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CAI (Elective): Tools

You can find a template for your mini reports at http://cailab.net/classes/405/lessons/minireports/template_minireport.shtml.

Wiki

You're all probably aware of Wikipedia, which is built using wiki software. A wiki is essentially a web site or a collection of web pages that anybody can edit. You can also add pages to a wiki.

Different wiki software packages use slightly different editing techniques and commands. Some wikis use WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interfaces, which allow you to edit the wiki without having to learn any special code. Still, wikis that do not have WYSIWYG abilities are usually very simple and easy to learn.

You can practice using wikis at the following sites, or you can find your own.

Blogs

You surely are familiar with blogs, but have you ever considered how they might be used for education? Try doing a search on Educational blogs and see if you get any ideas. Here are a couple sites to get you started:

Forum, BBS

A threaded discussion forum is somewhat different from what Taiwanese refer to as BBS, but they allow for the same type of asynchronous interaction. Note that some forums are standalone website while others are integrated into news sites and blogs. For our purposes, a forum is any type of software that allows users to post and respond to other postings asynchronously.

Some forums:

Instant Messenger (IM)

Instant messaging seems to be the primary means of computer mediated communication (CMC) between students in Taiwan. It's social role is clear, but what about an educational role? How do you use IM for educational purposes already? How else could it be used?

Moodle and other CMS systems

A Course Management System (CMS) is a type of Content Management System designed specifically for education. Popular CMS platforms include Blackboard and Moodle. Blackboard costs big bucks; Moodle is free. We'll use Moodle.

You can evaluate Moodle as a student by using our class Moodle located at http://www.cailab.net/moodle/course/view.php?id=12. If you would like to evaluate using Moodle as a teacher, please create an account on the Moodle located at http://www.elearning.site25.net/, and your instructor will assign you 'teacher/creator' status.

HTML (web pages)

HTML is the language used to create web pages. Learning HTML codes is beyond the scope of this class, but you do not need to learn how to write HTML code in order to create web pages, thanks to WYSIWYG editors. WYSIWYG stands for What You See Is What You Get.

There are a number of WYSIWYG editors available, including Dreamweaver (expensive) and Kompozer (free).

The easiest way to play around with creating web pages that you can see on the Internet is to create an account with one of the many companies offering free web page hosting. A list of companies appears below. When you create an account with one of these companies, you can create web pages using their templates or their own WYSIWYG editor, which is hosted on their site. There is nothing to download and install on your computer.

Podcast

A podcast is basically like an audio blog. Our class podcast is located at http://cailab.net/classes/405/podcast/.

To play around with podcasting, use one of the many free podcasting services. Here are a couple to get you started:

VOIP

VOIP = Voice Over Internet Protocol. VOIP platforms include Skype and Google Voice. (Google Voice is not yet available in Taiwan.)

If you do not already have a Skype account, create one and play around with it. You can talk with anybody in the world for free, as long as they're also logged on to Skype.

Microblogging

Microblogging refers to short blog services such as Twitter. Microblogging has also been integrated into many other services, including blogs, social websites, and Email services such as Yahoo.

Users can get better use out of services such as Twitter by using client software for their computers that allows for easier, more convenient reading and posting of messages.

CSCL

CSCL = Computer Supported Collaborative Learning. A thorough introduction to CSCL platforms is probably beyond the scope of this class, but you can at least play around with one. We will discuss CSCL in class, but you can read more about the philosophy and design aspects of CSCL at http://site25.net/dan/llcmc09/llcmc09.pdf.

To play around with a CSCL platform, use the demo installation for Fle3 located at http://fle3.uiah.fi/demo.html.

Given the short time we have to explore CSCL, I do not expect a polished mini-report. Just submit your initial impressions.

Social sites

Of course, you all already use social sites such as Facebook and Wretch. But how can they be used for education? Do you use them to assist with our education already? If so, how?

Tool of your choice

The type and variety of CMC collaborative tools are increasing constantly. For your final mini-report, choose a tool not yet covered. Some possibilities are: