The Kei Tua o te Pae contract along with other ECE professional learning contracts ends this month. It was as a part of that team that I began this Blog but it was not a part of our contract and was a private initiative. I have deleted or re-labelled other blogs but this one will continue as my own blog.
I will be Lecturing at Tertiary College in 2010 and will maintain a research focus on using ICT and Web 2.0 specifically in ECE centres as well as for teacher education and professional development.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Passwords for chocolate
There was a really good example on the TV last night of how easily people are sharing sensitive information with strangers. In this case an exchange of passwords for chocolate!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Filtering internet information
Its a bit hard to say anything about this without giving the message away too soon but hopefully you will get it.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Beating the Addiction
If you are finding yourself going to various blogs and website too often in a day or checking those emails several times an hour, try this site.
You can sign up and get it to limit how often to go to various sites.
Of course I dont need this. No signs of addiction round here....
You can sign up and get it to limit how often to go to various sites.
Of course I dont need this. No signs of addiction round here....
Making Twitter your own
If you have been using Twitter, you may, like me, have got to the point where you have put in a background picture and even changed it once or twice. Tonight I found some instructions for truly customising your twitter page.
Fast becoming one of my fave sites is Mashable where you too can find the instructions and find yet another reason to put off that assignment/marking/reading/housework for just a little longer.
( If you are one of my students reading this it does not apply to you. Step away from the Blog and open up that assignment!)
Fast becoming one of my fave sites is Mashable where you too can find the instructions and find yet another reason to put off that assignment/marking/reading/housework for just a little longer.
( If you are one of my students reading this it does not apply to you. Step away from the Blog and open up that assignment!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Why u need to think about cybersafety
Thanks to Netsafe's tweet for this little gem!
Wifes facebook page releases secret service personnel info.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6639521.ece
Wifes facebook page releases secret service personnel info.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6639521.ece
Who runs the internet?
A great video looking at changes to the Web, What is Web 2.0 - or is it Web 3.0?
I some of what I have read on ICT the discussion around Web 2.0 goes like this;
First there was the Web ( well there was stuff before that of course) We could go to different sites to look at and download information.
Now we have Web 2.0 We can create the content, adapt other peoples content (e.g. Wikis), use other peoples content in a different context ( as I have with this video from a University Ning site which in turn took the video from UTube)etc. My understanding is that Web 3.0 is where the internet adjusts to our surfing preferences and helps us refine our interest experiences eg Stumble and Twitter.
See what you think.
I some of what I have read on ICT the discussion around Web 2.0 goes like this;
First there was the Web ( well there was stuff before that of course) We could go to different sites to look at and download information.
Now we have Web 2.0 We can create the content, adapt other peoples content (e.g. Wikis), use other peoples content in a different context ( as I have with this video from a University Ning site which in turn took the video from UTube)etc. My understanding is that Web 3.0 is where the internet adjusts to our surfing preferences and helps us refine our interest experiences eg Stumble and Twitter.
See what you think.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
less seriously - Twitter Twibes
Yet another way to use Twitter...
Apologies to any readers with speech problems but it really is funny to hear him use the word Twibes...
Apologies to any readers with speech problems but it really is funny to hear him use the word Twibes...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
But seriously....
Here is another little movie from the amazing folks at Common Craft.
A bit more information on some really useful ways to use Twitter.
I knew that if I stuck around long enough that someone would find a way to make it work for grown-ups as well as for people like me.
This was quite slow to upload on my computer for some reason. A little hint: click on the pause button. The video will keep loading and when finished ( the pale red line will be all the way across) you can then watch it without all the breaks while it uploads.
A bit more information on some really useful ways to use Twitter.
I knew that if I stuck around long enough that someone would find a way to make it work for grown-ups as well as for people like me.
This was quite slow to upload on my computer for some reason. A little hint: click on the pause button. The video will keep loading and when finished ( the pale red line will be all the way across) you can then watch it without all the breaks while it uploads.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Jaqui Sharp's Blog
I am sure many of you have seen Jacqui's books or been at her workshops.
