Impatica for PowerPoint

Using Impatica to 'impaticize' a Powerpoint presentation is a fairly easy process. Once the desired options are selected, Impatica does all the work in the background including file compression and producing output that can readily be posted on the Web, in email or in a course management system. The compression capability is particularly significant because bandwidth is often a major concern for some online learners and a major challenge for instructors who use PowerPoint regularly to produce online course content. Embedding sound in the presentation is done within the familiar PowerPoint environment. Instructors certainly embrace the low learning curve in using this technology to produce enhanced, compressed, presentations.

My project, "The Online Class: Supporting Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning" is set in the context of faculty development and focuses on learning styles. I pose some fundamental questions that instructors may have about learning styles, and continue with brief descriptions of a select few learning styles, along with some instructional strategies for supporting them. In closing, I give a summary of choices that instructors can adopt to optimize learner experiences in the online class.

SnagIT Screen Capture

In the classroom context, SnagIT screen shots can be used to call attention to specific information and to orient learners to task processes. It is an easy- to-use tool, therefore, its utility would be appealing to instructors who wish to capture screen shots for integrating into their course materials without investing too much time in the effort. The screen shot to the left is of the Encyclopedia of Educational Technology website.

Video Blog: Web 2.0 Apps and Support for Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning

My experience creating a video has been quite challenging mostly because I was not very familiar with the software packages that I needed to use. The most gruesome yet unaccomplished task for me was balancing video quality and size. One would assume that I would have learned a thing or two from all the early birds who finished this assignment days ago, but... The final product is not perfect, the background noise is annoying, and it looks as though in cyberspace, the quality that I thought I had finally attained was ...well...watch here. Although the original video was heavily edited out, I think I captured both the lighter and serious sides of what I wanted to show and say in the much shorter version.

Web 2.0 applications such as blogs, podcasts, vlogs and wikis, can be used creatively to support diverse talents and ways of learning. Whenever feasible, we should take advantage of the knowledge bases, instructional/learning strategies, and communication capabilities afforded by these applications. They may vicariously promote learning, and also give learners and instructors new avenues to explore, share, and acquire knowledge in innovative and exciting ways.

My Podcasting Experience

The RSS URL for my podcast is http://odeo.com/channel/411943/rss.xml


I really wanted to produce a 'great podcast' as suggested in the readings...add music, interview people, use a better microphone...but quickly realized the limitations of the resources, time, and my own talent as a novice podcaster. Besides, we are in the middle of exams and it was too imposing to ask anyone to participate in this exercise. I think that I chose a universal topic "Time Management", that a good number of people would find somewhat interesting, is relevant to distance education, and did the best with what I had. I found ODEO for recording a bit tedious to use because of its limited editing capabilities. I had to start recording all over if I made a mistake. My final product is far from perfect because of this, but at least now I can say that I am aware of the mechanics of producing a podcast, and what it takes to create a more polished and professional product. The whole experience simply affirmed some of the issues we've been discussing about integrating technology in the classroom. A quality podcast, like any other technology, can be time intensive to produce, requires pre-planning, amassing resources, and a good dose of patience. Perhaps that is why some instructors shy away from integrating technology, if they have to go it alone without adequate support. All in all, it was a great exercise and applicable to the direction of how a new technology is being used to enhance learning.

I liked Pam Miller's podcast on online safety. It was right on target about parents' responsibilities to monitor their childrens' activities on the Internet, along with practical tips on how to do it.

Diane Fulkerson's podcasts are brief and to the point. I like her assessment on when and where podcasts are useful in higher education. It gives novices to podcasting a starting point when considering incorporating this technology.