PLATE workshops

Year two put on 50 minute tech sessions for everyone else studying through MSU at Plymouth.

The first workshop I went to was about using Jing to capture tutorials to use with students, parents, professional development, etc. By downloading the free software at www.jingproject.com you can make instructional files using screen shots with your voice and curser. Check out the ones I did! 

Learn a little  about jing

Here is a brief explanation on how you can comment on voicethreads

The next workshop I went to was on copyright info. As we all have discovered, this is a very messy grey area.  Four things factor into what drives copyrights. 1- The effect or potential effect on the market value of the property. 2-The amount of work used from the whole of the article or collection. 3-The nature of the copyright piece. 4-The purpose and character of the work. 

In order to help the battle that is escalating from the laws and culture surrounding copyright evolving at different rates, Creative Commons has been developed to allow any one who creates something the ability to easily declare specific copy right laws. Did you know that a couple once wrote up prenups out on a cocktail napkin at the bar before they got married. Years later, one of  them still had the napkin which was used as a binding document in court when they were separating!  Any time someone makes something materialize, a copyright is assumed and they have legal rights relating to what has been produced. 

The last session I went to was on "rethinking professional development using Web 2.0." It was nice to see how some of the technologies I have been learning can materializes into amazing learning tools for teachers as well as the students. Judy Harris has a website devoted to educational technology professional development.  It is amazing how much info is out there that people have posted to share with each other! Voivethreads, imovies, google apps, and netvibes.