Two cool things I learned this week

This kaleidoscopic world we live in provides myriad learning opportunities at very moment. Here are two gems that caught my eye this week:

1. Send free text messages through email

If you ever need to text someone on their phone and you’re at a computer you can actually send your text message through your email account.  Just send an email to their 10-digit phone number and add “@teleflip.com” to the end of the number. Here’s how it looks:

• Address format: 10digitphonenumber@teleflip.com
• For example: 5551234567@teleflip.com.

NOTE: Messages still incur the cost to the receiver who will always have to pay for an incoming message. This method makes sending free.

 2. Search Google like a pro

You can make your search more efficient by learning some search basics:

1. Use Of ‘+’ sign

• This ensures that the results returned to you will definetly consist of the word following the ‘+’ sign.
• Example: “Search: reviews of +iPhone and iPod”
• This will show results containing the word reviews or iPod but the results will definatly consist of iPhone!

2. Use Of ‘-‘ sign

• Using ‘-‘ sign before any word will ensure that the particular word will not be included in the results!

3. Use Of ‘~’ sign

• Using ‘~’ before any word will return the results also containing the synonyms of the word!

4. Search a particular site

•  To search a particular website you can use the following syntax in the google search:
• Search: site:www.xyz.com abc
• Example:Search: site:http://pcremix.blogspot.com/ Google Search Tips

5. Define a word

• To get the definition of a word just use:
• Search: define:abc
• Example: Search: define:Computer
• This will return you results which define ‘Computer’.

6. Find Pages similar to a page

• To find a page similar i.e. consisting of same type of content, use the following syntax:
• Search: related:http://www.xyz.com/

7. Search for exact phrase

• To search a set of words exactly together i.e.
• Example: Search: “contact us”
• This will return the results containing both contact and us together !

8. Using the wild card ‘*’

• The * sign can be used in places where the whole word is not known.
• Example: Search: friend*
• This will return the results containing friend, friends, friendship.

9. Using the ‘?’ sign

• This is used when the full spelling of the word is not known.
• Example: Search: fri??d
• This will result that in the results in which any alphabet can take the place of ‘?’ sign.

10. Use of boolean operators:

• The boolean operators like AND,OR,NOT can be used in search box to connect the words.
• The search engine understands them as what they mean but the must be in capital letters!
• Example: Search: swim OR float
• This will return the results containing either swim or float!

For more Google tips, check out this cool lifehacker.com article.

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Cathy’s at it again…

Check out Cathy Moore’s thought-provoking ideas in How to fit the entire world in a multiple-choice question.

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Dump the drone for livelier e-learning

You’ve gotta see Cathy Moore’s slideshow on slideshare.net called “Dump the Drone – Easy Steps to Livelier Courses“.  92 slides with excellent tips about writing for the web.  Her wit and wisdom are refreshing, and I’ll bet a click that you’ll come out of it with some ideas for your next design.

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Article stub: Adding sound clips to PowerPoint presentations 

Here are two contenders:

• Star Rover
• Contemplative

Handy article on audio editing when using Articulate products: http://www.articulate.com/blog/audio-editing/.

Article stub: Designing Instructor-Led Activities 

General Guidelines

·       Mix it up. No one activity type is right for everyone in a group, and doing the same thing over and over gets boring. Ideally, use at least three different approaches in a workshop, and even more in a full class!

·       Be cognizant of time. Some of these (like small group planning) take a lot longer than others (like large group live action). Make sure you are selecting an approach that won’t throw you off of your schedule.

·       When doing small group activities, don’t just “flit” from table to table, listening in. Sit down with one group and observe an iteration of the activity, providing your feedback along with the group. For the next iteration, move to another table and observe again.

·       Think about the learning need.

When the skill being developed is especially important, or the skill gap is especially large, choose an approach that lets as many people as possible practice the skill.

When the skill is less critical or the skill gap is small, and your main goal is making sure everyone knows the level of expectations for performance, choose one that includes the whole group in observation and discussion.

·       The approach is less important than the outcomes. No matter the approach, make sure you are adjusting your level of feedback to the “after training” behavior expectations for your audience.

·       All of these could be used for distance learning (with a little creativity).

Large group activities are easiest. Ask for volunteers from different sites for a demo and have them interact on screen.

