E-learning

E-learning, teaching and  learning with the support of electronic media, is an approach to teaching which has a rich and surprisingly long history, going more than 50 years back in time.

Recently the development of communication technologies enabled a boom of e-learning, bringing its principles virtually to any class.

1. What principles?

• the use of multimedia (image, sound, video)
• interactivity (T-S, S-S, S-AI)
• autonomy
• variability

Six principles of effective e-learning

2. E-learning includes many tems and abbreviations. Can you explain what they mean?

• synchronous e-learning
• CALL
• VLE
• e-learning 2.0
• educational technology

PC-based thinking and decision making:
Vývojový diagram
Choosing your musical instrument


3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning?
Write your opinions into the comment to this blog entry.


4. MOODLE
https://moodle.pf.ujep.cz/
Moodle sandbox

Scenario in Twine

Tips for more adventures:

http://adventurecow.com/
http://textadventures.co.uk/


Tips for working with Twine:

Really simple
Wiki on twine
Gamasutra blog
Useful FAQ on styling Twine

Tests and questionnaires online

Do you really trust everything you find online?

Supposedly the anwer will be NO - as the question itself is suggestive.

Not only obviously naive people make easy prey for intentionally misleading sites. In may cases, the internet-based information  may be even dangerous, if you apply it without common sense and without a wider knowledge of the problem - e.g. information about health problems connected to hardselling sites.

Nevertheless, we can also find theories and questionnaires are more or less trustworthy, at least for the purpose of orientation. The analysis of personal learning styles is one of them.


Felder - Learning Styles and Strategies Inventory
theory: http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSpage.html

Online questionnaire: http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

Everybody is active sometimes and reflective sometimes. Your preference for one category or the other may be strong, moderate, or mild. A balance of the two is desirable. If you always act before reflecting you can jump into things prematurely and get into trouble, while if you spend too much time reflecting you may never get anything done.

If you overemphasize intuition, you may miss important details or make careless mistakes in calculations or hands-on work; if you overemphasize sensing, you may rely too much on memorization and familiar methods and not concentrate enough on understanding and innovative thinking.

In most college classes very little visual information is presented: students mainly listen to lectures and read material written on chalkboards and in textbooks and handouts. Unfortunately, most people are visual learners, which means that most students do not get nearly as much as they would if more visual presentation were used in class.

Sequential learners may not fully understand the material but they can nevertheless do something with it (like solve the homework problems or pass the test) since the pieces they have absorbed are logically connected. Strongly global learners who lack good sequential thinking abilities, on the other hand, may have serious difficulties until they have the big picture.






What do the result tell about you?How do you feel about it? Isert your ideas into the comments to this blog entry.

Containing in Inspire

USING CONTAINERS
1. Text to be moved:
Identification: Name = Panda
Contain: Return if not contained = True


2. Image or a space where to put the text/answer:
Can Contain = Specific object
Contain Object = (Select Object) Panda
Contain Rule = Completely contained

Česká verze:

1. Text (objekt), s nímž se bude pohybovat:
Identifikace: Název = Panda
Kontejner: Vrátit, pokud není obsaženo = Pravda


2. Objekt (obrázek), kam se text/odpověď přesouvá:
Může obsahovat = Konkrétní objekt
Obsažený objekt = (Vybrat objekt) Panda
Pravidlo pro obsah = Úplně obsaženo


Magic revealer window (Activ)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNYwDJ0ghkc
http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en/Download.aspx?ContentId=76847

1.    Insert two images
2.    Put one of them to the Top layer
3.    Create a rectangle. Settings:
a.    Margin (ohraničení) – cca 20
b.    Výplň – Nic
4.    Activate the magic ink. Fill in the rectangle.
5.    Set the order of the resulting two objects (rectangle will be above the magic ink to make the margins smooth)
6.    Group them together.


More tricks for Inspire - video-instructions
Sharing site for Smart

Interactive board materials online

PC Skills 2

HOMEWORK:

1. CHOOSE a topic for your scenario. Start wrtitng a mindmap.

2. CHOOSE and REGISTER the topic for your interactive board materials (ITBM), and list the keywords you want to teach. Into the comments to this blog entry, please include:

1. topic
2. target group - age, grade
3. the textbook you are using
4. the list of 10-12 keywords.

