I just submitted my instructional website a little bit ago. I think that's the biggest website I've ever made so far. *laughs*
For my website, I decided to create tutorials for microsoft office and podcasts. I figured this is something students and staff could benefit from, especially as the versions get updated. I made tutorials for the 2000 versions, and I plan to create 2007 versions for it in the future. The site will offer different versions, which will meet different people's needs (not everyone might have the same version). For the podcast tutorial, I did a simple one on Audacity (this one would need updated though, because I didn't cover everything in Audacity, just the basics on how to make a recording). Students can have access to the site even after they graduate from high school (so it would be open to the public). This way they can use it when they're in college and beyond.
Creating tutorials is a much more time-consuming task than what I thought it would be. For my tutorials, I pretty much wrote out the steps with occassional supporting images. I'm not happy with how the images turned out though. This is the first time I learned how to capture the image of what's currently on your screen, but the images are too small and it's hard to read what's on them. There's got to be a better way to take clearer screenshots.
I think it would be nice to create tutorial vodcasts too. Some things are easier to learn if you can see it "in action". This way patrons would have an option if they want written tutorials (which they can print off to take with them), or more visual tutorials. Vodcasts would've been more helpful in some areas of the tutorials because some things are hard to explain in words.
Overall, I found this to be an educational experience. I actually learned more about Microsoft Office than what I knew, since I was forced to break them down to write the tutorials. :)
I learned a lot from this class and everyone else. I wish good luck to everyone and hope you all have a nice summer (and congrats to those who are graduating!). Take care.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Last discussion, our Wiki assignment, and my Website
I'm glad we're finally having some warmer weather. :)
Our last discussion was on using Social Networking and Second Life in the library. I think using something like LibraryThing is a great idea. Like I said in the discussion, it's a better tool to use with students than Facebook or Myspace. It looks more professional, and the focus stays on books. It's a wonderful way to share books with students too, since they like to be on the Internet so much anyway. I'd love to use this tool when I become a librarian. I'm not sure if I'd use Second Life though. Second Life is still awkward to use, and besides students under the age of 18 can't use it anyway.
We just recently completed a Wiki together as a class. I remember trying to make a Wiki with a couple of people in a different class but we struggled with it and ended up doing something else instead. This assignment went so smoothly though. It was easy to edit and everything. It's like a website, except all of us have access to it (to edit and change). I enjoyed working with everyone on it. Maybe this experience will help me with making Wikis in the future (or at least help me figure out what wasn't working in the past).
For my website, I think I'm going to have to change some things after all. I'm going to have to change one of the tutorials to something else (although I think I have an idea already). And for the Microsoft Office section, I won't be able to create a tutorial for each version because I currently don't have access to each one. But at least it's something I can add to down the road. (In other words, I'll be able to create a tutorial for Word, PowerPoint and Excel, but I won't have three tutorials for each). However, I think I might be able to create sections on the site for my Podcast and Webquest , so I'm glad about that.
That's all for now.
Our last discussion was on using Social Networking and Second Life in the library. I think using something like LibraryThing is a great idea. Like I said in the discussion, it's a better tool to use with students than Facebook or Myspace. It looks more professional, and the focus stays on books. It's a wonderful way to share books with students too, since they like to be on the Internet so much anyway. I'd love to use this tool when I become a librarian. I'm not sure if I'd use Second Life though. Second Life is still awkward to use, and besides students under the age of 18 can't use it anyway.
We just recently completed a Wiki together as a class. I remember trying to make a Wiki with a couple of people in a different class but we struggled with it and ended up doing something else instead. This assignment went so smoothly though. It was easy to edit and everything. It's like a website, except all of us have access to it (to edit and change). I enjoyed working with everyone on it. Maybe this experience will help me with making Wikis in the future (or at least help me figure out what wasn't working in the past).
For my website, I think I'm going to have to change some things after all. I'm going to have to change one of the tutorials to something else (although I think I have an idea already). And for the Microsoft Office section, I won't be able to create a tutorial for each version because I currently don't have access to each one. But at least it's something I can add to down the road. (In other words, I'll be able to create a tutorial for Word, PowerPoint and Excel, but I won't have three tutorials for each). However, I think I might be able to create sections on the site for my Podcast and Webquest , so I'm glad about that.