For the small group activities, breakout rooms and teleconferencing can allow for cross-site teams. 

No matter what, be sure to debrief the activity with the entire group

Ask for a volunteer to play the role of crew member, and a second volunteer to play the customer, in a live action demo·      

Ask observers to take notes so they can give specific feedback and suggestions,

Explain the scenario and begin activity.  Let the interaction go until the skill has been demonstrated – don’t go over into the next phase of the interaction.

Ask for feedback, first from the activity participants, and then from the observers.

After the participants give feedback, give your feedback on all elements of the Opening Model, giving strengths first followed by areas for improvement. 

Designing eLearning Activities General Guidelines

Mix it up. No one activity type is right for every learner, and doing the same thing over and over gets boring. Ideally, use at least learners practice as much as possible. The approach is less important than the outcomes. No matter the approach, make sure you are adjusting your level of feedback to the “after training” behavior expectations for your audience.Choose Your Adventure:Ask for a volunteer to play the role of crew member, and a second volunteer to play the customer, in a live action demo.

Ask observers to take notes so they can give specific feedback and suggestions.

 

Explain the scenario and begin activity.  Let the interaction go until the skill has been demonstrated – don’t go over into the next phase of the interaction.

 

Ask for feedback, first from the activity participants, and then from the observers.

After the participants give feedback, give your feedback on all elements of the Opening Model, giving strengths first followed by areas for improvement. 

PowerPoint Tricks

Five tips for effective storyboarding

September 24, 2007  

1. Set up your palettes

·          Dock ‘em!
Align tool
Distribute tool
Order tool

·          Use the “Relative to Slide.”  

2. Stick with a shape

·          Choose a “threaded shape” – a shape that will repeat throughout your course.

·          Convert straggler shapes (e.g. go from a square to a circle) using “Change autoshape.”

·          Float your text.

o         Right click > Format Autoshape > Text Box > Text anchor point.

o         Right click > Format Autoshape > Text Box > Internal margin.·          Change shape sizes

o         Hold “Shift” button to retain proportions when sizing.

o         Hold “Control” button to retain center point when sizing.

o         Right click > Format Autoshape > Text Box > Resize autoshape to fix text.  

3. Provide a visual road map

·          Carry your colors throughout.

·          Repeat your formula (e.g. “Consider this,” “Quick summary,” “Up next”).   

4. Keep it clean

·          Break up busyness with shape and color.

·          Use your “Set transparent color” tool.

·          Use the “Format painter.”   

5. Hang on to “good stuff”

·          Add your “Color Chart” to all files, then delete at end.

·          Repurpose, borrow, and expand!   

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Scrapbooking 101

 

You should get a photo album. I like the 12 X 12 size the best but you may choose to do a smaller size brag book.

 

Depending on your album size, get the appropriate size paper. If you are doing a smaller book but see 12 X 12 paper that you like, you can always cut it down.

Most often, I think about 1 page at a time and buy paper with that thought in mind. Sometimes, I can buy in bulk if I’m doing something like a wedding album if I have a good idea of my approach and can plan many of the pages in advance. The best deals are 40% off at AC Moore or 4 for $1 at Michaels. These sales happen periodically and that’s when I but in bulk if I’m ready.

You may be tempted to buy paper that has graphics or patterns on it as your main sheet. I got a tip in a class once to choose the solid paper as your main sheet and then you may want to accent with patterned paper. The focal point should be your pictures. Sometimes going overboard with too many patterns can distract the attention from that.

In general, I find that I use 3-4 pictures per scrapbook page which lays out over 2 sheets in your open scrapbook.

You need to get mounting squares which are double sided tapes. They also have picture corners which I like to use for cards but not scrapbooks.

We can share scissors and cutting accessories until you see if you like doing this. My favorite scissors for scrapbooking are Cutter Bee.

Think about what embellishments you may want to add…ribbon, stickers, buttons, etc.

The most important part of a scrapbook page is the written story that you tell. Try to think of the layout of your page and where you might want to add story text. This can be handwritten or typed. I usually type mine but pick a font that matches the theme of the page. It’s important to think of page layout because you may need to size your text to fit.

Feel free to ask any questions…Other tenured scrapbookers, feel free to chime in with ideas.