Tool Sharing

[KipYellowjacket]

Know of a useful tool for in-world or out-world teaching? Let us know about it here!

[KipYellowjacket]

I'm a big fan of BlogHud and SLTweets - great tools for in-world blogging and tweeting... :)

[KipYellowjacket]

Hey everyone!

I've just started experimenting with a tool which is actually meant for live blogging but can be easily used for "live event teaching" or presentations. You can check it out here: http://www.coveritlive.com

What's really cool is the fact that this can be embedded on most any website, including right here in the community! If you are interested in using it to give a presentation or simply to have a live event of some sort, just let me know. I can embed it on the front page so that others can join in. :)

I recommend experimenting with it a bit first. You can upload your own pics/audio/video or embed from various sources, e.g. YouTube. I especially like how easy it is to have learners watch a quick video or listen to an audio file. As moderator, you have full control of this and can even invite other "panelists" to join/assist you! Enjoy!

[Shannon]

In SL, what is the best way to put out a question, which visitors answer in script form (not multiple choice), and that allows the answer to be visible to all visitors? For example, a cultural question about what people in different countries say to someone who sneezes. Any good suggestions? I'm a newbie, so I might need real specific instruction.

[KipYellowjacket]

Hi Shannon,

Could you be more specific as to how you would like the answer to be given in "in script form" but "not multiple choice"? Avoiding multiple choice is not a problem. How would you like people to be able to give their responses? Do you mean a fill-in-the-blank type scenario? Would you like for each question to be logged so that people can see previous responses?

[Shannon]

Right, I'd like people to be able to type a complete sentence answer, which could be viewed by later participants. As I'm describing it, it seems just like a forum (like this one). Maybe something like an easel with flippable pages, where each page lists another response.

[KipYellowjacket]

Hi Shannon!

Such a tool is certainly possible. I'd like to dig in my inventory to see what sorts of scripts might be useful for this as well as have another look around SL. New tools are being created all the time! I'll let you know what I find out. It's possible that you will require a custom-made script and tool, but not necessarily. Till soon!

[KipYellowjacket]

Just a few quick ideas that you might want to consider. You could potentially accomplish this using a guestbook or survey tool. Typed results to whatever question you end up asking could then be placed on a display board. This approach would be a bit more manual than you may want, but it's an option. I'll keep my eye out for a tool more similar to that which you described. I've placed a survey tool and sample guestbook near your campfire launchroom - see pic below. Another option would be to have people drop you a notecard containing answers to your question(s). You may also want to check out the tools at ICT library. Hope this helps! I'll let you know if I stumble upon a better solution. :)

[KipYellowjacket]

May also want to have a close look at BlogHud. This tool has many useful features. You could potentially add an RSS feed of your BlogHud page and ask all sorts of questions while out and about in SL (in-world blogging). Your latest blog entries would show up on your RSS feed in your launchroom and people could click a URL-linked object to go to your BlogHud page to post their replies as comments. This approach may also be a bit more involved than you want, but I thought I'd mention BlogHud here because it has so much potential.

http://my.bloghud.com/kipyellowjacket/

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[Ruddell Weatherwax]

I've had a look at what is available and haven't found anything that quite does what you want. It should be pretty simple to build something that does this so I will try and find some time to put something together. My only question is how long you would want it toi be active - how many replies would you want it to store. If you want it to be running continually it would be best if it IMed you every so often with the answers that it had stored.

Another blogging possibility if you use moodle with your students is to use the Sloodle Postcard Blogger http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/sl/index.php/Sloodle_Postcard_Blogger_(Freemail)

[KipYellowjacket]

It can be very helpful to spread word of in-world projects so as to connect with potential collaborators and gain new participants. The below website is a fantastic resource for EFL/ESL teachers in that it allows quick and easy publishing of articles on a wide range of topics.

http://eslarticle.com

[KipYellowjacket]

Looking for a good photo editing program? Here's one - and it's free! :)

http://www.getpaint.net

[KipYellowjacket]

This tool is especially nice for those who are new to in-world scripting but want to be able to create useful scripts right away. It's simple, playful and fun! :)