Anyway, (my partner) Julie’s cousin Kylie has started a great blog, “The Half Assed Cook“. The first recipe Coconut Fish With Cucumber Salad looks like a winner so pop in and check it out.

Kylie, you have inspired me to update my list of recipes!

Personally, I use location enabled technology on my iPhone now more than I actually talk to people. I use it to help me find my friends, my phone (my toddler keeps hiding it), my way around, facilities and services nearby (like bars, banks, hospitals, etc) and even the nearest toilet!

I’m also excited about the educational opportunities that this technology may lead to. Nearly everyone has access to this kind of technology now, mostly in the form of a smartphone or tablet device.

So what is Geo-tagging?

Geotagging is the term given to the adding of geographical metadata to photos, videos, tweets, websites and other media. This ‘metadata’ can include longitude and latitude, and other attributes such as altitude.

Why would you use it in education?

Because a high percentage of people have the access to that kind of technology (smartphones have become essential items for many students, sometimes they even use them for talking with people), so why not provide educational opportunities for them.

Examples & ideas for educational use

• bring presentations & research tasks to life by placing geo-taggedphotos on an interactive map (here’s how – http://youtu.be/QxvGvsij8Sg). Check out these examples
• a treasure hunt that makes use of GPS-enabled devices to find hidden objects
• geo-tagged equipment in a workplace to present information/manuals on the equipment as people approach/ use it
• exploration of different habitats, species (exact locations are recorded for ease of finding again & to place them on a map)
• measuring distances
• exploring IT in society discussion (e.g. in England during WW2 rural place names and signposts were taken down so that the Germans would get lost if they managed to land on our shores – how different it would be now)
• Google Earth Student Showcase

Here’s a sample Lesson: Which Tree is which?
Objectives: the student will study trees on their campus, document findings and collect samples, images (smartpohone records GPS coordinates) then analyze the data upon returning to their classroom in order to identify the trees.

Tools you can use

• Flickr - Many contempoary smartphones such as the iphone are gps enabled and will store the location the photo was taken and when uploaded to flickr will enable a link to a map showing the location the shot was taken.
• My Maps - Google’s ‘My Maps’ is a service which allows google users the ability to create a custom map with numerous markers which can contain any embedded content such as flickr images/video. Geotagged images can be located on a My Map and displayed where they were taken. My Maps can be embedded in any application which allows third party embeds such as wikis, blogs, Moodle etc

Articles

• Privacy concerns? Read this balanced article from another educator and make up your own mind – Photo Geotagging Poses Privacy Risks, But Is NOT a Reason for Panic.
• 7 things you should know about geo-tagging (from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI)
• The Future? Augmented Reality and Geotagging in Japan (a student project)

• 81% of students owned a smartphone
• 80% of students had previously seen a QR code
• 21% of students successfully scanned our QR code example.
• 75% of students said they are “Not Likely” to scan a QR code in the future.

It’s surprising to me that so many people struggled with the technology, its as simple as taking a photo with a smartphone, easier than tying a web address into the phones browser.  Isn’t it?

I agree though with this point;

“Remember, when it comes to trends, especially those in the tech fields, adoption doesn’t trickle down to college students but rather the other way around. The college campus is what drives our popular culture – always has, always will. Without adoption or buy-in from this segment, a product will continually struggle for relevancy.”

I also have to admit that when I first saw the QR code, I jumped in, head-first, finding reasons for educators to use this technology to deliver content in new, engaging ways. But I don’t scan them myself, the novelty has well worn off, there’s no ‘what’s in it for me?’, so why would I expect anyone else to? Is anyone doing anything really innovative with QR codes? Is it working?

I’d be interested to know. Bring on Augmented Reality!

http://www.dachisgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/qr.jpg

The conference attracted considerable media attention and was pivotal in reshaping thinking about regional leadership across Australia with a big focus on the NBN (National Broadband Network) and the opportunities and services it will bring to the mid-north coast. North Coast TAFE had a great stand demonstrating how we are currently using new technologies in education. The stand was manned by myself (a.k.a. Gadget Girl). North Coast TAFE had many presentations throughout the conference, but I thought I’d share the prezi that I developed because I just heart prezi.

The project was called, IncludeMe! You can visit our project site here. Here’s a summary of how the project worked out!

Tip: roll your mouse over the ‘More’ link next to the play button and view the presentation Full Screen.

• “Brands are born of experiences”
• “Are you building brand ambassadors or assassins?”
• “Hire a photographer for head shots” – aint that the truth?
• “Reward staff publicly”

and, this one is really key - ”How can companies keep employees from doing stupid things?

