To celebrate the addition of the 1000th video to its website Teachers' TV is offering £1000 to the first person plucked from the free draw on 5th June.
Doh! Teachers' TV?
Teachers' TV is a channel for everyone who works in education, from heads to NQTs, governors to support staff.
Programmes take you inside classrooms and schools across the country to see how good teachers are bringing the curriculum to life and improving schools.
Primary / secondary bias but lots of useful stuff...
Sorry. I forgot. Demob frenzy. Oh well.
http://www.teachers.tv/
Open Source Web Design
To put it simply, Open Source Web Design is a collection of web designs submitted by the community that anyone can download free of charge!
It currently has 1637 designs. Each design can be previewed & there's a section with links to sites where downloaded designs are in use.
OSWD is at http://www.oswd.org/. Support it!
It currently has 1637 designs. Each design can be previewed & there's a section with links to sites where downloaded designs are in use.
OSWD is at http://www.oswd.org/. Support it!
BBC Programme Catalogue
This is a pretty remarkable collection. It details 946,614 BBC Radio and TV programmes, dating back 75 years, including 500,000+ categories and over 1 million contributors.
What it doesn't have is the actual film/audio, just an index to the programmes. It's also not comprehensive, excluding most sports, films, imported series, etc.
A librarian thing I suppose.
http://open.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax
What it doesn't have is the actual film/audio, just an index to the programmes. It's also not comprehensive, excluding most sports, films, imported series, etc.
A librarian thing I suppose.
http://open.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax
Internet searches: librarians do it better
Well, this comes as no surprise. It's a report on a study reported at the MLA meeting regarding users finding information about their medical conditions, and the amount they found going it alone or asking a librarian. It's summed up as follows:
"If people want to gain an in-depth understanding of their condition or they have a complex question, it is wise to enlist the help of a professional librarian"
Full article at IOL: Internet searches: librarians do it better.
"If people want to gain an in-depth understanding of their condition or they have a complex question, it is wise to enlist the help of a professional librarian"
Full article at IOL: Internet searches: librarians do it better.
Disability Equality Duty
The Disability Equality Duty comes into force on 1st October 2006 and its defining characteristic is about long-term cultural change. Organisations will need to shift from a compliance-driven approach towards a more pro-active ‘whole organisation’ approach that relies on providing non-discriminatory practices as opposed to providing reasonable adjustments based on individual requests.
Over the next twelve months, the JISC TechDis service will be providing Senior Managers in all UK post-16 Colleges with a series of briefing packs on a number of technology, disability and inclusion related issues. With its twin emphasis on technology and learner needs, TechDis is uniquely placed to help colleges join together two major strands of government policy – the personalisation agenda and the e-learning strategy.
For further information & details of support for colleges visit TechDis @ www.techdic.ac.uk
Over the next twelve months, the JISC TechDis service will be providing Senior Managers in all UK post-16 Colleges with a series of briefing packs on a number of technology, disability and inclusion related issues. With its twin emphasis on technology and learner needs, TechDis is uniquely placed to help colleges join together two major strands of government policy – the personalisation agenda and the e-learning strategy.
For further information & details of support for colleges visit TechDis @ www.techdic.ac.uk
Child development
This American website, hosted by the Child Development Institute, provides information about the various stages of child development, from psychological aspects such as cognitive development to motor skills and emotional development.
They say "Welcome to our award winning site for information on child development, child psychology, parenting, learning, health and safety as well as childhood disorders such as attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and autism.
We provide comprehensive resources and practical suggestions for parents covering toddlers to teens. Our site is recommended by Psychology Today and the American Psychological Association."
Website is at http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com
They say "Welcome to our award winning site for information on child development, child psychology, parenting, learning, health and safety as well as childhood disorders such as attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and autism.
We provide comprehensive resources and practical suggestions for parents covering toddlers to teens. Our site is recommended by Psychology Today and the American Psychological Association."
Website is at http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com
Behind the label
BehindTheLabel.org is a multimedia news website covering the stories of people fighting for fundamental human and labour rights against the goliath global clothing industry.
BehindTheLabel.org is an initiative of Unite Here to share stories of workers around the world who make our clothes, to educate the public of international campaigns where workers are struggling to correct injustices in their workplace, and to engage consumers and activists to take part in solidarity actions with garment workers against the multinational corporations behind the labels.
Website is @ http://www.behindthelabel.org/
BehindTheLabel.org is an initiative of Unite Here to share stories of workers around the world who make our clothes, to educate the public of international campaigns where workers are struggling to correct injustices in their workplace, and to engage consumers and activists to take part in solidarity actions with garment workers against the multinational corporations behind the labels.
Website is @ http://www.behindthelabel.org/
British History Online
British History Online is a digital library containing some of the core printed primary and secondary sources for the medieval and modern history of the British Isles. Created by the Institute of Historical Research and the History of Parliament Trust, it aims to support academic and personal users around the world in their learning, teaching and research.
With so much material now being published on the world wide web in either un-reviewed form, or in fee-based services, the IHR has shown its commitment to promoting the study of history by publishing these priceless resources for their historical value, cross-searchable, in one place and free of charge.
Excellent site, Mr. France. Local Investigations 101?
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/
With so much material now being published on the world wide web in either un-reviewed form, or in fee-based services, the IHR has shown its commitment to promoting the study of history by publishing these priceless resources for their historical value, cross-searchable, in one place and free of charge.
Excellent site, Mr. France. Local Investigations 101?
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/
Did you know...?
...a partnership between the Encyclopaedia Britannica Online Academic edition and EBSCO Information Services and ProQuest means that you can access over 700 journals, magazines, and periodicals to use in your research and studies.
With new articles appearing each month, you can explore the latest developments in science, politics, the arts, and current events around the world.
You can find full-text articles from these magazines online at http://www.new.search.eb.com .
When you search a topic, click the “Journals and Magazines” link located on the left side, center section of the search results page. This will take you to magazine articles relating to your search.
Thought you didn't.
With new articles appearing each month, you can explore the latest developments in science, politics, the arts, and current events around the world.
You can find full-text articles from these magazines online at http://www.new.search.eb.com .
When you search a topic, click the “Journals and Magazines” link located on the left side, center section of the search results page. This will take you to magazine articles relating to your search.
Thought you didn't.
In a soldier's stance...
Yes, I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes...
Your sister sees the future
Like your mama and yourself.
You've never learned to read or write
There's no books upon your shelf.
Well, I investigated all the books in the library,
Ninety percent of 'em gotta be burned away.
You've been with the professors
And they've all liked your looks
With great lawyers you have
Discussed lepers and crooks
You've been through all of
F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
You're very well read
It's well known
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
May you stay forever young...
Happy Birthday, Bob. 65 today
You could stand inside my shoes...
Your sister sees the future
Like your mama and yourself.
You've never learned to read or write
There's no books upon your shelf.
Well, I investigated all the books in the library,
Ninety percent of 'em gotta be burned away.
You've been with the professors
And they've all liked your looks
With great lawyers you have
Discussed lepers and crooks
You've been through all of
F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
You're very well read
It's well known
Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?
May you stay forever young...
Happy Birthday, Bob. 65 today
Don't myth the point
Encyclopedia Mythica is an award-winning internet encyclopedia of mythology, folklore, and religion. Here you will find everything from A-gskw to Zveda Vechanyaya, with plenty in between.
The mythology section is divided to six geographical regions: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Oceania. Each region has many clearly defined subdivisions that will ease your search.The Folklore section contains general folklore, Arthurian legends, and fascinating folktales from many lands.
So, if you're searching for that classical metaphor to illustrate your eternal frustrations, come to http://www.pantheon.org/
The mythology section is divided to six geographical regions: Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Oceania. Each region has many clearly defined subdivisions that will ease your search.The Folklore section contains general folklore, Arthurian legends, and fascinating folktales from many lands.
So, if you're searching for that classical metaphor to illustrate your eternal frustrations, come to http://www.pantheon.org/
Live life to the full
Living Life to The Full On-line is a powerful new life skills resource. The course has been written by a psychiatrist who has many years of experience using a Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) approach and also in helping people use these skills in everday life. During the development phase of the course, each module has been used by a wide range of health care practitioners and members of the public. Joining and using the site is entirely free - with thanks to sponsorship from the Centre for Change and Innovation at the Scottish Executive Health Department.
Live life to the full at Reid Kerr College, sorry, no, at http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/elearning/.
Thanks to Ann Usher for the info.
Live life to the full at Reid Kerr College, sorry, no, at http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/elearning/.
Thanks to Ann Usher for the info.
Silver Surfer Week 2006
Alienated by the new technologies? Don't know your RSS from your elbow? Feeling old & discarded by the marches of time & the uber-techie? Then Silver Surfer Week 2006 may hold some answers!
Silver Surfer Week brings you a series of computer and internet training for older people who want to experience first hand the benefits of being digitally connected.
Website is @ http://www.silversurfer.org.uk/.
Silver Surfer Week brings you a series of computer and internet training for older people who want to experience first hand the benefits of being digitally connected.
Website is @ http://www.silversurfer.org.uk/.
Love Libraries
Love libraries is an England & Wales campaign to get everyone excited about what libraries can do for readers and how we can make them better! Website is at http://www.lovelibraries.co.uk/. Alien perhaps, but worth a passing thought.
Forget it. This is the stuff you want.
Here & here & here & here & here...
Forget it. This is the stuff you want.
Here & here & here & here & here...
© free classical music
New from EMOL (Education Media OnLine)...
The Culverhouse Classical Music Collection comprises over 50 hours of copyright-free classical music, covering much of the core repertoire plus rarer pieces from the 17th to the 20th centuries. It is licensed from Brian Culverhouse, who, after 20 years at EMI, has been an independent record producer for 30 years, working with many famous performers.
For ease of use, the music is available in small pieces, such as movements, and some associated scores are also available.
As with existing EMOL collections, users are permitted to extract sections for delivery in VLEs or on disc, relieving pressure on hard-pressed libraries, allowing staff and students to download and burn customised CDs while librarians will be able to replace any that go missing.
This collection is available from the EMOL website. Requires Athens authentication.
The Culverhouse Classical Music Collection comprises over 50 hours of copyright-free classical music, covering much of the core repertoire plus rarer pieces from the 17th to the 20th centuries. It is licensed from Brian Culverhouse, who, after 20 years at EMI, has been an independent record producer for 30 years, working with many famous performers.
For ease of use, the music is available in small pieces, such as movements, and some associated scores are also available.
As with existing EMOL collections, users are permitted to extract sections for delivery in VLEs or on disc, relieving pressure on hard-pressed libraries, allowing staff and students to download and burn customised CDs while librarians will be able to replace any that go missing.
This collection is available from the EMOL website. Requires Athens authentication.
Change management
Not a request but advice on the management of change from the JISC...
Change is endemic in the education sector. The pressures for change come from all sides: globalisation, government initiatives, doing more with less, improving the quality of student learning and the learning experience, and the pace of change is ever increasing. Living with change and managing change is an essential skill for all.
With this in mind the good people @ JISC Infonet have just published a change management kit.
Further information here. Download the document (46 page Acrobat .pdf) here.
Change is endemic in the education sector. The pressures for change come from all sides: globalisation, government initiatives, doing more with less, improving the quality of student learning and the learning experience, and the pace of change is ever increasing. Living with change and managing change is an essential skill for all.
With this in mind the good people @ JISC Infonet have just published a change management kit.
Further information here. Download the document (46 page Acrobat .pdf) here.
FilmFour
For film buffs & media luvvies...
From July Film Four will be "free to air" & available on all digital TV receivers.
Wasn't paying then?
Details here.