3. INSTALL the software, and EXPLORE the qualitites and opportuninties of IWB material.

4. REGISTER your WebQuest topic  - enter the topic + your names into the comments to this blog entry.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit requirements

1. E-learning material: a scenario; deadline November 30
2. Material for interactive board – deadline December 13
3. WebQuest to be created individually or in groups of  max. 3 people – deadline December 1

Finalised projects shall be submitted before given deadlines; please publish your project in your personal web site and send me an email (jana.pavlikova@ujep.cz) with the URL.

EXAM – KAJ/6120
written, 120min in a computer lab (CS226); the task will be to publish several interlinked HotPot exercises and IWB material on a given  topic, and with the requested details.



Scenario

See this link for basic info about scenarios, and Cathy Moore's blog to find out about the practical use of scenarios.

Examples of scenarios:
http://sunil-rao.com/wp-content/uploads/Inner-Vision.swf
http://www.worldwarfighter.com/hajikamal/activity/


TWINE engine to download: http://www.gimcrackd.com/etc/src/
HELP for TWINE 

More at
http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2011/07/sample-branching-scenario-cool-tool/
http://blog.cathy-moore.com/2010/05/elearning-example-branching-scenario/

While writing the scenario, define the following:

1. Target group - age, proficiency
2. Task - what the class should do, identifying the final outcome and product
3. Aims and objectives: what the class will learn in these fields:

• factual knowledge
• language (vocabulary, reading skills...)
• communicative skills
• social skills

Make a list of keywords to help the class read and understand.


Computers skills and specifics:

• create a correct, logical text
• write the whole scenario into a single text file first
• add illustrations and graphics to support reading with undestanding 

For bainstorming, you may want to use this software: http://www.mindmeister.com/

Interactive Board Project  

Choose a textbook and a topic as a basis (primary or lower secondary levels – basic school)
1. the aim: teaching vocabulary; choose 10-12 vocabulary items
2. choose and design various activities
3. inspiration: www.veskole.cz

At first, you should choose the topic for your interactive board materials (ITBM), and list the keywords you want to teach. Into the comments to this blog entry, please include:

1. topic
2. target group - age, grade
3. the textbook you are using
4. the list of 10-12 keywords.

 The finalised ITB Projectwill be published online in one of the available formats (Activ or Smart)

The project must include:
• Introductory page – Topic, Target group, Objectives, Author’s name, date
• All references
• Active URLs
• Listening task + tapescript
• Lots of interactivity
• Inner links among pages whenever necessary
• Feedback and keys to ALL tasks
• Teacher’s Book  - instructions

 Most frequent mistakes:
• Vague tasks, not defined objectives
• Too many visual effects without purpose
• Missing keys and feedback, or missing multiple correct answers
• The pages are too long – cannot be seen in one screen
• strange combinations of colours
• misspelled words, slips, grammatical mistakes



WebQuest
For the final design and publishing, you may:
EITHER use questgarden or zunal:

• read the registration and free use conditions first. 
• download and install phpwebquest generator.

OR download a template and use it

• http://www.educationaltechnology.ca/resources/webquest/templates.php
• http://webquest.sdsu.edu/LessonTemplate.html

The final product shall be uploaded to your personal web; if it is published elsewhere, you will include active link.

WebQuest characteristic:

• information search
• information processing (THINKING, evaluating, comparing, choosing, combining, analysis, synthesis…)
• creativity
• autonomy
• fun

What is necessary:

• clear instructions
• clear description of the final product
• adequate choice of internet sources, with comments

WebQuest from the T’s point of view:

• choosing topic and task
• TIME – web search, detailing the process, clear and logical instructions
• focus on information processing – prevent plagiarism
• focus on authentic English resources

WebQuest from the Ss point of view:

• TASK
• instructions
• tips + web URLs
• final product
• autonomy + freedom of choice
• creativity

WEBQUEST EXAMPLES:

http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=178524
http://corgen.webzdarma.cz/WebQuest/index.html

Social network, information reliability and internet discussion

Social networks are becoming a great advatntage, and also a great risk. Are we able to recognise and eliminate the risks? Or do we follow the pattern and believe everything we read, without a hint of criticism?

