For those looking for first-hand experience of the early days of documentary film making and/or are engaged in Media Studies or 20th Century history, then Terence Gallacher's Blog is "a must look at".

On October 1st 1945, Terry walked through the front door of British Movietonews at 22 Soho Square to start a career in the news and documentary film business. He had been offered £2. 10s. 0d per week, which he accepted; fifty-six years later, he retired.

The blog is a regular series of ar...

...are students more or less distracted because of the Internet? Does social media help or hurt learners?

Some interesting info-graphics that are well worth a closer look...

Visit http://edudemic.com/2011/04/social-media-students/ to read the full article and/or to view the info-graphics.

Nik Peachey has created a document showing 36 different ways practitioners can use web based tools to enhance the things they do in a learning environment and make learners assignment options more interesting and communicative.

View Nik's publication at http://www.scribd.com/doc/53030128/36-Tools-for-Digitising-your-ELT-Course-Book.

Note: Presentation slides are available at: 36Tools for Digitising Your Coursebook

When you deliver feedback it should be balanced. This statement suggests that practitioners should strive to give learners a balance of positive and negative feedback.

This Blog entry points out that there isn't just two types of feedback, there is in fact four...

• Negative feedback;

• Positive feedback;

• Negative feedforward; and
  

• Positive feedforward.

Visit http://bit.ly/dYtzmd to read the full article about five balancing strategies to help practitioners use the four types...

Thank you Stephanie Dedhar for 'Tweeting' this link...

"Next time, try engaging my mind rather than my fingers" - I, like Stephanie, also love this 'letter from an agonized adult learner' posted by Geeta Bose.

Visit http://geetabose.blogspot.com/2011/03/im-not-idiot-letter-from-agonized-adult.html to read the full blog post.

The Whiteboard Blog is produced by Danny Nicholson, a freelance educational consultant and PGCE science lecturer.

He informs us that his main speciality is the use of Interactive Whiteboards, but is also interested in lots of different bits of technology that are now being used in the learning environment.

Interactive whiteboards (IWBs) are popular with learning providers because they're a big symbol of technology. Unfortunately, they're often installed without providing a budget to...

"The field of training doesn't change quickly. Even though technological innovation occurs at rapid speed and new learning theories emerge from cognitive research, large and entrenched training organizations move like slow dinosaurs."

This blog entry looks at...

• Connectivism;

• Collaborative Learning;

• Situated Learning;

• Informal Learning;

VoIP-Sol.com, based in the UK, is an independent blog covering the VoIP market, web 2.0 and related technologies.

The main focus of the blog is to provide impartial reviews on phones and services as well as offering insightful comparisons.

Two posts are worth a closer look, especially those learning providers who are using, or considering using, Skype for improved communication and/or remote observations /assessments/job knowledge interviews/etc.

• 15 Apps for Recording Skype Conversa...

In their words...

"You can't swing a stick in social media without hitting something on Facebook. Same goes for education. You can't talk about how technology is revolutionizing education without mentioning Facebook. It's a simple service to figure out but what about once you become a regular user?"

This blog post includes...

• Bernadette Rego's Facebook setup guide with a teacher-centric focus; hosted on Scribd;
• A YouTube Clip on "How to (Not) Suck @ Facebook;
• Some DON'T...

What do you know about Pearltrees? Well until this year I hadn't been aware of pearltrees; but it is quite impressive.

Pearltrees...

• is a new visual bookmarking tool utilizing a mind map-like interface to help users organize their web page shortcuts in a much more intuitive way than the typical browser bookmark list; and

• enables users to connect with other users who share similar interests, which places pearltrees in the same camp as other social bookmarking tools.

This blog entr...

Adopting a new communication tools isn't easy and in the case of Twitter isn't obvious, to some, why you would even want to!

However, as with most new and emerging technologies, you are not going it alone.

In this post, they have culled the resources from an array of websites that try to help anyone understand and use Twitter.

If you haven't yet taken the plunge, perhaps the 100 resources might help you out.

Busy practitioners/administrators/eGuides/Subject Learning Coaches etc., ...

Writing for audio is a different kind of writing.

If you are...

• considering podcasts; or
• having trouble making the transition from eye to ear

...this blog post provides some tips.