Here is a link to her Blog which contains a lot more useful info for teachers using ICT.
http://sharpjacqui.blogspot.com/
I have also put a link in the blog list here.
Here is a link to her Blog which contains a lot more useful info for teachers using ICT.
http://sharpjacqui.blogspot.com/
I have also put a link in the blog list here.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Smilebox
This is some more software I have seen in centre blogs but not used on a Blog myself. I use the free version so it does come with Ads. The cost version is not too badly priced and might be better for a centre.
It easily allows you to upload to a blog, to burn to a DVD. Getting the photos is easy and I have now used this on both Mac and PC and both work fine.
I am not able to use this at work because of problems with the University firewall but using it on my Mac from my home connection was fine.
I have not tried adding text or anything fancy. This is pretty much how it comes as a template! So pretty good. There are hundreds of templates to choose from.
This could be a great way to collect childrens photos to burn to a DVD when they leave the centre, if you have your photos filed so they are easy to locate.
If you play with this and find problems let me know by leaving a comment. I dont want to be reccomending this to teachers without knowing the problems and I dont have enough time to play lots with it.
Maureen
It easily allows you to upload to a blog, to burn to a DVD. Getting the photos is easy and I have now used this on both Mac and PC and both work fine.
I am not able to use this at work because of problems with the University firewall but using it on my Mac from my home connection was fine.
I have not tried adding text or anything fancy. This is pretty much how it comes as a template! So pretty good. There are hundreds of templates to choose from.
This could be a great way to collect childrens photos to burn to a DVD when they leave the centre, if you have your photos filed so they are easy to locate.
If you play with this and find problems let me know by leaving a comment. I dont want to be reccomending this to teachers without knowing the problems and I dont have enough time to play lots with it.
Maureen
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Add a slideshow to your Blog
A teacher on the Montessori Cluster discussion forum just asked about inserting a slideshow of their selected photos into their blog.
I can see two easy ways to do this but there are probably more. If you know other tools and techniques please share them here in a comment and we will share them further.
1. A Slideshow Widget
The easiest way to do this seems to be to add a widget.The advantage is that it stays on your blog home page.
In order to do this you will need an account with Photobucket, Picasa Web Albums or Flikr. If you don't know how to do this, go to UTube for some videos that show you how or just follow the on screen instructions.
BUT FIRST!!! Have you considered the cyber safety issues. Do you have informed consent from families and from children? Go to your Cybersafety kit and/or to Netsafe for information.
go to the Layout button ( We are using Blogger), click on that and then click on "Add a gadget". Scroll down through the gadgets till you find 'Slideshow and add this. You will be offered a choice of using your own website, Flikr, Photobucket or Picasa Web Albums.
2. Add a slideshow as a post
You may have seen these on some other ece centre blogs.
These get uploaded as a post onto your blog and so will eventually be moved to the archive section. But perhaps you want to keep updated slidehows visible anyway.
Many centres are using either IMovie ( for Apple Macs and generally comes wit your Mac) Photo Story 3 (for PCs this is a free download) or Smilebox for which there is also a free download. Smilebox videos can be very slow to open but look great.
You make the video and then upload as a video post to your blog using the video button on the tool bar of the post box. its up there on the right at the end.
I hope this answers the questions for now.
I cannot say which is better out of all these applications as I havent used them all that much so please feel free to comment if you have.
regards
Maureen
I can see two easy ways to do this but there are probably more. If you know other tools and techniques please share them here in a comment and we will share them further.
1. A Slideshow Widget
The easiest way to do this seems to be to add a widget.The advantage is that it stays on your blog home page.
In order to do this you will need an account with Photobucket, Picasa Web Albums or Flikr. If you don't know how to do this, go to UTube for some videos that show you how or just follow the on screen instructions.
