Via @educause 7 things you should know about infographic creation tools

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Fawei Geng

“A new breed of tools is emerging that allow faster and easier creation of infographics, enabling users without deep skills in graphic design or the software that supports it. These tools provide templates, examples, and drag-and-drop functionality that allow creators to focus their efforts on the concept rather than also having to worry about creating the graphic. The nature of these tools encourages fast prototyping, allowing students to create, assess, and revise many versions of a graphic in a short amount of time. These tools also offer the opportunity to expand visual learning and thinking into fields where visual aspects of communication are not always included.”

More details: http://goo.gl/nXAlI

If you are an Oxford member, you can win a prize for your best infographic in our annual OxTALENT Awards. For the upcoming OxTALENT 2013 Awards, watch this space:  http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ltg/teachingwithtechnology/oxtalent.xml

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LTG Announce: Hilary Term 13 – week 3

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Fawei Geng

@oxfordweblearn, @ox_it, @ITLPOXFORD,@educause,@jisccetis, @HEAcademy

1. WebLearn courses

1.1  Plagiarism: WebLearn and Turnitin

Monday 4 February 12:30-13:30

This one-hour course discusses issues surrounding plagiarism. The Turnitin plagiarism detection service identifies pieces of text in studentsÂ’ work that match with existing electronic texts. It can be used for assessed essays and also for general formative purposes to improve student academic skills. You will have a chance to submit a sample document via the WebLearn integration with Turnitin. Booking at http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TTEM.

1.2  WebLearn: Design and content

Wednesday 6 February 09:15-12:15

After having attended the WebLearn Fundamentals course, and/or having used WebLearn for some time, users need to know more about the planning, structure and design of WebLearn sites and the effective use of WebLearn tools.  Booking at http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TOVP.

1.3  WebLearn: Surveys

Monday 11 February 14:00-17:00

WebLearn Surveys (beta) can be used to design and manage electronic questionnaires to be delivered online. Surveys can be created for general data gathering purposes, or for course, lecturer or tutor evaluation. They can be delivered to WebLearn site members, ad-hoc groups or the general public.  Booking at http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TOVH .

1.4  WebLearn Bytes: Resources

Tuesday 12 February 12:30-13:30

What is the best way to make learning and organisational materials available to your students so that they can find them easily? Come and experiment hands-on with the Resources tool, using features such as creating HTML pages, reading lists, web content links, group-specific material and permissions. Booking at http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TOVM.

2.  ITLP courses next week 

2.1 Access: Database structure
Monday 4 February 09:15-12:15
http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TDAB

2.2   Programming: JavaScript

Monday 4 February 09:15-17:15

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TWIA

2.3 Security and privacy online: Spotting phishing scams
Monday 4 February 12:30-13:30
http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TSBE

2.4   PowerPoint: Getting the message across

Monday 4 February 14:00-17:00

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TIUF

2.5   Apple Mac: An introduction

Monday 4 February 14:00-17:00

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TOAM

2.6   EndNote: Building your library

Tuesday 5 February 09:15-12:15

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TDBJ

2.7   Nexus: Introduction to Outlook 2010

Tuesday 5 February 14:00-17:00

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TNEXA

2.8   Apple Mac: Keynote – fundamentals

Tuesday 5 February 14:00-17:00

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TOAN

2.9   WebEx Meeting Center – Basic

Tuesday 5 February 15:00-16:00

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TWXA

2.10            Excel: 3D formulas, charts, histograms and sharing data

Wednesday 6 February 09:15-12:15

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TMSU

2.11            Word: Charts, pictures and diagrams

Wednesday 6 February 09:15-12:15

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TRWH

2.12            Linux: Using office programs and email (session 2)

Wednesday 6 February 12:30-13:30

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TOLK

2.13            Nexus: SharePoint 2010 – managing meetings

Thursday 7 February 14:00-17:00

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TNES9

2.14            Web publishing: An introduction to CSS

Thursday 7 February 14:00-17:00

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TWPM

2.15            Apple Mac: Test drive a Mac

Friday 8 February 10:00-12:00

http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/detail/TECF

3. CETIS (Centre for Educational Technology & Interoperability Standards) Analytics Series

The CETIS Analytics Series explores a number of key issues around the potential strategic advantages and insights which the increased attention on, and use of, analytics is bringing to the education sector. Funded by Jisc, it is aimed primarily at managers and early adopters in Further and Higher Education who have a strategic role in developing the use of analytics in the following areas:

  • Whole Institutional Issues
  • Ethical and Legal Issues
  • Learning and Teaching
  • Research Management
  • Technology and Infrastructure

For more information: http://goo.gl/lcB0O.

4.  Educause: 7 things you should know about Collaborative Learning Spaces

“Alternative classroom designs have emerged that support collaborative learning and shift the focus away from lecture-based formats. Collaborative learning spaces generally involve new construction or the wholesale renovation of existing rooms, and they typically feature the ability to reconfigure seating to accommodate a variety of teaching methods. Such spaces enable alternative pedagogies that allow for more inquiry and investigative work, and they empower students to explore course content and ideas in an environment that has multiple points from which learning may emerge.”

 More details: http://goo.gl/kRFpT.

5. Funding calls

5.1   Collaborative Teaching Development Grants – call now open

The 2013 call for the HEA’s Collaborative Teaching Development Grants is now open. Grants of up to £60,000 will be awarded to projects that lead to new and innovative practice in the areas of assessment and feedback and flexible learning. The call closes at 12:00 on 1 March 2013.  More information: http://goo.gl/1arhy .

5.2   Research Tender Opportunity: Review of HEFCE Quality Enhancement Policies

This research aims to critically evaluate HEFCEs enhancement activity from 2005 to present; and to assess the future enhancement needs of the sector and to review the options for addressing these. The deadline for funding applications to be received is 21 February 2013.  More information: http://goo.gl/rlhL8 .

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Learning technology weekly newsletter Hilary Term 13 – week 1

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Fawei Geng

1. Modelling4All team awarded John Fell OUP Research Fund

2. New Oxford’s Open Education page

3. WebLearn byte-sized sessions Hilary Term 2013

4. ITLP courses next week

5. Multimedia courses

6. Special journal issue: Digital Inclusion and Learning

=======================================

1. Modelling4All team awarded John Fell OUP Research Fund

Professor David Zeitlyn (Anthropology) and the Modelling4All team will explore the use of agent-based computer models with farmers in rural Cameroon. The team will coordinate fieldwork with the Stockholm Environment Institute who are also researching how to use simulation to support dialogue about the future in the light of impending climate change/variability. This is a John Fell pump-priming project and aims to build capacity in Oxford in this exciting area of research. To find out more about this and other research projects using ABM at Oxford email to kenneth.kahn@it.ox.ac.uk.

2. New Oxford’s Open Education page

The Oxford podcasts web portal now has a new Open Content landing page: http://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/open.  It has a new searchable interface and presents only lecture material that has been released under a Creative Commons licence for reuse in education. The area also includes links to related Open Education projects and a new area that is aimed at an international audience.

3. WebLearn byte-sized sessions Hilary Term 2013

These one-hour sessions focus on one particular tool in WebLearn, with plenty of time for questions and discussion. Places are limited and bookings are required. Click on the links provided for further information and to book a place. Bookings open 30 days in advance, but you can express an interest in a course and receive a reminder to book when booking opens.

