Hi,
Frankly, I have learnt a lot of emerging communications tools from the CNEL2008 course. From social book marking to audio visual recording for podcasting, screen casting, ustream, simple bloging to microblogging. Then we move on to social networking tool like facebook which like a more 'advanced' twitter and finally, we are looking into aggregation tools that we hope to link and coordinate our works under one roof.
Like what have George mentioned, how can a person manage so many accounts at one time...? (Scratching my head) sometime, i need to memory couple of password and user name. Thinking..Can the website notify me when there is a new input. Aaa haaaa... When I see the assignemnt for this week, it really opens my eyes. Works can be simplified (sound ideally).
I know about google aleart and have a google account. I have been using goolge alert to track any new information or journals that are related to my research.
iGoogle and Google reader are new for me. So, I registered for an iGoogle and Google reader.... wow... Fantastic, everything seems to be under one roof. I tried to explore Google reader, added in my twitter and blog RSS feed. Then I arranged my iGoogle, yeap... I can now check my email, news and updates from blog or twitter and so on. I should say: Google simplify life ..:)
However, I found that the feed only applied to certain website (especially news, blog). I am thinking wether there is a software that create a RSS 'FEED' for other website that cannot be 'feed'. Wow.. sound very confusing with the word 'feed' here and there... :)
I could not make it for Face book. I have searched with google to find a solution, but not unsuccessful. I think there is a limitation for facebook (correct me if I am wrong). But, I need to use Google mail to faciliate all the RSS from different sites. And I use different email accounts for different things. Need to sort this problem out.
Pageflakes need a long time to log in. Hmm....I found that we can receive RSS feed from selected email account at one time but I am not sure we can receive RSS feed from few different email accounts at the same time.
I appreciated if anyone can 'enlighten' me with some helpful tips... :)
Ciao..
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Microblogging
Wow.. this is really a 'micro' blog, which every character is counted.. :) Easy to use and it is like updating everybody on what you are going to do everyday.. may be every hours or every minutes.
Twitter has few interesting features such as:
1. it can be embedded into blog/ facebook etc.
2. twittering on mobile phone
3. it promotes yourself and keeps your network growing- i guessed
I think it will be useful to use as a quick communication tool in education. Students can sort of "sit together' and discuss their matters among themselves and the educator. But, we have to create real-life or authenticate issue which can catch the interest of most students. Technology without good management does not have any meaning
Keep on twittering.. :)
Twitter has few interesting features such as:
1. it can be embedded into blog/ facebook etc.
2. twittering on mobile phone
3. it promotes yourself and keeps your network growing- i guessed
I think it will be useful to use as a quick communication tool in education. Students can sort of "sit together' and discuss their matters among themselves and the educator. But, we have to create real-life or authenticate issue which can catch the interest of most students. Technology without good management does not have any meaning
Keep on twittering.. :)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Educational video
Catching up with assignment..
Huh... looking for relevant movies/ videos for my subject in the internet have brought me from one website to another website, but it was fun! because I can keep on searching and learning new techno gadget at the same time. I have learnt how to download video from Utube and what is screeningcasting and ustream. However, I could not find a "FREE" software for screencasting for Mac.. :( sob sob.. . For window OS.. there are plenty!
As recommended in this course, there are some very resourceful websites that offer great educational videos and conferences. They are not only prepared/ recorded from prestigious lecturers but also free. I have tried to download them but due to our LOW internet speed... I can view one or two with lot of buffering time... that make me frustrated!
Although I am using a Mac computer, but I am not good at multimedia. There is something called iTuneU in itune, There, you can find couple of good video made by educators from different university such as Oxford, Yale.... but you need to have iTune in you comp.
The lessons I have learnt here is that we need HIGH speed connection to make all these things possible and applicable. If not, low downloading internet speed will only hinder us to look at this technology.. ! But no doubt, I will adopt some of this video in the class and use screencasting for my teaching :) I am sure students will benefit from it... :)
Huh... looking for relevant movies/ videos for my subject in the internet have brought me from one website to another website, but it was fun! because I can keep on searching and learning new techno gadget at the same time. I have learnt how to download video from Utube and what is screeningcasting and ustream. However, I could not find a "FREE" software for screencasting for Mac.. :( sob sob.. . For window OS.. there are plenty!