BUT FIRST!!! Have you considered the cyber safety issues. Do you have informed consent from families and from children? Go to your Cybersafety kit and/or to Netsafe for information.
go to the Layout button ( We are using Blogger), click on that and then click on "Add a gadget". Scroll down through the gadgets till you find 'Slideshow and add this. You will be offered a choice of using your own website, Flikr, Photobucket or Picasa Web Albums.
2. Add a slideshow as a post
You may have seen these on some other ece centre blogs.
These get uploaded as a post onto your blog and so will eventually be moved to the archive section. But perhaps you want to keep updated slidehows visible anyway.
Many centres are using either IMovie ( for Apple Macs and generally comes wit your Mac) Photo Story 3 (for PCs this is a free download) or Smilebox for which there is also a free download. Smilebox videos can be very slow to open but look great.
You make the video and then upload as a video post to your blog using the video button on the tool bar of the post box. its up there on the right at the end.
I hope this answers the questions for now.
I cannot say which is better out of all these applications as I havent used them all that much so please feel free to comment if you have.
regards
Maureen
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Video cameras monitoring in ece centres
We heard today from a centre using Tiny Telly so that parents can have streaming video access to the centre at all times.
This raised interesting questions of privacy, professionalism,and parental expectations that we did not have time to address today.
I do have a number of concerns although I realise there are also some good points for this sort of surveillance - maybe.
What about the teachers. Although this may offer some protection,does it invade privacy?
Are parents fears allayed or increased?
If parents share their password with other friends or family members or if the information is hacked into - what about the privacy for children other than their own?
I have so many questions about this....
This raised interesting questions of privacy, professionalism,and parental expectations that we did not have time to address today.
I do have a number of concerns although I realise there are also some good points for this sort of surveillance - maybe.
What about the teachers. Although this may offer some protection,does it invade privacy?
Are parents fears allayed or increased?
If parents share their password with other friends or family members or if the information is hacked into - what about the privacy for children other than their own?
I have so many questions about this....
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A great Blog
Steve Wheeler has a really good Blog Learning with 'e'-s. Great to follow if you are interested in ICT for teaching and learning. Make sure you scroll down through the blog and visit some of the other blogs that Steve has listed. Way too much to describe here but I have set up a link on this blog as well as in this post.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
How to save for the iphone
Buy a cheaper bike. You dont need the latest transport!
Here'e what a student at Massey Univerity in Palmerston North is using
Monday, April 13, 2009
8 weeks to a better blog
Having had a look through this web page I realise that I need to start slow. There is no way I can complete each of these tasks in a day! Especially when each item is a learning curve and there are several blogs to maintain. it is not just about doing First I have to find out how!
So I decided to make a list of 8 things to do, and to do these over 8 weeks. This is far more manageable as an action plan.
If nothing else it gives me something to post about each week!
1. Interlink Archived Posts
2. Plan Next Week’s Posting Schedule ( and make this a habit)
3. Comment on a Blog that you’ve never Commented on Before
4. Declutter your Sidebar
5. Run a Reader Survey on Your Blog
6. Go on a Dead Link Hunt
7. Learn about Search Engine Optimisation
8. Run a SWOT Analysis on Your Blog
review goals as a result of this analysis and create new action plan.
So I decided to make a list of 8 things to do, and to do these over 8 weeks. This is far more manageable as an action plan.
If nothing else it gives me something to post about each week!
1. Interlink Archived Posts
2. Plan Next Week’s Posting Schedule ( and make this a habit)
3. Comment on a Blog that you’ve never Commented on Before
4. Declutter your Sidebar
5. Run a Reader Survey on Your Blog
6. Go on a Dead Link Hunt
7. Learn about Search Engine Optimisation
8. Run a SWOT Analysis on Your Blog
review goals as a result of this analysis and create new action plan.
Better Blogs
I have now got to the point where I want to be able to make blogs better,more planned, better thought-out, taking less time.
I found this page which might help. But it is so indepth that it might make things worse!
