History and info via mobile at Cowra Japanese Gardens

Just got back today from a family trip to Canberra... on our return trip we went for a stretch at the Japanese Gardens at Cowra.

Around the garden you could dial in via your mobile for $1.38 a pop and hear different stories around the gardens. Each spot had a 2 digit number that you had to enter to hear different pieces and recordings. Info such as Indonesian prisoners of war experiences to bonsai. Gardens lent out devices as well for around $5.

Adding sound and info to the visual feast of the garden

StudyTXT in NZ

An interesting site that Dot has just texted to me is http://studytxt.com and I have also read some info on the Apple learning Interchange Thinking again of our Gamilaraay language project found these text messages for sending txt to your mobile Maori greetings - suitable for tourists. Aimed to be listened to again and again for revision.

Reading through the FAQ's it is encouraged as an adjunct to study... interesting :-)

Spoke to a teacher a few days ago in NEI who texts his Cert 3 building students as prompts for sessions etc... This is different as with studyTXT students seek the downloads just as they would download a new ringtone etc So the cost then goes to the students rather than from the educational organisation. Described as a 'Pull' system as opposed to 'push' Lecturers of Aukland's Uni have small packets of 150 character information.

Very interesting reflections and feedback eg sharing text amongst students to cut costs (some plans have free txting), engaging students back to their study books :-)
An interesting addition to the learning and as stated not for all.

M-Scape - CreateaScape - linking technology to the outdoors

Well early days for me exploring this one but it looks fascinating and I can see a lot of potential.

Create-A-Scape

Brings together PDA's to create a landscape with audio, graphics etc. Schools are using it as a collaborative project with all sorts of topics such as environment, history, exploring places, treasure hunts... I think you are only limited by your imagination on this one.

I could see brilliant potential for engaging with our Gamilaraay Language project here in Coonabarabran and Envirolearn - having been out last weekend at the Baradine Bird Route brochure launch, working in collaboration with our CMA (Catchment Management Authority) oooh very exciting potential for learning and education programs!

First I need to see how it works. I found my way to a Wizard on the site. I have created an initial file on my home property 'Maymukwunga' under a tool that enabled me to map out my project 'My Favourite Places' and I added 4 descriptions of 4 places.

At this point I am not going to take the step to downloading as I can see it compatable with XP but not Vista at this point. I wonder if my Palm is going to work with what is obviously a 'Hewlett Packard' site?

Great potential wonder what others are doing with similar hardware?

Scaffolding, weaving and web building

I am currently still working on my m-learning online scaffolding... the structure I am hanging my online connections, reflections, tools and discoveries.

I seem to spring from one link to another embedding in all sorts of directions. I have 6 pages open and I am trying to mesh them all into one another.

CHAOS with a grin :-) I hope i sort this mess out :-) Well is my intention to sort??? Not really... I am really trying to mesh all the tools together so that wherever you are on any part of my online web you will take a strand that will lead you somewhere else.

I've got www.twitter.com, www.netvibes.com, George's Conference pageflake which tells it all , wikispaces (only 2 different ones open at the moment)and they are being woven into each other.

Hmm conjuring up a blend of builder come spider come weaver... on this rainy evening hmmm still not mobiling within the web ;-) That will come!

Cheers Viv

Kicking of with Team Mobile

Well excited to be kicking of with Team Mobile - NSW Learnscope M-Learning Leaders :-)

Attempting to create my mesh of sites... and using this blogger for my diary. This is my 4th attempt at using Blogger... I usually leave out of frustration. Soooo many others easier to my way of thinking. Can't say I don't give blogger a go.

First email this week from our fearless team facilitator Anne Patterson. Anne asked us to do a few tasks on the Team Mobile wikispace including
She posted..
TEAM MOBILE START HERE:
1. Create own user page or link to your own blog or wiki. (Here tis and a LS wikispaces page but of course my home hub is http://vivevans.wikispaces.com

2. Dream up your wish list for teaching and learning using mobile devices
Well I reckon my wishlist is going to grow the more I learn... essentially I want to explore the various web 2 tools and how they can connect a team of learners with mobile phones as the key connection.
This needs to be affordable
Easy
Very connective... voice, text and images would be great but cost comes with voice and images (or does it?)

3. Plan on implementing one of your dreams with your learners and plan to show the rest of us how you did it!I am lucky enough to have a few units to choose from next semester focused on emerging technology... and developing literacy using technology so lots of potential. Still at planning stage but this task is very feasible and in fact quite exciting. My Manager at TAFE is very supportive and encouraging which helps heaps. Thanks Cynthia :-)

4. Join twitter and activate mobile phone, embed the badge on the front page so we can all keep up with you!
Twitter - Joined www.twitter.com and have twittered online BUT can't as yet get my mobile to work... wrong number error message Thursday and Glen Innis and now at home signal keeps dropping out. (Frustrations of rural living)Interesting embedded media from twitter on the wikispace - tried a few sorts on team mobile and Viv's mobile wiki will try and do here on my Blog as well. Keen to see cost of texting and how it can be utilised effectively connecting a team and use/impact with learners.

Well a good kick start... trying to create and mesh tools (onto Netvibes next to aggregate info.

Cheers M learning Viv