Sunday, June 28, 2009

History of the Software Wars

Click on the image for a larger view 
Click here for image source
Click on the image for a larger view 
Click here for image source
Click on the image for a larger view 
Click here for image source
Click on the image for a larger view 
Click here for image source

Top 10 Free Multimedia Webware Tools


Top 10 Multimedia Freeware Tools

Firefox
Open Office

Video: How Social Media Can Make History





Major revolutions in last 500 years

printing press (publishing) 1 to many

telegraph/phone (communication) (1 to 1)

film/photograph (recorded media)

tv/radio (broadcast media)



NOW

internet (many to many) swallows all other media (prosumer)

Saturday, June 27, 2009

What Why and How to take a Screen Shot


What is a Screen Shot?

A screen shot also called a screen dump is a picture taken of your computer monitor screen.

Why take a Screen Shot?

A screen shots are useful for creating tutorials for applications and ripping images off the web (be sure to give credit and link to the source)

How to take a Screen Shot (for free)

Step 1: Pick the tool
Although Windows comes with a couple free and pre-installed options my favorite is Greenshot
For an up to date list of screen shoot tools that I have reviewed click here

Step 2: Capture/edit the screen

Step 3: Upload/publish the image on a photo host like Flickr or embed in your blog


For the master index on how to screenshot on all platforms and devices see:
http://www.take-a-screenshot.org/

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

How to Text a Cell from a Computer

http://www.txtdrop.com/

-Free
-No Sign up required
-Receive replies to your email
-International texting

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Podcast About Mind Mapping

A couple weeks ago, I listened to an inspiring podcast about mind mapping from Theatre of the Mind.Michael Gelb, a guru on mind mapping who teaches people and businesses how to work and think like Leonardo da Vinci, explained the art of mind mapping. I have to admit, the podcast had a lasting and productive effect on my teaching and my personal life.


Prior to learning this science and art of mind mapping, I used outlines and webs occasionally, which I mistakenly thought were the same things as mind maps.
When I actually remembered to do an outline or web for pre-writing - something I am much better at enforcing my students to do than myself - I realize now that I was actually limiting my thinking to linear logic. In other words, I would force my ideas in a structure that would not reflect how the ideas where related to each other. True mind mapping works with your brain and all the interconnected ideas rather than going upstream and working against it. Now I use mind maps on a daily basis with everything from writing this post and brainstorming to problem solving and even note-taking during conversations and phone calls. It has made me a deeper and more creative thinker.


Guidelines for Mind Mapping:

Here are some show notes from the podcast interview, "Theatre of the Mind: Michael Gelb and mind mapping":
1) Start with an image in the center because pictures are worth a thousand words and make the idea more memorable. This also brings the right hemisphere of the brain, the creative and imaginative side, into the thinking process. When I begin a mind map with a simple sketch or doodle I have noticed a new holistic level of thinking that I have never utilized fully before (and this is coming from someone who can't draw)
2) Print keywords, single information-rich words, on the lines radiating outward so they do not float and waste space. This was a major misconception I had about mind mapping. Before I was really doing webbing where you have bubbles on the end of each branch. I realize now webbing is limiting because the bubbles waste a lot of precious paper real estate when you are trying to get all your ideas out and connected on one page.
3) Use colors. I must admit I haven't implemented this yet.
Careful: mind maps can theoretically connect on and on and never end. It is helpful to take a break and get some distance from it. Mind maps are complete when your problem is solved.


To Listen Now!
1) Click on the following link to open a new window and start listening to the Podcast interview: "Theatre of the Mind: Michael Gelb and mind mapping" It's about 30 minutes long.  To play the podcast click on the "podcast button" or follow the directions to download.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

What, Why, & How to Podcast

What

Video: Podcasting in Plain English

See Google and Wikipedia's definition

Why

-Podcasting supports the Long Tail phenomenon like blogging

-You can subscribe to audio on the go.

-iTunes U = Free college lectures with out the HW, papers, and exams

-You can broadcast your own radio talk show, music, interviews, speeches, or presentations.

How

To listen= You will need a podcatcher see a list of my favorites or you can use the easiest and most popular one- by downloading iTunes for free (you don't need to listen to podcasts on an ipod you can listen to them on your computer

To create a podcast= See these collections of Free Podcasting Webware Tools and Free Podcast Software Tools and Getting Started with Audacity

See Our 5th Grade Podcast for an example.