As recommended in this course, there are some very resourceful websites that offer great educational videos and conferences. They are not only prepared/ recorded from prestigious lecturers but also free. I have tried to download them but due to our LOW internet speed... I can view one or two with lot of buffering time... that make me frustrated!
Although I am using a Mac computer, but I am not good at multimedia. There is something called iTuneU in itune, There, you can find couple of good video made by educators from different university such as Oxford, Yale.... but you need to have iTune in you comp.
The lessons I have learnt here is that we need HIGH speed connection to make all these things possible and applicable. If not, low downloading internet speed will only hinder us to look at this technology.. ! But no doubt, I will adopt some of this video in the class and use screencasting for my teaching :) I am sure students will benefit from it... :)
Friday, November 7, 2008
Podcasting, here I come.. ...
Hi,
Let me talk more on my experience on podcasting! I have been struggling with my computer hardware and software some time before I could make my first podcast uploaded in my blog last few days.
Because of this assignment, I need to look for the built-in mic in my laptop. I never use it since I bought my laptop three years ago and I was afraid that it is not functioning anymore... huh... I tested it and luckily, it is fine.. then I looked for the audio software to make MP3 file. I downloaded audacity and MP3 converter for recording purposes... But actually, I found out later that I can use my Garage Band software to do it... That is not a problem... the problem is to start talking in front of a mic in a quiet room make me feel uncomfortable.... .. I found that I was hesitate to talk and when I re-play my recorded voice.... ohhh I can believe that.. is that my voice ? sound horrible...... ha...ha.....
After forcing myself to speak a couple of words, I saved the file in MP3 format. I then registered an account in solid cast.com to upload my MP3 file... The registration was simple, what confuse me was the podcast's name and episode's name in the solid cast website.. With lot of try and error, it was uploaded and I copied the link and inserted in my blog.... I tried it and it worked.... yoooh! Task completed
Then I think of how it can be use in education. I have checked with the internet and see their educational applications... wow... out of my expectation... there is plenty. It is not only can use for tertiary education, but also for primary education. One issue I think we need to considered is the attendance of a class (as discussed by Shaz). Podcasting will promote absenteeism.
Whether we like it or not, some students will take advantage of this. But, what we hope is to help/benefit the majority of students who want to gain knowledge or understand the topic we are going to teach!
Nothing is perfect in this world ....
Ciao....
Let me talk more on my experience on podcasting! I have been struggling with my computer hardware and software some time before I could make my first podcast uploaded in my blog last few days.
Because of this assignment, I need to look for the built-in mic in my laptop. I never use it since I bought my laptop three years ago and I was afraid that it is not functioning anymore... huh... I tested it and luckily, it is fine.. then I looked for the audio software to make MP3 file. I downloaded audacity and MP3 converter for recording purposes... But actually, I found out later that I can use my Garage Band software to do it... That is not a problem... the problem is to start talking in front of a mic in a quiet room make me feel uncomfortable.... .. I found that I was hesitate to talk and when I re-play my recorded voice.... ohhh I can believe that.. is that my voice ? sound horrible...... ha...ha.....
After forcing myself to speak a couple of words, I saved the file in MP3 format. I then registered an account in solid cast.com to upload my MP3 file... The registration was simple, what confuse me was the podcast's name and episode's name in the solid cast website.. With lot of try and error, it was uploaded and I copied the link and inserted in my blog.... I tried it and it worked.... yoooh! Task completed
Then I think of how it can be use in education. I have checked with the internet and see their educational applications... wow... out of my expectation... there is plenty. It is not only can use for tertiary education, but also for primary education. One issue I think we need to considered is the attendance of a class (as discussed by Shaz). Podcasting will promote absenteeism.
Whether we like it or not, some students will take advantage of this. But, what we hope is to help/benefit the majority of students who want to gain knowledge or understand the topic we are going to teach!
Nothing is perfect in this world ....
Ciao....
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Podcasting.... not that easy....
