ScreenFlow - Screen Capture Software for MAC users

As an instructional designer, I had to create video tutorials for learners or instructors. Always I had the same problem. I had to use Camtasia ($299) or Articulate ($999). Software that have been created for PC users and not for MAC users like me. I tried several screen capture software for MAC but no one was similar or better than Camtasia/Articulate. But this belong to the past...

ScreenFlow ($99) is a brand new application for creating amazing screen recordings on your Mac. Using a unique new screen capture system, powerful enough to capture the contents of your entire desktop at the same time as your video camera, microphone and computer’s audio, it’s simple to create beautiful screencasts.

When resizing high resolution screen content into a QuickTime movie, ScreenFlow uses custom GPU algorithms to give your finished movie the best possible quality. You’ll find even small text suddenly becomes legible for your viewers.

ScreenFlow was designed for Mac OS X Leopard. It makes extensive use the best of Mac OS X technologies: Core Animation, QuickLook, Spotlight, QTKit, Quartz Composer, OpenGL, Core Data and many others.

You can download free the ScreenFlow by clicking HERE
If you want to see an amazing introduction video click HERE

Moodle Moot in San Francisco 2008

2008 Moodle Moot in San Francisco!!!

MoodleMoot is a conference dedicated to Moodlers (users), developers and administrators of the very popular open-source Virtual Learning Environment called MOODLE!!!

The MoodleMoot in San Francisco will be held June 10th and 11th at the South San Francisco Conference Center.

• Featuring Keynote presentations from:
• Moodle Lead Developer - Martin Dougiamas
• Former Chief Scientist of Xerox Corporation - John Seely Brown
• Futurist and World Builder - Jamais Cascio

Registration is now open! Find details and pricing information for the event at the 2008 San Francisco Moodle Moot course, or go directly to the moot registration page.

The Call for Presentations is open. You will have to be registered at moodlemoot.org in order to submit a presentation for the moot.

I hope to see you all there guys!

Distance Music Course with the help of Moodle

Music is probably the last subject one would expected to encounter in a distance education course. However, some progressive music teachers have introduced distance music education courses in all levels of education.

The purpose of my study is to research, design, develop, and evaluate the conversion of Music Technology II, a face-to-face music course, that College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University, offers to undergraduate and graduate students into an online format.

Open source software such as Jing, YouTube, Flash player, and Slideshare were used. To achieve the best possible interactivity and effectiveness in the Music Technology II, web-based course, Moodle Learning Management System was used. In addition, Robert Gagne’s nine events of instruction, and John Dewey’s education progressivism were applied to the web-based course.

At last, the analysis revealed that distance music courses are effective when they have been carefully planned and are student-centered. The proposed format of the Music Technology II course is the hybrid format.

If you have time check the course that I created by clicking HERE

Also, enjoy the Slide show that I created! Critical Feedback is welcome!!!

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How to create and use a Survey activity in Moodle

The Survey activity module is a course activity that provides a number of verified survey instruments, including COLLES (Constructivist On-Line Learning Environment Survey) and ATTLS (Attitudes to Thinking and Learning Survey), which have been found useful in assessing and stimulating learning in online environments. Teachers can use these to gather data from their students that will help them learn about their class and reflect on their own teaching.

Adding/Editing a Survey

1. Turn on editing for the course
2. In the section you wish to add an activity, use the "Add an activity" drop down menu
3. Select the Survey activity
4. Give the survey a name.
5. Select the type of survey you want to give from the drop down list.
6. Click Continue.
7. On the following screen, edit the introductory text if necessary.
8. Click OK.
9. The next screen displays the question set you have chosen. Click Check and Continue at the bottom of the page.

In the following video tutorial it will be explained how to create and use a Survey activity in your Moodle course.



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A Vision of Students Today

The truth is that I would love to post more tutorials but guys, I am developing my Major Project and my time is limited. Recently, I saw the video "A Vision of Students Today" and I would like to share with you some thoughts.

I was very impressed with this video because it shows the student's perspective of the education today. It seems that many educators began to realize that we should focus on the students; in their interests, skills, their preferred way of learning. When I see a classroom with 100 or more students, it seems to me like a massive production of "knowledge". It seems, that some people care about $$$ and not about the process of education.

I encourage you to watch the video, and share if you want your thoughts with me.

Building Online Learning Communities

Recently I read Building Online Learning Communities. It was one of the best books that I had ever read about effective online course development. I believe that you should read this book while you develop your Moodle skills.

Knowing how to use Moodle does not mean that you will be a good online instructors. The fact that you are a good face-to-face instructors does not mean that you will be a good online instructors. I believe that this book is unique and I encourage you to read it.

Furthermore, this book explores the development of virtual classroom environments that foster a sense of community and empower students to take charge of their learning to successfully achieve learning outcomes. This is the second edition of the groundbreaking book by Rena Palloff and Keith Pratt and has been completely updated and expanded to include the most current information on effective online course development and delivery. A practical, hands-on guide, this resource is filled with illustrative case studies, vignettes, and examples from a wide variety of successful online courses. The authors offer proven strategies for handling challenges that include:

• Engaging students in the formation of an online learning community.
• Establishing a sense of presence online.
• Maximizing participation.
• Developing effective courses that include collaboration and reflection.
• Assessing student performance.

Written for faculty in any distance learning environment, this revised edition is based on the authors' many years of work in faculty development for online teaching as well as their extensive personal experience as faculty in online distance education. Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt share insights designed to guide readers through the steps of online course design and delivery.

Read Excerpt: Chapter (PDF)
Read Excerpt: Table of Contents (PDF)
Read Excerpt: Index (PDF)

About the Authors:

Rena M. Palloff, Ph.D., and Keith Pratt, Ph.D. are the managing partners of Crossroads Consulting Group. They are the authors of Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace, Collaborating Online, Lessons from the Cyberspace Classroom, and The Virtual Student, all from Jossey-Bass.

Add a Game in your Moodle Course!

Do you want to add an educational Game in your Moodle Course?
Mr. Daloukas Vasilis, developed an amazing Moodle Module which called GAME!!!
You can choose between 7 kind of games like hangman, crossword, cryptex, millionaire, etc.

These are the steps in order to add a GAME on your Course!
Follow the instructions of the PowerPoint Presentation...
or download a pdf file with the instructions!

Add a GAME in your course for Moodlers
DOWNLOAD FILE

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