As we come to the end of 2010 and the end of this AFLN funded project it's time to reflect on a fast and fabulous journey of learning, fun and comradeship!
The idea for the project was borne out of an interest in using Web 2.0 tools in teaching. After attending the the LearnTel conference in 2008 and attending a workshop on e-portfolios conducted by Allison Miller.
The funding opportunity provided by AFLN provided the time and resources to enable the idea to generate and the the staff from our Design and Building were eager participants.
They had planned to take a group of students to Sinagpore to study sustainable building practices and meet with peak bodies whilst there.
A plan was hatched!
We began the year with the vision of using eportfolios to record and assess the students' experiences in Sinagpore. It ended with some great embedded practice, a training plan for next year, lots of satisfied students, teachers and an Institute full of teachers eager to embrace e-portfolios in 2011.
We engaged assistance during the year from Ken Gooding from e-Works and also touched based with Allison Miller. The working party from The Gordon consisted of Sue Mandley, Allan Fairchild and Leanne Maher.
There was a lot of learning at the beginning, at the administrator level, the teaching level and the student level. Templates were established and rolled out to students who then created their own pages before the Singapore trip. This enabled them to be familiar with the environment and iron out issues before the trip.
Assessments were planned, itinerary planned and the trip began…
The students’ use of the eportfolios was well received by them – they loved having the electronic capability to store and present their work.
After the study tour lots of de-briefing was held as to what worked, what we could do better and planning has begun for next year – we will be investigating the group function of eportfolios in 2011 and look forward to the fun and the learning.
We captured students’ impressions of working with e-portfolios – see below
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Eportfolio conference - Melb 3-4 Nov 2010
Allan Fairchild and Sue Mandley have been fortunate to attend the Australian Eportfolio conference in Melbourne.
The theme of conference is Widening Participation - Engaging the Learner.
Many great speakers have presented ideas and issues surrounding the implementation of eportfolios in the Tertiary / Vocational Training Sector.
Issues of privacy of online content, discussions around platforms, storage, training, student engagement, eportfolios bridging the gap betweeen social networking and learning - and so much more has been discussed and explored.
Links, notes, powerpoints etc will be posted soon...
It's been a great couple of days - lots of learning on our behalf and lots of networking.
The theme of conference is Widening Participation - Engaging the Learner.
Many great speakers have presented ideas and issues surrounding the implementation of eportfolios in the Tertiary / Vocational Training Sector.
Issues of privacy of online content, discussions around platforms, storage, training, student engagement, eportfolios bridging the gap betweeen social networking and learning - and so much more has been discussed and explored.
Links, notes, powerpoints etc will be posted soon...
It's been a great couple of days - lots of learning on our behalf and lots of networking.
ePortfolio site on Gordon Online
A course site has been created on Gordon Online that will house eportfolio help documentation and how tos! The information is presented in a learning module format and also in an e-book format.
video help is also available to offer more visuals for the learner. An FAQ section has been established and will grow over time.
Staff who participate in training and have requested an eportfolio site to be created will be enrolled in the gordononline eportfolio help site.
video help is also available to offer more visuals for the learner. An FAQ section has been established and will grow over time.
Staff who participate in training and have requested an eportfolio site to be created will be enrolled in the gordononline eportfolio help site.
Friday, October 15, 2010
More funding for exploring the group function in e-portfolios!!
The Gordon found out today that the application for our project ePortfolio Groups - Creating a Community of Learners for the ELEARNING INNOVATIONS APPLICATION was successful!! We are rapt - there is lots more to explore in e-portfolios and this will help out!
Staff Training has commenced!!
Following on from the practical trial in Singapore - staff at The Gordon are now being trained in the Mahara E-portfolio environment.
The training kicked off yesterday and there has been a lot of interest already - Tourism and Events, Beauty and Hair areas are very keen to explore the use of e-portfolios for their students.
The next step is to establish eportfolios for the staff - who will create the template view and then induct students.
The next step has begun.... very exciting times for The Gordon!
The training kicked off yesterday and there has been a lot of interest already - Tourism and Events, Beauty and Hair areas are very keen to explore the use of e-portfolios for their students.
The next step is to establish eportfolios for the staff - who will create the template view and then induct students.
The next step has begun.... very exciting times for The Gordon!
Issues with uploading photos to our E-portfolios
We have experienced some glitches - but fixed them!
Some students have been having issues with the uploading of photos to Mahara. Ken Gooding from eworks has helped out and we have established that the photos were far too large to display.
As a guide, 800 x 600 pixels works out to be approx 160 Kb per photo.
1600 x 1200 pixels works out to be approx. 550 Kb which would be a perfect size so that you can see a reasonable sized image on screen without the need to download each time. If photo/image is too large you will get a box with a small cross in centre on the front view page, however you can still view by downloading it from the second screen once you have clicked on the image.
Need to reduce all images to below 1 Mb
To compress or resize, I use Microsoft Office Picture Manager by clicking on the Edit Pictures Tab on top toolbar and then go to Resize. Enter the Custom Width and Height at 1600 x 1200 pixels and click OK. Then go to Save As and “rename” if you don’t want to change the original photo size.
This has been communicated to students and all are progressing well with the tasks.
