I learned something new today, thanks to Susan Howell. Susan had been using Windows Explorer's Slideshow function to display a folder of photos to an audience. She asked me whether it was possible to put all those images into a PowerPoint presentation, each image on a separate slide. I thought a bit and said I would check.
A fairly new function, maybe in 2007 is the ability to do just that.
Go to the 'Insert' ribbon and find the Photo Album feature. Click on its down menu arrow and select New Photo Album. From this dialog box, you can browse and insert the images and captions, pretty intuitively. Once you click Create, the images flow smoothly into their own individual PowerPoint slides. This is a pretty simplistic description, but it is really a very easy, quick, intuitive way to create a slide show of images (and captions, maybe)
Roberta
Monday, August 31, 2009
Embedr
Hello everyone! I am guest blogging this week while Linda is on vacation. This will give me an opportunity to share some of my favorite Web 2.0 technologies that I presented on in the Summer Edventures earlier this month. If you couldn't make it to the workshop, here is a second chance!
The first technology is Embedr. Embedr creates a video playlist that can be embedded or linked into your course or another web page. You can use your Youtube playlist or create a unique playlist by adding in videos from Vimeo or TeacherTube. Click the complete list of sites here.
I have made a library movie with my Flip camera and several Jings demonstrating different types of searching. I have them scattered throughout my course, but I have added an Embedr playlist so students have one spot to see them all or one specific video. Here is my playlist.
If you use many videos in your course and would like to play them in one place, embedr is for you!
Judy Bastin
The first technology is Embedr. Embedr creates a video playlist that can be embedded or linked into your course or another web page. You can use your Youtube playlist or create a unique playlist by adding in videos from Vimeo or TeacherTube. Click the complete list of sites here.
I have made a library movie with my Flip camera and several Jings demonstrating different types of searching. I have them scattered throughout my course, but I have added an Embedr playlist so students have one spot to see them all or one specific video. Here is my playlist.
If you use many videos in your course and would like to play them in one place, embedr is for you!
Judy Bastin
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Pop up blockers & search toolbars
You might have your own browser under control. I know I do. No, really. But the time will come when you get a new computer, or use an unfamiliar computer, or have a frustrated student - that you causes you to come face-to-face with a formidable popup blocker.
Disabling regular popup blockers is simple. The Tools area of both Firefox and Internet Explorer have options to disable/enable popup blockers. The challenges, however, are the Google and Yahoo toolbars. Both these tools have their own blockers that need to be disabled separately. So don't forget to check them out (if you have them) when encountering popup problems.
Additionally, Christy and I discovered that the Yahoo toolbar is NOT easy to uninstall. She uninstalled it three times (at least) through the browser before finally going to the Control Panel of the computer to remove the Yahoo toolbar from the list of installed programs.
And, have you ever wondered how you got those toolbars in the first place? They like to sneak in on you when you update a browser, or install new programs - not even related to Google or Yahoo. So watch for the fine print or checkbox that requires you to unclick a box to NOT install these options.
Roberta
Disabling regular popup blockers is simple. The Tools area of both Firefox and Internet Explorer have options to disable/enable popup blockers. The challenges, however, are the Google and Yahoo toolbars. Both these tools have their own blockers that need to be disabled separately. So don't forget to check them out (if you have them) when encountering popup problems.
Additionally, Christy and I discovered that the Yahoo toolbar is NOT easy to uninstall. She uninstalled it three times (at least) through the browser before finally going to the Control Panel of the computer to remove the Yahoo toolbar from the list of installed programs.
And, have you ever wondered how you got those toolbars in the first place? They like to sneak in on you when you update a browser, or install new programs - not even related to Google or Yahoo. So watch for the fine print or checkbox that requires you to unclick a box to NOT install these options.
Roberta
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Virtual Learning Resource Center
Do you find that the internet has become so extensive that you occasionally get lost in a vast abyss?
I do. That is why I like the Virtual Learning Resource Center. "The Virtual Learning Resources Center indexes tens of thousands of educator-selected quality web pages containing information of interest to secondary and college students, teachers, and librarians."
We added this search tool to the the resources on the right side of this blog so it will remain easily accessible. I added it to the home page of my ANGEL course to provide easy access for students. Let me know if you would like to do this (lwapelhorst@butlercc.edu).
I do. That is why I like the Virtual Learning Resource Center. "The Virtual Learning Resources Center indexes tens of thousands of educator-selected quality web pages containing information of interest to secondary and college students, teachers, and librarians."
We added this search tool to the the resources on the right side of this blog so it will remain easily accessible. I added it to the home page of my ANGEL course to provide easy access for students. Let me know if you would like to do this (lwapelhorst@butlercc.edu).
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Shopping Carts
This is a bit off the wall but if we are to teach our students anything, hopefully, it will be to be upstanding citizens no matter what their aspirations. Can the act of simply returning a shopping cart define character? Judge for yourself.
