Saturday, 11 July 2009

My newly discovered resources (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Posted by Ali Hall at 5:32 PM 1 comments

Saturday, 4 July 2009

My newly discovered resources (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Posted by Ali Hall at 5:32 PM 0 comments

Friday, 3 July 2009

Xtra Normal

I've been having a bit of a play in a neat online movie making program called Xtra Normal. Let me know what you think or if you have used it before in your classroom and how :)



Additional resources: Free Technology blog
Posted by Ali Hall at 12:03 AM 0 comments

Thursday, 25 June 2009

Cracking the QR Code

Some of you who are following my Diigo bookmarks will have noticed that since late yesterday I've been busily bookmarking anything I can find about QR codes! I was inspired by a fellow educator Jarrod Robinson, who has been integrated QR Codes into his classroom teaching since January this year, and who has happily shared some resources on twitter to help get me started on the QR code trail.

So what have I learnt so far? I'll answer that with a few questions I have had to ask myself.

What are QR codes? Sort for Quick Response codes, QR codes work kind of like a barcode where you can quickly access information using your mobile phone. QR codes can store business cards, URLs, images, phone numbers and lots of other stuff that I probably haven't come across yet. In fact according to, Software and internet analysis: QR Codes and other 2D barcodes (June 2009) from Becta, QR codes can store up to "4,296 alphanumeric characters" which is apparently more than what the normal barcode is capable of.

So what do you need?
1. A mobile phone
2. A QR code reader like KAYWA - which is free to download onto your phone

How does it work?
1. You start the application on your phone which then enables your phone's camera
2. Hover your phone camera over the QR code
3. The phone will capture the QR code and display the information stored in the QR code and if it's a URL redirect you to it using your phone's browser.

How to you find or make your own QR codes?
You can find QR codes on website or on print material. For example the magazine "Teachers' Toolkit" has their QR code on the bottom right of their print magazine.



The thing I really like about QR codes is that you can create your own using a tool like the KAYWAR Generator. You can then embedd them on your own sites, or even print them off. Here's is one for browsing my blog for you to play with:
qrcode



Now I haven't exactly done a stellar job explaining what these little beauties do, so I'd suggest wandering over to Jarrod's blog to learn a little more and for a better explanation.

If you'd like to learn more, here are some more resources:
Finally you may also notice that you can now view this blog on your mobile by scanning the QR code which I have embedded over on the right hand side.


So let me know you thoughts about QR codes, if you found any of the resources useful or if you are currently using QR codes in your teaching and learning - I'd love to hear from you.
Posted by Ali Hall at 5:16 PM 1 comments

Saturday, 20 June 2009

My newly discovered resources (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Posted by Ali Hall at 5:46 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Integrating Google Docs to Moodle: Powerpoint

I have been aware of GoogleDocs for awhile now but only lately has the call for info on embedding and linking Google Docs into Moodle been reaching my ears. So to answer that somewhat defening call I needed to try it myself....

So here begins my learning Journey - Embedding Powerpoint:
Embedding your Powerpoint presentations into Moodle is an attractive and easy way for students to view your presentations online. The other benefit is that if the Powerpoint is changed in GoogleDocs, the changes flow through to the moodle. No more mucking around with moodle files and uploads and renaming etc.

Go to Google Docs by logging into Google with your Google login and go to Google Docs



Click on on the Upload button







Find the presentation you want to upload using the Browse button and then the Upload File button








This will start the upload process, which may take awhile depending on file size and connection etc. Once the file is uploaded view the presentation by clicking on it (if it does not open automatically)


















Click the Share button and then choose Publish/embedd










This opens up a publishing notification screen. Click on the Publish Document button.








At this point you could take either the presentation URL or the embedd code. You can also choose the size you wnat your presentation to be displayed at (it may be hard to read if it is too small, and too large may blow your page/stylesheet out of proportion).
Highlight the embedd code and copy it.



















In your moodle click on Add a Resource and choose Compose a web page










Like what you have to do with most Moodle tools, give your page a title and short descriptive title.








Click Toggle HTML button and paste in the embedd code









Scroll down and click Save and Return to Course


Click on the web page you have just created






And view your presentation!
Posted by Ali Hall at 6:13 PM 3 comments
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Saturday, 6 June 2009

My newly discovered resources (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Posted by Ali Hall at 5:46 PM 0 comments
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