Category Archives: blogging

Eight ways to use Twitter (or Jaiku)

October 5, 2007 James Clay Leave a comment

Earlier, back in July, I blogged about Web Worker Daily which had a nice article on how Facebook could be used to support your work. Well they’ve just published another excellent article on how you can use Twitter in the workplace.

For those of you who still wonder whether it’s anything more than inane stream-of-consciousness, consider these ways in which Twitter can help you professionally.

Though I do have a Twitter account, I much prefer using Jaiku which is a similar micro-blogging site, and all eight ways can also be used with Jaiku. Jaiku also allows you to add RSS feeds which makes it even more useful and you can create channels which will make it very easy to add micro-blogging to an event or a conference.

I can be found on both Jaiku and Twitter, why not give it a try.

blog, blogging, video

Nice selection of animated “how to” guides

October 1, 2007 James Clay Leave a comment

Russell Stannard has posted a range of online animated guides that demonstrate various ways in which you can incorporate learning technologies into teaching.

These videos were created for teachers to help them to incorporate technology into their teaching. My own background is in teaching English, so some of the sites are specific to ELT and are grouped separately. The rest are for all teachers and there is also a section for those interested in more difficult multimedia products like Flash and Director.

The cover how to use iTunes, PowerPoint tips, creating blogs and many other things.

He has used Camtasia to produce the video guides. Personally I am a fan of Captivate which does a similar job, for those looking for a free tool, Wink is certainly one option which does work quite well.

Well worth a look.

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.

blog, blogging, m-learning, mobile, podcast, web 2.0

Do traditional lectures deliver?

July 13, 2007 James Clay Leave a comment

Undergraduates are usually way ahead of their tutors when it comes to IT. But texts, podcasts and Web 2.0 can enhance their learning

iPodConsider the evidence. Students are increasingly digitally literate and techno-savvy. There’s no longer a student stereotype; no one-size-fits-all in terms of age, diversity, disability, financial or family commitments. They live and learn in a 24/7 society, juggling family, work and social commitments. We’re also seeing the rise of students as consumers, and managing the expectations this creates falls firmly to lecturers on the front line. Students demand inspired, interactive teaching. Do traditional lectures deliver?

Primary School pupils lead the way with blogging

June 20, 2007 James Clay Leave a comment

Pupils from a primary school in East Dunbartonshire are at the forefront of a new digital learning phenomenon.

Children in the pilot group at Woodhill Primary School in Bishopbriggs are using blogs to communicate with schools across the UK and Europe and making podcasts on a range of subjects, including French language.

What this demonstrates is one of two things, firstly if primary school children are using web 2.0 tools and are podcasting, why is this not used more in FE, why do we find it so difficult to embed the use of this kind of technology?

Secondly as this has made the BBC News does this not mean that this is not run of the mill normal stuff that happens in primary schools, it is quite unique and special and this is why it is being reported?

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