From July Film Four will be "free to air" & available on all digital TV receivers.
Wasn't paying then?
Details here.
Accessibility issues
Direct Enquiries is an online access register that gives businesses and service providers throughout the United Kingdom an opportunity to shout about what access and facilities they currently provide. Importantly it also provides details about what access and facilities they cannot provide today, but hope to provide in the future.
In association with two of the country’s leading charities, RADAR (The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) and the Employers’ Forum on Disability, the register provides details about everything from entrances, lifts, toilets, counter heights, lighting, auxiliary aids such as Braille, large print, induction loops and lap trays, all the way through to staff assistance.
http://www.direct-enquiries.com/
In association with two of the country’s leading charities, RADAR (The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) and the Employers’ Forum on Disability, the register provides details about everything from entrances, lifts, toilets, counter heights, lighting, auxiliary aids such as Braille, large print, induction loops and lap trays, all the way through to staff assistance.
http://www.direct-enquiries.com/
Leave the car at home?
Transport Direct is the only website that offers information for door-to-door travel for both public transport and car journeys around Britain. Its aim is to provide you with comprehensive, easy-to-use travel information to help you plan your journeys effectively and efficiently.
Transport Direct is at http://www.transportdirect.info/
Transport Direct is at http://www.transportdirect.info/
NHS Scotland e-Library
A new version of the NHS Scotland e-Library ( www.elib.scot.nhs.uk ) was launched on 8th May 2006. The system has been extensively redesigned, with new services to make it as quick and easy as possible for healthcare staff and partners to find the information they need.
One interesting area is the launch of NHS Get Involved ( www.nhsgetinvolved.com ) as one of the family of Specialist e-Libraries. This new resource provides information and tools to help individuals, groups and communities to get involved in improving their own health and healthcare, in influencing NHS priorities and contributing to the way services are planned.
One interesting area is the launch of NHS Get Involved ( www.nhsgetinvolved.com ) as one of the family of Specialist e-Libraries. This new resource provides information and tools to help individuals, groups and communities to get involved in improving their own health and healthcare, in influencing NHS priorities and contributing to the way services are planned.
Portable apps
Got a memory stick? Then this may be for you.
A portable app is a computer program that you can carry around with you on a portable device and use on any Windows computer. When your USB flash drive, portable hard drive, iPod or other portable device is plugged in, you have access to your software and personal data just as you would on your own PC. And when you unplug, none of your personal data is left behind.
Test drive at http://portableapps.com/.
A portable app is a computer program that you can carry around with you on a portable device and use on any Windows computer. When your USB flash drive, portable hard drive, iPod or other portable device is plugged in, you have access to your software and personal data just as you would on your own PC. And when you unplug, none of your personal data is left behind.
Test drive at http://portableapps.com/.
Bad Science
Fine example of good new media journalism.
Bad Science is Ben Goldacre’s column from The Guardian, but presented as a personal blog - every article published since 2003 is here. The articles he writes are informative and - a bonus - often very funny. Generally, Goldacre attacks misinformation about science in the media.
Bad Science is Ben Goldacre’s column from The Guardian, but presented as a personal blog - every article published since 2003 is here. The articles he writes are informative and - a bonus - often very funny. Generally, Goldacre attacks misinformation about science in the media.
Spamalot without the jokes
Peter Bradshaw's Guardian review of the film of the execrable The Da Vinci Code can be found here.
Save yourself some money. Buy a real book. See a real film.
Save yourself some money. Buy a real book. See a real film.
Tomorrow the world...
The flood of new Google product continues...
They say:
They say:
- Google Co-op is a platform which enables you to use your expertise to help other users find information. This is a work in progress; over time, you can expect to see evolution in both Co-op's structure and the means by which you can contribute your expertise to our goal of making information more discoverable for millions of people.
- With Google Trends, you can compare the world's interest in your favourite topics. Enter up to five topics and see how often they've been searched for on Google over time. Google Trends also displays how frequently your topics have appeared in Google News stories, and which geographic regions have searched for them most often.
- Google Desktop gives you easy access to information on your computer and from the web. It's a desktop search application that provides full text search over your email, files, music, photos, chats, Gmail, web pages that you've viewed, and more. (This is a downloadable install).
- Google Notebook makes web research of all kinds – from planning a vacation to researching a school paper to buying a car – easier and more efficient by enabling you to clip and gather information even while you're browsing the web. And since Google Notebook lives in your browser, you won't be left with a scattered collection of notes, Word docs, and browser bookmarks to sort through; all your web findings will be gathering into one organized, easy accessible location that you can access from any computer. Requires a Google account.
And coming soon Google Gdrive, a service to provide anyone (who trusts Google with their data) a universally accessible network share that spans across computers, operating systems and even devices.
Ever get the feeling that you've been Tangoed?
England Loses the World Cup
In March 1966, a few months before the England football team won the World Cup, the FA lost it. Martin Atherton tells the full, often farcical, story of the theft and recovery of the Jules Rimet Trophy.
The full story can be read at the History Today website. Registration (free) required for full functionality.
And it's worth it. Good site with a lot of free stuff.
But, for complete access use InfoTrac OneFile with complete access to the History Today archive going back to 1992.
You know how to do that don't you?
The full story can be read at the History Today website. Registration (free) required for full functionality.
And it's worth it. Good site with a lot of free stuff.
But, for complete access use InfoTrac OneFile with complete access to the History Today archive going back to 1992.
You know how to do that don't you?
Blended learning - the fire next time
One college's experience of blended learning was highlighted yesterday in Education Guardian. The article can be accessed here.
Download this, don't download that
Yahoo have a podcast search trialling in beta which may be quite useful if you're into that sort of thing. You need to be registered with Yahoo to download stuff though. Find it at http://podcasts.yahoo.com/.
Two examples of content:
Two examples of content:
- A series of 4 half hour podcasts from Sony which tie in with the release of Bob Dylan's No Direction Home on CD & DVD. Find them here.