I guess the best thing is to identify the areas I want to address and make my own list of '31 days to a better blog'.
Some of the areas discussed in this page do not apply to the blogs I work on. It is not a concern, for instance, that we have the most readers (as long as there are some!)
I will post my own list soon.
Meanwhile have a look
31 days to a better blog
I found this page which might help. But it is so indepth that it might make things worse!
I guess the best thing is to identify the areas I want to address and make my own list of '31 days to a better blog'.
Some of the areas discussed in this page do not apply to the blogs I work on. It is not a concern, for instance, that we have the most readers (as long as there are some!)
I will post my own list soon.
Meanwhile have a look
31 days to a better blog
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
If you want some more...
One of the best makers of videos that explain these new technologies is Common Craft.
I have used these often and think it is only fair to give them a mention and a link.
http://www.commoncraft.com
I have used these often and think it is only fair to give them a mention and a link.
http://www.commoncraft.com
Thursday, April 2, 2009
igoogle as your homepage
In case you need another reason for a Google account, there is igoogle.
I use this as my homepage.
I have my google docs, twitter, NZ Herald, weather, etc all opening everytime I open Google, and I can personalise it. Declutters my life a bit and makes it so much easier to get the most efficient use out of the other tools, especially the ones from Google.
I use this as my homepage.
I have my google docs, twitter, NZ Herald, weather, etc all opening everytime I open Google, and I can personalise it. Declutters my life a bit and makes it so much easier to get the most efficient use out of the other tools, especially the ones from Google.
When in doubt...
When in doubt, Google or U Tube i Wiki-how.
My first ports of call these days if struggling with ICT.
Utube in particular is great because they are videos. I am a visual person and this suits me better than a description.
I wouldnt necessarily use these indiscriminately - especially utube, with children alongside. You do have to be careful about the word you are searching.
www.utube.com
www.google.com
www.wikihow.com
And then of course your local friendly ICT PL person from Core Education
My first ports of call these days if struggling with ICT.
Utube in particular is great because they are videos. I am a visual person and this suits me better than a description.
I wouldnt necessarily use these indiscriminately - especially utube, with children alongside. You do have to be careful about the word you are searching.
www.utube.com
www.google.com
www.wikihow.com
And then of course your local friendly ICT PL person from Core Education
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Software for teachers
I found this Website today. I havent had a chance to really play with it but it seems to have some useful material for teachers.
It would certainly benefit from some ECE voices! Lets get more involved so that ECE innovations adn ideas are more visible in the wider world of teaching in the digital age.
http://softwareforlearning.tki.org.nz/
It would certainly benefit from some ECE voices! Lets get more involved so that ECE innovations adn ideas are more visible in the wider world of teaching in the digital age.
http://softwareforlearning.tki.org.nz/
Monday, March 30, 2009
U Learn Conference 09
If you havent made a decision yet, or havent heard yet about this Conference you better get your diaries out.
I missed out last year - I have heard nothing but rave reviews about this conference.
I have also heard that the Christchurch venues are fantastic, particularly accessible for out of town visitors.
Margaret Carr, Margie Carter and Helen Timperley are among the guests you will be able to hear from.
IT looks at all levels of the education sector adn my understanding is there will be plenty for ECE people to get their teeth into.
http://centre4.core-ed.net/spaces/space.php?space_key=22950
I missed out last year - I have heard nothing but rave reviews about this conference.
I have also heard that the Christchurch venues are fantastic, particularly accessible for out of town visitors.
Margaret Carr, Margie Carter and Helen Timperley are among the guests you will be able to hear from.
IT looks at all levels of the education sector adn my understanding is there will be plenty for ECE people to get their teeth into.
http://centre4.core-ed.net/spaces/space.php?space_key=22950
Thursday, March 12, 2009
A really good site to visit regularly
www.ted.com
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.
The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).
This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 200 talks from our archive are now available, with more added each week. These videos are released under a Creative Commons license, so they can be freely shared and reposted.
here is an example
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.