Add all Students to a Team - the Easy Way
Don't you just hate that you have to click each student's name to put them on a team in ANGEL - especially if you are creating a team that all students should be part of? Well you do not have to do all that clicking! Follow these steps instead:
That is all there is to it. Your fingers will thank you!
- Select Manage
- Click Teams
- Click Random Team Generator
- Type a name for the team
- Limit the number of teams to 1
- Leave the User Pool at the default of Students
- Select Entire Roster
- Click Next
- In the window that opens, click Generate Teams.
That is all there is to it. Your fingers will thank you!
Lexipedia
I found this link at the digiGogy blog. Have you tried this resource? I think you word-type people might really enjoy it!
Monday, August 17, 2009
What Makes a Great Teacher a Great Teacher in the 21st Century?
"Great teachers recognize that the real thrust of Web 2.0 is not in getting students to understand the material but in getting students to engage the hidden material within themselves . . ."
This is a quote from the article, What Makes a Great Teacher a Great Teacher in the 21st Century? I thought you might enjoy the article. It is quite thought provoking.
This is a quote from the article, What Makes a Great Teacher a Great Teacher in the 21st Century? I thought you might enjoy the article. It is quite thought provoking.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Bloom's Taxonomy Digitized
We often show instructors new tech tools and discuss how they might be used in education. Taking this one step further, Mike Fisher has developed what he calls a digital representation of Bloom's Taxonomy. He invites comments and discussion. You must login to do this but there are several good links available without a login. Check it out.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
24/7/365 Online Support Portal
Have you seen the new 24/7/365 online support portal? Check it out!
Click on the ANGEL-INSTRUCTORS link on the left side of the page and see what is available.
Click on the ANGEL-INSTRUCTORS link on the left side of the page and see what is available.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Touched by an ANGEL
Thought you might enjoy this video, Touched by an ANGEL, concerning the ANGEL/Blackboard merger. Do you believe in miracles?!
Monday, August 10, 2009
What does it take to be a great teacher?
The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.
~William Arthur Ward
Thanks Eddie, for sharing this great quote. Do you have one you would like to share with the group? Contact Linda W or Meg and we will put it in the queue.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.
~William Arthur Ward
Thanks Eddie, for sharing this great quote. Do you have one you would like to share with the group? Contact Linda W or Meg and we will put it in the queue.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Jing - Online and On-Demand
Using Jing in the Online Classroom, a new online, on-demand workshop is now available to Butler instructors. Just send an email to lwapelhorst@butlercc.edu to register.
According to its creators, “Jing is an always-ready program that instantly captures and shares images and video … from your computer to anywhere.”
The workshop offers valuable ways to incorporate Jing in your online courses.
According to its creators, “Jing is an always-ready program that instantly captures and shares images and video … from your computer to anywhere.”
The workshop offers valuable ways to incorporate Jing in your online courses.
Thanks for all of the positive feedback about our recent Summer EDventure workshops. Attendance was great and the participant interaction created a beneficial atmosphere of camaraderie. Thanks to all who added to the experience.
Check out the Glog that was presented in the "Reel 'em in with Interactivity" workshop. Email lwapelhorst@butlercc.edu to register for this on-demand, online workshop.
Check out the Glog that was presented in the "Reel 'em in with Interactivity" workshop. Email lwapelhorst@butlercc.edu to register for this on-demand, online workshop.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wolfram Alpha
This is one of the coolest search engines you have ever seen. Thanks, Julie, for recommending the site. As the web page explains. "WolframAlpha is the first step in an ambitious, long-term project to make allsystematic knowledge immediately computable by anyone. Enter your question or calculation, and WolframAlpha uses its built-in algorithms and a growing collection of data to compute the answer."
http://www.wolframalpha.com
Give it a try. It is especially good for mathematicians and scientists...but there is material available in many other disciplines. Once you open the site, look on the right side of the screen and click on the "Watch overview video" link. It takes 13 minutes...but I think you will be very impressed! Have fun...
http://www.wolframalpha.com
Give it a try. It is especially good for mathematicians and scientists...but there is material available in many other disciplines. Once you open the site, look on the right side of the screen and click on the "Watch overview video" link. It takes 13 minutes...but I think you will be very impressed! Have fun...
Monday, August 3, 2009
FireFox Add On - Extended Copy
Extended Copy Menu 1.6 provides the option to copy a web page selection as plain text or html.
This add on provides a "Copy As Html" and "Copy As Plain Text" to the context (right-click) menu. It is useful if you want to copy the text or underlying html from a web page into documents, posts or other applications.
Especially relevant for ANGEL users is the ability to eliminate rogue code from your syllabus or other content pages.
This add on provides a "Copy As Html" and "Copy As Plain Text" to the context (right-click) menu. It is useful if you want to copy the text or underlying html from a web page into documents, posts or other applications.
Especially relevant for ANGEL users is the ability to eliminate rogue code from your syllabus or other content pages.
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