4. ITLP courses next week 

The full course listing is available at  http://courses.it.ox.ac.uk/atoz

6.Special journal issue: Digital Inclusion and Learning

Articles from a peer-reviewed Open Access journal – Research in Learning Technology

  • Empowering the digitally excluded: learning initiatives for (in)visible groups
    Jane Seale, William Dutton
    http://goo.gl/psmgb
  • Information and communication technology related needs of college and university students with disabilities
    Catherine S. Fichten, Jennison V. Asuncion, Joan Wolforth, Maria Barile, Jillian Budd, Natalie Martiniello, Rhonda Amsel
    http://goo.gl/dFvRN
  • Adapting online learning resources for all: planning for professionalism in accessibility
    Patrick McAndrew, Robert Farrow, Martyn Cooper
    http://goo.gl/rZgxL
  • Digital exclusion or learning exclusion? An ethnographic study of adult male distance learners in English prisons
    Anne Pike, Anne Adams
    http://goo.gl/hVf8V
  • Training in basic Internet skills for special target groups in non-formal educational settings – conclusions from three pilot projects”
    Andrea Berger, Jutta Croll
    http://goo.gl/h9AaN
  • Aggregate-then-Curate: how digital learning champions help communities nurture online content”
    Andrew Whitworth, Fred Garnett, Diana Pearson
    http://goo.gl/2ooj7
  • Learning and digital inclusion: the ELAMP project”
    Kate D’Arcy
    http://goo.gl/B7kAu
Posted in Free online courses, learning and teaching, learning technology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How to maximise the benefit when studying a MOOC

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Fawei Geng

So far these are my reflections on studying the OLDS MOOC (http://www.olds.ac.uk/) -week 1

* Studying MOOC is fun and hard work;

* A MOOC aims to attract massive participants, therefore, you may not get as much attention as you expect on a course with a small class size;

* A MOOC requires lots of effort and time from you if you want to succeed;

* You need to follow the schedule closely if possible. Otherwise you may be left behind;

* You should grab every opportunity to participate so that you can learn from other participants;

* If you miss an activity, move on to the one that everyone else is doing as you can always come back to this activity later on.

What are your thoughts on your experience of studying a MOOC?

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Five great free screen capture tools

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Fawei Geng

Screen capture software can be used to:

  • deliver online lectures that include annotations
  • create demo videos for any computer programs
  • record a video explaining a technical solution  to a problem frequently asked by your students
  • share tips and tricks for using any computer systems, e.g. a VLE

I have been using Jing to capture images and screencasts on my computer for some time now. It is very easy to use.   However, Jing only allows you to record up to 5 minutes videos.  This can be considered as a limitation or advantage depending on how you see it.  As our attention span [1] is about 5-20 minutes and most people tend to scan the web, short videos are more likely to be watched from the beginning to the end.  Having said that, a lecturer may need more than 5 minutes when a complex idea is explained.

Here are 5 free screen capture tools recommended by friends on Twitter.  A big thank you to @hardy_alison, @mentalese and @patlockley.

Three tools that need to be installed on your computer:

Two online tools:

  • www.screenr.com/ allows you to record your screen by one click.  You can record onscreen video for up to 5 minutes.   To publish the video, you need to log into one of your online accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo Linkedin or Windows Live ID.
  • www.screen-o-matic.com is very similar to screenr: one click recording. The video file can be published to the screen-o-matic site, Youtube, or saved to your computer.  The recording is limited to 15 minutes and has screen-o-matic water mark.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_span

Image source: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/79doga0qi4mic-gs7rOMfKyoE

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Listening to our students when developing the VLE

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Fawei Geng

WebLearn Student Experience Project

Adapted from the project report by Joanna Wild and Fawei Geng

Introduction

From 1 October 2011 to 30 April 2012 the DIGE (Student Digital Experience) project was carried at Oxford. In the project report, staff and student feedback about WebLearn (Oxford’s VLE) was captured including some suggestions for improvement in terms of usability, site design and maintenance, and access to learning materials.

In order to gain a deep understanding of the feedback, the WebLearn Student Experience (WLSE) project focused on enhancing the Student WebLearn experience. From September to December 2012, the project collected and prioritised student input and set out to address the following points in the Executive Summary of the DIGE Report.

  1. enhancing the user interface and user experience (ES5a);
  2. overhauling and redesigning their sites in the system (ES5b).

