In this weeks show, I discuss: new tools and plug-ins associated with Flickr and Skype; the work of a couple of Edubloggers; classroom applications for Google Earth; a forthcoming Skypecast (and wiki) on creating a dynamic Internet Safety curriculum; avatars; a podcast for parents of pupils with learning difficulties; and Global Learn Day 10.

I hosted my first Skypecast today. This is a communication tool available to users of Skype (Voice Over IP telephony).  If you have something that you fancy chatting to other about (Podcasting in the Classroom, anyone?), then you can arrange and publicise an 'event' - that is, a conversation that anyone can join at the time.  You are the host, you try to keep the chat going, have control over the mute control for all in the conference, and can eject anyone who is abusive.  This tool appears to be free.

Anyway, as the Skypecast commenced, I was relaxed as I know that uptake of this use of technology has been slow, but steady.  However, within the first 20 seconds, I had 4 attendees!  What was I to do?  I thought of how Jeff LeBow at EdTechTalk conducts his Webcasts and just jumped in - "Who are you, where are you from? etc".  The 'group' (plus others who came and went) had a really interesting discussion about: how podcasting is being used to engage learners of all ages, audio editing tools, other hardware and software, copyright issues, and hosting.  Participants came from the US, Scotland and Romania.  It was a great experience and I'm going to try it again in a fortnight.  Why don't you join me?

www.blogger.com (free weblog hosting) edu.blogs.com (Ewan McIntosh's blog - EXCELLENT) www.wikipedia.com (the power of 'wikis') www.flickr.com (post/tag/share your photos) www.iriver.eu.com (useful mp3 voice recorder) www.skype.com (Voice Over IP, free internet phone calls - computer to computer) www.typepad.com (recommended blog/podcast host) www.ltscotland.org.uk (Scottish education podcasts) podcasts.yahoo.com (Podcast directory) www.digitaldividenetwork.org (Andy Carvin's blog) www.edtechtalk.com (regular podcast on education technology) www.feedburner.com (aggregator software) blogsearch.google.com (blog search engine) del.icio.us (social bookmarking, social software web service for storing and sharing web bookmarks) www.recap.ltd.uk (podcast directory - UK) www.technorati.com (internet search engine focused on the world of weblogs) www.thenakedscientist.com (excellent Science education podcast) www.hotrecorder.com (recorder Voice Over IP phone calls) muslim-canada.org (Islam prayer podcast) www.unicef.org (child welfare podcasts) www.intelligenic.com (Podcast in classroom podcast) www.ipodder.org (leading Podcast directory)

This innovative project will use MP3 and MP4 technology, and podcasting, to improve the access which pupils have to information. In particular, it will allow the transmission of health information in a sensitive, private manner. Health education experts will work with David Noble to record responses to current issues affecting young people. An internet site of podcasts will be set up and maintained, with subscribers automatically downloading the latest ‘episode’. A link will be available on each of the main podcast directories. Prior to the recordings, a questionnaire will be issued to several schools that have teachers who are members of The Access Network (see http://accessnetwork.blogspot.com). Pupil responses will be collated, and analysed; leading to the prioritising of topics for podcast. This resource will be globally available, and will be advertised via more traditional methods within Scotland. David Noble will, over the same period, build a database of existing Podcasts that may be appropriate for pupils to use in their studies. Pupils at the school will benefit from being able to access important, sensitive information and advice, as well as information for their studies, via alternative means; one which affords privacy and reduces the “embarrassment? factor. In many cases this will make the difference between being informed and not. Each of our residential units will have access to a laptop registered with the podcast directories. They will be able to approach their Key Worker or Key Teacher to gain supervised access to these directories and to listen to the podcast, or to download it to the unit or classes’ MP3/MP4 hardware. Once comfortable with the technology, pupils would be assisted by teachers to use this “social software? to communicate their work to the world eg the results of a science experiment could be podcast via The school’s site, or by sending it to, say, the BBC Science department, for inclusion in their podcast. It is important to work with this technology in the school as it is a way of showing responsible use of global communications. For teachers, it allows the technology to be used to enhance the learning environment, and for staff to become comfortable with it, ready for the next major advances in ICT. We are involving external agencies with crucial, up-to-date knowledge bases, in directly contributing to learning. This is by collaborating with professionals in other fields who need to be working together for the best interests of often vulnerable youngsters. This project takes a “person-centred? approach; we are showing respect for the needs of pupils as individuals with varying information needs (whether personal or academic). Pupils require the latest, accurate information. “Anytime, anywhere? learning is promoted, as we as core ICT skills in opening and downloading files to portable technology, and subscribing to information sources. It will assist them to handle technology and information outside the classroom, as they become “lifelong learners?. Teachers will be better resourced to provide for the range of preferred learning styles and Multiple Intelligences. The school podcast site would also contain appropriate links. Regular, ongoing contact is already established with a range of health-promoting organisations. Thus, it is expected that Podcasts will be produced at regular intervals and that updates will be possible. As the project is being run by a practicing teacher, then further uses of the technology within the classroom will emerge. Practice can be disseminated through staff INSET and teacher meetings, as well as via the Scotland-wide Access Network meetings (and its weblog). The website and directory of Podcasts, once established, will remain available to all. Existing technology within the school would allow for pupils to produce, or contribute to, Podcasts. The database will be available to all teachers in all classrooms, and will be promoted as an effective source of information across all areas of the curriculum. Pupils will gain awareness and skills in accessing and selecting media across the World Wide Web. They will learn about RSS (Really Simple Syndication), and how it can be used to subscribe to news and information that they require. They will become effective in choosing and interpreting online resources. Teachers will be able to learn how to access Podcasts in the classroom and encourage pupils to responsibly access them outside the class. Teachers will have the skills to produce their own, or encourage a class to recognise where they could record learning. David Noble has experience of using enhanced ICT in the classroom eg weblogs, MP3 editing, Movie Maker, Power Point, multimedia projects, and animation. Pupils are competent in basic use of the internet, with older pupils working towards IC3/PC Passport certification. David has recently discussed podcasting with a leading Scottish expert on the technology, and has built and maintained links with a variety of external agencies. At present, he is reading “Podcast Solutions?, by Michael W Geoghegan. The teaching staff receives regular ICT training, with additional ‘drop-in’ support available. One quarter of the teaching staff are studying towards IC3 certification.

I teach in a school for 'Looked After Pupils' with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in the East of Scotland. I trained as a Business Studies/Economics teacher and worked in mainstream for 4 years before moving sectors. My first degree is in Accounting. Lately, I've become interested in Multiple Intelligences theory (Howard Gardner) and how ICT/media can be used to bring it within the classroom. In January 2005, I put together a proposal for the Scottish Executive's FLaT fund, which was successful (see http://hillsideflat.blogspot.com). This work has had a massive influence on what takes place in my classroom, and the approaches that pupils take to their learning. Having met Ewan McIntosh at SETT 2005, I became interested in blogging and podcasting as a teaching tool. I took this further by getting some funding from Microsoft/SQA (www.partnersinlearning.org.uk). The reason that I'm writing this blog and doing some podcasting (hands-free, on my drive home from work, maybe?) is to share my experience (as a non-computing expert), and to hopefully show colleagues that it can be done and is an effective classroom tool. I also hope that readers can help me with 'brick walls' along the way!