Wednesday 27 February 2008

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!

1 comment:

Gill said...

Sara, I am breathless at what you've achieved....quite agree that you must be working into the night to have made such huge tracks into becoming familiar with all that stuff (and all those wires!)

Did the sheet on using the docucam help identify where to plug it into the side of the laptop? I'll do a blog post later with some pictures which I hope will help.

So exciting. thank you!