QR Code

 

QR (Quick Response) codes are 2-dimensional bar codes that can contain text, URLs, phone numbers and other data. The QR code can be read by a camera phone as long as it has free QR Code Reader software.

These awkward looking images are being used with students in various ways.

Students can use it to subscribe to a RSS news feed; tutors can integrate QR codes in their PowerPoint presentations or printable materials, as it facilitates note taking; you can send as sms to a phone; transfer a phone number; append the codes to Moodle, it facilitates classroom evaluation and it is perfect for mobile learners.

How to create a QR Code

Go to http://qrcode.kaywa.com , type in text, a URL or a telephone number and generate the code. Copy and paste the image generated into your slide or document etc.

Check if your phone can use QR reader software on http://reader.kaywa.com/getit , download direct to your phone or to your computer and transfer.

Use your camera and software on your phone to capture the code’s message.

Another excellent QR code creator is Snappr.net . You just have to create a free account and you can create QR codes linked to music files, images, URLs, VR Cards and Voting. Snappr allows you to download the QR code reader on your mobile phone (few mobile phones cannot read QR codes).

In case you do not want to download the application to your phone or if your phone does not accept a QR code reader you can use the MMS option. It’s simple! – Take a picture of the code on your mobile phone and send it to Snappr@Sannpr.net . Within a few moments you will receive a link that leads to the collected information on Snappr, all optimized for your device.

Visit http://molenetprojects.org.uk/moletech for more ideas using QR codes in teaching and learning.

Mobile Learning

Imagine teaching where your learners can access the internet, record videos and photos, create PowerPoint presentations on the go, access a digital library, read e-books, answer interactive quizzes, or produce dynamic mind maps of their project-based work in the palms of their hands anytime and anywhere.

This is the world of Mobile Learning. Using the latest handheld devices, seamless integration of technology is becoming a reality in educational establishments across the country.

With M Learning you can effectively support personalised learning styles; create learning activities with easy-to-use tools; engage your learners anytime, anywhere; choose from a varied of tried and tested learning materials for mobile devices, including topics like ESOL, numeracy, literacy, driving theory, health and safety, business, and much more; enrich your students’ experiences through online collaboration; create podcasts; interact and share ideas, resources or information such as audio, images and videos.

Mobile learning has proven to improve retention, achievement and progression in many projects that took place in different colleges in the country. It also increases flexibility of provision, extends the virtual learning environment, helps those who find it difficult to attend classes and have little or no access to IT equipment, provides learners with technology to strengthen the relationship between learning in the field and learning in the classroom, and also facilitates data recording and evidence collection.

Visit http://www.molenet.org.uk/ to read more about Mobile Learning.

Let me know if you are interested in knowing how to use M learning with your students. You can tie in your commitment to 30 hours CPD and log on the ”research project” on ifl. You can come up with your own idea for a project (could be for example finding out the effect of M Learning has on students’ motivation), undertake training as part of the project, deliver and report back logging the whole as part of your CPD activity. If you liked the idea I am more than happy to help you with ideas, planning the project, providing training and overseeing the project.

Xtranormal – Text-to-movie

Click here to watch the animation

 

Xtranormal is a fantastic web 2.0 tool where you can make 3D movies for free.

Everyone watches and enjoys movies and everyone can make movies. Movie-making, short and long, online and on-screen, private and public, will be the most important communications process of the 21st century.

Xtranormal presents us a revolutionary approach to movie-making. You type something; they turn it into a movie. On the web and on the desktop.

 

You just have to pick a scene, the characters, type a script, add actions and sounds, publish and share.

Your learners can also make their own movies and share them with the rest of the class.

 

Quandary

Quandary is an application for creating Web-based Action Mazes. You can create an action Maze using Quandary and upload it to your Moodle.

An Action Maze is a sort of interactive case-study where the student is presented with a situation, and a number of choices as to a course of action to deal with it. After choosing one of the options, the students are presented with another situation with another set of options. Working through these branches is like negotiating a maze, so that’s why it is named “Action Maze”.