- 61 podcasts (count 'em) from Learning & Teaching Scotland covering the broad spectrum that is Scottish education. These can be found here.
Guess which ones you can't download from within the college?
Autism information from PARIS
PARIS (Public Autism Resource and Information Service) is the new online service designed and developed by The National Autistic Society (NAS). The NAS also manages the information on the website.
The National Autistic Society exists to champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and to ensure that they and their families receive quality services appropriate to their needs.
Access PARIS here.
The National Autistic Society exists to champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and to ensure that they and their families receive quality services appropriate to their needs.
Access PARIS here.
Images from the Royal Scottish Academy
This resource has been developed to support the teaching and learning of Art and Design throughout Scotland, particularly for students of National Qualifications.
The images are taken from works of art in the Royal Scottish Academy’s collections and show the works of 140 artists. All artists are either Scottish or have a strong Scottish connection. Each image is accompanied by brief information about the work, a biography of the artist and a critical commentary of the work.
Images are OK for use in education.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq/resources/RSAscottishart/index.asp
The images are taken from works of art in the Royal Scottish Academy’s collections and show the works of 140 artists. All artists are either Scottish or have a strong Scottish connection. Each image is accompanied by brief information about the work, a biography of the artist and a critical commentary of the work.
Images are OK for use in education.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nq/resources/RSAscottishart/index.asp
SETT - the Scottish Learning Festival
Those of our readers interested in the future direction of education in Scotland (and I know that there must be one or two of you out there) might want to register for this year's SETT show.
The Scottish Learning Festival is the annual national educational conference and exhibition in Scotland which aims to inspire better teaching and learning and help create a confident teaching profession for the twenty-first century.
For early registration, click here; for further details try here.
The Scottish Learning Festival is the annual national educational conference and exhibition in Scotland which aims to inspire better teaching and learning and help create a confident teaching profession for the twenty-first century.
For early registration, click here; for further details try here.
One for the engineers
MechEng Calculators is a website which offers on-line computational and graphics computing / calculations for Mechanical engineers covering: Mechanics, Dynamics, Design, Vibrations, Structures, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, Fluid Flow, Metalworking, Economics and related disciplines.
http://www.mechengcalculations.com/index.html
http://www.mechengcalculations.com/index.html
You ask. Philosophers answer.
AskPhilosophers is a website which puts the talents and knowledge of philosophers at the service of the general public. Send in a question that you think might be related to philosophy and they will do their best to respond to it.
To date, there have been 1086 questions posted and 1480 responses.
http://www.amherst.edu/askphilosophers/
To date, there have been 1086 questions posted and 1480 responses.
http://www.amherst.edu/askphilosophers/
Taking the bite out of books
Textbook Revolution is the web’s source for free educational materials. This is a student-run, volunteer-operated website started in response to the textbook industry’s constant drive to maximize profits instead of educational value.
At Textbook Revolution, you’ll find links to textbooks and select educational resources of all kinds. Some of the books are PDF files, others are viewable only online as e-books. Most books are aimed at undergraduates, but there are at least a few resources at every level, from kindergarten to post-doc. All of the books are offered for free by their respective copyright holders for online viewing. Beyond that, each book is as individual as the author behind it.
Worth a look.
http://www.textbookrevolution.org/
At Textbook Revolution, you’ll find links to textbooks and select educational resources of all kinds. Some of the books are PDF files, others are viewable only online as e-books. Most books are aimed at undergraduates, but there are at least a few resources at every level, from kindergarten to post-doc. All of the books are offered for free by their respective copyright holders for online viewing. Beyond that, each book is as individual as the author behind it.
Worth a look.
http://www.textbookrevolution.org/
IT geek looking for...
CompWisdom is a new search engine which tries to make searches for useful information on computers and the Internet easier.
They have thousands of relevant results in their database relating to IT. The search engine is still in beta stage but the database is updated & expanded continuously to cover more and more topics relevant to everyday users, computer geeks and tech specialists.
http://wwwcompwisdom.com
They have thousands of relevant results in their database relating to IT. The search engine is still in beta stage but the database is updated & expanded continuously to cover more and more topics relevant to everyday users, computer geeks and tech specialists.
http://wwwcompwisdom.com
Petroleum Journals Online
Petroleum Journals Online (PJO) publishes the first fully refereed e-journals of petroleum engineering. The publications cover the following main areas of petroleum engineering namely: petrophysics, production geology, drilling, production, reservoir engineering, and petroleum management and economics.
By virtue of their appearance in this open access journal, articles are free to use, with proper attribution, in educational and other non-commercial settings.
http://petroleumjournalsonline.com/
By virtue of their appearance in this open access journal, articles are free to use, with proper attribution, in educational and other non-commercial settings.
http://petroleumjournalsonline.com/
Further beyond the firewall
Netvibes enables you to create your own web-based home page, which you can access from anywhere. It's extremely easy to use, and easy to add content of interest. Great potential for further development.
Here are some key features:
- Browse, modify, and import RSS feeds with an integrated RSS/ATOM feedreader. You can easily import an OPML file as well.
- Import, download and listen to podcasts without any additional software.
- Check your e-mail on one or many Gmail accounts; stick web notes and weather updates; and many more features to come!
Check this one out!
Open J-Gate journal search
Open J-Gate provides seamless access to millions of journal articles freely available online under the Open Access Initiative (OAI).
Open J-Gate is also a database of journal literature, indexed from 3000+ open access journals, with links to full text at Publisher sites.
http://www.openj-gate.com/
Open J-Gate is also a database of journal literature, indexed from 3000+ open access journals, with links to full text at Publisher sites.
http://www.openj-gate.com/
Office for Disability Issues
The Office for Disability Issues is the focal point within UK government to coordinate disability policy across all departments.
It will reach out to organisations and individuals at every step, and create and put into action plans to improve the lives of disabled people.