That's all for now.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
CMS Assignment Reflections
I'll admit I was really nervous about creating the CMS because I've never done it before. I was worried I would have trouble getting things organized and arranged where I wanted them to be. Of course after I started playing with it I realized it's fairly easy, and started actually having fun with it. :) I really like Moodle. The drop box options made it so easy to pick and choose which functions I needed. I experienced a lot of trial and error at first, but luckily it's easy to edit. One thing I struggled with was creating a quiz/test. I couldn't figure out how to get it to work. I'm probably making it harder than what it is. Also with creating surveys, I wonder if there's a way to create your own. I had written my own survey questions only to find out that I had to select a premade survey.
Still currently brainstorming what to do with my website. I think the lesson parts will be somewhat linear, but I don't know if I want to create so many step-by-step webpages (page after page after page after page...) I just think it would be a pain to keep track of all those webpages (that and I don't know if it would take up a lot of space. Could my ftp hold all of that?) Creating powerpoint slides instead might be a better idea. Whatever I choose to do, I should probably try to keep it as simple as possible (especially for navigation's sake).
Need to think of a tool for the wiki assignment. That's all for now.
Still currently brainstorming what to do with my website. I think the lesson parts will be somewhat linear, but I don't know if I want to create so many step-by-step webpages (page after page after page after page...) I just think it would be a pain to keep track of all those webpages (that and I don't know if it would take up a lot of space. Could my ftp hold all of that?) Creating powerpoint slides instead might be a better idea. Whatever I choose to do, I should probably try to keep it as simple as possible (especially for navigation's sake).
Need to think of a tool for the wiki assignment. That's all for now.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Podcast and Online Discussion
I hope everyone is enjoying their Spring Break. :)
Reflection on Podcast:
I knew what podcasts were from discussions in other classes, but that was the first time I’ve made a podcast myself. I wasn’t looking forward to this assignment because I hate the sound of my voice on a recording, but it ended up not being too bad. I used Audacity to make it. The first time I recorded myself, it didn’t sound good because I think I talked too close to the microphone. I decided to do it again and compare the two recordings, and the second time sounded much better (I held the mic a little farther away from me). I noticed when I was listening to it, I could hear a strange sound in the background. It wasn’t constant like static or anything though, but I’m not sure how to describe it. It would come and go while I was talking. I have no idea where it was coming from because there wasn’t anything playing in the room or the rest of the house (television, radio, etc). Maybe my house is haunted… :) After I was done recording, it took me a while to figure out how to make it a mp3. I forgot it was something that had to be downloaded separately from Audacity.
I think in one of the articles it said you can put images and videos into the podcast too. I didn't do it for this assignment, but I'd like to try that sometime. Visuals could really help what's being presented in the podcast.
Reflection on Online Discussion:
Between the two social networking sites, everyone seemed to lean more towards Facebook instead of Myspace. However, I think we’re weary of using these sites because of safety and security, and because of the whole "crossing the teacher-student line" (and of course these things are understandable). Some people shared some other social networking sites that might be better choices than Facebook and Myspace for educational uses.
Looking back on leading this discussion, I think my questions may have been a little too similar to each other and I apologize for that. I wish I would’ve noticed that earlier, but everyone seemed to be able to work around it okay. If I ever lead a discussion again in the future, I’ll need to be more careful about that.
Reflection on Podcast:
I knew what podcasts were from discussions in other classes, but that was the first time I’ve made a podcast myself. I wasn’t looking forward to this assignment because I hate the sound of my voice on a recording, but it ended up not being too bad. I used Audacity to make it. The first time I recorded myself, it didn’t sound good because I think I talked too close to the microphone. I decided to do it again and compare the two recordings, and the second time sounded much better (I held the mic a little farther away from me). I noticed when I was listening to it, I could hear a strange sound in the background. It wasn’t constant like static or anything though, but I’m not sure how to describe it. It would come and go while I was talking. I have no idea where it was coming from because there wasn’t anything playing in the room or the rest of the house (television, radio, etc). Maybe my house is haunted… :) After I was done recording, it took me a while to figure out how to make it a mp3. I forgot it was something that had to be downloaded separately from Audacity.
I think in one of the articles it said you can put images and videos into the podcast too. I didn't do it for this assignment, but I'd like to try that sometime. Visuals could really help what's being presented in the podcast.
