This week in San Francisco Google has been running it's developer conference called Google I/O. During this conference Google have made big changes to the user interface of Google+ as well as launching its new "Hangouts" service which will ultimately replace its current disparate collection of chat, video and voice services.
Like any big changes particularly to user interface there have been those praising it while others of howled their disapproval. It will take a few days of usage before anybody can really give a constructive review. In these changes you can see how Google is slowly integrating their services under the Google+ banner. I would expect this to continue. I am really looking forward to using the new Hangouts and I hope that more people take up Hangouts as a way to communicate.
Once the dust has settled on the changes I will put together a more detailed post but my suggestion is go and play with these tools especially Hangouts and tell me what you think.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Dealing with technology letting you down.
One of the hard lessons you learn the more you dip your toes into the technological waters is that no matter what you do at some stage the technology will let you down, so what do you do to limit it?
If you are going to be running some blended learning classes and part of them will be run on-line then it is important that your students have their devices correctly set up to use those on-line tools. First you need to know what type of device your students will be using, for example a desktop computer or a notebook or even a tablet. Then the operating system. If its using web tools also the web browser and version and if you need plugin like Flash.
How ever the most important part is before you run an on-line class is to have some orientation sessions with your students. Make these sessions fun and while you are running them you are actually making sure your students can access your on-line tools and are feeling comfortable. If you are able you could have a session at your local education centre where the students could bring along their computers particularly if they have notebooks or tablets and you or your IT person could make sure everything was set up correctly for them, and could run some test. This could also be a fun orientation session.
What ever you are doing you are never going to be able to fully stop technological failures. For example if your primary tool is BB or Wiziq and for what ever reason you cant use them have a backup already in place such as Skype. If you and your students have a backup plan then you can still continue with a fun and productive class even if your primary technological tool lets you down.
Finally this reminds me of "The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy" and its most famous quote, "Don't Panic"
If you are going to be running some blended learning classes and part of them will be run on-line then it is important that your students have their devices correctly set up to use those on-line tools. First you need to know what type of device your students will be using, for example a desktop computer or a notebook or even a tablet. Then the operating system. If its using web tools also the web browser and version and if you need plugin like Flash.
How ever the most important part is before you run an on-line class is to have some orientation sessions with your students. Make these sessions fun and while you are running them you are actually making sure your students can access your on-line tools and are feeling comfortable. If you are able you could have a session at your local education centre where the students could bring along their computers particularly if they have notebooks or tablets and you or your IT person could make sure everything was set up correctly for them, and could run some test. This could also be a fun orientation session.
What ever you are doing you are never going to be able to fully stop technological failures. For example if your primary tool is BB or Wiziq and for what ever reason you cant use them have a backup already in place such as Skype. If you and your students have a backup plan then you can still continue with a fun and productive class even if your primary technological tool lets you down.
Finally this reminds me of "The Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy" and its most famous quote, "Don't Panic"
Thursday, May 2, 2013
When a Tablet is enough
I have some friends who a number of years ago purchased a desktop computer because they felt they needed to keep up to date. Unfortunately they found the Operating System (Windows) daunting. They really only wanted the computer to send and receive emails, do a bit or surfing the web and watching some video. At the time the Ipad was not available. Sometimes I think a computer is overkill and actually is a road block to engaging and enjoying the web.
As tablets have improved they have become a great information consumption device. So when you get that question from friends and or family about what computer or device to purchase take some time to find out what they really want that device to do. In the end you might find that a tablet is enough.
What do you think?
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