ASUS EEE PC. Impressed, I bought one!

Having seen the ASUS EEE PC at the Ad-Ed Camel fayre, I was so impressed that I bought one!

I felt that some of you may like a little information on what it is and what it can do. Mine has the 80GB hard drive fitted.

I recently bought the EEE PC904 HD in white. What a fantastic device! I was looking for something to replace my old Psion organiser (mini pc style) which died a while back. I had software to sync this with windows and it was useful to carry around my dates, schedules, word and excel files. I looked at several PDAs but came around to the idea of a netbook style PC.

For compatibility with windows, I went for the ASUS EEE PC904 with 80G hard drive. It comes with Win XP home and MS Works preloaded. It has anti virrus pre-installed, a web cam and mic array with a mini web video creation package. Win XP was at SP3 level but I have updated the IE browser to V.7. plus other win updates have been rolling in. If you are not an MS fan, It also comes with Sun Microsystems Star Office (an open office package). The only thing lacking is a full version of PPoint (a viewer is supplied).

The free AV package is included with 40? days cover. I have altered mine to AVG Free.

The device has 3 USB ports, headphone and mic sockets, VGA, Ethernet and a security lock socket plus an SD card socket (and power inlet jack). It is well suited to portable use including use with a Digital projector via the VGA Port.

There are two reasonable quality speakers either side of the screen plus a stereo phased array microphone (bottom of screen) and built-in webcam (screen top). These can be used with the supplied applications to easily create av clips.

Construction is very good although don't be tempted to pick up the unit via the lid with the screen exposed. I have seen a number of reports of thumbs going through the LCD (ouch, sounds like a write-off). I have fitted a clear filter / screen protector to my unit, just to keep the LCD clean.

This is such a useful device, it gives you the power of a small PC in something just a bit bigger than an A5 notepad. Even though it is not a speedster, performance is very good. As a bonus, ASUS warranty is 2 years on this device (at the time of writing)

A memory stick is a useful addition as to is a mouse or trackball although the built-in touchpad is quite functional. If you don't already have one, a USB CD/DVD drive should also be on your shopping list. In fact, an external CD/DVD drive adds a new dimension in being able to demo Windows media player and similar applications. Ideal for demos on multi-media.

The other thing to bear in mind that, if like me, you teach at a facility where in house PC's are tightly controlled (as they should be), this provides you with an unteathered, fully functioning PC able to do things that may be restricted on a school network (for example). You can demo things like System tools, settings menus, winXP settings, registry, RIP function for CD to WMA / MP3 etc. Normally restricted in such an environment.

For around £250 for a PC with pre-installed Windows XP OS plus MS works and other packages, this is a fantastic bit of kit that is ready for work as soon as you get it out of the box! Well done ASUS and well done Ad-Ed for using this device!!!

Using sound clips with MS Word

Hi Ad-Ed Glos!

I was very pleased to participate in a hands on demo of interactive multimedia usage in Ad-Ed teaching and RARPA at Wyedean School last Wednesday.

I teach many multi-media based and related subjects (DTP, Photoshop, Web Design with Dreamweaver, photography etc). I had recently run a successful saturday workshop on using portable devices with your PC. This workshop allowed students to bring devices with them. These included:

• Cell phones
• MP3 palyers
• Memory sticks
• Cameras
• An MP2,3 and 4 player

I also demonstrated the olympus voice recorder. I particularly like this device as it can be used as a high quality stereo audio recorder, voice dictation machine and MP3/WMA player.

It is great for adding sound clips to web sites or PPP's. I also explained that it could be used to help writers in recording story lines, plots or even RARPA observations.

So do you just record your notes and listen to them???

No, you can actually include your audio clips as audible notes within MSWord. I haven't produced any screen shots as many of you are using versions from 2005, 2007 and 2008 but they all work the same way.

Having uploaded your audio clips to a file in My Documents (maybe creat a new one "My AVClips") proceed as follows from MS Word.

• On your open page, choose the insertion point (position the cursor) at which you want to insert your clip.
• Choose the Insert Menu.
• Choose Object.
• Select the Tab "Create from File.
• Then choose "Browse for file".
• Find your audio clip and Insert.