The Office supports the Minister for Disabled People and other ministerial colleagues. It will develop to become a source of information and expertise, and will set an example to others in its practices and activities.
Visit the website here.
It will reach out to organisations and individuals at every step, and create and put into action plans to improve the lives of disabled people.
The Office supports the Minister for Disabled People and other ministerial colleagues. It will develop to become a source of information and expertise, and will set an example to others in its practices and activities.
Visit the website here.
Encouraging photography one bit at a time
Luminous Lint is a website whose purpose "is to create the world‘s leading collaborative knowledge-base for the history of photography showing significant vintage and contemporary photography." All arranged by theme, photographer or techniques & processes.
Luminous Lint is @ http://www.luminous-lint.com.
Luminous Lint is @ http://www.luminous-lint.com.
BYOB (Buy Your Own Books)
GreenMetropolis.com is a huge online bookstore. Book lovers can find that book they've been looking for, but at a price that simply can't be beaten. Sellers can turn the books they've read into cash.
Buyers
You can browse the books available, but if you wish to buy a book, you'll first need to register.
Registering is quick, easy and costs nothing. Once you've logged in, just add the books you want to your basket and proceed to checkout. All their paperback books are sold at the low price of just £3.75 , with free delivery on standard size paperback, and no minimum order value. The price you see is the price you pay.
Sellers
Selling your books at GreenMetropolis.com couldn't be simpler. There's no need to enter all the book details. Just logon and enter the book's ISBN and its condition. They'll then enter the book into the bookstore for sale.
Green Metropolis can be found here where you can also find Alex Cathcart's The Comeback & The Missionary @ £3.75. But hurry!
Buyers
You can browse the books available, but if you wish to buy a book, you'll first need to register.
Registering is quick, easy and costs nothing. Once you've logged in, just add the books you want to your basket and proceed to checkout. All their paperback books are sold at the low price of just £3.75 , with free delivery on standard size paperback, and no minimum order value. The price you see is the price you pay.
Sellers
Selling your books at GreenMetropolis.com couldn't be simpler. There's no need to enter all the book details. Just logon and enter the book's ISBN and its condition. They'll then enter the book into the bookstore for sale.
Green Metropolis can be found here where you can also find Alex Cathcart's The Comeback & The Missionary @ £3.75. But hurry!
Study skills for students of history
Anyone studying, or intending to study, history at college should check out the History-ontheweb website.
A 66 page Acrobat .pdf study skills guide is available here.
A 66 page Acrobat .pdf study skills guide is available here.
HeadsUp
HeadsUp is a new website from the Hansard Society which hosts an online debating space for under 18s to share their views on political issues and events.
Through the forums, HeadsUp aims to build young people's levels of political awareness and participation so that they can play an effective role in the democratic processes affecting their lives.
HeadsUp is also a space politicians can use to consult with young people and find out their ideas, experiences and opinions.
Find HeadsUp here.
Through the forums, HeadsUp aims to build young people's levels of political awareness and participation so that they can play an effective role in the democratic processes affecting their lives.
HeadsUp is also a space politicians can use to consult with young people and find out their ideas, experiences and opinions.
Find HeadsUp here.
I fought the law...
The British and Irish Legal Information Institute is a non-profit making charitable trust which is building and operating an interactive database of full text primary legal materials available without charge on the Internet.
BAILII provides, by utilizing low-cost methods, a growing amount of primary and secondary legal material which can be browsed by the user and/or located by using the BAILII search engine. The service is a major tool for legal research.
As of October 2004, BAILII included 46 databases covering 7 jurisdictions, including Scots Law. The system contains around 7.5 gigabytes of legal materials and around 400,000 searchable documents with about 15 million internal hypertext links.
BAILLI is at http://www.bailii.org/
BAILII provides, by utilizing low-cost methods, a growing amount of primary and secondary legal material which can be browsed by the user and/or located by using the BAILII search engine. The service is a major tool for legal research.
As of October 2004, BAILII included 46 databases covering 7 jurisdictions, including Scots Law. The system contains around 7.5 gigabytes of legal materials and around 400,000 searchable documents with about 15 million internal hypertext links.
BAILLI is at http://www.bailii.org/
Anatomy atlases
One for PE & Health Care people.
Anatomy Atlases is an anatomy digital health sciences library that has been uniquely committed since 2006 and through its predecessors since 1995:
- To educate patients, healthcare providers, and students in a free and anonymous manner;
- For the purpose of improving patients' care, outcome, and lives;
- Using current, authoritative, trustworthy health information;
- While serving as a platform for research into the challenges facing world-wide information distribution.
Anatomy Atlases is at http://anatomyatlases.org/
More free law journals
As well as The Journal of Information, Law & Technology (JILT) (q.v.), the Electronic Law Journals Project is also responsible for publish these journals:
- The Journal of Law, Social Justice and Global Development (LGD) is a peer- reviewed electronic law journal established to further the debate on the impacts of globalisation on social development and justice.
- The Entertainment and Sports Law Journal is a peer-reviewed electronic law journal located within a dynamic and rapidly expanding area of legal theory and legal practice.
Just a thought. Again both accessible via the library online catalogue.
(Is anyone out there???? Should I call SETI???)
Get JILTed
JILT (The Journal of Information, Law & Technology) is an established but innovative electronic law journal covering a range of topics relating to IT law and applications. It contains a diversity of materials including peer reviewed and non-refereed articles, commentaries, work in progress articles, book and IT reviews, and conference reports and papers, as well as information papers, news and UK and global conferences.
Access to current & archived (1996- ) issues is free. For information about other online journals available from within the college try the Online Library Catalogue & search for online journals.
Access to current & archived (1996- ) issues is free. For information about other online journals available from within the college try the Online Library Catalogue & search for online journals.
Lost (or found?) in translation
From Guardian Unlimited Newsbytes, 11 May 2006:
It can be amusing to translate an English language web page into another language and back, using machine translation.
