Tech Tutorials

Lately I have been interested in video tutorials and thought it would be worth sharing some of those. My interests are because I am starting to create my own library of tutorials. I want to create videos that explain how to use specific software, perform specific tasks, and use various online tools. After researching the topic I decided to see how others have created tutorials so that I could establish a "best practices" list. So, in light of my new investigations I would like to extend the resources to others.

This isn't a comprehensive list, nor does it identify all the pro's and con's of each site. However, I think it will be resourceful for you.

Woopid
Woopid has free video tutorials that focus on software and "technology training videos." The subjects are broken down by topics such as hardware, internet, mac, ubuntu, and windows. Within each subject it is broken down into more options. For instance, you click on internet and have more options to learn how to use craigslist, google, and so on. If you are interested in comprehensive software such as Microsoft Office applications or operating systems like Mac OS X Leopard/Snow Leopard then this site would be helpful.

Graspr
Graspr is a network of instructional videos. They host a wide range of videos. If you are interested in learning more about anything random this would be the first place to look. There are videos that range from instructions on home and garden topics to skateboarding and break-dancing. They have quite the collection. If nothing else it is worth some entertainment value and you also learn something random and unexpected.

Apple Tutorials
Apple has an extensive list of tutorials for all their computers and software applications. If you are looking for something specific regarding their products then it is best to go straight to the source.

Another source of what seems like endless possibilities would be to check out iTunes podcast's. Not only do they have a collection of tutorials that you can subscribe to but they also have videos worth watching. It is all free. I frequently visit iTunes as a source for short video clips that aren't for instructional purposes but rather videos about science and technology.

I could go on and on, but for me I think the best part about finding these sources was the process of exploring. Enjoy the process of searching and reviewing.

Podcasting

SOME TIPS TO PODCASTING FOR EDUCATORS

First off, what is podcasting? I am a fan of commoncraft videos and so I will let them explain in their special way.



PLAN
PRODUCE
PUBLISH

Plan, produce, publish should be your mantra. You want to have a plan before you sit down and start recording. Then you want to produce your podcast. Following that you publish your podcast and make it accessible to others.

If you aren't wanting to invest in a lot of equipment and software then the following is a bare bones approach. First off, you need a mic. Most computers and laptops have a built in mic for recording audio. I usually use audacity software to capture my audio. Audacity is an open source software audio production software. Audacity can also be used to enhance your podcast by layering tracks and adding special effects. To learn more about using audacity you can visit a demonstration I did using camtasia.

After you record your podcast you will need to publish it. Publishing a podcast entails hosting the .mp3 file so others can download and listen to it. If you have your own server you can host your podcast and then create a RSS feed so that others can follow you and automatically be updated whenever you create a new podcast. The following is a list of software and websites that make podcasting and publishing easy.

Libsyin PRO podcasting syndication service
Feedburner sets up a feed for others to subscribe to.
Feed for All Publish your podcast.



Other Tips and Considerations:

What will you be podcasting about? Will there be a consistent theme?
How often will you be producing podcasts? Once a month, week.....
Consider the bandwidth of your host server.
Opt for a better quality audio file over bandwidth. Listeners expect quality and you should give that to them.
Consider your audience and use appropriate language.
Be aware of legal issues and copyright laws if you are using other sound bytes.

This is a basic outline of podcasting and resources. If your questions aren't answered there are a number of sites to consider for professional podcasters.

FEEDFORALL has several demonstrations
PODCASTING TOOLS Comprehensive guide to podcasting.

Wiki

Since the evolution of web 2.0 there have increasingly become more applications that allow users to create, collaborate, manipulate, and share content via the World Wide Web. The introduction of web 2.0 began in the 1990’s but wasn’t as popular as it is today. Initially the potential for interactive web 2.0 content was available however it was lost until 1994-1995 when Ward Cunningham wrote the first wiki. Nowadays, wiki’s are used by students, professors, small to large businesses, research and developers that collaborate globally, and pretty much anyone or group that wants to share and/or maintain a repository of information that anyone can contribute or modify while still maintaining a log of past activity.

