Do you wonder how to...?

On one of my explorations of the internet today, I came across "Wonder How To" - it's a place to search for all those "how to" videos - if you hadn't guessed that already.

Have a look and see what you think. Why not leave your thoughts in a comment here?

The end of the flip chart?

I don't like flipcharts. Well, I suppose they are ok when they are there, ready for use, but because of the kind of teaching I do, in out of the way places not generally equipped for teaching, I often end up struggling with one in my car. Not only is mine heavy, the legs fall out unless they're screwed in really tightly and then I can't undo them. The paper flops about all over the place, unless I take it off and roll it, and then it doesn't lie flat on the easel when I get it out again.

In a discussion about the future of Home Economics Education today, thoughts and comments from the participants were logged on a flipchart by a colleague and I sat, thinking how we could have managed without it.

1. Almost everyone in that room had a mobile phone which would have a record facilty on it, most likely sound recording, but many would have video capability as well.
2. I had two cameras in my bag, both of which would record sound and video.
3. People could have written on post-it notes and we could have photographed the responses
4. Someone could have sat at the laptop which had been used for a powerpoint presentation earlier in the day and transcribed the comments as they were made

No doubt there were other options available to us as well. We just have to get our minds around new ways of working, many of which are easier and more efficient than what we're used to doing.

If it means I can leave my pesky flipchart at home, then it can't be bad, can it?

What have you done recently which would have been made simpler with a bit of kit? Please share your ideas!

Jenny's gorgeous hat on Movie Maker!

I had another go at making and adding to our Blog a video made through Movie Maker. I know the video's succesful on the laptop, I'll show it to Jenny after half term. In a moment I'll see if it's uploaded onto Blog!

Chips with Everything

Chips explores the benefits of e-learning for adults and provides information on upcoming events and articles on what's happening with e-learning in ACL across the country. Why not take a look and see if there is anything that might work in your sessions. And perhaps our blog may get a mention in a future edition. I particularly like the article (and photos) Getting Creative with Technology in the May Supplement introducing the North Tyneside Arts and Crafts website. You might like to visit the 'Own Zone' for resources - these are more arts than crafts and I managed to get distracted by watching "Drawing the Mona Lisa in MS Paint" - amazing!

Embracing New Technology

Blogger won't post a YouTube video today, so I'll post a link instead. See if this situation sounds a little familiar to you!

Thanks for sharing this one with us, Alastair. There is so much on YouTube, it's easy to miss some of the best bits.

(Alastair's the Senior ICT Development Officer for NIACE, btw)

Gorillas can abseil!

I know this won't be everyone's cup of tea but I wanted to show what terrific picture quality I got when doing a bit of ruffling on my sewing machine this afternoon. W55 Cybershot camera was set to "fine" video quality, a bit of a zoom in and tied the gorillapod to the handle of my machine - my gorilla was abseiling down the side of my machine! (Actually, during the filming of the ruffling, the camera was the other way up....I haven't yet discovered how to turn video films through 180 degrees)

I thought the vibration of the machine would make the picture juddery but it seems to have made little difference.

Anyway, when you next need a demonstration of a sewing machine ruffler foot, you know where to find one!

Playing Video

Do you sometimes play video but find it stops and starts as it buffers and plays at the same time. A simple tip recommended at the e-learning symposium is to press play and then pause. Leave for a few seconds or minute depending on the length of video. When you press play again you will have enough buffer for it to play continuously. Thought this might be useful particularly if you are sharing online clips with your learners.

Experimenting with PowerPoint

Following Lizzie's post about not being able to upload PowerPoint to the blog I thought I would experiment with Slideshare. If I have been successful you should be able to link to a PowerPoint I created about our blog. This was on show at the Adult Learners Celebration at the Guildhall at the weekend. Click here to view the Ad-Ed Blog PowerPoint. In summary, I uploaded my PowerPoint to Slideshare and then copied the "secret URL" into this blog. All I need to work out now is how to get it to open in a new window. I had a few problems with Slideshare and although it says you don't need an account I found I did have to create one. It's one possible solution allowing us to share our Powerpoints.

Flickr

Leaving comments on Flickr is a great way of practising language! I've found a couple of Spanish artists whose work I enjoy, I've added them as friends, when they post new photos they come to my email address and so I can see the work they're producing and can regularly practise my Spanish, even if it's only a few words! It'd be great for people learning English and enjoy looking at photos of just about anything really - there are so many groups, it'd be hard not to find one which interested you. There are several on Gloucestershire, that could be a start for someone new to the area. I won't go on! As you can tell I'm a fan of Flickr, find photos for my students, myself, my friends, yes I too spend rather a lot of time on the internet Gill!

Power Point

I asked my Experimental Embroidery learners a fortnight ago if they were planning to go to Stroudwater Textiles Fextival, they all said they were unable to go. I went last Sunday and took a lot of photos (over a hundred!). I made a Power Point Presentation, rather long, 26 slides! I had it running on the laptop during the session today. I have 13 learners in the group and they all spent some time in groups of two to four, watching it and chatting. Several said they'd love to go next year to the festival.

They were introduced to contemporary textile artists they hadn't heard of, including Ana King, one of my favourites.

Another good thing came out of it - several people who'd never used a laptop before learnt to use the mouse.

It felt very successful and so I'm planning to do the same again tomorrow with another class, my Community Textiles Group.

Learners demonstrating that they've learnt!

Here are two of the video clips I used when making a film using Movie Maker but couldn't upload to Blog for some reason. The learners were pleased to watch it on the camera, I'll show them the Movie Maker video on the laptop on Friday. I'm not sure if I like the sound of my own voice! But I think that video clips are a great way of showing that real learning is taking place.

The chap saying "well done" was a carer who comes to collect two of my learners, he was impressed with what they were achieving, I've sent a few video clips to their home, for them to show there, to use for fundraising and to give to parents.

Having made a video with Movie Maker though, I feel dissatisfied with these in comparison, adding text and putting clips together makes them so much better, but I'm definitely not a perfectionist, I'm learning a lot fast but can see how very much more there is to learn!

Technical help again please!

I've made a Power Point Presentation (PPT) and short film with text using Movie Maker. Feeling pleased with myself I was eager to post it to the Blog. They wouldn't let me! When I tried to upload the PPT I was told "There were errors during upload. Your image is corrupt or is in an unrecognised format". The PPT's in My Documents and the video's in Videos. When I tried to upload the video I was told to contact Help with the Blog ID and video ID that they gave me. I haven't contacted them, am going to leave it now and deal with it when I've had some advice! If it wasn't for this Blog I'd have given up a while ago!

Have a look here!

I hope Lizzie won't mind my posting her photo of Jenny's glorious hat here with a reminder to take a look at our Flickr group photo pool for some great pictures of what's going on in her class.

There's a link to the page at the top right hand corner here, in the sidebar.

Lizzie, please will you thank Jenny, Pauline, Robert, Rose and Beverly for sharing their work with us here. You have a very talented group there - and they are fortunate to have such an imaginative tutor!

Questions questions

Following Jane's report of her meeting in Leicester yesterday, I had a couple of emails with links to follow. I enjoyed browsing a new site or two, especially one about Web 2.0 which enables us to use all of these great networking sites like Flickr, YouTube and Blogger amongst others (see above) You might spot Ning (mentioned in Jane's previous post) in there too.

Then today I followed another link and in a rather spooky coincidence, found an article attributing the rise in interest and participation of young women in sewing and knitting to Web 2.0 amongst other things. Click here to read it for yourself. My own experience with online communities supports this and I'm working on several projects inspired by websites I've found in the blogs I read.

Would you agree that the development of our ability to use technology effectively is promoting traditional skills at the same time?

What do you think might happen if you set up a group exclusively for your learners? If your group shared ideas and experience with another group doing similar activities - in much the same way as we are doing here? Don't you think there is potential for much excitement in all of this - or am I just a sad person who spends far too much time sitting at my computer?!

Don't answer that!

A couple more useful links

We've still not seen anything from Rob, so I imagine he's not quite happy with the editing yet? (Sorry Rob...go on, I dare you - post it as it is - DONE is better than PERFECT, really!!)

Anyway, if, like me, you're fiddling with bits of video and trying to get the sound right on it, you might find the online Windows Movie Maker page useful. I've added that to the links at the bottom of the sidebar here so it's always there for us.

Whilst I was messing about with the sidebar tools, I also added a link to the general Microsoft Office website because I always forget to look there first when something isn't quite going according to plan. Silly really, for there is a huge bank of online resources there to use - some great copyright-free photos and bits of music and stuff to liven up the things we create. Some good Powerpoint tips and tricks, ideas and templates to use with your learners - it's a site that's worth a visit now and then.

If there are other websites which you find useful or which you use regularly and would like a link added, please let me know and they'll appear.

