Use of the laptop and projector

Today was the first session of an 8 week course in Experimental Embroidery that I'm teaching in Coleford, with 10 learners, all new to me. After introducing ourselves we watched a slide show which I'd made last night. It's made up of photos from The Knitting and Stitching Show, from the Internet, of my own work, of my City & Guilds colleagues' work and of my learners' work. It initiated a lot of questions and discussion and was the first time I'd begun a course this way. It's a great way of showing a wide range of contemporary art work.

At the end of the session I asked how useful the slide show had been. They all said that it was inspiring, some said it was not as inspiring as the samples that I'd brought in. They liked to be able to pick up and feel textile work. They all agreed it was great to be introduced to so many artists and to see completed pieces. For me it's a great way of showing some of the photos I have from a variety of sources, especially those from national shows.

The learners all signed the GCC "Model Release Agreement", available from AdEd, which is the consent form for photos etc to be used by GCC. No-one's face is really recognisable in the photo that I took of the learners watching the slide show, but I thought best to play safe!

Teaching in community centres, which most of us do a lot of, is far from ideal for watching slide shows, but learners tend to be very understanding and helpful. I'm really pleased to be able to use this equipment in a way which I believe can greatly enhance the service we deliver. And it's so true what Gill said in her latest Blog, confidence improves so much each time you use the kit.

The benefits of training

Just thought I'd add my two-penn'orth to the comment about training left in Lizzie's Docucam post. I quite agree that initial training is important to build confidence and inspire us to seize the opportunities that the technology offers. However, those of us who attended the day with all the "Ruckee" kit found it of limited use, simply because until we'd got our hands on the kit, tried it out and identified where we had problems, we didn't know what support we'd need. In fact, everything worked perfectly that day because it was an ideal setting - trouble is, not many of us work in situations like that!

Better still has been the real-world, hands-on experience, taken at my own speed and with the support of buddies who've been there done that, themselves. This has not been a fast process and I find that I am easily overwhelmed - I have to work at my own pace and take it one step at a time, even though I'm a dive in first, ask questions later kind of person! (Yes, classic Active Experimenter, Accommodating, slightly converging learning style, that's me!)

One aspect which has been really beneficial is having the kit to ourselves 24/7 - we get it out exactly as we left it - no-one has toggled the settings or misplaced the cables and we can play, learn and discover in our own time. What luxury!

The other benefit has been having this source of advice and shared experience. Yes, I think I could benefit from a little extra - specific and targeted - training now, but I am finding that my confidence increases with each use nevertheless as I gently push my own boundaries and explore the extra buttons and features one at a time.

What I need most of all, however is TIME. Time to explore, discover, read and get to grips with all of this in a relaxed and easy manner. and time is one thing that we AdEd tutors have in limited supply. Added to which, as I write in my blog profile, I want to do everything now, or at least in the next five minutes!

But I did get a manual out last night :-)

Self Timer on Sony camera

Sorry about the shaky hand - I think it's the lack of drink which is to blame, rather than excess!

Sony Cyber-shot

Has anyone got an instructions manual with their Sony Cyber-shot? I haven't, so I downloaded the software which was in the box, hoping that might help me. I'd like to know how to set the camera on to delayed timer; I'm taking some shots ready fot Movie Maker/Power Point training and would like to be able to take photos of myself practising a range of skills. I didn't find the software very useful at all. Has anyone tried and been able to set the camera to timer? It's so very useful being able to put these requests for help out there, thank you to all!

Labelling the leads

I've been relabelling all the leads we have in the kit - it's a great idea to have them on each lead, but the paper ones the kit came with have nearly all come off with wear and tear. I've replaced them with masking tape which seems more secure. So many leads! I'd be lost if they weren't labelled!

Here's lookin' at you! & Docucam info.

This is the shot from the other side of the camera at our meeting on Monday. Two can play this game Gill.
Lizzie,Pleased to hear you are giving the docucam a go. Hope these step by step instructions are a help. The order in which you follow these instructions are important.. ...so I have numbered them in the correct sequence.
1. Connect docucam to the digital projector ( you do not need the laptop unless you wish to record) with the black S.Video lead.
2. Attach power lead to docucam and switch on.
3. Switch digital projector on.. it will then automatically search for an "input".
4. If the digital projector does not find the "input" on its own... then press the "source" button on the digital projector.
Let me know how you get on.... Maggie

Help with the super docucam please!

I've been wanting to get familiar with the docucam for a while, had many thoughts about how I could use it and recently have heard so many people talk about how fabulous it is, scoring it 11/10, so I've just spent some time trying to set it up. I'm not doing very well! I've followed the laminated instructions very carefully. The problem seems to be that when I press the "INPUT" button on the projector the "S-Video" setting isn't showing. I've closed it all down, checked all the lead are right, reread the instructions, turned it on again and tried again but no joy. There may be a simple answer, any ideas?!

Were we dreaming?

Certainly not - we were coming up with all kinds of thoughts and ideas. Here's the Art and Craft Dream Team in action today -who knows, maybe you'll get the other side of the shot in due course.

