Derek's Blog

Seems that the whole idea of user-generated content is maturing both in terms of the quality of the content itself and the professional communities that are committing to developing and sharing it. Here's a good example from the scientific research community, called Scivee.

Scivee is an online science community where scientists can make their research known to their fellow peers as well as the general public. Scientists can create "pubcasts" which are online presentations that allow a scientist to combine their publication with media such as video, audio, images, and text to allow visitors to quickly grasp the key concepts of their publications, as well as an increased chance for citation. Scientists can also form communities around their research/projects/interests and can start discussions or plan events with their group.

Thanks to Jane for this tip

Posted by Derek Wenmoth at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The focus on interoperability was identified as one of the ten trends for 2007 by CORE, and this just-released report from BECTA in the UK. highlights again why this is so important. The main focus of concern is ensuring the widest compatibility of files between different applications. The report draws attention to limitations in Microsoft's implementation of the Open Document Format (ODF) international standard, and recommends that users of Office 2007 should not save in Microsoft's new Office format (OOXML). They suggest that users should in the short term continue to save files in the more widely adopted .doc, .xls and .ppt formats.

Until the issue is resolved, BECTA is recommending UK-based schools do not upgrade existing ICT systems to Microsoft Vista or Office 2007, and mixed Windows-based operating environments should be avoided. However, Vista should be considered where new institution-wide ICT provision is being planned.

This is a bold step by BECTA - one I'm sure will create ripples throughout the education system. More evidence, however, of how seriously the issue of interoperability is being taken and needs to be taken as we make decisions about systems and software we choose install at home, at work and in our schools.

The Microsoft Office and Vista full report is available to download here.

Posted by Derek Wenmoth at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just in time for Christmas, another free e-book from the eLearning Guild titled 162 Tips and Tricks for working with eLearning Tools. this book is for those who are serious about eLearning, and who are responsible for preparing and presenting online courses, or for the selection of tools and applications used by those who are.

A few months ago the eLearning Guild asked members for their favorite tips for using software for the creation of e-Learning. Members could submit tips in any or all of the following five categories:

• Courseware authoring and e-Learning development tools
  
• Rapid e-Learning tools
  
• Simulation tools
  
• Media tools
  
• Combining and deploying authoring tools

I've found a number of links to applications and ideas that I hadn't previously considered - and was very pleased to note the inclusion of the NZ-developed eXeLearning in the section on Courseware Authoring / e-Learning Development Tools (see page 23).

Posted by Derek Wenmoth at 6:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's something worth taking a look at, a project with huge implications for education, in which scientists are creating a massive web site, called the Encyclopedia of Life. The web site aims to contain information about all of Earth's 1.8 million known species, with the information available online to everyone free of charge, and users of the site can adjust its pages so they see information relevant for students or for research scientists. The project is described as follows on the site:

Comprehensive, collaborative, ever-growing, and personalized, the Encyclopedia of Life is an ecosystem of websites that makes all key information about life on Earth accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. Our goal is to create a constantly evolving encyclopedia that lives on the Internet, with contributions from scientists and amateurs alike. To transform the science of biology, and inspire a new generation of scientists, by aggregating all known data about every living species. And ultimately, to increase our collective understanding of life on Earth, and safeguard the richest possible spectrum of biodiversity.

Posted by Derek Wenmoth at 10:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Love them or hate them, the use of wikis is certainly gaining momentum in education circles. Take for instance the WikiEducator project initiated by the Commonwealth of Learning,or the Wikipedia version of Wikiversity, not to mention the myriad of educational wikis appearing that have been created within the variety of Wiki software that is available online.

A discussion with my wife over breakfast this morning reminded me of how much we still have to learn and understand about wiki use in education. My wife related to me how the tutors in a course that she is currently studying have told her class that they are not allowed to use wikipedia or Google when completing assignments (something to do with the authority of the information!) I needn't describe my reaction - needless to say it included references to "luddite", and "digital neanderthal" :-)

No-one (certainly not I) will argue that the content of Wikipedia is 100% accurate (although there is some evidence that it may be just as accurate as other "reliable sources") - but that's not really the issue. The fact is that we have a new tool available to us that we have yet to fully understand in terms of the way it is challenging our traditional understandings of things such as the accuracy of information, and the way it is changing the way we can think about (and act on) the development and sharing of information/content.

With this in mind I was interested to come across this article on Wiki Pedagogy by Ren??e Fountain. There's a heap of information in here to provide you with everything you need to know about wikis and their use in education. Fountain explores both the form and function of wikis, before venturing to describe their pedagogical potential. He offers the following justifications for the use of wikis in education:

• Wikis maximize interplay
  
• Wikis are democratic
  
• Wikis work in real time
  
• Wiki technology is text-based
  
• Wikis permit public document construction, that is, distributed authorship
  
• Wikis complicate the evaluation of writing
  
• Wikis promote negotiation
  
• Wikis permit collaborative document editing, or open editing
  
• Wikis permit the public to publish - public as publisher
  
• Wikis make feedback intensely public and potentially durable
  
• Wikis work on volunteer collaboration
  
• Wikis endorse particular ways of writing
  
• Wikis enable complete anonymity.

Posted by Derek Wenmoth at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A new portal providing access to open content announced yesterday:

A new online resource gives teachers and students free access to more than 8,000 digital learning materials. Educators and students can add tags, ratings, reviews, and comments to help others quickly find what they're looking for. The site's mission is to provide a single point of access through which educators, students, and all other types of learners can search for, browse, evaluate, and discuss these free learning materials.

I'm all for this approach to resource development and sharing - reminds me a lot of the 2Learn portal that was developed in Alberta, Canada about six years ago now, and which I frequently refer to as a good example of a 'teachers for teachers" educational resources portal.

Open Education Resources (OER) Commons website http://www.oercommons.org/

News item courtesy of e-SchoolNews, 9 March 2007

Posted by Derek Wenmoth at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)