The TechTeacher Network - June11th 2008

Going Global Part 2
The Demise of the Overhead Projector - Document Cameras
Sponsor Spot - www.bitleap.com
Nod 32
Viddler Save the Day
Take the Pounce Challenge

INTRODUCTION:
You are listening to the TechTeacher Network…a podcast for the 21^st century.

GOING GLOBAL Part 2
This episode is sponsored by by BitLeap, providers of highly secure, automatic local and offsite backup and email archiving services.…this podcast is also made possible by donations from listeners like you. Thank you for your support.

One of the free services that I have used in the past is a clearing house called GobalSchoolnet.org. Whether you are the creator of a project looking for partners or a classroom teachers looking for another classroom to partner with…. Global SchoolNet's mission is to support 21st century learning by  engageing teachers and students in meaningful project learning exchanges with people around the world to develop literacy and communication skills, foster teamwork and collaboration, encourage workforce preparedness and create multi-cultural understanding. We prepare youth for full participation as productive and effective citizens in an increasing global economy. The nice thing about this service is that classroom can located other classrooms that may not have the higher end conferencing equipment and use a simple setup like a web camera running through Skype…Skype is free and so would be the call.

Another service that is available is a pay service called The Global Nomads Group. Started in 1998, the mission of GNG has been to Connect students from around the world through video conferencing. The programs that hey offer compliment what students are getting in the classroom but with real-world enrichment. With this service, student can virtually travel to other countries….from there can learn the history, the positives and negatives of what is happening in that country, and compare and contrast their lives…and realize that we they are not so different. The GNG programs are unique every year and pre-recorded sessions are available on their web site so you can experience in advance.

Global Nomads is a non-profit funded through Polycom and other foundations and corporations. Their programs cost- $125 -$175 per session and are usually delivered in a series. A polycom video conferencing unit is required to participate in these programs.

 

DOCUMENT CAMERAS
In this episode, I am going to discuss documents cameras and the some things to look for when purchasing one….and share some ways that they can be integrated into your instruction.

First of all…what should one look for in a document camera. To honest, it is like a lot of technology out there, it depends on how it is going to be used. Believe it or not, document cameras range greatly not only in price, but also in features….so let me just touch briefly on some basic features that you should consider when purchasing one of these devices.

The first one is resolution; when shopping for digital still cameras and video camera you always try to get the greatest mega pixels…the same rule should apply with a document camera. The higher the resolution…the greater the detail and the better the image. Try looking at a couple of things to help…look at how the document camera displays fonts…they should be sharp, clean, and clear…the edges should not be soften or smudged. Also, try to look for at least 3 mega pixels….this should really be the lowest that you should be willing to go.

The next feature is zoom - depending on what you are using the document camera for…you should always look again for the highest optical zoom. A simple test for the zoom is laying down a dollar bill and looking to see how well the zoom does with displaying the filaments and threads.  Another trick that I was taught is to use the back of the five dollar and zoom in on the Lincoln Memorial….you should be able to see the states listed at the top of the building. The optical zoom uses the actual lens to bring the item closer….where as the digital zoom...isn't really a zoom, but actually crops the entire image and then digitally enlarges the size….which after a point, causes the image to become pixilated and unrecognizable…therefore decreasing image quality. So…focus on the optical zoom and don"t worry so much about the digital zoom.

Then there is the focus. Look for a document camera that not only has manual focus, but also auto focus. The camera should easily focus in on the items that you want to view. Sometimes this can be difficult depending on the color of the paper, the lighting, or if the item has a shine or gloss to it. I also like documents cameras that offer this feature on the remote….this way adjustment can be made on the fly.

The next feature that is really important is the light or lighting. Depending on the model…a document camera can have anywhere from one light to three lights. Smaller units without a platform may just have a single light to eliminate the document or object that is being presented…where larger units may have two lighting arms along with a lit base. The type of lights used is also important…LED lights are my presence. The built-in LED lighting system provides cool to the touch, natural white light ……plus LED lights also offer a longer life…some up to 10 years.

A couple of other features that help make the document camera experience a little more valuable is having a tilting camera head. Having this feature allows more flexibility when show a document and making adjustment to the image. And finally…having a remote control that offers the same feature that are on the camera. This simple little feature allows the presenter to move freely around the room without being tied to the camera.