(Pictures are from the Bullring, Birmingham)

Live from Leicester

Today I am at an e-learning symposium in Leicester with my Ad-Ed laptop and using the wireless network provided can report to you live. The focus of the day is Harnessing Web 2.0 (I'm sure Gill would love it here!). At the morning workshop we looked at Social Networking and Bookmarking. Of course this blog is our own social network but have just looked at a learning network you might like to explore - Ning - see www.ning.com.

The afternoon session covered the use of video. It was good to be reminded that video should be "fit for purpose" and that it isn't necessary to a professionally produced video. We are on the right track with our simple videos.

The second keynote session is in an area we haven't explored - yet! Games Technology and learning.

Update on Body Parts Quiz?

Am wondering what your learners thought of your Body Parts Quiz. They must be quite excited about coming to sessions now as they don't know exactly what to expect?

Use of docucam and projector

Today I used the docucam to show my learners a new stitch, cretan stitch. I'm used to everyone having to gather round to see the demonstration, which is necessary even when using thick thread and a large needle. With 11 learners that's far from ideal. It was the first time for all the learners that they'd been shown a technique using this sort of kit, for most it took a short while to get used to watching the projection rather than straining to watch me. It worked, it was the first time I'd used the kit this way and I can see how I can improve, getting the focus right for example before I begin! I shall also position myself differently in the classroom, sit with the learners rather than infront of them - to project my voice well I was turning to face them then turning to check the projection throughout the demonstration which wasn't ideal. I know it was succesful though because they've asked me to use the kit again the same way when I teach them a new stitch next week.

I did have fabulous cretan stitch wall paper (Gill's great description!) throughout the rest of the session, projecting my sample onto the white sheet on the wall, it was effective, the photo of it is not good enough to post though! I'm now going to add a couple of photos of my learners work to Flickr.

Has anyone else used the laptop to record a demonstration? If you have and it's straight forward, I'd so appreciate some guidelines!

Shortening Audio

This slide shows how to shorten audio in Music Maker. It's the same technique as resizing a picture in Word. Hope this helps

Body Parts Quiz

I honestly do not intend to show off.And I don't want to clutter the blog with my posts, either. It's just the Power Point and Movie Maker in connection with my wonderful projector, that make me so prolific:)
Here's a quiz I've just prepared for Tuesday session. I took some pictures of my daughter and pasted them in each answer. She also came up with some questions for the quiz:) We had loads of fun doing this presentation! However, I'm going to play the video WITHOUT music on the lesson. I just added the song I like to make it more pleasant for you to watch;)
Oh, and I have one question: do you have any better ideas for the last sentence? I don't really like it, so it would be great if someone could think of something more appropriate. Thank you in advance.

Rob's big ideas

At last. I've finally managed to log in to the AdEd interest blogtastic site. It's been a bit of a cyber trek which has involved a bit of table head banging and a lot of choice language ( a bit like an SMT meeting for one, I imagine).

I have been 'persuaded' to write this by the lovely JCD (it's o.k., the bruises are fading as I speak). Being a literacy tutor you can imagine how daunting it is to write something like this - lots of other tutors and edukashunalists poring over it for any errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc.

I have a few ideas spinning round in my fragmented little brain regarding the use of multimedia in FLLN. As you may see soon (or maybe later!) I would like to introduce the use of videos and presentations into family literacy and numeracy courses. Literacy courses could incorporate the use of digital film (stills and video) to create stories or documentaries that address literacy needs in a practical, interesting and fun way; for example, writing a story involves planning, drafting, proofreading, sequencing and writing. Lots of co-operation is needed in this process, including discussion, sharing ideas, thinking skills, utilising different learning styles and producing a positive end product. This could be used in partnership with other recognised projects (BBC RAW for example, it would be right up their street!)

Numeracy skills could also be addressed - timing, distances, chaptering, budgeting - all parts of film making! Better still, set the students the task of finding different real life situations where maths/numeracy are part of everyday life and recording them on film - most learners are unaware of how often they rely on their numeracy skills to get by.

I intend to post a video of one of our FLLN projects very soon. This involves using puppets and puppet theatres used by our parents and children to tell traditional fairy tales. The results were amazing and we had very few tantrums, shouting fits and tears - the children were well behaved, too.

However, Jane CD expects me to post the roughest of rough cuts that we made during her informative session, but anyone who knows me well will tell you that won't happen! I'm in the process of creating a 'less rough' version, but inbetween teaching/ co-ordinating/planning. But it will happen, I promise! Actually, I have to promise, otherwise Jane will be back and she's really good at pinching...

Inspired by Aleksandra!

