Nigel Gibson – November 2010

Who are we?

• Quick intros

Objective

• To look at the tools being made available to us• To exchange some ideas about how they might be

used– We’ll try to make something!

• To point out some useful resources that you can check out later

Constraints

• I don’t know how specific modules might use them• I don’t know how they might be developed• If I list everything I don’t know we’ll be here forever......

Process

• I’ll show some slides explaining the background– (Death by PowerPoint – you know it makes sense!)

• Then we’ll play with some online stuff• We’ll create a resource for reference• Or, if the connection falls over, I’ll try to explain things

using the medium of interpretive dance

The online stuff

• Will be on my Google account as I don’t have access through TutorHome yet

• This is the graveyard shift – and it’s 90 minutes (I’ve had relationships which didn’t last as long!)

So.............

• I’ll try to keep things moving but if you do fall asleep please don’t snore

Context

• As part of the VLE development the OU has joined with Google to provide some applications

• Google will also be providing student email accounts

What will I get?

• Calendar• Talk (IM Chat)• Documents

– Word processor– Spreadsheets– Presentations– Drawings

• Siteshttp://learn.open.ac.uk/file.php/4450/!via/resourcepage/65902761/4450/moddata/resourcepage/2010-09-22-GoogleAppsToolset.pdf

When will I get it?

http://learn.open.ac.uk/file.php/4450/!via/resourcepage/64568819/4450/moddata/resourcepage/GAppsAdoption-simplified.pdf

Overarching principles

• Available wherever an internet connection can be made• Can be accessed on some mobile devices

Let’s look at the tools - Calendar

• Can be synchronised with other calendars (Outlook and others) and import/export CSV files

• Integrate with other online tools such as “Remember the milk” and weather forecast

Calendar

Let’s look at the tools - Talk

Let’s look at the tools - Documents

• Can be written online from scratch• Can be uploaded from local application• Can be downloaded in the appropriate formats• Share with individuals with read-only or full edit rights• Coming soon.... Can be automatically synchronised

with changes to local documents, i.e. Press “Save” in Word and the version on Google is updated too (Cloud Connect)

File formats

Document types

• Word processor• Spreadsheet• Presentation• Form• Drawing

Let’s look at the tools - Sites

• Create your own web sites very quickly• Useful for supporting specific events, i.e. Tutorials• Can be used as a way of aggregating resources

Summary

• Lots of new toys• Some might be of use• Any questions so far?