Visit http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning_design/the-art-of-writing-great-voice-over-scripts/ to read the full post.

As you would expect, I'm not missing the opportunity to bring to your attention feedback about one of our events.

Craig Taylor's Blog reviews our 'Using Video Technology' Event in Bolton*.

Read what one delegate thought by visiting Craig's Blog at http://craigtaylor1974.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/video-enhanced-the-radio-star/.

*If you missed the event, the free resources provided are available online at
http://www.rsc-northwest.ac.uk/acl/eMagArchive/RSCeMags2010_11/MakeA_Difference3/i...

I've included TPM's blog in previous posts and, again they have come up with a Equality and Human Rights blog entry that many of learning providers will find a useful resource. I think that I also flagged this video clip - included in the blog (you can watch below or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRS-ToNpcNY) when it was published last July by Amnesty <http://www.amnesty.org.uk/>...

Read the full blog entry at http://tpmnow.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/young-pe...

Safety and Privacy section added to the BBC Webwise site, offering lots of hints and tips on how practitioners and learners can stay safe online.

Read the full article at http://wblwestmids.blogspot.com/2010/09/getting-webwise-and-staying-safe-online.html.

With the current financial climate, a number of local authorities and learning providers we support are looking closely at video conferencing options; this blog, brought to my attention by my colleague John Davey, looks at the humorous but, in many cases, real experiences.

Visit http://onlignment.com/2010/09/conference-call-woes/ to see what I mean

or watch a video clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbJAJEtNUX0.

Paul's Blog entry looks at Twitter, #Tags and  Personal Learning Networks; I'm disappointed he didn't mention #wdlih but he has some interesting ideas for formalizing #Tags to enhance communication, between learners, across the globe. 

Take a look yourself at http://moodlemckean.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/the-world-of-twitter/.

I wonder if they, #Tags, shouldn't be linked to the Dewey Decimal Classification e.g. #694 for Carpentry; #664 for Food Technology;  #341 for International Law etc....

I have to say that my experience, admittedly in the early days, of using Xerte wasn't great; Scott's blog however may have encouraged me to look again - time will tell but I have already downloaded the latest version using the links from his article.

Read the full blog entry and watch the embedded video clips at http://scottslibraryblog.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/delivering-inform...

"It's not the software  it's how you use it!"

I wonder how many times I've said that?

Well those of you involved in the 'performing arts' world, may well find one of these resources useful for managing your 'performing arts' wardrobe'.

• Grab a camera,
  
• take pictures of the clothes and
  
• create a virtual wardrobe on a computer.
  

Whenever a production needs to make a match, instead of rummaging through the physical wardrobe, browse through the virtual wardrobe and pick the most appr...

Edge is an independent education foundation, dedicated to raising the stature of practical and vocational learning.

They want all young people to have the opportunity to achieve their potential, to ensure that the UK's future workforce is equipped with the skills to succeed.

Visit http://www.edge.co.uk/ to find out more.

Also take time to look at 'Making the Games', at http://www.makingthegames.co.uk/; a project designed for teenagers and as a resource for teachers. This site features...

This blog, from one of our supported learning providers, addresses "Issues affecting learners and young people".

Read Training Plus Merseyside's blog entries on...

• Digital Citizenship;
• Teenage Mental Health;
• Bullying; and
  
• HIV Awareness.

This reflective blog, from Colin, mentions...

• last years and this years RSC-Northwest's Annual Events (I assume you have all booked your place for this years event);
• Pecha Kuchas (if you are attending have you booked your slot?) <http://www.pecha-kucha.org/>;
• iPadio; and
  
• adding audio to a SlideShare presentation (including instructions).

This blog has been recommended by Martin Sepion, from RSC London, who thinks that those of you engaged in  ESOL, EFL and Literacy will find it a useful blog to follow.

Find out/read more at http://e-blahblah.com/.

This blog entry provides a quick tutorial on lesson planning with Google Calendar.

Read the full article at http://electriceducator.blogspot.com/2010/02/using-google-calendar-for-lesson.html or

watch the video below or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH-6vM61LaI.

This recent post by Karen Barnstable, 41 Benefits of an ePortfolio, is an excellent collection of benefits that is hard to improve upon.