Really magazine has automated the process at www.reallymag.com/2Xlation.htm.
Try it on this page or better still http://rkccivitas.blogspot.com/.
Who said techies had no sense of humour?
It can be amusing to translate an English language web page into another language and back, using machine translation.
Really magazine has automated the process at www.reallymag.com/2Xlation.htm.
Try it on this page or better still http://rkccivitas.blogspot.com/.
Who said techies had no sense of humour?
Films from the BBC
The BBC Film Network is now running a trial by "showcasing short films as high-resolution downloads". The films are distributed via a peer-to-peer network for Windows 2000 or XP and Windows Media Player only. One for the home PC.
From Guardian Unlimited Newsbytes, 11 May 2006.
From Guardian Unlimited Newsbytes, 11 May 2006.
Help the blind
The National Library for the Blind (NLB) wants you to buy books from Amazon via its own website at www.nlb-online.org/shop. You pay the Amazon price but the NLB gets 10%.
From Guardian Unlimited Newsbytes, 11 May 2006.
From Guardian Unlimited Newsbytes, 11 May 2006.
Keep it legal
OUT-LAW, an online magazine from law firm Pinsent Masons, has 6,000 pages of free legal news and guidance, mostly on IT and e-commerce issues. These issues can affect any organisation, and OUT-LAW is as much for those in a software start-up as it is for the compliance team at a bank.
Archive goes back to 2001 & is also available as an RSS feed if you stay in the correct post-code area.
Archive goes back to 2001 & is also available as an RSS feed if you stay in the correct post-code area.
As Google slowly takes over the planet...
Yet another piece of kit from Google. Google Earth? They aren't joking.
Google SketchUp (free) is an easy-to-learn 3D modeling program that enables you to explore the world in 3D. With just a few simple tools, you can create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects - even space ships. And once you've built your models, you can place them in Google Earth, post them to the 3D Warehouse, or print hard copies.
Google SketchUp is free for personal use. No registration is required.
Google SketchUp (free) is an easy-to-learn 3D modeling program that enables you to explore the world in 3D. With just a few simple tools, you can create 3D models of houses, sheds, decks, home additions, woodworking projects - even space ships. And once you've built your models, you can place them in Google Earth, post them to the 3D Warehouse, or print hard copies.
Google SketchUp is free for personal use. No registration is required.
WWWtools for Education
This site (http://m.fasfind.com/wwwtools/) is designed to keep you informed and to save valuable time in tracking down information and resources on the World Wide Web.
Each article is on a particular topic or issue related to Web-based teaching and learning. The articles take a skilled researcher between 10 and 20 hours to research and prepare.
Latest topics covered include blogging, iPods & podcasting, video & photograph sharing, social bookmarking, social networking, Web 2.0, etc., etc.
Subscribe for the latest updates. Also available as an RSS feed. Aye. Right.
Each article is on a particular topic or issue related to Web-based teaching and learning. The articles take a skilled researcher between 10 and 20 hours to research and prepare.
Latest topics covered include blogging, iPods & podcasting, video & photograph sharing, social bookmarking, social networking, Web 2.0, etc., etc.
Subscribe for the latest updates. Also available as an RSS feed. Aye. Right.
New JISC legal publications
E-Security Overview & E-Security Essentials: JISC Legal produce a range of advice papers to satisfy the needs of differing readerships. ‘Essentials’ papers are around 1000 words in length and provide a quick introduction to a topic. ‘Overview’ papers are around 2500 words in length, and provide a fuller briefing for those working with the topic area more regularly. Now you know the jargon I can reveal that two new papers have recently been published.
E-Security Overview (pdf at http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/pdfs/esecOverview.pdf)
E-Security Essentials (pdf at http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/pdfs/esecEssentials.pdf)
There is also an updated paper by John Casey on the thorny subject of
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Networked E-Learning www.jisclegal.ac.uk/pdfs/johncasey.pdf)
E-Security Overview (pdf at http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/pdfs/esecOverview.pdf)
E-Security Essentials (pdf at http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/pdfs/esecEssentials.pdf)
There is also an updated paper by John Casey on the thorny subject of
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Networked E-Learning www.jisclegal.ac.uk/pdfs/johncasey.pdf)
Podcasting?
- Try the Yahoo Podcast search
- Locate really useful stuff from Learning & Teaching Scotland.
- Listen to Ewan McIntosh explain the educational uses of podcasts & blogs - not a gimmick!
- Realise that you can't listen to them because these are dangerous file types.
- Curse WebNazi.
- Despair.
- Do not pass Go. Do not collect £50.00. Return to 1987.
World Cup fever...
With the 2006 World Cup only 31 days away and (allegedly) 60% of all Scots looking forward to the inevitable victory of our indefatigable neighbours, perhaps a little sanity is needed.
Try http://www.scottishquest.com/howscottish/index.htm
The difference is in the thickness...
Try http://www.scottishquest.com/howscottish/index.htm
The difference is in the thickness...
Better searches, better results
Help your students (& yourself) to use the ubiquitous Google search engine more efficiently with a couple of posters (how archaic!) available @ http://www.google.com/librariancenter/librarian_tools.html
This is at the Google Librarian Centre but we were there first, weren't we? And despite the efforts of others to cloud e-learning in smoke & mirrors, this is not a black art.
This is at the Google Librarian Centre but we were there first, weren't we? And despite the efforts of others to cloud e-learning in smoke & mirrors, this is not a black art.
We're bloggin' part deux
Anyone not convinced of the educational benefits of weblogs might be persuaded by the following books which have been added to library stock:
- Publishing a blog with Blogger by Elizabeth Castro
- Buzz marketing with blogs for dummies by Susannah Gardner
- Blogging for dummies by Brad Hill
- Classroom blogging : a teacher's guide to the Blogosphere by David Warlick
- Blogwild! : how everyone can go blogging by Andy Wibbels
Details from Amazon UK.