Free Podcast Software Tools

Audacity (Mac and Windows, freeware)

Garageband (Mac; comes with new Macs; latest version can be downloaded free from Apple)

Sound Recorder
(this software comes automatically with Windows but has a limit on the length of time it can record any one session

Mixpad (Windows; freeware)

Monday, June 8, 2009

EdVibes Project CC

EdVibes has started Project CC.  A place we will be collecting and indexing the best databases and search engines for finding Creative Commons media.  The purpose of this project is to make it easier for students to find, remix, and publish their own multimedia productions.

My Copyright Guidelines & Resources

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, I am just sharing the principles and resources that I use.

My 3 Simple Guidelines:
1. Why not make it from Scratch?  
(Transform your classrooms into a studio and change your students from consumers to prosumers)
2. Play it safe and just use CC
(Use Creative Commons so you can legally remix and build on the past)
3. Ask for Permission, Fair use, and Link 
(Give credit, hyperlink, and use for educational purpose usually no problem)

Resources:
Copyright Cheat Slide the bar up and down to see all the laws
COPYRIGHT AND COPYWRONG excellent powerpoint summary
Copyright, What's Copyright? Youtube song from Temple
Copyright for Educators Slidecast on SlideShare (Presented February 2009) 54 Min Podcast+Slideshow
What Do You Do When Someone Steals Your Content
http://handouts.wesfryer.com/copyright

What Why & How to Creative Commons

Watch the About and  How It Works videos
Read about the different Licenses

Why
How
Use the Make Your Own License maker to create a badge you can embed with code or an image you can insert

See Also:
7 Things You Should Know About Creative Commons (2 page PDF report from Educause)

FATP Analysis Proposal

A useful format to  plan before they you produce, write, or create any project is the FATP Analysis Proposal:

Form: (How: Slideshow, Video, Essay, Letter, Video, etc.)

Audience: (Who/When/Where: Analysis)

Topic: (What: content)

Purpose: (Why: To entertain, inform, sell, persuade, etc.)

See also
RAFT - Role/Audience/Format/Topic
RAFT Strategy 

Flowchart Tools & Resources

Free Webware Flowchart Tools:
Process of Using Flowcharts:
Additional Resources:

Friday, June 5, 2009

Who Participates & How to Participate in Social Networks

To zoom in and see the source click here 

To zoom in and see the source click here 

Video: Social Networking in Plain English

Social Networking in Plain English  1:48 Min

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Visual Thinking

View this presentation for helpful intro to Visual Thinking


For more, see also:
An Introduction to Visual Thinking
Visual Thinking

A Whole New Mind - Book Summary and Resources


 Daniel Pink: Abundance, Asia and Automation in 1 minute.




To get a quick overview of the key concepts see these mind maps here


View the slideshow below for a presentation about the book:

To download a superb pdf complete summary of the whole book click here

A video summary of the book with key quotes and concepts
A great playlist of Daniel Pink's quick tips on everything from choosing a major to career advice

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

What, Why, & How to Open Source

What
Open Source describes a software license that ensures certain freedoms. There are 10 rules from the open source initiative

Open Source Software Analogies:
-free public schools (or OCW/iTunes) vs. pay as you go education
-free public libraries vs bookstores
-Wikipedia vs Britannica


Open Source in contrast to:
-Proprietary: commercial software that has restrictions on use, distribution, and modification.
-Freeware: There is no fee to use but you cannot study, modify, or redistribute.
-Shareware: Obtained free of charge for a certain amount of time then a payment is requested after the trial period.
-Public Domain: No laws restrict any use.

Why
What kind of open are you looking for? Open examples besides software


-Freedom to modify the software to your own needs.  Harness collective intelligence for collective invention through collaboration with developers around the world that increase the quality of the software.
-Frees you from vendor lock in (incompatible data, forced updates, or license renewals)
-It's free and decreases barriers to access



Disadvantages of Open Source:
-Lack the time to learn the software.
-May lack software of help resources (manuals, documentations, or community support)
-Lack of support, even though the application is free you may need to have pay the right person to administer and/or support it




Why People use Open Source Software:
-Cost: Free or "pay people not licenses"
-Commitment to openness and community
-stability
-Sustainability
-Security
-Intuitive design
-Flexibility/modularity

How