Using technology for sharing resources Kate Borthwick Subject Centre LLAS

Overview  Why share resources?  The benefits of using technology  How LLAS can help  Some tools and tips

Why is sharing resources a good thing?  mitigates lack of resources  mitigates lack of fellow subject specialists  exchange practice and expertise  encourages collaboration  time efficient

How can technology help me?  easy communication channels  easy to transport files and re-use in different locations/environments  it can save you time e.g. one carefully designed activity/assessment could be re-used many times.  adds to your teaching ‘toolkit’: varies your delivery of content/assessment/activities  can provide more efficient/interesting ways of achieving learning objectives or giving feedback  students enjoy innovative activities and gain transferable skills

How can LLAS help me to share resources?  The Materials BankThe Materials Bank  The Language Box  The LOC tool (Learning Object Creator)

Introducing the LanguageBox  An online place (repository) for storing, managing and sharing your language teaching (LT&L) resourcesonline place  The latest LT&L repository: added value in its simplicity and enhanced with Web 2.0 features  Open to the ‘ac.uk’ community of users for sharing their resources

Introducing the LanguageBox  An online place (repository) for storing, managing and sharing your language teaching (LT&L) resources  The latest LT&L repository: added value in its simplicity and enhanced with Web 2.0 features  Open to the ‘ac.uk’ community of users for sharing their resources (and.ie)

Introducing Learning Object Creator  A tool for creating interactive learning materials for use online and in a blended learning contextlearning materials  Free to the HE community  Available online (in June) and training provided in a blended workshop (online and face-to-face)

Key features of the LOC tool  Clear pedagogic approach  Creation of activity-led online learning materials (Learning Objects)  Variety and flexibility of task type and number  Enhanced feedback mechanism  Attractive look and feel of learning material for user

Comments from users  “Using the LOC has consolidated my views on effective learning materials and increased my understanding of effective online learning material.” (Carole Macdiarmid, University of Glasgow)

What other tools? Authoring tools:  exercise generators (Hot potatoes)Hot potatoes  learning object creators (LOC, Xerte, Glo)LOCXerte Glo  course production (WimbaCreate)WimbaCreate  audio recordings (Audacity, WimbaVoice)AudacityWimbaVoice  screen capture (Screentoaster, Camtasia)Screentoaster

What other tools for sharing? Repositories:  YouTube YouTube  Flickr Flickr  i-tunes U i-tunes U  HumBox (in development) HumBox  OpenJorum (released June 09)

What other tools for sharing? Social networking tools:  blogs blogs  wikis wikis  podcasts podcasts  virtual worlds virtual worlds

Further information  Contact:  Information about LOC:  LLAS Materials Bank:  Language Box