Not convinced? A more traditional form of communication which may be more approriate to your psyche can be found here.
Theatre history
PeoplePlay UK aims to bring theatre history to life on the web and increase access to the Theatre Museum’s collections for the non–specialist user. The site contains 1500 digitised images as well as structured learning packs offering guided tours through the collection and timeline histories. The site has been funded by the New Opportunities Fund.
All images are available to download for non-commercial purposes.
Find PeoplePlay UK here.
All images are available to download for non-commercial purposes.
Find PeoplePlay UK here.
Free trial
The Literature Resource Center from the Gale Group) provides an interdisciplinary approach to literature allowing users to go beyond the text and author to explore biographical and critical information, historical context and social implications. It is rich, current and comprehensive in biographical, bibliographical and critical content, work overviews, author-related websites and timeline events. It provides broad and up-to-date content on literary figures from all time periods and writing in genres such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama and journalism in a single search query.
Literature Resource Center is available with the leading tool for academic researchers in the humanities, the Modern Language Association (MLA) International Bibliography which gives researchers access to more than 1.7 million bibliographic citations from 1963 to the present.
To instantly access a free trial of this essential resource please click on the link below, type in your name and institution and then enter the trial. http://www.galeuk.com/LRC/promotion.htm
Trial access will expire on 31st May 2006.
Literature Resource Center is available with the leading tool for academic researchers in the humanities, the Modern Language Association (MLA) International Bibliography which gives researchers access to more than 1.7 million bibliographic citations from 1963 to the present.
To instantly access a free trial of this essential resource please click on the link below, type in your name and institution and then enter the trial. http://www.galeuk.com/LRC/promotion.htm
Trial access will expire on 31st May 2006.
Reid Kerr - How blue can you get?
Reid Kerr is a 23 year old Americana singer/songwriter from North Carolina who produces "a unique mix of original material infused with classic covers from James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, John Prine, and many more. Unique songwriting, a dense set list, and a vocal style paralleled to James Taylor. Genres of folk, jazz, country, and rock blend in solo acoustic live performances."
“I’m always searching for a great song,” says Reid Kerr as he sits modestly in a chair. It’s just before another show, this night in Wilmington, NC, and it’s quite likely great songs will soon be heard. Be it his originals or wide variety of covers, Kerr strips a song to its bones with an acoustic guitar and rich vocals.
Meet him at www.reidkerrmusic.com/
You couldn't make this stuff up...
Does not play for Arsenal...
Use video in education? Want a television programme recorded? Don't know what's on?
Then www.bleb.org.uk/tv is for you.
Customise your TV listings. Incorporate favourite channels into your RSS/Atom news aggregator. Ask for a TV series to be recorded before the series starts. It's all here.
Forget it...
Then www.bleb.org.uk/tv is for you.
Customise your TV listings. Incorporate favourite channels into your RSS/Atom news aggregator. Ask for a TV series to be recorded before the series starts. It's all here.
Forget it...
Introductory Scots Law : free updates
Very popular book, Introductory Scots Law: Theory & Practice by Alistair Wylie & Sean Crossan. Up-to-date too. Updates to the text with reference to changes in Scottish law since publication are available as a 61 page .pdf from http://www.hoddersamplepages.co.uk/gibson.htm or via the library catalogue.
This is what this is all about, isn't it? Keeping up-to-date.
My God! It's 1996!!!!
This is what this is all about, isn't it? Keeping up-to-date.
My God! It's 1996!!!!
Oxford Reference Online part deux
Previously posted instructions don't work in the college. Now read on...
If you add the Search Oxford Reference button to your browser toolbar, you will be able to consult Oxford Reference Online from any web page. You could be looking at a French newspaper's website and be unsure of the translation for a word. All you do is highlight the word, click the Search Oxford Reference button on your browser toolbar and a new browser window will open with the results of a Quick Search having been performed in Oxford Reference Online on the selected text.Please note that you need to have JavaScript enabled to add the Search Oxford Reference button on to your browser toolbar.
Enable this useful tool @ the Oxford Reference website (no need to log in) & do not follow the simple instructions.
Instead right-click on the Search Oxford Reference icon / banner.
In the menu, choose add to favourites.
When the warning message appears choose "Yes".
Add it to the Links folder in Favourites.
If you add the Search Oxford Reference button to your browser toolbar, you will be able to consult Oxford Reference Online from any web page. You could be looking at a French newspaper's website and be unsure of the translation for a word. All you do is highlight the word, click the Search Oxford Reference button on your browser toolbar and a new browser window will open with the results of a Quick Search having been performed in Oxford Reference Online on the selected text.Please note that you need to have JavaScript enabled to add the Search Oxford Reference button on to your browser toolbar.
Enable this useful tool @ the Oxford Reference website (no need to log in) & do not follow the simple instructions.
Instead right-click on the Search Oxford Reference icon / banner.
In the menu, choose add to favourites.
When the warning message appears choose "Yes".
Add it to the Links folder in Favourites.
Calling all thespians, dancers & musicians
The latest briefing from PALATINE is now available online at:
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/palatine/newsletters/briefing-may06
Contents
- Mapping dance
- TASI: Advice on Digital Images
- The Beatles and more...for free? Copyright limit poses opportunities and threats
- Forthcoming PALATINE Events & Calls for Presenters
- CETL news
- e-Tutor of the Year Competition
- JISC Capital Programme - Call for Presenters
- LATHE Journal: Call for Contributors
Palatine is the dance, music & drama part of the Higher Education Academy in case you're interested down there at Mile End. Thought so.
Code Jam
Mind-racing problems. Intense competition. Big prize money.
If this is your idea of a good time, enter Google Code Jam Europe 2006, a programming competition that will grab your interest, entice your mind and engage your skills.
Google has finally launched a European version of Code Jam, its programming competition(www.google.com/codejameurope/). Europe is defined as the EU member states and candidate countries, Efta, Israel and Russia.
