podcasts, vodcasts, blogs and feeds: podcasts, vodcasts, blogs and feeds: making best use of the...
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Podcasts, Vodcasts, Blogs Podcasts, Vodcasts, Blogs and Feeds:and Feeds:
Making best use of the modern
technological menagerie Roger McDermott
School of ComputingThe Robert Gordon
UniversityAberdeen, UK
Gordon EcclestonSchool of ComputingThe Robert Gordon
UniversityAberdeen, UK
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Plan of WorkshopPlan of Workshop
14.10 – 14.15: Welcome and Introduction 14.15 – 14.35: Description of RGU Computing
Experience Blogs Podcasts/Vodcasts
14.35 – 14.55: Small Group Discussion 14.55 – 15.10: Plenary Discussion and
Conclusion
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Students were required to keep a personal blog detailing their learning journey throughout the year. Formed part of an e-portfolio of work which would
accompany the student throughout their course of study,
Formed the basis of further metacognitive activities in later years,
Tried to encourage a conversational approach to reflection on different types of narrative.
The project sought to develop framework for critical analysis and reflection
Activities also formed basis of the School’s PDP strategy aimed at enhancing employability.
Personal Reflective BlogPersonal Reflective Blog
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The Theory… Students can articulate a personal learning narrative that
is provisional but still locally coherent. Promote interaction with feedback and commentary from
colleagues and tutors. Integrate personal reflective activity with social character
of blogging Can be used to enhance both autonomous and
collaborative aspects of learning.
Why Use Reflective Learning Blogs?Why Use Reflective Learning Blogs?
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Choices to be made: Internal vs External Hosting Minimal vs Full-Blown implementation Staff-led vs Student-led Compulsory vs Voluntary Assessed vs Non-assessed Formal vs Informal Learning
ImplementationImplementation
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The Student Blogging EnvironmentThe Student Blogging Environment
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The Student Blogging EnvironmentThe Student Blogging Environment
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The Student Blogging EnvironmentThe Student Blogging Environment
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Blogs posts are often spontaneous and informal. This can work in opposition to the production of material which is useful for recording achievement.
At the same time, the imposition of too rigid a pedagogical structure can stifle those factors which promote the formation of social learning networks.
Some IssuesSome Issues
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John Gray Award 2007-08John Gray Award 2007-08 Video Podcasting
a means of engaging the students and providing remediation
The goal of this project was to enhance the Student Learning Experience through the use of video podcasts, via the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle)
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Target AudienceTarget Audience The project was directed at the Foundation Year students in the School of Computing
2 main types of video podcasts were envisaged Student led Staff production
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Student vodcastStudent vodcast
The intention was the students would: give weekly feedback on their learning experience
showcase their achievements. It was envisaged that this would help develop their team skills and give them a chance to reflect on their learning experience.
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Lecturer vodcastLecturer vodcast The aim of the lecturer production was to provide remediation and further enhancements of course material based on the issues raised by the students
It mainly consisted of showing how to use the features of the software (Netbeans, BlueJ and Visual Basic.Net)
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Vodcasting equipmentVodcasting equipment Hardware
Video camera Tripod
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Vodcasting equipment 2Vodcasting equipment 2 usb microphone Laptop
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Vodcasting equipment 3Vodcasting equipment 3 Ipod touch and archos 605 (mp4 players)
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Vodcasting equipment 4Vodcasting equipment 4 Software
Apple Mac iMovie 08 Apple iWork 08 (Keynote) Apple Garageband Final Cut Studio Express 3.5 (not really used)
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Why VodcastingWhy Vodcasting “the use of ICT outside the classroom by students
and the impact of these activities on their learning
the capacity of iPods, that synchronise audiovisuals with an integrated learning content management system, to enhance student engagement
using iPods and vodcasting within an integrated learning content management system to embed innovative teaching practice.”
Source: iPods and Vodcasting for Learning at Heathmont College by Cecilie Murray
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How to create a vodcastHow to create a vodcast Method 1
Use Garageband to insert pictures/powerpoints and add a voice over
then convert to the appropriate format Method 2
Take a video Edit it Then convert to the appropriate format
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Vodcast linksVodcast links University of Missouri
Paper on podcasting Health and Medicine New approach to teaching Chemistry
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Vodcast links 2Vodcast links 2 Apple and Netter’s Anatomy Flashcards National Institute of Health Vodcasts University of Ulster - conference topics Ipod to help students study Medical students to get ipods
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The next steps?The next steps? iTunes U Dedicated vodcast server (already being put in place for
the School of Computing) Cross-faculty projects Supplying all students with their own ipod/mp4 player
with preloaded videos/ebooks/audio
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Lessons learntLessons learnt Taking videos is much easier if you have a camera
person Editing videos takes some time and a lot of practice at
using the software Converting existing Powerpoints (using Keynote) and
adding sound in Garageband is a quick and easy way to create a “movie”
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Lessons learnt 2Lessons learnt 2 Students tend to use their mp3/4 players for their own
personal use Most of the students just viewed the “videos” on their pc There are different formats for the various mp3/4 players
(screen resolution, file format) New generation phones may become the new format
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FinallyFinally There are some other pieces of software that can make
the process a lot easier e.g. screen capture software and a script reader
A dedicated computer for video use would also be beneficial
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Questions for DiscussionQuestions for Discussion
Do you think the use of Social Software/Web2.0 technologies in a Higher Educational setting is worthwhile or is it a case of just jumping on another bandwagon?
Can you think of a teaching scenario in which one of these new technologies could be used? What would be the benefits (to whom) and what would be the
disadvantages? What changes to the curriculum, if any, would be required to
make the implementation successful? What other factors would need to be in place?
Have you any experiences/expertise in this area that you would like to share with colleagues?