These Mazes can be used for several purposes, such as problem-solving, diagnosis, procedural training, surveys or questionnaires.

Surviving on a desert isle, dealing with a difficult landlady, and creating a needs assessment are just a few examples of Action Mazes.

Creating an Action Maze requires well-thought-out planning in advance. The benefit of the exercise is its ability to help students think through the results of a variety of choices they can make

Quandary is easy and free to download – Go to http://www.halfbakedsoftware.com/quandary.php. It is only available for Windows at the moment. So no Quandary for Mac users for now.

Check some good examples here.

Click here to see examples

If you have used Hot Potatoes before, you will find creating mazes quite straightforward.  If you are not sure how to start check their Quandary’s tutorials.

Click for Quandary's tutorials

Hope you will live up your Moodle with loads of Mazes. I am sure your learners will enjoy and appreciate.

AccessApps – Free Software

 

ACCESSAPPS is an inittiative developed by the Scottish JISC Regional Support Centres in cooperation wit JISC TechDis. It consists of more than 50 open source and freeware assistive technology applications that can be used from a USB memory stick on a computer.

All you have to do is to go to JISC website and download AccessApps to your USB stick. There are three download options: – The Works that includes all the programmes and guides which is a 2Gb download, – Go Lite a 64Mb download containing a selection of most popular apps, and – Pick n Mix  you can choose the applications you want.

Here is a list of  some of the guides and applications on AccessApps:

Guides – AccessApps Help, Accessibility Essentials, Aspire Learning.

Open Office

Planning & Organisation – Freemind -mind-mapping, Hott notes – sticky notes, Sunbird calendar

Reading and Writing Support – AMIS-Daisy reader, DSpeech – text to speech, PowerReader – dyslexia reading support, RapidSet – change font/background, TheSage – dictionary & Thesaurus, Typefaster – typing tutor, VuBar – read text one line at a time

Visual Support - QuickRes – change resoltuion, Sonar – cursor ring, Virtual Magnifying Glass

Accessible Browsers – Mozilla Firefox, WebbIE – text-based browser

Keyboard/Mouse Alternatives - Click-N-Type – virtual keyboard, Dasher, MouseTool – automated clicking

Multimedia Tools – Artweaver – art package, Audacity -record/edit audio, Audiobook Cutter – split mp3 files, GIMP – edit images, UnFREEz – create gif animations, VLC Media Player

Presentation Tools – Camstudio Portable, KompoZer – web editor, Scribus – desktop publishing

Utilities - 7-Ziop Portable – file archiver, ClamWin – anti-virus, Converber – converter, Sumatra – read PDFs, TopOCR – convert images to text

Games – Anagramarama – word puzzle, Jooleem, Othello – board game, Stranded – island adventure, Sudoku

Installable Software - Install Thunder screen reader

JISC website has all the instructions. Very easy to follow.

 

 

Video Jug – Life Explained, On Film

VideoJug

VideoJug is a comprehensible library of free instructional videos online.

The high definition videos are professionally produced and cover every imaginable topic – definitely an online video encyclopaedia of life.

The videos are divided in two different formats: The informative “How To” and the “Ask The Expert” that guides the viewer step by step through everything and anything in life.

The “How To” videos deliver easy-to-follow, bite-size tutorials on a variety of topics, such as recipes, beauty and hairstyle tips, jobs and careers, technology, DIY, sports and fitness and education videos including languages, punctuation, math and special needs.

Recipes videos example

Click to play

The “Ask The Expert” videos are professors, coaches, teachers or consultants providing answers to common questions and concerns.

For example the Yoga videos

Click to play

VideoJug is a source for credible answers and wisdom for every possible aspect of human life. VideoJug informs, helps and inspires. I think we could make good use of it in our classes and for personal reasons as well!