You also get the options Link to File: play the file if checked otherwise embed the contents. You can also display an icon (or just the clip title).

Try it, once you have become familiar with the method, you may find you are hooked! Especially good for story-boarding when planning a movie or mini video doco.

Those who have older MS systems can still achieve this but would need to use the OLE Object Linker and packager tool (but that's history)!

All the best: Bill-E

Hello

As instructed, I'm posting this....

Ideas for learning and assessment

At an eCPD training day yesterday we were introduced to some e-learning tools. Two of them we have already - the Flip Videos and Olympus Voice Recorders - both of which are proving popular with tutors and examples of their use can be found on the blog.

One of the new items was the Creative Zen portable media player. This is very similar to the iPod range of products but prices begin at around £70 for a reasonable screen size.

As well as being shown the equipment we were given a link showing a simple revision quiz for use on this equipment. Click here for a video showing how to create the quizzes which can also be used on mobile phones. The suggestion is that learners create resources for these media players as part of their learning activity - and they could also be added to our Moodle site (which will be available soon) to be shared with other tutors and learners.

There are a range of ready made video clips available on VideoJug - arranged in categories - for example this selection is for Yoga and Pilates. Videos can also be found on Mole TV - see here for the language videos.

If anyone thinks these tools could be used to enhance teaching and learning (and particularly for use as an assessment tool using the quizzes) please let me know and I will put forward a case for purchasing some. I did something similar with PDAs (personal digitial assistants) a few years ago and they went down really well with learners in a family learning cookery class - where they were used to assess their knowledge of health and safety in the kitchen and healthy eating guidelines. The advantage of these players is their cost in comparison to a PDA which has many other features we might not use.

AD -ED Equipment

The ACA Sewing Class has being going since October 2008 and has been thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Some of the Equipment provided by AD-ED has been used with very simple instructions making them easy to use for the Tutor.

Here are some of the pictures taken from the camera provided.

The Docucam has come in very handy along with the Projector to demonstrate what the Tutor is doing. Giving everybody a clear demonstration of what the class need to do without everybody crowding around which was greatly received.

See more pics!!!

Confirming acceptance

No message

Testing testing

I have absolutely no idea what will appear here, if anything at all. Bear with me and hope for something more exciting than a knitted scarf.

Update: really interested to see comments left on the Voicethread website appear here too. Why no have a go yourself here? If you don't feel like starting your own Voicethread, why not leave a comment on mine - see how easy it is.

I must say, it's great seeing and hearing comments like that, too. Wouldn't your learners like to receive feedback in that way?

Thank you Jane C-D for yet another nifty distraction!!

As easy as Eee PC!

Welcome to the latest AdEd toy that I have booked out !

The Eee PC is much smaller than a normal laptop = easy to use and light to travel with!

The battery is great - over 4 hours on a full charge!









So far I have used it with an adult-only class, when it was used by a mum working on own goals while the rest of the group worked on Level 1 and Level 2 activities, pre-school children who thought it was great to record 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! a group of Year 1 children who recorded a starter activity for each other, and a group of adults and reception children!


ALL LOVED IT!





You can use a built in camera to take individual photos or record video - adults hate it Kids love it!!!! You can also set the camera to record chat while they complete an on-screen task or activity and play-back to see how they got on!


EXCELLENT kit with LOTS of potential for ANY group - and very easy to use!

Talking e-learning

At a New Tutor training session last week I talked to tutors about the use of e-learning and how some of the tools we have could be used for initial assessment. One of the attendees told me I had a wonderful job - and she was right. Two tutors were very taken with the potential of voice recorders and took them away to use in their Family Learning and ESOL groups. I look forward to hearing how they get on.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is when people come back to tell me about their successes with the use of e-learning and yesterday I had a very excited Lesly Andrew who had just used an EEE PC with one of her learners. I won't say any more as Lesley has promised to post on this herself.

I look forward to introducing yet more tutors to the equipment as part of the CTLLS course on Saturday.

Please continue to post about your successes here - it's great to hear your stories.