Hi,
Let's me try this.:
RSS
Will write more about my experience when get this correct.... huh.. quite tiring but worth it :P
I am testing to upload my recorded podcast.. see whether it works or not! fingers cross
Let's me try this.:
RSS
Will write more about my experience when get this correct.... huh.. quite tiring but worth it :P
Friday, October 10, 2008
Never ending story, sharing and learning ......
The world is keep on changing and whether we like it or not, we have to learn and 'evolve' (not biologically) to be digital literate in order for us to adapt ourselves to this new world. Blogging, which is considered to be an essential media tool for people to share and communicate), is widely used and has changed the direction and power of audience.
I read blogs and know what is blog about as discussed by George Siemens (The art of blogging). However, when I was asked to build a blog for myself, it is not that easy as I think. First, I need to find a blogging host service, then I need to learn to set the layout of the webpage. Then, I learn how to use some of the available gadgets to put in my blog, posting and so on. Finally, what is so exciting is not having a blog of my own, but something that I have created - my blog, as an endless communication tool for me to link, share and discuss my writing to anybody. This is what I get into my mind when I send my blog website address to the course moderator.
I will try to explore more on how blogs can be used as an effective educational tool. I am still new in blogging and any suggestions are welcomed... ciao
The Art of Blogging - Getting Started, "How To", Tools, Resources
The Art of Blogging - Part 2
Getting Started, "How To", Tools, Resources
George Siemens
December 6, 2002
Part Two of Two-part Article on "The Art of Blogging"...Part One
Getting Started
Examples
How to blog
Tools for blogging
Extending blogs - aggregating
Conclusion
Getting Started
The best way to learn to blog is to blog. Fortunately, getting started is fairly simple. Three main options exist: hosted, remote server, and desktop.
A hosted service is the easiest and quickest way to start. Services like Blogger allow new users to set up an account (for free or a premium version for $35 per year) and begin posting literally in a matter of minutes. Blogger can host the blog, or the user can post to his/her own site.
A remotely installed blog is perhaps the most involved to setup. Movabletype allows users to install on a server (free for non-commercial, $150 for commercial). Some technical skills are required to configure the blog and database. Documentation, however, is excellent for Movabletype. Installation is also offered for a fee.
Desktop blog programs are installed on a user's computer, and posts are then uploaded to a host. Radio Userland is a desktop program for $35.95, which includes hosting and upgrades for a year. Start up process for desktop blogs is almost as simple as hosted services like Blogger.
Blogger, Movabletype, and Radio Userland are only a sampling of available blog programs. Webcrimson, greymatter, Drupal, and Tinderbox are also available. For a complete listing of blog resources, visit Blogroots.
Once your blog has been setup, you're ready to start blogging! Getting your blog noticed takes some time...but linking to other bloggers, posting comments on their sites, engaging in dialogue, and "pinging" (an option available on most blogs) sites like Weblogs help to increase recognition. How to Publicize Your Blog offers some great concepts for increasing readership. Interesting, provocative writing, however, is the best way to get noticed.
Examples
Reading other blogs is an excellent way to learn - not only about the content being blogged, but about the process of blogging. Selecting a variety of blogs and writing styles affords a broad perspective of how to use the medium. Some bloggers of note:
News: Online Learning Update, Scripting News, Doc Searls
Links/Commentary: elearnspaceblog, OLDaily, SiT
Art: 101-365
Editorial: InstaPundit
Technology: Bluetooth
New Media/journalism: JD's Blog , Hypergene Media Blog
Reform: Lessig Blog
Audio: Audioblog News
Sports: Baseball News Blog
Education: SchoolBlogs
Faith: blogs4God
Community: Kairosnews, Slashdot , Kuro5hin
Personal: kottke.org , overstated
This sampling of blogs reveals an important issue: blogs are used as a tool (replacement?) for virtually every type of traditional media, communication, and interaction. Blogs have infiltrated broad areas of the Internet and appear to be poised for significant, "overnight" success and adoption. Where the Internet is about availability of information, blogging is about making information creation available to anyone.
How to blog
Writing effective blogs is similar to effective writing for traditional media. While sentence construction, basic grammar, and spelling are important, bloggers are often more concerned about communicating concepts. Writing rules are employed (and broken) to the degree that they support effective communication of a message.
However, some differences do exist. Traditional writing is audience focused. Bloggers often write primarily for themselves or for a small group - as a way of organizing thoughts, sharing information, or creating a personal resource of links (as compared to a monolithic "Favorites" folder). The Internet is also more dynamic and media-rich than traditional media. Bloggers can incorporate audio, video, animations, and pictures...hyperlinks are also used to create connections between information and ideas.
The following is a list of guidelines for beginning bloggers:
Start. As stated earlier, blogging is best learned by blogging...and by reading other bloggers. So...start.
Know your motivation. Why are you blogging? What do you hope to achieve?
Link. The heart of blogging is linking...linking and commenting. Connecting and communicating - the purpose of the Internet.
Experiment. Developing a writing style is an evolutionary process. Try different approaches and formats until you find one that fits your message, audience, and personal motivations.
Use life and your experiences as your "idea generation" file.
Get an opinion. Then express it.
Express your personality...let your humour, your perspective on life, and your values shine in your writing.
Post regularly. This is important - readers drop off/lose interest with irregular blogs (syndication and aggregators allow blog readers to stay in touch with infrequently updated blogs - more on that in the section "Extending Blogs").
Keep writing clear and concise. Avoid jargon...but utilize the unique aspects of the medium (visual, links, sound). Focus on communication (function) before form.
Write for a reason, not recognition. Most bloggers have small audiences. Satisfaction is derived from the writing process, not the audience response.
Additional resources: How to Write a Better Weblog and How to Blog
Tools & Resources for Blogging
As you progress in blogging, you may find increased interest in additional tools to enhance your blog. Many resources are available...and the list is expanding continually. Here's a few resources to consider:
eatonweb - Extensive resource page, including definitions, tools, books, and courses
Microcontent News - Covers: "the microcontent sector: weblogs, Webzines, email digests, and personal publishing.. as well as how weblogs combine to form the Blogosphere."
Blogroots - An excellent resource listing tools, accessories, directories, and books
Blogging Software Roundup - You can get lost in this list! Lots of information
Weblogs Compendium - Tools - Extensive list of blog tools
elearnspace - blogs - Listing of blog resources and articles
Library Weblogs - Link-rich resource, focused, but not limited to, libraries
Weblog to Moblog - Nice overview article of mobile blogs
Code of Ethics - Short article addressing an important consideration for all bloggers - ethics
History of Weblogs - See also Dave Winer's take on blog history
Extending Blogs - Aggregating
A few days (or even hours!) of searching the blogosphere can overwhelm newcomers. The amount of information is incredible. How can a user keep track of various blogs? It seems impossible to stay in touch with more than a hand full of bloggers each day. Fortunately, a solution exists to simplify the process of reading large numbers of blogs: RSS (rich (or RDF) site summary).
Some articles detailing RSS/syndication and aggregators:
"RSS is a way of creating a broadcast version of a blog or news page. Anyone who has frequently updated content and is willing to let others republish it can create the RSS file. Typically called syndication, the RSS file is an XML formatted file that can be used at other sites or by other intermediary software such as news aggregators. The original incarnation was to use RSS to include several headlines on a personalized portal page. But an RSS feed can also be easily pulled into other functions, such as an aggregator." The Blog Realm: RSS, Aggregators, and Reading the Blog Fantastic
"Content developers make their RSS files available by placing them on their web server. In this way, RSS “aggregators” are able to read the RSS files and therefore to collect data about the website. These aggregators place the site information into a larger database and use this database to allow for structured searches of a large number of content providers.
Because the data is in XML, and not a display language like HTML, RSS information can be flowed into a large number of devices. In addition to being used to create news summary web pages, RSS can be fed into stand-alone news browsers or headline viewers, PDAs, cell phones, email ticklers and even voice updates.
The strength of RSS is its simplicity. It is exceptionally easy to syndicate website content using RSS. It is also very easy to use RSS headline feeds, either by viewing a news summary web page or by downloading one of many free headline viewers. Though most RSS feeds list web based resources, several feeds link to audio files, video files and other multimedia." An Introduction to RSS for Educational Designers
Portals, Blogs, & RSS: why they are your future - a thorough, link rich exploration of portals, blogs (history, software) and RSS.
