June 2014 archive

Open Source: why are we not allowed to use it?

Why Aren’t More Schools Using Free, Open Tools?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/why-arent-more-schools-using-free-open-education-resources/

Teachers were complaining that they wanted a simple way to share files and links within the classroom, like a private Twitter app. Rather than having IT professionals respond to the request, Reisinger’s students programmed a solution that they call Paper Plane. ”Those kids have code up on GitHub [a site for open-source code] right now that they’re sharing out,” Reisinger said. Students also designed the help ticketing software that their peers use to request IT support.

oh, my, what a blasphemy; what do we do about SECURITY?…

A lot of people are scared away from open-source software or operating systems like Linux because of the belief that they are harder for teachers and students to use, and are more challenging to support.

a bigger reason people don’t go open-source is that the devices and software aren’t as shiny and exciting as iPads or Chromebooks.

recent concerns regarding third party providers and privacy are less of an issue

 

Social Media: Design

7 Essential Free Tools for Social Media Design

http://socialmediatoday.com/emilytaing/2481691/7-essential-free-tools-social-media-design

PIXLR,

WhatDaFont,

THE NOUN PROJECT,

DESIGN KINDLE,

KULER,

COLORZILLA,

COMPFIGHT,

Avtar Ram Singh says:

Hey Emily, really like the effect you’ve used for the images you shared. Also – no mention of Canva in here? Stunner! It’s been all over the place,

Regarding Canva, pls see our IMS blog entries:

https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2014/05/20/32-hot-social-media-software-tools-from-tool-providers/

https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2014/02/26/29-social-media-tools-recommended-by-the-pros/

How Social Media Is Being Used In Education: excellent infographic

How Social Media Is Being Used In Education

http://www.edudemic.com/social-media-in-education/

Here is also an IMS blog entry about the use of Twitter in education:

https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2013/12/05/twitter-resources-for-its-use-in-education/

how social media is being used in education

Digital literacy – Can technology and grammar co-exist in class?

Some 30 years ago, there was only “literacy” – the ability to read and write. Then literacy proliferated into a multitude of literacies: e.g. – media (including “new media”), visual, information, computer, digital, technology, data. According to some, up to 20 literacies: http://listverse.com/2012/04/04/20-types-of-illiteracy/.

I often receive [mildly put] “unhappy” comments by students when their semester papers are turned with [a large amount of) corrections, involving their use of grammar and style. Students revolt against grammar and academic style NOT having place in a “technology” class. I counter with the fact that a technology class is still a college class and academic IS ABOUT learning how to speak and write and not only learning the “trade” (technology). There is a multitude of articles underlining the ability to write not only for English major but also computer major, e.g.:

Cilliers, C. B. (2012). Student Perception of Academic Writing Skills Activities in a Traditional Programming Course. Computers & Education, 58(4), 1028-1041.

Dankoski M, Palmer M, Gopen G, et al. Academic Writing: Supporting Faculty in a Critical Competency for Success. Journal Of Faculty Development [serial online]. May 1, 2012;26(2):47-54. Available from: ERIC, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 1, 2014.

To make things worse (for both students and instructors), instructors are inconsistent, whereas some do evaluate students on their “technology” skills only and some (like me) insist on a “complete” academic package.

What is your take? Do you think at least two of the aforementioned literacies: technology literacy and old fashioned literacy need to co-exist in class?
is grammar and academic style in a college technology class important

For Social Media and Presentations: Free Image Sources

53+ Free Image Sources For Your Blog and Social Media Posts

http://blog.bufferapp.com/free-image-sources-list

As cited in our blog entry of May 29, 2014, one of the most important steps to secure success of your social media presence is the use of images: https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2014/05/29/social-media-11-tips-for-using-images-on-twitter/
In this blog entry, we share with you a large (53+) sites with free images. Do you know/have you used successfully a site with free images not listed here? Please DO share…

Please have an excellent outline of what “free” means, what is Creative Commons, what is Public Domain + stock sites with images:

Dreamstime

Free Digital Photos

Free Images

Free Range Stock

Free Photos Bank

ImageFree

IM Free

Morguefile

Pixabay

Public Domain Pictures

and many more at http://blog.bufferapp.com/free-image-sources-list

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