“The same way it can keep employees from doing stupid things on email and the phone. Give them guidelines and resources. Have an online communication policy that follows standard communication policies and trust them to do the right thing” – Scott Monty, Head of Social Media, Ford

The most amazing thing for me were the conversations happening in Twitter (and seeing a sea of mobile devices, iPads, iPhones… and a few Android devices). The presenters brilliantly engaged with those conversations and learning occuring on the back channel and in some cases scheduled tweets in advance to remain involved through their presentations. Having the opportunity to be physically present in one stream of presentations and watch and participate in the conversations coming in from the other presentations via Twitter made me feel part of something really dynamic.

Here’s a summary of what I was part of.

m-libraries 2011 – mobile learning and the future on Prezi

Anyway, I’ve given it a face-lift, although, as you can see there are still a few little issues with my new theme that I need to iron out… But I think I need that to keep me coming back!

Should I get back on the blogging bandwagon? Does anyone like this new theme? What does it look like on a P.C?

Whilst I don’t plan to spend this entire post talking about all the great support, resources, hosted events and the dynamic community of educators and artists that jokay supports on her island of  jokaydia (SLurl – click this link to teleport to jokaydia), the island that JoKay has been building is seriously worth exploring.

The island of jokaydia is designed to support new residents as they gain competency and confidence with Second Life.  Visit jokaydia for free monthly tours for Newbies, or go on one of the free monthly road trips to discover new and exciting educational and arts related projects and spaces in Second Life.

Virtual Classroom Project

I recently came across this  wonderful post by Jo Kay (aka JoKay Wollongong) about the Second Life Virtual Classroom Project that began last year. It’s about the plans of an Australian educator, Annabel Astbury (a history teacher), who is planning the creation and development of a virtual learning space where visitors can learn about “settlement / colonisation in the south east of Australia.” by interacting with the space. What is so unique about her project is that students visiting this space can truly explore and experience “the impact that colonisation had upon indigenous communities in Australia.”

Summary of Annabel’s plans for the new virtual learning environment

Focusing on Frontier Life, visitors to the virtual space will land in an Australian bush simulation with features of the natural Landscape  as it appeared pre settlement. Uncleared, with evidence of Indigenous inhabitants. Mixing new teaching methods with traditional, visitors will have read some material on frontier life prior to their visit, they would then be invited to clear the land themselves taking into account the elements of the landscape and armed with  necessary resources (in a virtual box), build their own hut, or settlement. The clever part of this is, is that some of the objects provided in the virtual box are not historically accurate, so they must discern which objects to use.

More Info

You can find out more about this concept by visiting this blog post of Annabel Astbury (SL: Annabel Recreant). Also take a sneak peak at the plans for the new space. Or subscribe to this RSS feed to keep up to date with developments to the space. (RSS Posts)

jokaydia

If you’re not familiar with the Virtual World, Second Life, or the work of JoKay (aka JoKay Wollongong), then check it out her blog.

Virtual Classroom Project Video

Watch this brilliant movie to see the Virtual Classroom being built in Second Life, see images from virtual meetings and have a look at how ecological sustainability has been integrated into the virtual space with the addition of solar panels, a water tank and the use of wind energy. The video will amaze you, it’s about  6 – 7 minutes long and the music is fantastic.

Other Links

• Science for Second Life Project

Day 1 at Moodle Moot 2008

• Informative Keynote #1 – Martin Dougiamas , the Founder and Lead Developer of Moodle
  
• Maximising the use of the Moodle Gradebook – Shane Elliot | Pukunui Technology
  
• Diving into e-Learning, building capability and enthusiasm to use an online learning environment for an outdoor bunch – Bronwyn Campbell | Active Learning Partners
  
• Using Moodle for podcasting,  with Julian Ridden | St Ignatius College
  
• Rich content for Moodle on a Budget with Rhys Moult | BJ Network Consulting
  

Day 2 at the Moodle Moot 2008

• Inspiring Keynote # 2, Today’s Kids, Tomorrows Creatives – Professor Erica William | Assistant Dean for the Faculty of Education, QUT – Post1 | Post 2
  
• Moodle Themes Development, with Julian Ridden | St Ignatius College
  
• Eye-Tracking Moodle, Moodle accessibility and usability- Dr Daniel Woo | University of New South Wales
  
• Moodle from a students perspective, with Year 12 students Jane Symons & Anna Prokop | All Hallows’ School