Epsom Printer

I used the Epsom printer this morning for the first time and it worked very well. I had 45 miutes to set the printer up before the session started. I rang my colleague Sara (rather early in the morning!) for advice as I knew she'd used the printer and had found it straight forward. We're buddies on the Observation and Support Team, I think it would be worth setting up a buddy system for tutors using elearning equipment. Thank you Sara!

I knew that 8 of my 11 ALDD learners weren't attending due to staff training so took the opportunity to suggest a walk, taking photos of things seen that represented Spring. (We're doing a joint piece on Spring). Learners took the photos, with support. When we returned we had 40 minutes, to warm up with a cuppa and print some of the photos. The printing session was very interactive - learners chose to print 6 small photos rather than 3 larger. (The printer offers the choice of one or two photos to A5 sized paper). They chose 6 of the 23 photos they'd taken and were very interested in the printing process.

The printer is very straightforward to use, instructions are very clear, I think it would be an ideal piece of equipment for tutors to start off with when they decide to learn to use elearning equipment.

Getting pictures onto a disk

Sara, I think I have the answer for you, here at home. It's called Smart Photostorage

This is a CD writer which doesn't need laptop or anything - simply slot a memory stick/camera card into the side, put a blank CDR into the front and bingo, it will write the files from one to the other. I think there's a USB connection too.

We used to take it on holiday, before we became totally hooked and got a tiny laptop. Every evening we'd transfer photographs from the day onto a CDR, no problem.

Now, how am I going to get this to you so you can play with it, I wonder?

Docucam speaking to PC

It seems as though it's proving a challenge to get the docucam and the PC connected to one another. Here are some photos to show the connections - though I realise my laptop isn't the same as yours!

Nevertheless, the pale grey cable which comes with the docucam should have a USB plug on each end, identified by this three pronged symbol. It should fit easily into the USB socket on the laptop, wherever it may be - perhaps on the other side of yours?

There's the same symbol on the docucam so you can see which socket it fits - though it's the only rectangular one there.

Now, I know you are clever people and you would have worked this out for yourselves already - which is why I wonder if you have the right cable?!?

next step

first apologies - last blog rather long - but needed to catch up - thought I would set out what I plan to do next and then reflect on it all.

Organize groups of photos on laptop: series of photos to:
- support teaching a skill - eg feltmaking
- record learning - community textile project at GL14 Community Project
- record of my own learning as a student
- introducing a quilting technique - kantha
- examples of other artists work to introduce a technique - mola work

- store photos on a memory stick directly from Epsom printer and work out cost of printing photos

- make a hard copy learning resource using Epsom printer and internet information etc.

- continue to encourage learners to use internet in class and elsewhere to research subjects and techniques being studied and get feedback from them on using internet.

- check out some copyright issues

- make video using docucam

- record learner comments on the camera and Mp3 player and compare

I needed to get a plan - so I am not overwhelmed. Am I on the right track?

getting to grips with all this

I have been rather silent re posting on the blog - but I have been 'head down' trying to get to grips with this flood of new technology. I am getting there - far too slowly for my liking - but to summarize progress so far: just managed to work out how to post a blog! - can show a DVD on big screen using projector and computer. I have put some photos on Flickr. I am checking out copyright, as I have a series of commercial textile DVD's felt making, Indian textiles etc. and it would be great to use short clips in class. Feel quite confident with camera, but havn't used it to record student comments yet - hope to try on Saturday. I have made several collections of photos to show as slide shows in class (starting points for inspiration, example of textile work and recording progress and achievements). I have been using the docucam for a while and found this easy to set up with just projector - but am stuck at the moment as far as connecting to computer as well. Grey USB lead plugs into docucam but I can't find port on computer for the small connection on the other end of the computer. I feel I need a USB lead with 2 (normal sized) USB connections. The Epsom photo printer is excellent and very user friendly. Am working out the cost of printing. The ink cartridge that cam with the kit only lasted for 15 pictures. I studied the Epson printer manual when I was away from the equipment and got really excited, because I read that you could store photos from the camera directly onto a disk. Unfortuneately the model we have doesn't have a disc. It does have a USB port so I plan to try to save directly onto a memory stick. (page 37 of manual) I hope so - because it is very easy to follow instructions on Epson printer and so students could come up and select pictures taken on the camera to build up a personal record of photos. Otherwise it is possible to connect an external device (disc) to save photos. If gathering a personal selection of photos to record progress and achievement can be made easy students can do this themselves. The more learners can take responsibility to do this themselves the better, as there is the big question as always, on time management. Saving photos this way can be quick and simple and done during a session. Learners would need their own memory stick however. A disc would be cheaper.
With the help of a big son I have got going with the MP3 player. All this is totally new to me - but I am so excited (partner could say obsessed!) about it all - just wish there were more hours in the day - having to use the night! I have lots of ideas and will share some of these on next blog. Just wanted to blog that I am on the case to use equipment. Children find it all quite amusing - when they came for a meal the table was covered with technology instead of the usual well laid meal table!

Laptop and projector

I successfully used the patop and projector in a session today - the group are doing a community textile piece with the theme of The River Severn and I showed a slide show of photos by the River. It was so much better than passing photos round and of course saves on ink and paper! A couple of learners are bringing photos in on CDs next week to show the group using the laptop and projector, which is great. I filmed the learners watching the slide show. I'll try to upload it onto Blog, if it's not here it's because I haven't managed! One issue with recording through the camera is that my voice comes acrosss as loud and others' voices are hardly audible, don't quite know what to do about that!

You Tube

Lizzie is having probs posting something here, so I'll tell you about the brilliant videos she's uploaded to our YouTube site. I hope the learners are able to watch themselves creating some great artwork.

So inspiring - thank you Lizzie.

Where we're from

Fi's post has prompted me to lead you to an interesting writing prompt at this blog I've had a go myself and posted my attempt on my own blog here and maybe you'd like to have a go yourself.

In the process of writing, I realise that I find it far easier to express myself by the use of colour, shape and texture than by words. But hey, it was painless and it's good to go outside the comfort zone now and again, isn't it?

Picture Study

That is, a picture I have in my study ...

I've added a photograph to my profile, it's of a favourite block-print picture that I bought in the Durham Bookshop in Sunderland when I was 21 and I've carried it around the country with me. I've 'been about a bit' as they say :-) and there was a time when I moved home 8 times in 8 years, which doesn't lend itself to retaining a lot of possessions - but the picture has been a constant, and I now have it in my study at home in the Forest.

I must write it a screenplay someday ...

Also popped in to mention the website 'literaturetraining' - it has a lot more to it than might appear from its title, a wider arts appeal, and I'm pasting the 'about us' details below in case anyone's interested ...

Now to finish the mp3 guide ...

Fi
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About Us
literaturetraining is the UK's only dedicated provider of free information and advice on professional development for the literature sector. Our aim is to help writers and literature professionals working across the UK at every stage of their career to invest in themselves and their professional development so that they can realise their full potential.
If you're a writer or involved in some way with creating or supporting new writing and literature and are looking for up-to-the-minute information on training and professional development opportunities or want advice on how to move forward professionally, literaturetraining can offer various forms of help. Find out more in Our services
literaturetraining is managed by a rotating committee made up of its partner organizations, whose expertise spans the literature sector, and led by the National Association of Writers in Education. NAWE’s registered details can be found at www.nawe.co.uk .You'll find further information on the literaturetraining partner organizations in Our Partners.
literaturetraining was established in 2001 to represent new writing and literature within CreativePeople, a national network of organizations supporting professional development in the arts and crafts. literaturetraining (formerly the New Writing & Literature Consortium) has a staff of two (Philippa Johnston, Director and Fiona Firth, Information Officer) and is funded by Arts Council England.

Photography Competition - deadline 14 March

The competition's open to 'student, amateur and professional photographers worldwide to submit their work for consideration for the Exhibition'.

The ex referred to is the Royal Photographic Society's 151st International Print Exhibition - over 120 prints will be selected and will be reproduced in a full colour catalouge; all entrants will receive a copy of the catalogue; the exhibition will tour fromJune 2008; exhibitors will have the opportunity to sell copies of their prints.

Entry fee is £15 but for that you can send up to 4 images - image size should be no larger than 16" x 20". Deadline for entries 14th March 2008.