Left to right - Sara, Lizzie and Maggie. In the foreground is Maggie's new gadget - a photocard reader which she might be persuaded to tell us about.

Manicure needed!

The Technological Popularity Poll- --- or find out why I need a manicure---desperately!

It's all Gill's fault, getting me thinking about which piece of hardware is the greatest asset to learning. You will know what I mean if you have read the previous post.

1.Yes I agree with 10/10 for the camera, and the great thing about this particular model we have, it can be plugged straight into the digital projector without the laptop. Great potential for the immediate viewing of activities (i.e. instantly) without the bother of downloading the photos onto the laptop first. I feel sure you can also think about opportunities in which you can use it. Would love to hear of some, so please add a comment.

2. The docucam is really fantastic, so for me 11/10, especially for demonstrating an art or craft activity to a large group of learners. They can all see the skill or activity so clearly, without having to crowd around the piece of equipment and jostling with each other for the best viewpoint.. I found it eerie to start with that the view on the screen through the digital projector was larger than real life. I was also horrified to find I had not foreseen the fact that I should really have had a manicure first. All my hangnails, overgrown cuticles were magnified on the screen! At the time I was demonstrating how to use an embellisher machine( pic above), and it was also quite difficult to bend the lens round to the angle required to show the needle action clearly.

3. I think the digital projector is also 11/10... It is so versatile when used in conjunction with the camera,docucam and laptop.

4. Mimeo... at the moment I also rate it 0/10.. but that is more a result of not using it properly (yet). I have used a fixed interactive whiteboard a great deal in teaching, but had instant access to the Internet through that too. At the moment I cannot get my thinking around how I can use the mimeo any more than the camera, docucam, digital projector. I also feel that perhaps I need more training. Mmmmm! Would love to hear from anyone who has used the Mimeo effectively.

Just thinking, my next project is to successfully create a movie with sound.... may take a little while! It not the technology... but me that takes the time to learn! From Maggie

We're here for you

A post from Aleksandra prompts me to invite our new friends, recently signed up for the AdEd interest blog, to introduce yourself and post a message. One of the joys of being here is to share ideas and experience and it's really easy to post a message and a photograph - if you're not sure, drop one of us an email and we'll help.

So, we now have artists and craftspeople, family learning specialists, at least two linguists and tutors who can advise on special needs issues, together with quite a few multi-talented administrators! Anyone else?

In particular we'd like to hear about how your students are reacting to your use of technology to enhance their learning. What's the most useful piece of kit? Or rather, which piece offers the greatest of reward for the least effort?

In my opinion, it's digital camera 10 points, docucam 9, Mimio nil. Anyone going to persuade me to love the Mim?

ESOL Tutor

Hi everyone
Just a quick e-mail to say hello and introduce myself.
My name is Alex and I seem to be the first ESOL teacher in here (correct me if I'm wrong). I've been teaching English as foreign language for 7 years: first in Poland, and for the last two years in the UK.
Two weeks ago I got a projector, laptop, camera and mp3 player from County Council- bless them!:) Since then, I've been using the projector and the laptop on every single session! I haven't had a chance to use anything else, yet. I don't know how I could have managed without the projector for so many years:) It's just splendid: it helps me with the vocabulary - try to explain what a 'forget-me-not' is to a group of beginners!I just showed a picture of the flower. I also had a Power Point presentation to explain and practise the Present Simple tense. I haven't tried to prepare my own PP presentation yet, but I use ready-mades from a great web site: www.talent.ac.uk

I'm really looking forward to share some nice ideas with you.

Equipment for AD Ed - Literacy thru ICT

As we are coming to the end of the course we will be using the mp3 player, camera and printer.

We intend to get the Students to tell part of there stories on the mp3 player, have pictures taken with the camera and then printed out for evidence.

Will comment on how this turned out.

The Gloucestershire African + Caribbean Association Ltd (ACA)

More photo stuff

Doing basic editing of photographs on the laptop is fine if the right software is loaded, but often the software isn't your favourite, or perhaps it isn't there at all?

There is now a version of Photoshop Express on the web and what's more, it's free.

Now, I have been using Picasa - also free - for quite some time and am more than happy with it. What's more, it will upload photographs directly to our online photostore SmugMug too. We also make use of Flickr to share some of our photographs and as a result on occasions we have difficulty keeping track of what we have where! So, I'm probably not going to be rushing to download the new Photoshop Express.

But it could be just what you or your students are looking for.

(Picture is one of my holiday photographs, taken in the souk in Muscat. I loved the embroidered caps)

Take better photos

Just come across a useful list of tips for photographing items for sale on Ebay or Etsy and thought that many of the points apply equally well to the kinds of things we record, such as student work etc.

Taking best advantage of natural daylight seems to be crucial for me - unless it's blowing a gale like it was this afternoon!

(don't believe that all horizons are horizontal...)

In my Docucam bag

We're having problems sorting out exactly what wires go with the docucam to enable it to be used to its full potential. I thought it would be helpful if I showed you what's in my bag - in addition to the docucam itself, of course!