Although specific suggestions were emerged about particular departmental WebLearn sites, the focus of the project was on generic suggestions to enhance WebLearn as a central service.

Guiding questions

This project investigated how students currently use WebLearn in support of their learning, i.e. it focused on gathering information about student behaviour in finding, navigating and interacting with their current WebLearn areas. The following questions guided the empirical work:

  1. How is WebLearn perceived and experienced by students in terms of the layout of the user interface, structure of the sites, and navigation?
  2. What do students think of the way in which teachers use WebLearn to support their learning?
  3. How do students themselves use WebLearn in their learning?
  4. What improvements would students like to see in WebLearn?

Methodology

This project took a qualitative research approach, gathering data from a small number of students to investigate their behaviour and preferences in using WebLearn, and gather their suggestions for enhancements. Information was collected from 14 undergraduates, taught postgraduates and research postgraduates with teaching responsibilities. We conducted 7 individual guided-walkthroughs, which combined a semi-structured interview with observation of how students actually use WebLearn. We also ran one workshop with 7 participants. The workshop used the Nominal Group Technique complemented by discussions to elicit a list of improvements that students would like to see implemented in WebLearn, depending on feasibility.

From the evidence collected, we generated two sets of recommendations:

  • To the WebLearn staff user community: best practice in designing WebLearn sites, based on student requirements;
  • To the WebLearn team: specific enhancements to and further development of the WebLearn software, based on student requirements.

Project team

  • Jill Fresen – WebLearn researcher
  • Fawei Geng – Project Manager
  • Adam Marshall – WebLearn Service Manager
  • Liz Masterman – Research & evaluation specialist
  • Joanna Wild – Researcher

Summary of findings and recommendations

A separate blog post outlining the Recommendations by Students for Staff will follow.

Posted in e-learning, learning and teaching, learning technology, Research | Tagged | Leave a comment

Top tips for making a (to-do) list that works

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Fawei Geng

Making a list helps you to remember what you want to achieve.  Taking off tasks from a list makes you extremely satisfied.  Here are some top tips for making a list that works.

  • Choose the Right Medium: small notepad, your smart phone or your PDA, whatever medium you choose, it has to be easily accessible
  • Record every single idea you have, no matter how big or small
  • Make a list of small, manageable tasks to complete every day and put the most important ones on top
  • Make your goals measurable so you know if your plans are working
  • List the things you are NOT supposed to do as well
  • Start your day with your to-do list with task for the day only
  • Leave the list visible all day long
  • Tick off every completed task: you’ll find making each tick very satisfying
  • Take your breaks between tasks (and not inside them!)
  • If you miss a task, add it to tomorrow’s list
  • Set long-term goals too, e.g. what would you like to be or achieve in 5 years or 10 years?
  • Share your goals with others to motivate each other
  • Celebrate your successes – then make new lists of new goal

Sources:

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mollygolightly/2679421059/sizes/m/in/photostream/
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Recapture a few interesting blog posts in 2012

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Fawei Geng

A number of posts about free and open education including MOOCs

Happy 4th birthday – Oxford on iTunes U

WebLearn: creating interactive online learning materials using free open source e-learning applications

How to write for the web

A free tool: sending a video feedback message via email

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19 million downloads from Oxford on iTunes U

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Fawei Geng

October 2012 marked the fourth anniversary of the launch of Oxford on iTunes U.  Key facts since the launch:

  • 19 million downloads
  • 4,200 podcast items processed
  • 3,480 academic speakers and contributors
  • a worldwide audience of 185 countries

Recent highlights include:

All the material is also freely available at http://itunes.ox.ac.uk  and through the parallel web site http://podcasts.ox.ac.uk .

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How to use Wikipedia as a teaching tool

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Fawei Geng

Wikipedia is the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit. The fifth most visited website worldwide, Wikipedia is a resource used by most university students. This brochure shares experiences of the teachers who use Wikipedia as a teaching tool.

Image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/octaviorojas/238466023/
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