Wed 25 April 2007 - Oh well...

Well, it's been 2 weeks since I've added to this blog and there I was planning on updating it as often as possible. Oh well, so much for that then!

Two weeks have flown past and I have been inundated with projects at work, friends in town from the UK (see above picture) and planning my holiday for the end of this month. We're going to Krabi in Thailand this Saturday for about a week!

Since the last time I posted, I've spent a bit of time looking for some "live" discussion lists and even emailed someone from Knowledge Garden for a password but so far no reply and no luck. If anyone knows of any, I'd appreciate being pointed in the right direction!

Anyway, I'll do a bit more searching before I go on holiday.

Adios for now!

Wed 11 April 2007 - Part 5

Wow, wow, wow - triple wow for emphasis! Just been reading some of the discussions that's been going on in "Experimenting with electronic communication" and there's loads of interesting stuff happening.

The Knowledge Garden, other people's blogs, discussion lists, etc. I need to put aside some time (or should that be a LOT of time) checking all this out!

Things to do:

• Compile a list of everyone's blogs so that I can systematically go through each one (I saw a list in one of the earlier posts)
  
• Find a few "live" discussion lists

Chow for now!

Michael

Wed 11 April 2007 - Part 4

Helloo there!

These are my postings for "Course Intro and Computer systems" which can also be found on the discussion forum but I’m putting it here ‘cause it’s nice to have it all in one place!

Activity B

In what ways have you used to web to enhance your teaching and learning?

I use the web in much the same way as most people Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) use the web to enhance their teaching and learning.

Since I’m the website coordinator for our department, I’m responsible for updating the website (http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~caep/ - comments welcome!)

If you look in the "Useful Links” section, you’ll find a list of websites that I have gathered together for our English Language students.

I used to have a “Lesson of the week” section also using the “Hot potatoes” software to create various online exercises (grammar, reading, etc.) but that was disbanded because it was all too time consuming.

We have purchased some software (Author Plus) from Clarity (a locally based software company - http://www.clarity.com.hk/) and I’m looking at how we can use this in conjunction with our website.

Part of the reason why I’m doing this course is to find out how I can better make use of the website to enhance our students’ English Language learning.

For my own individual classes, I’ve used the web as an information resource to do internet treasure hunts/trails, etc.

For my own use and learning, it’s mainly searching for information and teaching material using a variety of search engines (usually ‘Google’).

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Activity C

Make a list of six friends or neighbours who own and/or regularly use computers. Include a note about the type of equipment they use and their relative levels of expertise.

1. Cammy – Windows XP based IBM laptop / proficient with MS Office software as she mainly uses this in her job
   
2. Matthew – Windows XP generic clone desktop computer / employed as a network administrator, ie. expert
   
3. John – Windows XP generic clone desktop computer / proficient user as he has some IT qualifications
   
4. Jo – Apple Mac laptop / proficient Mac user as she has a background in design and publishing
   
5. Karen - Windows XP based Dell desktop computer / typical user of Office software
   
6. Tom – Windows XP based HP laptop / advanced home user

Find the contact details for at least one local computer user group and share in this weeks online space.

I have done a search for local computer user groups but all it came up with were some Mac, Pocket PCs, etc.

Record the contact details for any support services offered by your employer.

The university’s ITSC (Information Technology Services Centre) is responsible for five major fields of service:

1. Provision of telephone, television, video and data networking services throughout the University.
   
2. Provision of basic information technology training and user consultation services.
   
3. Provision of teaching support and multimedia services.
   
4. Provision of hardware and software installation and maintenance services for PC's and related equipment.
   
5. Provision of computer operation services for all the main and distributed machine rooms across the campuses.

Additionally, the ITSC also serves as the Webmaster of the University Web Site and develops departmental applications for administrative offices.

Consider applying for membership of QSITE, ASET or ACCE either as an individual or on behalf of your school or other organization.

I have subscribed to ACCE.

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Activity D

What type of computer system do you have access to at home, how does it compare to your access at work?

I have a Dell Latitude D620 laptop at home which connects to a wireless network. At work, I have a Dell desktop computer which is networked to the university campus. This is a series of networks and shared drives amongst the university staff used mainly for collaboration.

I can do pretty much the same things at home as I can do at work, except for accessing the shared resources.

Michael

Wed 11 April 2007 - Part 3

Greetings course mates!

I can’t seem to add a picture to my profile (anyone know why?) so I’ll put it right here. This is a picture of my wife (Cammy) and I.

Since this is a blog of my work in this module, I'll include some of my postings from the discussion forums:

My expectations are quite simple and straightforward - I wanted a further qualification and I'm very much interested in how we can integrate ICT/IT into teaching, in my case teaching English.

When I was looking for an appropriate Masters course, I knew what kind of learning/delivery mode I wanted, namely 100% distance learning/studying online (aka studying in my own time!) In my profession, it's very difficult for me to get time off to attend lectures/tutorials and I certainly wasn't interested in courses where you would spend about a month in the summer at a university.

My colleague just finished this very same Masters and was full of praise for it. After looking at the details of the course and speaking to my colleague about it extensively, I decided that this was the perfect course for me!

5 tips (and a bonus 1) for surviving online? Are we talking about studying online or just going online in general? My tips will cover both aspects:

1. I just picked this one up from reading the forums. Don’t get too bogged down with reading all the postings/threads and don’t feel like you have to reply to all the discussions!

2. This follows on from the previous tip. Don’t be afraid to initiate/reply to posts on the forum even if it seems so simple – get involved! There may be other people out there who have the same problem – you never know!

3. Don’t get too carried away when surfing the internet. Sometimes you follow a link, then another and in the end, you forget what you were looking for or reading in the first place!

4. Although studying online is great for the flexible learner, make sure there is a certain degree of structure to the way you learn/study. Set aside some time every week to study/learn and don’t leave things until the last minute!

5. Obvious one this but have regular breaks away from the computer, especially if you already sit in front of a computer for at least 6-8 hours a day during work!

6. Learning/studying online might/seems a bit lonely and doesn't have the regular feel of a conventional course but as you can see from these forums, you get something else. You belong to an online community of shared learners so dive in, participate, build relationships and enjoy!

Your humble padawan

Michael

Wed 11 April 2007 - Part 2

Hi all

I forgot to introduce myself earlier so I'll simply do that by pasting bits and pieces of what I've done earlier:

I'm a TEFL teacher, work for Hong Kong Baptist University and loving it at the moment.

I'm interested in ICT and Education (in general) so that's why I'm taking this course.

On a lighter side, after a hard week/month working/teaching, I really like to let my hair down and go dancing with bellydancers (see above)?!

I like to keep fit and am a keen squash and badminton player. If any of you ever visit this part of the world and fancy a challenging game, let me know! Alternatively, I'll show you the wonderful sights of Hong Kong (the city that never sleeps)! I'm also quite partial to a game of pool...

Michael

Wed 11 April 2007 - Part 1

Hi all

Welcome to my blog for "EDU5471 Computer Based Resources in Education"!

Although I've heard of blogs, wiki's, podcasting, etc., this is the first time I've actually taken an in-depth look at a blog and what it can do.

I'll post here from time to time with my thoughts and reflections about taking this Master of Education Technology and in particular this module.

It's taken me a while to 'get into the groove' what with work and family commitments, not to mention having a decent work-life balance but I'm finally starting to get the hang of it!

Michael