Registration is open now & you could win one of 50 prizes from €2500 to €150.
If this is your idea of a good time, enter Google Code Jam Europe 2006, a programming competition that will grab your interest, entice your mind and engage your skills.
Google has finally launched a European version of Code Jam, its programming competition(www.google.com/codejameurope/). Europe is defined as the EU member states and candidate countries, Efta, Israel and Russia.
Registration is open now & you could win one of 50 prizes from €2500 to €150.
Now you're speaking my language...
Anyone interested in the college's present & future relationships with China could do worse than start at an article in today's Technology Guardian which concerns a businessman in China who plans to deliver language learning to millions through podcasts, cutting out teachers and classrooms. The article can be found here.
The associated websites teaching Mandarin & English are @ http://www.chinesepod.com/ & http://www.englishpod.com/ respectively. Japanese? Try http://www.japanesepod101.com/.
And if you're really keen why not borrow Real Chinese & China Close Up (BBC) on DVD from the library. Cuts down on all that flying.
The library can be found in the Abercorn Building. Details on request.
The associated websites teaching Mandarin & English are @ http://www.chinesepod.com/ & http://www.englishpod.com/ respectively. Japanese? Try http://www.japanesepod101.com/.
And if you're really keen why not borrow Real Chinese & China Close Up (BBC) on DVD from the library. Cuts down on all that flying.
The library can be found in the Abercorn Building. Details on request.
Live Classroom
This may be of interest to all you blended & e-learning experts.
Live Classroom is one of those computer-whizz thingies brought to you from the same people that gave you CourseGenie. HorizonWimba I believe these chaps call themselves.
As a humble book-stamper it's all a bit too technical for me but they, the e-boffins, say:
If you would like to learn techniques to teach students logged in from around the world or about how you can personalize your online courses by holding live, online classes, office hours, guest lectures, webcasts or meetings, then you won't want to miss this live presentation with The University of Salford.
Date and Time: Tuesday May 16, 2006 at 2pm BST.
Register now by clicking here.
Makes you feel very humble...
Live Classroom is one of those computer-whizz thingies brought to you from the same people that gave you CourseGenie. HorizonWimba I believe these chaps call themselves.
As a humble book-stamper it's all a bit too technical for me but they, the e-boffins, say:
If you would like to learn techniques to teach students logged in from around the world or about how you can personalize your online courses by holding live, online classes, office hours, guest lectures, webcasts or meetings, then you won't want to miss this live presentation with The University of Salford.
Date and Time: Tuesday May 16, 2006 at 2pm BST.
Register now by clicking here.
Makes you feel very humble...
Mind your language
From The Guardian Technology blog, Monday 1st May 2006:
Google is usually great for helping sort out uses of English, so you can check the difference between a pedaller and a peddler -- though that doesn't stop Guardian journalists getting it wrong, of course. But there are times when the majority of people get things wrong.
In today's Guardian, Patrick Barkham reports that "according to the Oxford English Corpus, a database of a billion words, dozens of traditional phrases are now more commonly misspelled than rendered correctly in written English."
"Straight-laced" is used 66% of the time even though it should be written "strait-laced", according to lexicographers working for Oxford Dictionaries, who record the way English is spoken and written by monitoring books, television, radio and newspapers and, increasingly, websites and blogs.
"Just desserts" is used 58% of the time instead of the correct spelling, "just deserts" (desert is a variation of deserve), while 59% of all written examples of the phrase in the Corpus call it a "font of knowledge or wisdom" when it should be "fount".
Other common mistakes mentioned in the article include "free reign" for "free rein", "slight of hand" instead of "sleight", "phased by" for "fazed by", "butt naked" for "buck naked" and "vocal chords" for "vocal cords."
Bear this in mind the next time you use Google to check: it could be wrong.
Google is usually great for helping sort out uses of English, so you can check the difference between a pedaller and a peddler -- though that doesn't stop Guardian journalists getting it wrong, of course. But there are times when the majority of people get things wrong.
In today's Guardian, Patrick Barkham reports that "according to the Oxford English Corpus, a database of a billion words, dozens of traditional phrases are now more commonly misspelled than rendered correctly in written English."
"Straight-laced" is used 66% of the time even though it should be written "strait-laced", according to lexicographers working for Oxford Dictionaries, who record the way English is spoken and written by monitoring books, television, radio and newspapers and, increasingly, websites and blogs.
"Just desserts" is used 58% of the time instead of the correct spelling, "just deserts" (desert is a variation of deserve), while 59% of all written examples of the phrase in the Corpus call it a "font of knowledge or wisdom" when it should be "fount".
Other common mistakes mentioned in the article include "free reign" for "free rein", "slight of hand" instead of "sleight", "phased by" for "fazed by", "butt naked" for "buck naked" and "vocal chords" for "vocal cords."
Bear this in mind the next time you use Google to check: it could be wrong.
JISClegal Information
A new JISClegal newsletter has just been published. Among the articles is this one which may be of some interest to our e-learning enthusiasts.
Image Gallery on the Prowl!
A well-known commercial image gallery is known to be trawling UK Further and Higher Education websites in order to find unlicensed images to which it owns the copyright. A number of institutions have already received invoices from the US-based gallery asking for four-figure payments as back-royalties for use of the images. UK FE and HE institutions are advised to ensure that images are not used online without copyright clearance, and that tutors should be reminded about the possible consequences of the 'right-click'.
(28/04/06)
Full newsletter is here.
Image Gallery on the Prowl!
A well-known commercial image gallery is known to be trawling UK Further and Higher Education websites in order to find unlicensed images to which it owns the copyright. A number of institutions have already received invoices from the US-based gallery asking for four-figure payments as back-royalties for use of the images. UK FE and HE institutions are advised to ensure that images are not used online without copyright clearance, and that tutors should be reminded about the possible consequences of the 'right-click'.
(28/04/06)
Full newsletter is here.
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