Reflection on Online Discussion:
Between the two social networking sites, everyone seemed to lean more towards Facebook instead of Myspace. However, I think we’re weary of using these sites because of safety and security, and because of the whole "crossing the teacher-student line" (and of course these things are understandable). Some people shared some other social networking sites that might be better choices than Facebook and Myspace for educational uses.
Looking back on leading this discussion, I think my questions may have been a little too similar to each other and I apologize for that. I wish I would’ve noticed that earlier, but everyone seemed to be able to work around it okay. If I ever lead a discussion again in the future, I’ll need to be more careful about that.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Progress on Website
So far I think my website design is going okay. I think for now I'm going to use a hierarchical structure to make navigation easier, although in the future some parts may become linear (such as the actual walkthrough lessons). I'm not quite sure how I want to set up my Q & A section yet though. I want it to be a page where students can easily post questions (maybe some kind of message board). I wonder if I have to put a link to a social network, or is there a way to actually put a message board on the webpage? I didn't really want to have to make students sign up for a social network if they don't need to. It would be nice if there could be a board where anyone could post a question to it for everyone to see (kind of like Moodle, I suppose), but it would be right on the Q & A webpage. Well, I know for sure I'd put an email address on the page too in case students are more comfortable asking questions that way (if they just have individual/personal questions about something, etc).
Podcast due March 21st.
Podcast due March 21st.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Weeks 5 & 6
I'm glad I was finally able to join everyone in Second Life this time. Last week when I tried I think I had another glitch problem, which caused me to be late. I was in the middle of trying to look at a map to see where Kent State was and all of a sudden my vision went gray. No matter which way I looked I was looking at a gray wall. I was finally able to get my avatar to look up and I could see a couple people walking by, and I realized I was in some kind of box shaped hole. I tried to fly up to get out of the hole but it was like I was frozen. Well finally the glitch stopped and I was in a different place from where I was orignally standing (when I tried looking at my map). I don't know what happened but I hope that doesn't happen again. This is another issue with Second Life. I realized when I log on to SL, I'm back where I was when I logged off. Now when you play a video game you usually start where you last saved. This way if you experience a glitch you can push the reset button and start from your last save point. Now in SL, what if I couldn't get out of that weird glitch? I guess I would've been stuck in it forever. This wouldn't be good for students who might need to use SL for school. One might think, "Well, just create a new avatar and start over." Well, when I tried deleting a different SL avatar I had, it said something about having to wait a few months before I'd be allowed to create a new one (I think you can only have one avatar per email account). That would be a pain for students if they'd have to set up a new email account just to create a new SL avatar.
I think when it comes to online simulations in education, it would probably be better not to make it mandatory in case students run into technical problems (like the one I experienced). Also, something I noticed during our online discussion, my computer lagged from time to time, which made typing awkward. Also, the audio didn't seem to work very well. I had trouble understanding people sometimes when they spoke. I had my volume turned up all the way, but the quality of the sound wasn't very good. People sounded a bit muffled. Again, it could just be my computer.
Second Life could be useful in education, but it still has issues that need to be fixed.
Okay enough about Second Life for now.
WebQuests! I finally got to see what these are. I've heard of them before in other classes but I never understood what they were even after people would describe them to me. I find them interesting, but I'm not sure I'm crazy about them. I think they can be helpful in elementary and maybe middle school, when students are learning about researching on the Internet. In high school and older, however, I think students would be bored with them. At this point I think it would be better if students learned how to evaluate websites themselves for research purposes. Are students really learning anything if we just give them the sites they need? I don't know. Maybe it depends more on what the assignment is.
As for the WebQuest I made...I like the topic I used, but I'm not sure if I designed the WebQuest in the best way for it. I think I may have started to design it in the form of a lesson, even though WebQuests aren't supposed to be lessons...Well, I'm glad I had this experience because in the future I'll know what people are talking about when they mention WebQuests, and can help find/create them with teachers.
It's my turn to help lead the online discussions for the next two weeks, and I need to create my website design (due Saturday March 7).
I think when it comes to online simulations in education, it would probably be better not to make it mandatory in case students run into technical problems (like the one I experienced). Also, something I noticed during our online discussion, my computer lagged from time to time, which made typing awkward. Also, the audio didn't seem to work very well. I had trouble understanding people sometimes when they spoke. I had my volume turned up all the way, but the quality of the sound wasn't very good. People sounded a bit muffled. Again, it could just be my computer.
Second Life could be useful in education, but it still has issues that need to be fixed.