Through the use of RSS, bloggers can keep up to date with a large number of blogs. The link to the RSS file can simply be added to an aggregator (for example: Amphetadesk or Aggie). The aggregator then searches the RSS files and generates a page listing posts and topics since the last visit. A user can view large amounts of news/information in a very short period of time.
Conclusion
The simplest innovations are often the most effective in responding to ground swells of trends and change. The potency of the blog phenomenon is two fold: perfect match for its medium and ease of use.
Getting Started, "How To", Tools, Resources
George Siemens
December 6, 2002
Part Two of Two-part Article on "The Art of Blogging"...Part One
Getting Started
Examples
How to blog
Tools for blogging
Extending blogs - aggregating
Conclusion
Getting Started
The best way to learn to blog is to blog. Fortunately, getting started is fairly simple. Three main options exist: hosted, remote server, and desktop.
A hosted service is the easiest and quickest way to start. Services like Blogger allow new users to set up an account (for free or a premium version for $35 per year) and begin posting literally in a matter of minutes. Blogger can host the blog, or the user can post to his/her own site.
A remotely installed blog is perhaps the most involved to setup. Movabletype allows users to install on a server (free for non-commercial, $150 for commercial). Some technical skills are required to configure the blog and database. Documentation, however, is excellent for Movabletype. Installation is also offered for a fee.
Desktop blog programs are installed on a user's computer, and posts are then uploaded to a host. Radio Userland is a desktop program for $35.95, which includes hosting and upgrades for a year. Start up process for desktop blogs is almost as simple as hosted services like Blogger.
Blogger, Movabletype, and Radio Userland are only a sampling of available blog programs. Webcrimson, greymatter, Drupal, and Tinderbox are also available. For a complete listing of blog resources, visit Blogroots.
Once your blog has been setup, you're ready to start blogging! Getting your blog noticed takes some time...but linking to other bloggers, posting comments on their sites, engaging in dialogue, and "pinging" (an option available on most blogs) sites like Weblogs help to increase recognition. How to Publicize Your Blog offers some great concepts for increasing readership. Interesting, provocative writing, however, is the best way to get noticed.
Examples
Reading other blogs is an excellent way to learn - not only about the content being blogged, but about the process of blogging. Selecting a variety of blogs and writing styles affords a broad perspective of how to use the medium. Some bloggers of note:
News: Online Learning Update, Scripting News, Doc Searls
Links/Commentary: elearnspaceblog, OLDaily, SiT
Art: 101-365
Editorial: InstaPundit
Technology: Bluetooth
New Media/journalism: JD's Blog , Hypergene Media Blog
Reform: Lessig Blog
Audio: Audioblog News
Sports: Baseball News Blog
Education: SchoolBlogs
Faith: blogs4God
Community: Kairosnews, Slashdot , Kuro5hin
Personal: kottke.org , overstated
This sampling of blogs reveals an important issue: blogs are used as a tool (replacement?) for virtually every type of traditional media, communication, and interaction. Blogs have infiltrated broad areas of the Internet and appear to be poised for significant, "overnight" success and adoption. Where the Internet is about availability of information, blogging is about making information creation available to anyone.
How to blog
Writing effective blogs is similar to effective writing for traditional media. While sentence construction, basic grammar, and spelling are important, bloggers are often more concerned about communicating concepts. Writing rules are employed (and broken) to the degree that they support effective communication of a message.
However, some differences do exist. Traditional writing is audience focused. Bloggers often write primarily for themselves or for a small group - as a way of organizing thoughts, sharing information, or creating a personal resource of links (as compared to a monolithic "Favorites" folder). The Internet is also more dynamic and media-rich than traditional media. Bloggers can incorporate audio, video, animations, and pictures...hyperlinks are also used to create connections between information and ideas.
The following is a list of guidelines for beginning bloggers:
Start. As stated earlier, blogging is best learned by blogging...and by reading other bloggers. So...start.