What is a wiki? I thought it would be suitable to provide the definition of a wiki according to wikipedia. According to wikipedia a wiki is a “website that uses wiki software, allowing the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked Web pages, using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor, within the browser.” Basically, an individual gains access to a website and can change the content or add wiki pages and in most cases there aren’t any real restrictions. A wiki page can be edited and updated by virtually anyone and there is generally a log of all the changes that have taken place on the wiki. The log allows users to track who changed the content, when they did it, what content was changed, and also allow the wiki page to be “rolled back” to a previous time.

Wiki’s are very great collaborative learning tool. Their dynamic nature can play an important role in education.

PRO’s

• Knowledge building over the course of a term through the use of versions and groups*

• Critically reading, and responding in a constructive and public way, to others’ work*

• Progressive problem-solving (especially valuable for open-ended problems) and problem redefinition*

• Allowing students to learn how to add slight degree of difference and complexity to concepts*

• Systematic engagement and analysis with work produced by more advanced students, specialists and experts*

• Combining, synthesizing and evaluating definitions and terminology across disciplines*

• Questioning underlying causes and principles*

• Learning to observe deeply, stereotype less, and avoid premature judgement*

• They are available 24/7

• Some classes can be fully operational on a wiki platform and located off the campus server.

• Can show the natural progression for planning a project and also used as a project management tool

• Used to map concepts and collectively identify them

• Forum of solutions for a given topic

• Used as a presentation which others can collectively comment on and edit

• Used to create a class list of references and/or bibliography

* Harris and Rea (2009)

CONS

• Hard to tell who is contributing (on some wiki platforms)

• Need to be very clear about deadlines and motivate students to contribute within a reasonable amount of time

To learn more about wiki sites your best bet is to compare and contrast them using wikimatrix

For a quick wiki use:

Pbwiki

If you are interested in more about wiki's contact me and we can discuss your specific needs and learning outcomes.

Wikipedia

Interactive Multimedia

By definition, interactive media allows the user to actively participate and have some control over functions. For educational purposes, when a learner is actively engaged they are more likely to retain the information. I believe that we can all reflect on learning and realize that has some truth. To put it in perspective would you rather read a webpage as a passive observer, or interact with the webpage. Compare this interactive site detailing how drugs disrupt synapses in the brain with this one which highlights drug effects. It is also fair to mention that the intentions of the user affects the outcome as well. For instance, if you just want a quick answer about drug affects then perhaps a static page is best, but understanding a concept in its entirety would prompt a more interactive approach. As the saying goes: “less text, more learning.”

Here is a short list of websites that utilize interactive media:

AIDS at 25 was published by the St. Petersburg Times. The site highlights the spread of AIDS across America and the world.

Forests, Fields, and Falls was funded by the Minnesota Historical Society. A simple interactive story about the riches of Minnesota.

National Museum of Australia hosts several interactive “learn thru play” activities.

PBS’s Nova has several interactive galleries, slideshows, and resources. Check out “An Elegant Universe.”

Even the CIA has educational games for all grade levels. They range from puzzles, decoding messages, and analyzing data or images.

Knowitall.org has tons of k-12 educational resources. It is ETV’s online educational portal that lets you do anything from taking virtual field trips, watch videos, podcasts, virtual games, and several other interactive multimedia links.

The New York Times is generally a great place to look for media. Here is an example of an interactive graph. You control the variables and see the results as to whether it is better to buy or rent a home. Or this one about a poll regarding how different groups of people spend their day.

You are in charge of a team that is responsible for stopping a global flu pandemic. Good luck fighting the outbreak.

Cisco develops educational material as well. Here is a small town called Packetville, where kids between 8-11 can explore, play educational games, and be creative. Another example of learning thru play.