Another view of the world from Google “Google Squared takes a category and creates a starter 'square' of information, automatically fetching and organizing facts from across the web.”Includes images and description in a new visual layout. Can add or cancel columns- Use the add rows and add columns search boxes to see suggestions for other items and attributes that you can add to your Square. You can also add specific attributes and items that you have in mind.
Google Alerts from Google Scholar - A tool for authors or academics to be notified when something they’ve written has been cited. Just perform the search click on Create email alert and type in the email address. Search by author or for a specific article.
Free mind mapping software called FreeMind (free in cost and frees the mind!) – there are a number of different mind mapping software out there – see wikipedia entry for mind mapping – but this is a good one – introduced to us at Monash.
Can be used for planning or actual presentations – this one was used to plan for an introductory class for our Research and Writing unit. Helps by visually grouping concepts – can open and close clouds as you speak to them. Can add images and weblinks. Some of our learning skills stafff also use it in classes interactively by getting students to provide ideas for example “planning a thesis”.
A learning object webpage to collect Captivate clips created at Monash. Individual clips go into BB or LibGuides as appropriate. Free at the moment to access and look at the clips. Will be gradually moved into a new repository called Equella. Some nice features enable students to type in searches and choose options, or complete short quizzes, while progressing through the clip. Best if they’re short – a few minutes long.
Another Monash site - interactive website created some time ago at Monash and used to help students develop skills for writing law essays. The Skills for Writing in Law section asks students questions, then provides detailed feedback on how to analyse, write an introduction, and develop your case. The Annotated Assignments section presents a sample essay with annotations provided by law lecturer Moira Paterson. Another section has answers from Moira to FAQs.
Open sourced eportfolio suite that will allow students to create an ongoing record of their achievements, both inside and outside of the classroom . To be used by Monash. Can be integrated with Google Apps and Moodle.Mahara is an open source e-portfolio system with a framework that enables different views of an e-portfolio to be easily managed. On top of its core e-portfolio functions, Mahara features a weblog, resume builder and social networking system, connecting users and creating online learner communities.
Yet another Monash development. MeTL is pioneering software being developed by the eEducation Centre at Monash University.MeTL uses inking (writing with a special stylus) on Tablet PCs for more engaging learning and teaching. Participants can collaborate in a shared space over slide content prepared by lecturers.MeTL featuresParticipants can annotate directly onto slides in the presentation space on their Tablet PC.Lecturers’ and students’ devices are linked, allowing students to submit answers to multiple choice quizzes set by the lecturer. Research shows that students are more likely to provide feedback if it’s submitted anonymously.Private notes and annotation space to accompany lecture slides, separate from the presentation space.Chatting via text-based messages. Research suggests that students are likely to ask each other questions about the lecture topic, if the facility is available. Chat is visible to all participants.Lecture style: this is the usual mode for lectures. Students can only write privately, on the presentation space or in their private notes space. Lecturers can write publicly, allowing their annotations to be distributed to all participants.Tutorial style: this is the usual mode for tutorials. All participants are able to write publicly on the presentation space, and can also write privately in their notes or on the presentation space
A blog from Steven Bell, Associate University Librarian for Research and Instructional Services at Temple University, with interests in library technology, online searching and academic libraries. Many are of interest to us in Aust as well. EgConcerns Over Growing Need For Remedial Education - reflects problems with many of the students entering uni here without adequate english language or writing skills.
An oldie but a goody (which most of you probably know about) – especially now as we’re cancelling more print journals in favour of online – we need an easy way to keep up-to-date with new journal issues – like this one - Legal Information Management. Choose a journal or construct a keyword search to receive email alerts or RSS feed.Includes Aust journals eg Australian Law JournalCan select more than one journal – rather than title by title from each publisher platform.OpenURL Gateway brings up SFX pop-up to link to full-text via your institution’s subscription or to the institution’s catalogue (for journals like ALJ on Legal Online).
Register to receive an email alerting you to changes in web pages that interest you. All the changes are collected in one email, even if they originate from several different web pages. You have a choice to specify that the email show the changes or Only shows which pages have changed. Keywords can be entered for more specific changes. More sites have feeds now to alert you to changes or additions but might still be useful for those that don’t. And changes to multiple pages can be addressed in one email.
An aggregator of the most popular urls on the Web. See what people are talking about in Twitter, reading in the news, watching on YouTube – or by topic – Science and Education or design and culture. Content blocks can be customised. Time is probably better spent in the next category!
All universities are feeling the pressure to attract students so trying to make the initial contact much more interactive and fun. There are probably lots out there but we’ve focussed on our own institutions – why not! There are some design ideas we could integrate into other areas of the site. So, first the new website linked to the open day campaign this year.Choose Life and Uni and scroll down to Libraries. Course – through to Law.
The La Trobe Virtual Tour site is fun and engaging integrating sound, colour and games. A virtual tour, a treasure hunt, and games including a quiz with bizarre and interesting facts about the Uni. A very different look and feel to the Monash site. Bird sounds in the background align with the more country feel and the design is much more casual and colourful than that of Monash. A good lead in to the next category…