1 Gold prize of £10,000; 2 silver of £2,000 each; 3 bronze of £1000. The allen & Overy (sponsors) Prize of £1000 awarded for the image which best reflects the theme of Justice around the world'.

I came across the competition when I was checking out what was exhibiting in the Gloucester museum (top floor temporary exhibition gallery - years, I've been going to Gloucester and the library, years! And walking straight past the museum door with its very Roman invitation, thinking 'I've done the Romans, did it at school'. Worra daft girl! Didn't realise there was such a great gallery space on the top floor.)

Anyways, there are entry forms etc for the competition at the gallery (up Brunswick Road, towards where the old Gloscat building used to be - well, still is, but when it was open).

And the present exhibition is the 150th (surprisingly enough), and in addition to a fabulous range of prints!! has a central display board with newspaper cuttings and photos from over the 150 year history of the exhibition - makes for some interesting reading.

I reviewed the exhibition for a new Forest Radio programme 'Arts Cafe' which I'm co-presenting ... but more of that in a later posting.

Entry to museum and the print exhibition is free by the way.
Open until 1 March, opening hours Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm.

Fi
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mp3 guide

Hi all,

just to mention that I'll be finished this by the middle of next week and will post it as soon as finished (started it, was waylaid by playing with the cyber shot camera :-))

Fi

Camera sound-recording

This sounds great!

But can it sound-record for an hour using your method, Gill, or is there another method that lasts longer and has better sound quality?

Fi

Sharing good practice

...or is it pinching someone else's good idea?

This morning I spent time chatting to Julie Smith, one of Alison's colleagues, who is doing some research into tutor training. She asked if she may record our interview and pulled a small digital camera from her bag.

Now, why haven't we thought of using our digital cameras as simple voice recorders? Brilliant idea - and with Julie's permission, I share it here!

Our interview lasted for an hour or so and the camera was unobtrusive. The file will record the date and time of our interview (as long as the camera date/time setting is correct of course!) and is easily saved to disk or hard drive.

It occurred to me that it would be very easy to record a learner's comments alongside a photograph of their work and I intend to give it a try shortly. Watch this space to see what happens....unless you get there first, in which case please share!

I can't find any details in the camera handbook about recording sound, but have experimented using the video mode with the display turned off. The sound quality isn't top-notch but it's good enough for evidence. Your suggestions and ideas would be appreciated.

Good, clear tutorial

I am always on the lookout for high quality online tutorials and save to my del.icio.us list (tagged AdEd and tutorial) when I come across one. This morning, I found this Rotary Cutting Tutorial which I think is an excellent example. Not only does it assume any prior knowledge or experience, neither does it patronise. It's authorative in tone and takes in all those little H & S points we all struggle to communicate effectively with our students.

Please share any similarly good online tutorials with us. Who knows, we might even have a go at putting something together for ourselves?

Better than chocolate

So many good, calorie-free things on the Flickr album already. There are lots of colourful images there, I feel very inspired to get on with some work myself. - thanks for sharing .

The pictures of the community art project are especially interesting - I'm looking forward to seeing how the blackberry leaves turn out.

If you haven't been to have a look at the AdEd Interest gallery already, I suggest you follow the link in the sidebar and brighten your day with some glorious colour!

E Guide Plus event

I went to an E Guides Plus event in Taunton on Thursday 7th Feb
The make up of the day was demos and play time. Here are some of the most interesting points for me.
These are free downloads
XElearning - a bit like Hot Potato
Snippy - a really useful little screen capture tool
www.turning technologies.com
- details of an updated voting system called Turning Point, which sits easily in Powerpoint and has free downloadable software (why wasn't this around 3 + years ago when we bought our CPS systems)

For VI users
www.screenreader.net - some brilliant free screen reading and magnifying software called Thunder and Lightening

More e-learning enthusiasts!

Just posting to let you know that the Dream Team will be joined shortly by at least 3 new groups - Family Literacy, Language and Numeracy (FLNN), Literacy, Language and Numeracy Direct Delivery (LNN) and Information Technology (IT). It's great to see all the links to useful resources already on the site and I am sure this will inspire the new teams.