Audioboo

Just had a bit of a play around with Audioboo. Once I'd got over hearing the sound of my own voice played back to me and tried out a few impressions, I got down to work and recorded a 3 minute summary of sole trader business ownership. It was remarkably easy to join, navigate and use Audioboo. Within 15 minutes I had joined and made my first recording. I can't see the majority of pupils having many issues in accessing and using Audioboo.

This could be a really useful tool for me to use providing I can find the words to summarise a topic into a 3 minute recording - I'd need to pay for more recording time. The reason I think this could be useful is that I could essentially create a series of small recordings covering an entire topic which can then be posted on my Audioboo page. I can then create a link to these recordings on the college's virtual learning environment (VLE) so that my students can then access them at their leisure or even during a lesson. Students can then listen, and re-listen, to these recordings to help them understand a particular aspect of the topic. This will really help in homework and revision situations where students who don't particularly like reading textbooks or notes can simply listen to a recording and then work from there. This enables them to access their preferred learning style and make progress. This could also be true for students that have conditions such as dyslexia as the recordings would help them to overcome a barrier to them accessing information. Audioboo recordings also provide another/different way of accessing information to the wider student group. Thus giving them an added option to choose when they require information helping to keep things interesting for them. Audioboo is also particularly useful for 'learning on-the-go'. As long as students have access to the internet via a smartphone, or other portable device with internet access, they can access the recordings and listen to them. Students can also leave comments about the recordings for me to pick up later. Perhaps suggesting additions or posing questions. Students could also be set a homework task where they themselves have to make a 3 minute recording summarising the key points of a particular topic.

I can't really think of any major downsides to this e-learning tool. The one potentially annoying aspect of this tool is that there doesn't seem to be an option for students to download the recording and keep it on a separate device such as a mobile phone or ipod. This means that access to the internet is a must in order to be able to access the recordings.

1.2 - Explain how technology can enhance or inhibit learning.

This is a little collection of links to blog entries that explain how technology can enhance or inhibit learning. I think there is more of a leaning towards the notion that technology can enhance learning.

YouTube
Dvolver
Paper.li

There is a wide variety of e-learning tools available out there and most of them appear to be free - big plus point! The essential message is that these e-learning tools can enhance the teaching and learning process and have a big impact on student achievement.

Pintrest Boards

Just been playing around with Pintrest and created a nice little board linking to the Corporate Social Responsibility reports of some big companies. This was really easy to create and will definitely be used in my current Business Ethics unit!!

Evaluating YouTube as a Teaching and Learning Tool

As you probably know already, YouTube is a social media site where users can upload, view and make comments on videos on a wide range of topics - as long as they fit within YouTube's acceptable use/content policies. Personally I have used YouTube as a teaching resource to find short video clips videos that I can then show to students. The clips I have used range from explanations of business concepts and theories produced by other teachers or students, to television adverts, tv & movie clips and news reports that provide examples of concepts and theories that I am currently teaching. So far I have not gone as far as producing and uploading my own videos but it is something that I am seriously considering. Many other educators are doing this and I am currently benefiting from all of their hard work. However, the videos do not always meet my needs and I sometimes have to fill in the blanks for my students or explain some of the terms/'Americanisms'(if that can be a word for the purpose of this post) to prevent/correct any misunderstandings. Generally, the videos I have used have been very well received and have helped to bring certain topics to life eg business ethics, economic theories etc. The videos have added a depth and a currency that would otherwise have not been possible in the classroom looking through textbooks. I have also begun to compile playlists of relevant video that I can then share with students as either a lesson or revision resource.

YouTube also presents potential for use as a way for students to research, find their own videos, compile their own video playlists, and sharing these with others. When used in the classroom the vast majority of my students have found YouTube without any help from me or issues. Simply because it is something that they are already aware of and use frequently. Another area of potential is the ability to make and upload their own videos. This could be great for group activities that would be brought to life if they were to be filmed in locations other than a classroom. For example, creating a news report about the latest government budget that was actually filmed outside parliament! The students can then upload and share this content with me the class who can then comment on their videos. Obviously the last aspect may require some policing but it's a really positive aspect of YouTube that students are able to share their work and immediately receive congratulations, feedback and validation of their efforts.

The only real issues I have come across whilst using YouTube have been concerned with the process of students searching for content. The main issue is their ability to search for something that isn't Rhianna's latest video. Typically I have found that their search words or phrases are too broad, or they find it difficult to filter through the 100's of search results and find a resource that fits the subject they are researching. Their frustration in this situation often leads to the second problem which is how easy it is for them to be distracted by other 'more interesting' content, such as Rhianna's latest video. One solution to this problem has been for me to educate them on how to search for videos, typically starting with a group discussion on what the keywords relating to our research are and how we can use them to find appropriate content.


YouTube Accessibility

YouTube is a very accessible tool for both students and teachers as it does not require a user account in order to access the vast collection of videos that are available. Once on the home page the layout is very clear and you don't need expert level computer skills to be able to search for videos. It is easy to identify the search bar, type in want you're looking for and get a selection of results. It is also available via both a conventional PC/laptop computer and mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. This lends it a certain amount of versatility as students and teachers can access it's resources without needing direct access to a IT lab. This has been particularly useful in situations where direct access to college IT facilities have been limited. The real fun begins once you have registered for a user account. Then you can start creating and uploading videos from your laptop, pc, smartphone etc (see above).

Movie Making Using Dvolver Moviemaker

Here's another video that I have created using the Dvolver Moviemaker. It's all about soletraders.


Dvolver is a great little cartoon film application that, although relatively simple, can be used to great effect. Creating a movie follows a very simple step-by-step process that allows the selection of backgrounds, music and characters (some of which may be a bit inappropriate for a student audience). It then uses a simple cartoon speech bubble format to display text in what should be an engaging, student friendly final video.


I have already used this with students and they loved it. It was just different to what they were expecting ie yet another BBC Business video with Lord Sugar and co (that's not to say that these videos do not have their merits). Potentially I could use these videos to introduce a range of new topics, concepts, theories etc and then question students on what they had just seen to make sure they had gained the required knowledge etc. It's also so simple to use that I could conceivably ask students to create their own films as a class activity or homework.

Business News Round-up Using paper.li

Click here to see my first attempt at an online newspaper using paper.li



Paper.li looks like a really interesting application that I can use effectively in effortlessly gathering a collection of the latest business news reports selected online news providers. Admittedly the whole set-up process takes a little time to get used to and it can be a tad frustrating when you cannot find the source that you are looking for but, now that it is set up, I now receive a daily collection of business news reports that I can sift through for examples to use in lessons. I could also get students to subscribe to my paper and they can use it for researching real life examples of business concepts. I could also get them to set up their own paper for revision or coursework purposes. This would be particularly useful for Bus4 of the AQA A2 specification where students have to research current events for a particular topic prior to their exams.


I have also embedded my Daily Business Round-up paper into my blog!!

Map Game application on classtools.net

Just created a great little Map Game using the aptly named 'Map Game' application on classtools.net

It's a nice little tool that requires very little effort to set up an entertaining little general knowledge/geography based quiz for students. In my own little map quest I've asked questions that are related to business themes and take students to exciting UK locations such as, the London Stock Exchange, the Bank of England and Stoke!! Hopefully, with that aid of a few more additions, the quiz can be used to help students broaden their current and historical knowledge of business in the UK. It could even be used to stimulate a discussion ie  answer a question or two at a time and discuss the answers and/or locations.

Click here to check it out!!