Wikipedia:Academic use

"Wikipedia is not considered a credible source."

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Academic_use] 

A fantastic opening statement. 

Should I add a poll here?

Do you Agree or Disagree with that statement?

a) Agree

b) Disagree

Information Obesity - sketches

So true, so many important points to reflect on.
So while developing skills in my use of social media am I adding relevant and rich information rather than just increasing dross.
Those who know me know I have lots to say, I just have an aversion to writing it down and publishing it publicly! I am wondering how useful the information in my Blog might be ;-)

Activity 4.3: Creating your own material

Have a look at one of the following tools (choose one you are not already familiar with) and consider its application in your context:

Xerte
Glomaker
Cmap (click the small document and tool icons)
Camtasia or Jing
Screencast-o-matic.

Please respond to at least one of the following questions:

• How easy was it to understand how this tool worked?
• How quickly and easily would you find it to use?
• How could you apply this tool in your own teaching?
• What does this tool offer that has advantages over your current practice?

I would have liked to explore Xerte or Glomaker, however like my colleagues reflecting in the ocTEL forums, I too am constrained by the securities and permissions regarding installing non institutionally supported technology on my work PC.

Screencast-o-matic certainly looks like a good tool, thank, Jim, Sue and others for your feedback as a users. I like the interface and found it intuitive and easy to use. I like the option of distribution via an existing YouTube account and the change to either share publicly or unlisted. If we didn't have an alternative then this is likely to be the freeby for me.

Fortunately we have a screen capture software (Echo360) in pilot so we will have an institutionally supported equivalent. Our capture recordings are uploaded into an authenticated environment so at the moment the default is private. Our intention is to have the option to create public viewable resources soon.

Activity 4.2: Evaluating a resource in your area

Evaluate a learning resource you would consider using in your teaching and learning practice


These are two of the resources I selected:
Lecture capture - an introduction - http://dspace.jorum.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/10949/16121
Lecture capture - the benefits - http://dspace.jorum.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/10949/16122

How do you decide when a resource is worth adopting? 
I run through the following questions as I use the resource. I try to engage as both the learner and the facilitator so I get a feel for the resources/asset/object.

1. Is the learning object appealing overall? 
2. Is the experience of using the learning object a pleasant one? 
3. Are the technical requirements easily understood and easily met?
4. Is it easy to find your way around the learning object?
5. Is the content complete and correct?
6. Are the activities appropriate to the content?
7. Is the scope of the learning object suitable: neither too limited, nor too general for your purposes?
8. Does it meet the educational goal you decided upon?
9. Are there any potential 'accessibility' issues?
10. Is the 'message, information' in the resource relevant and applicable to my location with minimal adjustment? 

(see: NMC (2004) GUIDELINES FOR AUTHORS OF LEARNING OBJECTS http://archive2.nmc.org/guidelines/NMC%20LO%20Guidelines.pdf page 20)

LORI is another useful Instrument http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Learning_Object_Review_Instrument#Definition

What are the advantages and limitations of this resource?

Advantage is that it is a short overview to Lecture Capture and concisely explains what it is and why academics might do this.  Clear succinct explanation and short duration makes it comfortable viewing, no need to scroll through to the relevant bits.

Limitations, the branding and logo of a legal group overseas may be a distraction for some as the legislation differs here in NZ, however the content remains accurate and relevant. There is no provision of closed captions so is less accessible that it could be.

How could you incorporate this resource into your teaching? 
This resource will be included in the collection of resources presented to staff for independent study regarding 'Lecture Capture', the existing resources are text based so these video resources provide a more visual and audible resource. 

How will this help your learners?

The resources give clear information and are an academics perspective so may be more easily received than the text alone.

Are there any limitations to the use of this resource for your learners?

None that I can think of at the moment, 

Please comment if you feel differently.

Thanks

Activity 4.1: Comparing resources

Take the perspective of a learner

• What elements of these do you think are appealing to different kinds of learners?
• What kinds of learners, if any, would they be inappropriate for and why?
• How do each of these resources differ from that of the resources we’re using in ocTEL?
• What ways can you see to improve the effectiveness or potential reach of these resources?

I chose to view and compare  iEthics V ElearningExamples.

The iEthics resource is really good for the activities presented. It provides the learner with a realistic scenario, clear information and can be self paced so the learner can view and review the materials. Visually very nice, clear audio.
Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic learners. Relevant to people in the health field.
It is produced for a specific purpose, audience and use it is a relevant technology for professional development.
Include an interactive element (asynchronous discussion tool) so the learner can reflect on each part of the content and opt to reflect with other learner's who are also engaging with the resources.
Links to the resources identified in each section so the learner can read up, e.g M.M.S.E. tool.


Elearning Example, I used Gauging Your Distraction

This is a fun game for a serious subject. It will appeal to those who enjoy keyboard games and want to be challenged to multi task on the screen. Reading and responding and also moving around the screen with keys and mouse simultaneously. Initial I ignored the text message and just focussed on the control keys, as soon as I looked at the text screen I crashed. I couldn't actually do both!

Again it is visually pleasing, worked well and was fun. This will suit a Visual/ Kinaesthetic learner but also one who reads the instructions before use.

We have been introduced to games for education in the course so we are engaging with them in ocTEL but the ocTEL course has made use of existing resources rather than seeking to create it's own stand alone resources. The iEthics resource would be quite costly to produce and may need the resources within it to be updated.The Distraction game is probably lower cost production and maintenance,

Both are specific for the intended audience, however the Distraction may also appeal as a concentration game as well as a powerful safety message.