Monday, December 7, 2009

Endnote, Delicious or Zotero?

Have you ever been curious about the uses of End Note, Delicious and Zotero? No they are not tangy spices used in exotic dishes served up at a tropical resort (wouldn't that be nice) - they are software used for storing and managing information and references.

Delicious
is a social bookmarking site used to compile bookmarks/websites which you can share with colleagues or students and access from any computer. This is a good first place to search for information as the popular and well-used stuff is often already there.

While you can store and share information happily with others, you cannot export the references to a document – I investigated this early on. Delicious is no good for storing information you access from library databases only stuff off the Internet. It is great for sharing resources with your students or if working on a project with colleagues.

Endnote as you probably already know is a place for storing references and you can connect to information on online databases and extract it into Endnote. It is more an individual application and not as easy to share references. You need access to a licence, and if you ask ISS nicely they may have a spare one they can load on your computer. Training is via ISS. There is an alternative solution - Zotero.

Zotero has similar functions to End note but the big difference is that it is an open and free web-based software. So you can have it on your computer at home. I do find it easier and more intuitive to use than Endnote. However, I am still exploring it and am interested to hear from others who are using it. What do you like or not like? One drawback is the need to be connected to the Web to use it, but it is more portable and accessible.

You can download version 1.0 (not the beta version) from: http://www.zotero.org/

I find Zotero easy to use, but it is best to have a look for yourself. Check out the video and list of features, download it and have a play and see what you think.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Otago Polytechnic Youtube Channel

Did you know there was an Otago Polytechnic youtube channel? EDC staff helped Marketing set it up last year. Its not used to upload videos into, because there are already lots of great videos about Otago Poly getting uploaded by staff into their own Youtube channels. The Otago channel is used to favourite the best of all the videos out there about the Polytech. There are even a few playlists started! So when you view the Channel, make sure you subscribe to favourites...

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Open Educational Resources at Otago Polytechnic

EDC won an Ako Aoteoroa's Good Practices Publication Grant, giving us $5000 to produce a video about Otago Polytechnic's work in developing open educational resources and practices. This is a little advance screening of the video. Thanks to all the people who gave us interviews.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Events Coming Up

For further information about each event, scroll down the page.

EDC Lunchtime presentations will be offered regularly during Semester Two. For dates, topics, and presenters see separate entry below.


Thursday, December 3, 2009

2009 Events Past

JANUARY
Assessing Competency (US4098) - Available continuously on-line

Digital Photography (DSLR)
Advanced Compacts
January 14 to February 18

Digital Photography
January 15 to February 19

Introduction to Te Tiriti o Waitangi Workshop
Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th January

February

Gaining Foundation Skills for Learning and Teaching (GCTLT Course)
(3 day workshop & on-line course)
Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th February

Digital Photography (DSLR) Advanced Compacts
February 24 to March 24

Beginners Photoshop February 25 to April 1

Assessing Competency Workshop (US4098)
Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th February

Certificate in Mata a Ao Maori Programme - First Semester Courses:
* Te Reo and Tikaka Maori for the Workplace
* Natural World Ko Te Tai Ao - cancelled
* Wanaka (linked with Natural World)

March

Assessing Competency (US4098) Available continuously on-line

Learner Centred Learning (GCTLT)

Flexible Learning (GCTLT)

Social Media

April

Certificate in Mata a Ao Maori Programme
Introduction to Te Tiriti o Waitangi Workshop

Beginners Photoshop

Writing for Journal Publication (GCTLT)

Social Media

May 2009

Certificate in Mata a Ao Maori:
Introduction to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Wednesday & Thursday 27 & 28 May

National Certificate in Adult Education & Training
Assessing Competency - available continuously online
Moderating Assessment Two meetings: 7 & 21 May

Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Learning & Teaching (Level &)
Assessing for Prior Learning
Education for Sustainability

Social Media

JUNE 2009
National Certificate in Adult Education & Training
Assessing Competency - available continuously online

Assessing Competency
Two-day workshop 24 & 25 June

Certificate in Mata a Ao Maori:
Refresher Course - Te Tiriti o Waitangi - 30 June

Social Media

JULY 2009

Certificate in Mata a Ao Maori:
Introduction to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Thursday and Friday 16 & 17 July
Te Reo and tikaka Maori for Ceremonial Use - 12 weeks, starts 3 August
Te Reo and tikaka Maori for the Workplace - 12 weeks, starts 3 August
Natural World Ko Te Tai Ao - 12 weeks, starts 3 August

Digital Photography (DSLR/Advanced Compacts) 2009
2 July to 6 August (DSLR) - Class Full
1 July to 5 August (Compact) - Class not running

Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Learning & Teaching (Level 7)
Constructing Courses to Enhance Learning - starts 24 July to 27 November
Flexible Learning - 2nd Semester - starts 27 July to 27 November - blended

Assessing for Prior Learning - online
Education for Sustainability - online

AUGUST 2009

Social Media

Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Learning & Teaching (Level 7)
Composing Educational Resources - starts 31 August to 27 November
Assessing for Prior Learning - online
Education for Sustainability - online

Digial Photography
Digital Photography (DSLR/Advanced Compacts) 19 August - 23 September (Class full)
Beginners Photoshop 20 August to 24 September (Class full)

SEPTEMBER 2009

Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Learning and Teaching Level 7

Assessing for Prior Learning - online

Education for Sustainability - online

National Diploma in Adult Education & Training (Level 5)
Designing Assessment US11552 - 11 September


Social Media - month of September only

OCTOBER 2009

National Diploma in Adult Education & Training (Level 5)
Moderating Assessment US11551 -15 & 29 October (class now started)
Assessing Competency US4098 - 22 & 23 October

Digital Photography
Beginners Photoshop (class now started)
Six sessions during September/October

NOVEMBER 2009
Digital Photography 2009 (Beginners) (Class full)
Digital Photography (DSLR/Advanced) (Class full)
Te Tiriti o Waitangi - two day workshop (Class full)