The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).
This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 200 talks from our archive are now available, with more added each week. These videos are released under a Creative Commons license, so they can be freely shared and reposted.
here is an example
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Kindle - reading books electronically
This looks interesting. The equipment is actually a bit pricey but I like the larger screen and book - look ( being a person with aging eyes!)
My daughter has just bought an Ipod touch and apparently one can download the software for Kindle for that as well.
I certainly dont see this technology replacing books for people like me who love the touch and smell of real books, but I see this as being an enhancement. It makes it easier to take books away when travelling. I wouldnt have to choose which book to take.
Currently I have some ebooks on my MP3 Player but I am finding that I dont get the same effect from this. I cant listen to an ebook while driving because I either stop hearing the book when concentrating on traffic or I dothe opposite - not so safe!
They are good when flying, better than music which causes an ever present fear that I will start singing along without realising...
But when lying in a hotel bed at the end of a long day I need to use my eyes not my ears. I am sure this is a personal thing. A visual rather than auditory learner.
My daughter has just bought an Ipod touch and apparently one can download the software for Kindle for that as well.
I certainly dont see this technology replacing books for people like me who love the touch and smell of real books, but I see this as being an enhancement. It makes it easier to take books away when travelling. I wouldnt have to choose which book to take.
Currently I have some ebooks on my MP3 Player but I am finding that I dont get the same effect from this. I cant listen to an ebook while driving because I either stop hearing the book when concentrating on traffic or I dothe opposite - not so safe!
They are good when flying, better than music which causes an ever present fear that I will start singing along without realising...
But when lying in a hotel bed at the end of a long day I need to use my eyes not my ears. I am sure this is a personal thing. A visual rather than auditory learner.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Finding sounds
Another fun site thanks to Naketa is Soungle. Like google but for sounds.
If you havent been to Naketa's site yet go and have a look.
http://www.soungle.com
If you havent been to Naketa's site yet go and have a look.
http://www.soungle.com
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Interesting article
""The fine line between what's worth documenting and what's not is a hard one to define. We immediately assume that the most important, the biggest, the most incredible moments are those that should be recorded. But it's these very moments that are best to experience live, with our full focus.
As religious-focused blogger Martin Kelley notes, "there are times where our presence is much more important than any documentation." (He had just surprised himself by reviewing the grainy, blurry photos he felt it necessary to take while watching a bride walk down the aisle. In retrospect, this was exactly the kind of moment that could have gone unrecorded.)"
for the full post go to
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/technology_is_great_but_are_we_forgetting_to_live.php#comment-124077
As religious-focused blogger Martin Kelley notes, "there are times where our presence is much more important than any documentation." (He had just surprised himself by reviewing the grainy, blurry photos he felt it necessary to take while watching a bride walk down the aisle. In retrospect, this was exactly the kind of moment that could have gone unrecorded.)"
for the full post go to
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/technology_is_great_but_are_we_forgetting_to_live.php#comment-124077
BACK IT UP!!!!!
I had a freaky moment early this morning. Writing a really important report. By last night things actually seem to be coming together into something readable. Got up early, had brekkie, looked forward to at least a couple hours before children up (working from home) and the macbook was cold!!. Wouldnt turn on. Finally stopped panicking and plugged it into another power point and everything OK. Whew!
Now got an extension cord and pendrive attached.The thought of starting again was unbearable.
I know I should back everything up so why didnt I?
Never again!!!! ( except I know I will)
Now got an extension cord and pendrive attached.The thought of starting again was unbearable.
I know I should back everything up so why didnt I?
Never again!!!! ( except I know I will)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Tech geek heaven!
All the gadgets you didnt even know you needed!
This is actually my Christmas list
http://technology.sympatico.msn.ca/CES/
This is actually my Christmas list
http://technology.sympatico.msn.ca/CES/
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Its a joke btw
thought i'd better add that in case you are sleepier than I am this morning. It took me till half way thru to suspect!
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