Inspired by Aleksandra's video clip posted here yesterday (which was the buzz of conversation!) we made a video recording during today's training. I used the little Cybershot 55 camera and played around with Windows Movie Maker once I got home. It took me about 35 minutes to make this short film, which is made of an opening title, the video clip, a still image and a closing clip. I imported a music file from Windows to accompany it but couldn't work out how to get rid of the recorded sound. When I listened to it though, I liked it with both sound and music.

I found Movie Maker far easier than the video editing software we were playing with the other day. Not only that, but it did everything I wanted it to do - clipping and editing included. Believe me, I didn't even know I had got the Movie Maker program on my computer until today!

Good stuff!

Watch out everybody...the video makers are coming.

Training Today

After a meeting of the Curriculum Team this morning, the Observation team got together for lunch and some training. One exercise was to sort out the words which might appear on reports graded 1-outstanding to 4-inadequate.

See if you can work out which list was which (If you can read them, that is!)

...and a short video...

I tried out the Movie Maker, and here is the result.

Gap- filling exercise

Hi everyone

I've decided to show you-at last- how the projector changed my professional life:)

I used to do gap- filling exercises with the learners, but they were ordinary worksheets. Because my students do nightshifts and come to the sessions half asleep, I tried something else, just to wake them up. I prepared gapped sentences (the topic was 'My day'), and printed out the words to be put in the gaps. Then, I displayed the exercise on the wall, using the projector, of course. The learners got a set of words each, and they stuck them on the wall with some Blue Tack. It worked really well, we all had fun and it helped the visual learners remember the sentence structure better.

Training with the Dream Team

Had a great training session today in the depths of the Forest of Dean. Here are the group learning about powerpoint, and Gill and I were playing with videos we had taken on our cameras, which included sound.
For Gill it was a presentation movie on sketchbooks/journals/notebooks and for me it was a video of using the embellisher machine. We both used the gorrilla pod to support the camera, however I think Gill had chosen the easier option to video. She could place the camera and the sketchbooks on a stable surface. I had chosen to video the embellisher machine working, and the only place I could put the gorilla pod and camera was tucked into the neckline of my T shirt! I am pleased with the results though.

Gill and I had both taken the videos before the training session ( read yesterday!) and were hoping to edit them with the software on the laptops. We quickly discovered though, that the software we had, would not do exactly what we wanted it to do. Quite frustrating. Movie maker has no editing facilities we could use. Ulead video was really quite difficult, not in the least intuitive. We could not split the video and work on sections ...... but we are hoping that investing in Pinnacle studio will solve the problem. Either that or we will have to video in small chunks... bit of a nuisance. So we hope to be able to share our edited videos with you at a later date.
We also discussed how we could share powerpoint presentations ... there must be a way....so watch this space. Hopefully one of the other trainees will share with you when they have a few moments free to blog.
Posted by Maggie
Nearly forgot to add.. Gill supplied some brilliant food..... really need to share the receipes Gill.....please?

Gorilla Pod

The gorilla pod has been very useful for me too this morning in preparing for training in Power Point. It enables us as the photographer to find the frame we wish for our video clips and photo shots, without having to ask for help from a friend.

Movie making

In preparation for our workshop later, I'm busy movie making! I am, however, having difficulty getting the focus right on the video function of the Cybershot, but haven't given up yet! as you can see, the gorillapod is proving useful and has been worth its weight in gold.

After shooting three or four video clips, I decided to get the manual out...

I've now changed the setting, by means of the button shown and BINGO! The video I'm recording is now crystal clear and the sound quality excellent. Of course, the file size is huge, but I'll copy it to a memory stick later and delete the "mistakes".

Why didn't I read the manual earlier?

PowerPoint and Movie Maker Training

Looking forward to the training at GL14 later - not least seeing all the images you have chosen to bring. I have produced a brief How To Guide on using both PowerPoint and Movie Maker to produce learning objects. These are available to all so if you're not involved in the training but would like a copy let me know and I will email them to you.

Lizzy - meant to add thanks for helping me with getting around flickr. Such a simple question - can't believe I couldn't work it out myself. Getting there slowly! sara

fantastic pics Lizzy

just taken a break and have been enjoying your latest flickr photos. They are fantastic! The group textile celebrating stitch techniques is gorgeous. Where are you going to exhibit it? Sara


Sara, I hope you don't mind my using my "Editor's Privilege" to add a reminder that a link to our Flickr group can be found at the top right hand side of this blog page. I quite agree that Lizzie's photographs are terrific and well worth having a look! Gill