New Version of Course Genie

Course Genie version 2.2 is now available on the University Novell Delivered applications. There are three ways you can get the new version -

• If you already have Course Genie installed, just click on the Course Genie icon, which you will find in the Microsoft Office 2003 Suite folder, and the new version will be installed.
• If you don't already have Course Genie installed, click on the icon and follow the instructions.
• If your PC is not on the Novell network and your PC is not supported by LIS, you can get a copy of the software form IT support itsupport@swan.ac.uk or extension 5060.

Event: Lunch & Learn - Podcasting

• What are podcasts?
• How do they work?
• How might they be useful in learning and teaching?
• How do you make one?

The next 'Lunch and Learn' session will explore the answers to these questions, show some examples and provide some very tasty sandwiches.

Date & Time: Thursday 6th December 1-2pm
Venue: Staff Development Unit
Book with Staff Development

Event: Are your blackboard modules are a bit boring?

• Do you you feel your blackboard modules are a bit boring?
• Would you like to give your students interactive activities to work though?
• Can you use a word processor?
  

Course Genie enables you to quickly and easily convert Microsoft Word documents into interactive content for your Blackboard modules. From one Word document you can generate a set of web pages that include navigation and interactive features, which can quickly be uploaded to your module.

A simple Course Genie example.

Introduction to Course Genie
Date & Time: Wednesday 16th January 2008 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Venue: PC Room 1 in the Library Building
Book with Staff Development

Event: Innovative E-learning with Mobile and Wireless Technologies

Innovative E-learning with Mobile and Wireless Technologies

13 Dec 2007 (Full day event)
09:30-16:00
Copthorne Hotel, Cardiff

This FREE event is funded and delivered by JISC and the Higher Education Academy and administered by RSC Wales.

We will explore the practicalities of implementing mobile and wireless technologies in an institution. As a participant you will explore technical, pedagogical and organisational change issues around implementation. Case studies from two institutions, Bangor University and University of Glamorgan, will provide an insight into current developments in mobile and wireless technologies in education.

This event offers a highly-acclaimed programme previously delivered at English Universities by JISC and Higher Education Academy staff in March/April 2007, and now available in Wales free of charge.

The event has been developed for staff in Higher Education: e-learning staff, lecturers, information services staff and others will find it useful. Staff from other sectors including FE, Adult and Community Learning and Workbased Learning Sectors who are interested in developments in the HE sector are very welcome to attend.

Full details

The deadline for bookings is 5 December 2007.

TechDis Accesibility Essentials - Making the most of PDFs

PDFs (Portable Document Format) can be very useful but can also raise a number of accessibility issues. The fourth in the TechDis Accessibility essentially series 'Making the Most of PDFs' addresses these issues. According the TechDis website the guide has -

"been designed to provide step-by-step information to enable anyone creating Portable Document Format (PDF) documents do so in a more accessible manner. These hints and tips will benefit those who create PDF documents using scanned materials or word processed documents, or receive a PDF version of publicity materials from a graphic designer."

You can view or order the guide from http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=3_20

50 Web 2.0 Ways To Tell a Story

Alan Levine of the NMC and CogDogBlog recently did some work on "50 Web 2.0 Ways To Tell a Story".

"We are using the word "story" in a general sense; it may be a deeply personal one of the digital storytelling variety, or it may be a tale of a travel trip, or a simple multimedia presentation." - Alan Levine

Though he was looking at different tools that could be used to tell a story, he stresses that the tools should not come first.

He presented his work on a recent trip to Australia through a wiki,
http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/50+Ways.

The process was broken down into three steps:

As Easy as 1-2-3!

1.Outline a Story Idea
2.Find Some Media
3.Pick a Tool to Build Your Story

Alan has also put together a Slideshare presentation with voice about his work with "50 Web 2.0 Ways To Tell a Story".

| View | Upload your own

As blogged on CogDogBlog -
http://cogdogblog.com/2007/11/15/50-ways-slidecast/

Its very interesting to see how the same story can be told using different tools.