Read the full post at http://kbarnstable.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/41-benefits-of-an-eportfolio/.

John R Sowash makes goals for himself and his family each year. Read about his 5 teaching goals for 2010 which are to...

1. Improve the reverse-instructional model
2. Continue to improve the Wii interactive whiteboard for class use
3. Improve assessments to require more critical thinking and problem solving
4. Increase the number of assignments that require collaborative and creative work and
5. Encourage and challenge the teaching staff around me by modeling effective uses of technology

An... 

    * EASY-TO-USE MOBILE WEBSITE CREATOR
    * INTUITIVE MOBILE PUBLISHING
    * FREE FOR PERSONAL USE
    * READY FOR MOBILE MARKETING
    * 100% W3C & MobileOK
    * ANYPAGE© RENDERING ENGINE

Visit http://www.wirenode.com/showIndex.do to try it out yourself. 

How would you answer this question?

How do I communicate the value of social media as a learning tool to my organization?

Individuals and organizations gave their responses around the web this month. In case you missed it, visit the eLearning coach blog where you will locate a roundup of some valuable recommendations.

Visit http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning2-0/how-to-communicate-the-value-of-social-media to find some possible answers.

Creating slideshows can be an excellent way for learners to...

• summarize their learning,
• share their what they've learned, and
• share their reflections/ideas/etc.

If you have learners that create slideshows that should be shared with a wider audience, rather than just their immediate peers in the learning environment, the web offers many ways to do just that.

The blog highlights ten free ways for learners to publish slideshows to the web.

Read what they are by visiting http://www.free...

 "Are you telling me you memorized that fact when anyone with a cellphone can find that in thirty seconds?"

I think that quote is from a Simpson's Episode, said by a new teacher!

John R Sowash says in his blog entry...

"When I give worksheets with questions on them my students immediately type the entire question into the omniscient search box on Google and in an instant, they have their answer.
They have expended absolutely zero energy or effort to find the answer and as a ...

A well designed newsletter/email template can be the difference between success and failure.

Whether it’s to update potential learners about courses, or to share information with employers, having a well designed template can be a great starting point to guide target audiences and give them a clear coherent flow when they read your email. This is crucial, considering how important the first impression is.

This blog entry rounds-up of some of the best free HTML newsletter templates on ...

Lady Jane, as our Second Life users will know her, (Jane Edwards is from RSC West Midlands) has set up a page on RSC West Midlands' Wiki that brings together a number of key resources.

Jane has been looking at ways that learning providers can...

• save money and
• work more efficiently

...by thinking more about sustainable computing; something also referred to as Green ICT.

It is a large area and one that is currently attracting a lot of funding and is the subject of much research. 

On ...

In S. Hendy's own words...

"I love finding digital resources and exploring ways to integrate technology into the classroom. I am particularly interested in online applications. This blog has been designed to share resources I have found and collected as both an educator and a parent. My background is in Art and Multimedia education, however, I love finding ways to enhance learning in all subject areas."

For example Hendy's slideshow, 'Tap Into the World of Comics', presents ...

One of the things I do whenever I write an eMagazine article is to include it in a blog article (http://acljohn.posterous.com/) and in an audio version of the blog (http://drop.io/wdlihblog); I also add it to the appropriate blog here in my blog portal. By doing this I feel I'm offering choice to 'my readers' as, I'm sure you will agree, "one size doesn't suit all"!.

I also promote the choices through Twitter and Facebook, using Ping.

During my usual research for new and emerging technolo...

If your learners, or you, have a blog, website etc., they/you are already aware that catching the eye of visitors is the name of the game. What options, that are not tried and tested, are available to make the blog/website etc., stand out from the crowd at least a little?

Tagul may well be what you are looking for.

Tagul will let users create tag clouds that can have different shapes and features like text inside text and rollover effects. Users can likewise choose from different fonts ...

Online learning is revered and respected by an rapidly increasing number of practitioners and learners the world over.

The eLearning Coach is a blog that showcases sites and products that have been reviewed.

Categories include...

• Audio
• Designing eLearning
• How People Learn
• Justifying eLearning
• Learning Objectives
• Storyboarding etc...

Visitors can also browse older postings by month and see the thematic evolution that way if that is what they want. And if visitors want to dig deeper into...