Why people love to (consciously) share hoaxes?
What can we learn about our society and ourselves form the discussions below various articles?


1. Read the following articles. Can you identify the mistakes that almost caused stock disaster?
White House explosion? 
Reuters

2. Read the following article and consider.
A    Which pieces of information are confirmed, reliable facts? Which are hearsay and which are just guesses?   Make three columns on a piece of paper and put down notes.
B     Read the discussion below the article. Write your own reaction and insert it into the comment TO THIS BLOG (not to idnes.cz)!! Follow the rules of netiquette and above all, do not use flames. Do not behave like an internet troll!


In reference to your reactions, here is a link to a similar case. The full-story-covering articles are available below this one.



The pen is mightier than the sword. 
Never forget about it.

Project tips and checklist

Have you finished your credit project?

Look at the recently passed projects:
http://www.kvycpalkova.webzdarma.cz/potatoes.html
http://www.allthatmatters.wz.cz/Timetostudy.html

Tips:
1. Gallery and audio

• the object of the photo should cover most of the image (use crop if necessary)
• choose the best images you made - present yourself as a genial photograppher simply by dropping all less perfect images.
• prepare the text for audio in written form, to avoid mistakes and stress while recording

2. Avatar - do not forget about it! There should be someone welcoming the visitors in your page :)

3. HotPot - do not test geographical or historical knowledge. You can use e.g. texts with historical, geographical or other extralinguistitc content - in fact, you should do it - but in the exercises you will not ask for names and numbers, but wou will force your pupils to understand and produce the language, and above all, to think.

Examples (Multiple choice or open ended questions):

• inacceptable question: What is the maximum speed a cheetah can reach? (20-50-80-110km/h)
• acceptable question: What is the difference between a cheetah and a tiger? (Tigers live in India while cheetahs in Africa. Tiggers are bigger and stronger..... etc.)

More HP tips in the previous blog entries :)

... to be continued

Presenting and Referencing

1. Presenting
Can you present with Powerpoint?
An can you present WITHOUT it?
Sum up your opinion to Powerpoint into the comments to dhis blog.

Some links to improve your presentation skills:

http://gethelp.library.upenn.edu/workshops/biomed/ppt/dodont.html

http://www.trainsignal.com/blog/improve-your-powerpoint-presentation



Tired of Powerpoint? Try Prezi!
http://prezi.com/
Register and try to prepare a presentation on any (funny) topic. Publish the presentation at your website. 

2. References and bibliography - a hot tip
Do you know how to refer to the books you quote?


http://www.citace.com/
Register and explore!


3. How to make a gallery

1. prepare the photos in full resolution (save them separately as a backup!) and record the audiofiles.
Be careful about filnames and folders! Be systematic!
2. Create two sets of images: web version (1600 pt the longer side) and thumb (icon) version - cca 20-30Kb
3. Create a new html file, name it Gallery. Insert a table 3x4. Insert the icons into the cells.
Link each icon to the web versin of the same image.
Add audio to each image (e.g. "Click here to hear the comment" - link to the audio file.)


 

Excel and Avatars

1. Basic statistical analysis is something every university student and every shool teacher should master. Let's work with a typical situation first, to organise our data, and then we will see what they tell us.

Download the file Excel_start.doc from http://prekladani.capsa.cz/.
The tasks are described in the file.

2. How to create your own avatar
click the play button below!




To create your own avatar, register at
http://www.voki.com/
make your avatar and place it into your website! :)
Explore the avatar's ability to talk in various accents and languages.


3.  Internet safety??
http://www.novinky.cz/internet-a-pc/bezpecnost/296878-deti-ohrozuje-na-internetu-webcam-trolling.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-14897948
http://www.scambusters.org/webcamsafety.html


TASK: browse the net and find more detailed and reliable information concerning this fenomenon.
Enter the URL reference you found into the comment to this blog entry.

4. Extra task: What is "Second Life"? How is it used in education?

Big files + Editing sound

1. How to save big files online to be shared and downloaded?
For example:
Capsa.cz – private space, shared through password only
Dropbox.com – private space with the possibility to share files or folders through sharing the URL
Ulozto.cz – less private,  even when you lock the file
Uschovna.cz – NOT PERMANENT!


2. Editing sound - AUDACITY
Within the requested minimium, you should be able to
- open and save a file, export it into different formats
- use effects (fade in, fade out, changing speed, tempo, pitch)
- cut and paste
- combine more files into one


Homework:
download this file and do the task described in it.
You will need the ACTIVE INSPIRE program (a software for interactive board) for working with the file: you can download and install it, using the registration key from room 226. Or you can just copy and save the text, to work in any other software :) Good luck!

A HotPot Teaching Site

TASK:
Choose a topic and target level for your HotPot exercises.  Insert this information into the comment to this blog entry.
Tips:
Imagine a real child to be able to imagine the target group.
Specify the target group through age or school year.
Choose a topic suitable to the age and level of your target group.

WRONG:
Target group: 11-13 years
Topic: Animals

RIGHT:
Target group: 15 years, 9the grade
Topic: Endangered animals



You can create a whole  HotPot site, combining and connecting various task formats. This is the suggested order of exercises (Can you guess why?):

1. Matching
- 10 items (target vocabulary)
- if using pictures, set the same height for all of them  (e.g. 100 pixels)
- find out how to set the timer, shuffle questions, show a limited number of questions

2. Multiple choice
- 10 questions
- 4 distractors (no mistakes!)
- use sentences, not isolated words
- feedback - additional information, input

3. Gap fill
- 10 gaps
- context (e.g. a story)
- choose the gaps wisely  :)

Tips:
+ Create feedback which is interesting and informative; do not hesistate to include facts from our real life.
+ Do not skip determiners, e.g. articles:)
+ do not hesitate to include images, links, or audio!


HP exercises can be interonnected using the menu Configure - Buttons.
Suggested course of actions:

1. Create HP matching exercise Ex1. Connect it to the index.html. Make sure you have all the files, including images, in the same folder as the exercise. Save, export.
2. Create a HP multiple choice exercise Ex2.Connect it to the index.html. Carefully fill in the feedback! Save, export.
3. Create a HP gap fill exercise Ex3. Connect it to the index.html and Ex1.html. Save, export.
4. Connect Ex1 to Ex2, and Ex2 to Ex3. Save, export.
5. Open your index.html in NVU. Add links to all three HotPot exercises. Save.
6. Upload all files (index.html, Ex1.html, Ex2.html, Ex3.html, all images) to the web.



Do not forget:
+ No diacritics, no spaces in filenames.
+ Save everything you want to put online into a single folder. No subfolders.
+ Regularly save your changes.

 FAQ:

1. Do I have to use an authentic text in jcloze (gapfill) exercise?
YES.
Try to find an authentic text which will focus on the topic; some of the target vocabulary items should be included, but not necessarily all of them.
Such a text activates the passive vocabulary of the student, helps them understand the new words in context, and is much more informative than isolated sentences.

Tip: explore primary level sites for native speakers, e.g.
BBC for kids
British Council
Encyclopedia for kids


2. How do I make a good feedback in multiple choice?
Just follow these simple tips:
- DO NOT use capitals, exclamation marks, "NO!" "Unfortunately..." etc.
- be positive :) - do not start the feedback with "Sorry, no..."
- add extra information, eg.
Where do lions live? Chosen answer: "India"
Feedback: "Tigers live in India, but lions live in Africa."

3. How should I set the colour scheme?
- Remember that the text should be easy to read - the font and the background should be constrasting.
- The backgroud itself should not bee too bright, not to tire the eyes.
- study the Color Wheel site

4. What is the HotPot index?
It is a html file which includes links to all three hotpot exercises, and the basic info:
- the author
- the aim of the exercises, e.g. "Teaching the names of family members"
- the target group description, e.g. "Third grade, basic school, elementary level"

Editing images

The basic skills you should master:

1. Saving an image from the web
2. Compressing, saving in various formats (with different extensions)
3. Crop (ořez)
4. Changing brightness, sharpness, hue and other basic features
5. Making a part of the image transparent


Tasks:
1. Crop your image. Remember - the main part of the image should be taken by the main object (or idea, or situation)
2.  Use LEVELS to set the Lightning (Menu: Enhance - Adjust Lightning - Levels)
3. Adjust sharpness. play with blur :)

4. Use GIMP: Find two images and combine them into one, applying transparency (e.g. Donald Duck walking through Usti nad Labem :) )


TIPS
How to make things transparent in GIMP:
Layers – Transparency – Add alpha channel
Choose the background using the magic wand.
The simplest method is to use Edit → Clear

HOMEWORK:
Prepare 10 images which you will use in your vocabulary teaching HotPot project. Keep them in the original size + make the same set in web version (max size 40kb per image).