Firstly, I have the power cable.


Then I have an S video cable - it's black and has a round connector at each end. I use that to connect the docucam with the projector.


Then I have a USB to USB cable, light grey in colour (I think this is the one Lizzie is missing, is that right?) I use that to connect docucam to laptop.

Finally, I have a serial cable - nothing at all to do with the docucam but most probably to connect laptop to projector. I include it to demonstrate how easily things get put back into the wrong bag and prove distracting!! Of course, this shouldn't be in this bag at all.....

Might I suggest that, when you have all cables home and dry, you get some sticky labels and label each cable for yourself, then you'll see exactly what's what. Sometimes, I've even resorted to putting a letter on each plug and a corresponding sticker on each socket to make sure I can connect everything confidently, because though I'm usually ok, there are times when it all gets too much!

Next Generation Learning

At our meeting yesterday we considered whether the learners currently experiencing the use of e-learning in the classroom with the Dream Teams would have expectations of using it in future classes, and if it was not used, whether they would ask why not.

The following is taken from the Next Generation Learning campaign headed by Becta to encourage parents, learners and employers to consider whether there learning provider is using techology to improve learning. Why not visit the site by clicking on the link below.

Want to enjoy learning more and get better results? You can make it happen when you get on board with the Next Generation Learning campaign.
That’s what it’s all about – making sure more schools, colleges and learning providers use technology to its full potential – so you have fun learning and get the qualifications and skills you need to succeed.

In future all our learners may expect to use technology, whatever they are doing.

An invitation

At our meeting today, Jane and Gill were sorting out some training for the Art and Craft Dream Team. We thought we'd record the discussion so you can see how the idea worked out. We just about got all the details sorted before the camera battery went, but will answer any questions in the comments, of course!

Sara, Lizzie, Maggie - hope you're able to join us at GL14 in Cinderford on the 6th May from 3.30pm till around 6pm. As you heard, we've negotiated some funding from the training budget for a bite to eat too, so you won't go hungry!

If other Dream Team members are interested in a similar workshop, do leave a comment here and we'll be in touch.

Docucam wins more fans

I'm home from holiday and have been teaching today - a workshop for beginners about staging exhibits and displays. One item in my lesson plan is always tricky to get over - drawing accurate plans and elevations. Though the students can understand the idea of each, when it comes to actually drawing a plan and an elevation, they find it difficult and tend to draw hybrids rather than the definitive view.

So, today I took along the docucam and all was so much easier. Site the lens directly above the small arrangement and voila, there was the plan projected, ready to trace onto the flip chart. then move to eye-level in front of the exhibit and there was the elevation. No problem!

The brief, by the way, was to arrange several items from their handbag in some standard symmetrical/assymmetrical arrangements and record them for rebuilding later in the session. All agreed that having the views from the docucam projected onto the wall of the village hall was very effective and enhanced their learning.

Cyber shot photos!

Been using the camera to take shots of last terms students work to test out focusing capabilities so that the learners can easily take successful pictures of their work from which to print some colourful pictures!
Have found that switching the macro on (the tulip symbol on the cursor disc) is good for detail shots...might be useful to you Kirstie if taking close up pictures of food made by learners!
Looking forward to letting the learners use the camera in class on the 29th April! (Star College - ACL Textiles)

Open Learn

Did you know that the Open University have made some of their materials freely available on line at Open Learn? There are a huge range of units in lots of topics. Was browsing tonight and see they have a Unit on Textiles in Ghana. See http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/

Technical help please!

Using software on the laptop I've put together a 7 minute video of short clips of my ALDD learners working. This short video plays well on the laptop screen. I tried to project it onto my living room wall in preparation for showing to the group at the beginning of next term. The projector was only showing the desktop and media player window, and not the video, which was showing on the laptop.
Using the Nero sofware on the laptop I then burnt the video as a video CD, however, the computer could not read the files when I tried to play it back.
Can anyone help me solve this? I would really like to use the many short video clips that I've made of my learners in action.
Thanks, Lizzie

stitched and felted blackberries and leaves

making a photographic resource

I am having a go at creating a resource on 'how to make berries and leaves'. I have taken some blackberry photos as my inspiration and used felt making, french knots, hand dying, machine stitching, wrapping and using disolvable fabric to create the berries and leaves. I intend to use power point (can't do this yet) to present the photos and instructions. Suggestions on other ways to do it would be great. I have already made a 'how to do' book using the photos and samples. Still more work to do and I will add some more photos, but I thought if I get some of the 'pics' on flickr it would inspire me to get on with the next stage and maybe get some suggestions on presentation.

Digital Camera

Have been having a 'play' with the digital camera which has been fun with three willing subjects and that has all been pretty straightforward but i have not yet really had a good look at the printer. This because i know that the ink/paper will be expensive to replace but as i want to try it out first i was wondering if anybody out there knows how many prints the cartridge does, and whether the ink will dry out if i open it to try it and then not use it for some time. Does anybody have any experience of this?