Some students have been having issues with the uploading of photos to Mahara. Ken Gooding from eworks has helped out and we have established that the photos were far too large to display.
As a guide, 800 x 600 pixels works out to be approx 160 Kb per photo.
1600 x 1200 pixels works out to be approx. 550 Kb which would be a perfect size so that you can see a reasonable sized image on screen without the need to download each time. If photo/image is too large you will get a box with a small cross in centre on the front view page, however you can still view by downloading it from the second screen once you have clicked on the image.
Need to reduce all images to below 1 Mb
To compress or resize, I use Microsoft Office Picture Manager by clicking on the Edit Pictures Tab on top toolbar and then go to Resize. Enter the Custom Width and Height at 1600 x 1200 pixels and click OK. Then go to Save As and “rename” if you don’t want to change the original photo size.
This has been communicated to students and all are progressing well with the tasks.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Home Sweet Home - fond memories of Singapore
Hi all,
I am back on deck and trying to get back to normal. Had a great time in Penang with my wife Esther and enjoyed the “no routine” no buses to organise or timetable to work to. Vicki and Rebecca just delivered my book on Singapore. Had a quick read over lunch and was very humbled by your generosity and positive comments/feedback on the study tour. It will be a great asset for my coffee table and the experiences will be fondly remembered. Thanks for making the time so special. A big thank you to Noel Ryan nd Phil Rayner for allowing me the opportunity to project manage the study tour - a great example of Life Long learning for both the students and teachers.
Due to some glitches with access to computers in Singapore and the issues with Mahara last week, I have extended the final due date for student's to complete their upload of journals and assessment reports onto the Mahara e-portfolio site to Wednesday 20th October. Next year we will ensure all students have a laptop which will provide more flexibility and alleviate the need to book external facilities.
Once again, thank you to all the students for their cooperation during the tour and the commitment to meeting the challenges and flexibility when things did not go quite to plan. Was it Harbour Front or Promenade station to the Singapore Flyer…Confuses say Mr Aarun should not wissen to wayman.
Cheers,
Allan
I am back on deck and trying to get back to normal. Had a great time in Penang with my wife Esther and enjoyed the “no routine” no buses to organise or timetable to work to. Vicki and Rebecca just delivered my book on Singapore. Had a quick read over lunch and was very humbled by your generosity and positive comments/feedback on the study tour. It will be a great asset for my coffee table and the experiences will be fondly remembered. Thanks for making the time so special. A big thank you to Noel Ryan nd Phil Rayner for allowing me the opportunity to project manage the study tour - a great example of Life Long learning for both the students and teachers.
Due to some glitches with access to computers in Singapore and the issues with Mahara last week, I have extended the final due date for student's to complete their upload of journals and assessment reports onto the Mahara e-portfolio site to Wednesday 20th October. Next year we will ensure all students have a laptop which will provide more flexibility and alleviate the need to book external facilities.
Once again, thank you to all the students for their cooperation during the tour and the commitment to meeting the challenges and flexibility when things did not go quite to plan. Was it Harbour Front or Promenade station to the Singapore Flyer…Confuses say Mr Aarun should not wissen to wayman.
Cheers,
Allan
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Bon Voyage from Singapore
Currently finalising packing ready for flight out of Singapore this morning. It has been a wonderful experience for both teachers and the students. The students have been excellent ambassadors for the Gordon and have all worked cooperatively during our study tour.
We have established many new contacts who have welcomed us during our stay and have provided us with invaluable information to support our learning's on Sustainable Design and Building practices.
The following pic is from our visit to Fusionopolis 1:
Last night we joined Han Liew-Juan from Bovis Lend Lease who would have to be one of the funniest and most helpful contacts in Singapore. He has been very helpful in extending our network and was most supportive throughout the tour. One of the highlights was the day we helped the Deaf School sorting books in their library during the Bovis community work day.
The following is a pic of our final dinner shared with Han and his partner;
We have established many new contacts who have welcomed us during our stay and have provided us with invaluable information to support our learning's on Sustainable Design and Building practices.
The following pic is from our visit to Fusionopolis 1:
The following is a pic of our final dinner shared with Han and his partner;
The students presented me with a book on Singapore which I will cherish always. Loved the individual comments they wrote...I am commonly known now as Mr Aaran! They caught me off guard and I was stuck for words for a moment....only a moment. It was a great gesture and I appreciated the opportunity of organising the tour and the many new friendships developed. We finished the evening in the Karaoke bar where we all enjoyed some fun...wow can Han sing. He has many talents.
Must go so Bon Voyage from Singapore. I look forward to sharing my final Animoto video once I return.
cheers....Allan
Saturday, September 25, 2010
National Library Singapore - What an amazing building.
Students had the privilege of visiting the Singapore National Library Building in Victoria Street. What an amazing building. The Deputy Director of Properties and Facilities Mr. R.Sanamurthi provided a very comprehensive presentation and tour of the building. The building was opened in 2005 and has many sustainable initiatives and has been accredited by the BCA Academy for a Platinum award which is the highest achievable for Green buildings.
Cheers from Singapore.....we are over the half way mark and have such a wealth of knowledge from our friends in Singapore. We are off to Clarke Quay today to watch the AFL football Grand final...Go Saints
Allan Fairchild
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