Know your motivation. Why are you blogging? What do you hope to achieve?
Link. The heart of blogging is linking...linking and commenting. Connecting and communicating - the purpose of the Internet.
Experiment. Developing a writing style is an evolutionary process. Try different approaches and formats until you find one that fits your message, audience, and personal motivations.
Use life and your experiences as your "idea generation" file.
Get an opinion. Then express it.
Express your personality...let your humour, your perspective on life, and your values shine in your writing.
Post regularly. This is important - readers drop off/lose interest with irregular blogs (syndication and aggregators allow blog readers to stay in touch with infrequently updated blogs - more on that in the section "Extending Blogs").
Keep writing clear and concise. Avoid jargon...but utilize the unique aspects of the medium (visual, links, sound). Focus on communication (function) before form.
Write for a reason, not recognition. Most bloggers have small audiences. Satisfaction is derived from the writing process, not the audience response.
Additional resources: How to Write a Better Weblog and How to Blog
Tools & Resources for Blogging
As you progress in blogging, you may find increased interest in additional tools to enhance your blog. Many resources are available...and the list is expanding continually. Here's a few resources to consider:
eatonweb - Extensive resource page, including definitions, tools, books, and courses
Microcontent News - Covers: "the microcontent sector: weblogs, Webzines, email digests, and personal publishing.. as well as how weblogs combine to form the Blogosphere."
Blogroots - An excellent resource listing tools, accessories, directories, and books
Blogging Software Roundup - You can get lost in this list! Lots of information
Weblogs Compendium - Tools - Extensive list of blog tools
elearnspace - blogs - Listing of blog resources and articles
Library Weblogs - Link-rich resource, focused, but not limited to, libraries
Weblog to Moblog - Nice overview article of mobile blogs
Code of Ethics - Short article addressing an important consideration for all bloggers - ethics
History of Weblogs - See also Dave Winer's take on blog history
Extending Blogs - Aggregating
A few days (or even hours!) of searching the blogosphere can overwhelm newcomers. The amount of information is incredible. How can a user keep track of various blogs? It seems impossible to stay in touch with more than a hand full of bloggers each day. Fortunately, a solution exists to simplify the process of reading large numbers of blogs: RSS (rich (or RDF) site summary).
Some articles detailing RSS/syndication and aggregators:
"RSS is a way of creating a broadcast version of a blog or news page. Anyone who has frequently updated content and is willing to let others republish it can create the RSS file. Typically called syndication, the RSS file is an XML formatted file that can be used at other sites or by other intermediary software such as news aggregators. The original incarnation was to use RSS to include several headlines on a personalized portal page. But an RSS feed can also be easily pulled into other functions, such as an aggregator." The Blog Realm: RSS, Aggregators, and Reading the Blog Fantastic
"Content developers make their RSS files available by placing them on their web server. In this way, RSS “aggregators” are able to read the RSS files and therefore to collect data about the website. These aggregators place the site information into a larger database and use this database to allow for structured searches of a large number of content providers.
Because the data is in XML, and not a display language like HTML, RSS information can be flowed into a large number of devices. In addition to being used to create news summary web pages, RSS can be fed into stand-alone news browsers or headline viewers, PDAs, cell phones, email ticklers and even voice updates.
The strength of RSS is its simplicity. It is exceptionally easy to syndicate website content using RSS. It is also very easy to use RSS headline feeds, either by viewing a news summary web page or by downloading one of many free headline viewers. Though most RSS feeds list web based resources, several feeds link to audio files, video files and other multimedia." An Introduction to RSS for Educational Designers
Portals, Blogs, & RSS: why they are your future - a thorough, link rich exploration of portals, blogs (history, software) and RSS.
Through the use of RSS, bloggers can keep up to date with a large number of blogs. The link to the RSS file can simply be added to an aggregator (for example: Amphetadesk or Aggie). The aggregator then searches the RSS files and generates a page listing posts and topics since the last visit. A user can view large amounts of news/information in a very short period of time.
Conclusion
The simplest innovations are often the most effective in responding to ground swells of trends and change. The potency of the blog phenomenon is two fold: perfect match for its medium and ease of use.
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