Mobile Learning Staff Development session

James Clay - MoLeNET mentor facilitated a Mobile Learning session at the Stafford College on 4th May

Rapid E-Learning Tools

Some good e-learning tools have been demonstrated to me today via RSC-WM; use the following wiki for direct links. http://bit.ly/rapidelearn

I really like the look of Xtranormal -I'm going to use this with my AGCE learners. I like the alternative to PhotoStory - ANIMOTO. SlideRocket is a great way of mashing up PPT's, MP3's etc.

Some good tools, so far. Not forgetting Xerte, which we have already started using.

Xlearn Text Wall

Just experimenting with our Xlearn text wall, we can use a web-based interface to send a text message instead of using the learners mobile phones. I'm going to experiment using this in my session on Thursday.

Xerte for 2nd Year DTLLS

Yesterday and Tuesday we delivered some training to the second year teacher training students, very few turned up, due to assignment dealines etc. Suprisingly the ones who normally see themselves as unconfident with their ICT skills, came along and got on really well. They all seemed to enjoy creating them, and found the process very simple. This is very positive.

The next step is the ensure they follow through, with creating a learning object.

Xerte Online Toolkits

For those of you who know Xerte it has come on leaps and bounds since last year. Using the TechDis Interface means that it is a lot easier to create learning objects. I've currently training on how to use Xerte for beginners, and with a room with mixed experience it is very difficult for us all to work at the same pace. I like the learning object creator, especially the accessibility options as they are built with ease.

I've spent the afternoon exploring different types of interaction, such as MCQ, Hot Spots, Drag and Drops and Categories. I like Xerte, I think I need to create something for my learners now, to see how they interact with it.

Update on android applications

I have now set up a zone around the college using mobeedo, which points you to the website. This seems to work quite well with GPS turned on, but is highly innacurate without. This means that it in reality only works well outside. Unfortunately the mobeedo browser seems a little unstable, some pages I can view through the standard android browser will not work in mobeedo. We really need to create an actual mobile website, although I'm not sure how much use it will get. Overall it seems a very interesting use of technology, but I am unsure how it can be used for any of our specific needs at present.

I have signed up for a layar developer account, which has been activated, but I am yet to successfully create a layar. Again I am unsure what this could be used for within the college, due to our small campus. I am hoping a use will present itself in the future, as augmented reality seems a very clever technology, but there are no problems at present that we could use this for.

Can Androids Teach Humans?

Attended a half day workshop on 1st February hosted by Sheffield College as part of the MoLeNET projects.

Android market place is where most applications are stored and retrieved.
http://www.android.com/market/

Anyone can upload and anyone can download and use. There is a useful rating system and users can provide developers with feedback concerning their application.

Picsay – photo editor could be useful for recording evidence.
http://www.picsaypro.com/

Instamapper – provides a real time GPS mapping location package. Could be used by learners on trips etc.
http://www.instamapper.com/

Mobeedo could be used to preset a perimeter and send information to students phone.
Could possibly be used for induction or orientation activities. Accuracy within 200/300

yards.
http://www.mobeedo.com/

Wikitude – provides information on your GPS location.
http://www.wikitude.org/

Layar – augmented reality package. Allows you to view a location through the camera of your phone and then apply a layer to the image. Allows you to find tweeters, pubs, banks and areas of interest in the location. Teachers could develop learning activities. Would require a good level of technical know how to develop activities.
http://layar.com/

Thinking Space – mind mapping software. Map can be sent to the cloud and allow others to engage with the map. Also could be sent as an attachment via email.

Google translate - speak into phone and it will translate into another language

Google Goggles –take a photo and it attempts to provide information related to the image. E.g. photo of Duracell battery presents information regarding Duracell batteries and retailers.
http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#landmark

Plink art – dedicated application for art, ideal for students studying art related subjects. Could be used when viewing in a gallery to access more details of the artist etc.
http://www.plinkart.com/apps.html

Qik – real time video feed. Video archived on web and will allow geotagging.
Could be used by learners on trips to video and share images.
http://qik.com/

Pols – mobile survey tool that can be used to create a quiz. Create quiz on the phone and send to other mobile phones via sms and also via email for those with no phone. Results can be accessed via the phone and the web.
Also Quick Pol

Studydroid – flashcard creator
http://www.studydroid.com/

Also Flashcard.

PowerVocab - Vocabulary programme useful for ESOL and English

Maths Workout – practice maths skills
http://www.mathsworkout.net/

QR Code Readers
Barcode scan