More information on image formats (in Czech) - HERE
How to make a good photography?

Roman Pihan - a whole web on photography, including tutorials, tips and galleries
Ondřej Neff - practiacal tips for all

Jednoduše na kompozici

GIMP online help (in English)

Creating a Webpage

TASK 1 - Your (first?) website
You can get some inspiration in the professional sites - any newspaper is a good choice, or BBC http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/, or many others. Keep the content in mind, and be creative :)

1. Draw the structure of your future web on a sheet of paper. Check the credit requirements  to get an idea what the compulsory parts are.

2. Open Notepad (Poznamkovy blok) and write the text you would like to publish in your site. Start with the content of the index page - the first page the user will see. Keep the Internet Safety Rules in mind – do not publish your personal data (the date of birth, phone number, credit card numbers …)

3. Open the WYSIWYG web editor New View (nvu.exe) and explore the possibilities of the software.
Above all, learn how to:
- modify colours
- insert images
- organise the page content using frames (tables)
- insert links into text and images
Of course there are more elegant ways of editing, but our main aim is to understand the principles of web creation. If you are safe in this field, feel free to apply your creativity and do more!

Learn more about web colours here - BARVY WEBU

4. Start new web at webzdarma.cz and upload your files (index.html, images...)

5. Publish the URL of your new web as a comment to this blog. :)


How to avoid troubles with image owners

How to write WEB? Easy and fast info

PC Skills for ELT

Computer Skills for Teachers

TASK 1  - How can we use ICT in English Language Teaching?
Enter your ideas into the comment to this blog. Write a few notes first, rephrase, think of more possibilities, then publish. You have approx. 15 minutes. Do NOT use MS Word, use Notepad (not-formatted text).

TASK 2 - Hotkeys
Go to http://pcskills.capsa.cz/
Download the file Hotkeys_Task.doc
Find out how to use the listed hotkeys :)

Which of them do you normally use?
Choose at least three more - those you consider most useful - and start using them regularly!

TASK 3 - Using Word
Download the file Word_Task.doc form capsa.
Find out whether you really know how to work with WORD!

Tasks 2 and 3 are your pesonal responsibility - they will not be "collected and checked". Ask in doubts, try yourself to learn something new, without the direct push from outside. Set your own goals; e.g. - "I will start using these new hotkeys, I will find out how to create automatic Content in word, because I need it for my BC thesis."

         
TASK 4 - Your (first?) website
Take a pen and a paper, and draw the layout of your website homepage. You can get some inspiration in the professional sites - any newspaper is a good choice, or BBC http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/, or many others. Keep the content in mind, and be creative :)

HOMEWORK for advanced users - Your Home installations:
Audacity (+lame for mp3 export)
Nvu (or any other web editor, not necessarily WYSIWYG)
Gimp (or any other image editor - Zoner, Photoshop Elements,IrfanView)
Hot Potatoes
Activ Inspire (reg.key is available at the board in 226)
Smart Notebook (reg. key available from the teacher)




CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

active participation, working on classroom tasks
80% attendance
Projects: (submission deadline May 10, 2013)
1. A personal website (includes: personal profile, photogallery of photos taken on your own, a page on your hobbies/interests including active links to references, HotPot index and exercises, links to all school projects and tasks)
2. Hot Potatoes project
3. Photogallery - choose an original and creative topic, take 12 images and present them; topic example: my town as I see it (not really tourist postcards, right?)
4. Your choice: either audiocomments to the images in the gallery, or a video of cca 5 minutes, English sound, with your subtitles and inserted instructions for the use in a lesson.