Using ICT in Further Education

OpenOffice has never been more accessible!

Not only can you download it, you can also run it as a portable application and now you can access the latest version in your browser (no download required) thanks to Ulteo.

Ulteo allows you to save documents online (with password protection) as well as upload and download files as required. Storage space of 1GB is provided. There is also a very useful share option where you can invite others to view your OpenOffice documents as you are using them!

Ulteo have now also included a full online desktop feature – closed to new users at present.

The beta testers have already reported many benefits of Ulteo’s innovative service including:

• trying out desktop applications with one click without the long and tedious download, install and potential un-install process – with no impact on your machine
• collaborate in a very easy manner with others on desktop applications
• provide online training with the share feature
• OpenOffice is automatically updated with new upgrades
• use mail (with thunderbird) through the Ulteo interface
• surf within the Ulteo online desktop
• save and use most IM protocols – even use Skype
• build your own digital desktop even if you don’t own a PC

First came across Ulteo on Jane’s eLearning blog.

WiZiQ is a free virtual classroom tool. WiZiQ is “equipped with live audio-video communication, chat, content sharing, and session recording capabilities“. No download is required as WiZiQ works in any web browser and on any operating system.

WiZiQ also has a social networking aspect as you can communicate with other teachers and students with the same subject interests.

You can upload and share your own PowerPoint presentations as well as finding content created by other members.

Multiple choice WiZiQ tests have, recently, been added to the site.

In addition, free public sessions are offered on an ongoing basis and recorded completed sessions are available for viewing.

When it comes to watching video channels online you have at least two great sites to choose from - Joost and Miro. 

Joost claims to have over 15,000 shows to view, with more being added every day. You need to download the player and sign up before you  get started.

Joost also includes some social features and tools within the player, so you can chat while watching your video or view the latest news through a news feeder. The videos can be played on a full screen or re-sized to suit.

Miro is open source and provides 2,500 channels including a huge range of HD content (unlike Joost). In fact, Miro claims to be much better than Joost citing better access, features, content and organisation (comparison).

Download the Miro player and get started straight away. A quick search of Miro revealed over 300 channels tagged with ‘education’.

Personally, I like both players and am quite happy to use both of them for different channels.

18/12/08 Update: As of Dec 19th 2008 the Joost software will be discontinued and all movies will be viewable on Joost.

xtimeline is a useful social tool that enables you to built timelines about any subject. Many historical events and ’celebrity’ personal profiles are available to view at xtimeline. The timelines are visual and include relevant images and concise information.

First came across xtimeline thanks to Mike Qaissaunee’s post.

Here’s an interesting one about the Nobel Peace Prize Winners (comprising 115 events!).

Dumpr describes itself as the ”digital camera photographers hobbyists’ toyshop“.  Dumpr provides several online programs which allow you to use your photos in different fun ways.

Museumr lets you portray your favourite photo in a Museum setting as shown here.

The Jigsaw Puzzle option divides the photo into jigsaw pieces – which if you were really dedicated, you could print and cut up to produce a ‘real’ jigsaw puzzle. The Sketch Tool produces a realistic drawn representation of your photo.

Depending on your photo, the Easter Egg creator can produce some lovely effects:

Another interesting site is Photojojo which provides a twice weekly newsletter on photo tips, project ideas and news about interesting photo websites.

There are also many more fun tools at Fd’s Flicker Toys including badge, calendar, CD cover and poster makers. 

Block Posters lets you upload an image and create variable sized posters for your wall. The Block Posters are made up from joining together A4 sized printed pages. A PDF file of the enlarged image is created. This can then be saved to your computer and printed. The file upload size is restricted to a maximum of 1MB.

The example shown below is made up of 8 x A4 pages and measures approximately 2.8feet wide x 1.9feet high. A Block Poster made up of 50 x A4 pages (maximum size available) would measure approximately 7.0feet wide x 4.7feet high.

The site’s gallery shows many varied examples and should provide ideas for interesting projects – if you can’t think of any!

Visiting Ashes and Snow is a captivating experience. This site demonstrates all that is good about multimedia.

Ashes and Snow combines compelling text, pictures, music, narration, video and flexible navigation to provide a truly memorable and individual experience. When visiting the site make sure you choose the “Enhanced Experience” option.

Picnik lets you upload your photos and edit them online. Photos can also be transferred from photo sharing sites such as Flickr, Photobucket, Webshots and social networking site Facebook.

As well as tweaking and fixing your photos, Picnik also lets you “get creative” by adding special effects, text, shapes and frames. You can crop, rotate, resize, sharpen and adjust colours. There is also an option to fix any red eyes! The effects include changing the photo to black/white, sepia or matte.

As well as this, you can add speech bubbles and basic geometric shapes. The free account provides a good range of effects with the premium account offering many more.

An added bonus is that seasonal shapes are added for special occasions, hence the ‘Halloween’ edited photo shown here.