So what do you need to use a document camera….well you will need something to project the image with:

• Television (which should be large enough for a classroom to see)
• Computer monitor (fine for small groups)
• Projector (the best choice for classrooms)

Some optional items that can be used with a document camera are

• Laptop  

Some ways to use a document camera:

—  Display information out of books or magazines
—  Display notes or documents
—  Display student projects or writing
—  Demonstrate live writing, problem solving or the working of an equation (Now this can be done on paper or  I suggest using a small dry -erase maker board)

•  Display 3D items – some examples– show your class fossils, leaves meals worms or you can show the difference between beetles and butterflies in a unique and new way
• Show live demonstrations -  example – show the class the proper way to count back change, use a ruler, or sew on a button
• With document cameras that offering recording software- Record demonstrations to be achieved or posted for students who are absent
• Demonstration activities such as using a map or map key…or maybe how to use the calculator or classroom iPod.  
• Geometry Classes - use your document camera to add a 3D twist to the complicated world of pyramids, cones and cylinders.
• Art Classes - Students can watch and see more clearly techniques on molding clay and making perfect brush strokes or show printed materials

   Now there are many more ideas for integrating document cameras in the classroom. Now if you would like additional information on document camera…subscribe to the TechTeacher Tech Letter….the very first issue will not only include "Document Camera Tip” but also additional tech tips for educators.

NOD 32
Whether it is you personal computer or your schools computers…virus protection is a necessity in this day and age. Malware is running ramped and you need to kill the viruses before the kill you system. In the past I have always used tools like Nortons and McAfee to protect my home computers, but the problem is that every time they come out with a new version, they seems to take up more hard drive space and more processor speed. After listening to Leo Laporte – creator of the TWIT podcasts, and doing some research, I finally I figure it was time for a change. I have found the perfect protection for my home computers. What I discovered was that when  it comes to proactive visrus protection, Eset's NOD32 was the hands-down winner in "Virus Stoppers," It actually was one of the top protectors against spyware. Not only does it protect well but the programwas very easy to install and I never seem to notice it scanning when I am using the computer…unlike the other services I have tried. It also has a very small foot print so it does not take as much hard drive space. Now NOD32  ties you're your Outlook or Outlook Express for e-mail scanning. NOD 32 does not work with or integrate with any instant messaging applications for scanning sent links or files. It also scans for spyware and adware in addition to viruses and it can perform all those scans at once, while some other tools require multiple scans.

 

 

SPONSOR AD
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Visit us at www.bitleap.com  or call 866- 363-0668 for instant solution pricing and to learn how BitLeap can take the worry out of backup and recovery, and to find out about others in education that already rely on BitLeap.

 Viddler Saves the Day!

I have been creating and teaching online course for many years now.One of my goals when doing so is integrating as many tools as possible to help meet the learning style of the students. One of the tools that I like to use is the use of video tutorials. Well recently, I noticed that one of the content delivery services was not cooperating with the video tutorials that I was trying to post. I tried every format supported by the service, but with no luck. Finally I decided to upload all of the tutorials to Viddler. Viddler is a FREE online service that lets you upload, enhance, and share digital video quickly and easily inside your web browser. Viddler supports .mov .mpg .wmv .avi .mpg4 and just about any format that you can think of. Then, once you video has been uploaded, it converts it to a flash format so it can be streamed online. This  means you can watch videos without having to wait for it download. What I also like about this service is it is a secure system and prevents other people from watching the video…I can control if I want to make them public or private. In my case I keep them private, but embedded the provided code so that the videos would seem as if it is streaming from my course. So not only is this faster than actually uploading  the video files and then embedding as content, but it also speeds up the viewing for the students taking the course. Viddler also offers features which I am not currently using…like viewer comments on the timeline of the video and you can also get viewing stats.  All I can say is that Viddler has Really Saved the Day for me….and it seems to show promise for education.  Now, like most public hosting services, I wouldn"t send my student directly to the Viddler site because there is a chance that some of the public content may not be suitable for children…..and even adults. But I really like the idea that I Viddler gives me a simple code that can be used to embed my videos or selected videos on a class web page, a content delivery service, or even a classroom blog. So, check out Viddler…and let me know what you think.
www.viddler.com

TAKE THE POUNCE CHALLENGE
Now if you have been visiting my web page at: www.thetechteacher.libsyn.com you will have noticed that I am currently using a service called Pownce.  Pownce is a cross between and blog and a messaging service. Pownce is a way to send stuff to subscribers or what they call friends.  You can send just about anything: messages, music, photos,links, events, and more. You can do it all on our web site, or install our lightweight desktop software that lets you get out of the browser. I have been using Pownce with some of the online classes that I have been teaching this summer as a way to get to know my students better and in place of my traditional blog.  So, come a take the Pownce Challenge…sign up for a Ponce account and become my Pownce friend and experience this tool for yourself. Also, I will post the links to my course Pownce pages so you can see it being used with real students.

 CLOSING
Thank you for listening to the TechTeacher Network, and don’t forget to visit my web site listed in the podcast description. And while you are there, please make sure you sign up for the TechTeacher Network Tech Newsletter…once we hit our 100 subscriber mark…you will receive the first issue by e-mail. Also, take some time to visit the BitLeaf web site at www.bitleap.com, and maybe even thank them for making this podcast possible. If you find the The TechTeacher Network information beneficial and would like to support this service, please feel free to use the donate button found on the TechTeacher Network site:  www.thetechteacher.libsyn.com  For just $5 a year, you can help with hosting cost and upgrades.