Okay enough about Second Life for now.
WebQuests! I finally got to see what these are. I've heard of them before in other classes but I never understood what they were even after people would describe them to me. I find them interesting, but I'm not sure I'm crazy about them. I think they can be helpful in elementary and maybe middle school, when students are learning about researching on the Internet. In high school and older, however, I think students would be bored with them. At this point I think it would be better if students learned how to evaluate websites themselves for research purposes. Are students really learning anything if we just give them the sites they need? I don't know. Maybe it depends more on what the assignment is.
As for the WebQuest I made...I like the topic I used, but I'm not sure if I designed the WebQuest in the best way for it. I think I may have started to design it in the form of a lesson, even though WebQuests aren't supposed to be lessons...Well, I'm glad I had this experience because in the future I'll know what people are talking about when they mention WebQuests, and can help find/create them with teachers.
It's my turn to help lead the online discussions for the next two weeks, and I need to create my website design (due Saturday March 7).
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Second life, and reflection on the discussions
First, a little rant about Second life.
Earlier this week I decided to set up a SL account so that I could try the online discussion on Wednesday. It took forever just to get my character created because it kept rejecting every avatar name I suggested (I don't like that I have to pick a last name from a list. I think this really limits the name choices). After I finally got my avatar created, I'm sent to the beginner's place to read all these wall panels. I found this frustrating to have to walk in front of every panel just to read it. I personally think it would've been easier to have some kind of manual in front of me on how to do everything. By the time I got my avatar to waddle over to another panel, I would forget what I read earlier on how to perform a certain action, so then I would waste time trying to find that particular panel again. For some reason I can't change my outfit either (when I try to remove something it's still there...I'm not sure how to best explain it though. The clothing item will look like it's "broken" or something. It could be some kind of glitch). So for now I'm stuck in that hideous pink dress. *laughs* I guess I'll just have to keep playing with it. I'll make another attempt to try and come to the online discussion next week. Seeing how it's going so far, maybe I better try to find the discussion place early in case I have trouble getting there. And I haven't tried flying yet... I wonder if anyone else is struggling with SL too (or started out with similar difficulties). Maybe I'm just making it harder than what it is.
For the last two weeks the discussions were on lifelong learning and Web 2.0. Overall, it seems we believe that Web 2.0 is an advancement from Web 1.0, allowing us to participate/contribute more rather than just reading what's been posted. With lifelong learning, we continue to learn in order to keep up with advances. It was interesting to learn who created the World Wide Web too (Sir Tim Berners-Lee). I was always curious who came up with it. I didn't realize the Web was created in 1990. I thought it was created in the mid to late 90's.
My next task for this class is to to do my WebQuest for next Saturday.
Earlier this week I decided to set up a SL account so that I could try the online discussion on Wednesday. It took forever just to get my character created because it kept rejecting every avatar name I suggested (I don't like that I have to pick a last name from a list. I think this really limits the name choices). After I finally got my avatar created, I'm sent to the beginner's place to read all these wall panels. I found this frustrating to have to walk in front of every panel just to read it. I personally think it would've been easier to have some kind of manual in front of me on how to do everything. By the time I got my avatar to waddle over to another panel, I would forget what I read earlier on how to perform a certain action, so then I would waste time trying to find that particular panel again. For some reason I can't change my outfit either (when I try to remove something it's still there...I'm not sure how to best explain it though. The clothing item will look like it's "broken" or something. It could be some kind of glitch). So for now I'm stuck in that hideous pink dress. *laughs* I guess I'll just have to keep playing with it. I'll make another attempt to try and come to the online discussion next week. Seeing how it's going so far, maybe I better try to find the discussion place early in case I have trouble getting there. And I haven't tried flying yet... I wonder if anyone else is struggling with SL too (or started out with similar difficulties). Maybe I'm just making it harder than what it is.
For the last two weeks the discussions were on lifelong learning and Web 2.0. Overall, it seems we believe that Web 2.0 is an advancement from Web 1.0, allowing us to participate/contribute more rather than just reading what's been posted. With lifelong learning, we continue to learn in order to keep up with advances. It was interesting to learn who created the World Wide Web too (Sir Tim Berners-Lee). I was always curious who came up with it. I didn't realize the Web was created in 1990. I thought it was created in the mid to late 90's.
My next task for this class is to to do my WebQuest for next Saturday.
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