blogging has improved the verbal discussion not replaced it.

altc2007

Conference Dinner

September 5, 2007 James Clay Leave a comment

altc2007, google, vle

Browser tools in support of formal learning

September 5, 2007 James Clay Leave a comment

Arrived slightly late (had been talking about the educational possibilities of Jaiku with a fellow delegate). I missed the introduction of the session, it is now the hands on part (which I have now finished(ish)).

I do quite like Google Personalised Home Page and there are other options such as Netvibes which I know some people like.

Google Personalised Home Page

I would ask why VLEs such as Moodle don’t have the flexibility and functionality that you find in iGoogle. It’s also a pity that there isn’t a standard for widgets (or gadgets) that allow them to work on iGoogle, Dashboard, Vista sidebar, etc…

altc2007, m-learning, mobile

Can mobile learning content also be collaborative?

September 5, 2007 James Clay Leave a comment

I really enjoyed Geoff Stead’s demonstration, Can mobile learning content also be collaborative?
– a demonstration of tools and techniques from across the UK.

Tribal CTAD have created and trialled innovative approaches to mobile learning since 2001. Our original experimentation with m-learning materials highlighted the importance of collaborative learning experiences. This led us to a more constructivist approach when developing both tools and materials, in which collaboration and active participation are key. Our most recent developments, particularly those with the LSN, have made it easier for both tutors and students to participate, publish and develop their own materials. Research has shown that helping learners publish their own m-learning can encourage student involvement and engagement (LSN 2006).

I do find it interesting the approach based on creating content in the main for PDA type devices, in other words Windows Mobile, smart phones; this is in some ways different to my own view of mobile learning which is very much about allowing learners to access content and learning (and create content) using their own devices.

I do like the content and it would appear that the learners like the content as well.

I did mention in the presentation about the rumours of new OS X based iPods, these may be wireless and may have browser capability. We should know by about 7pm tonight.

altc2007, m-learning, mobile