Digital Whiteboard

As a teacher it always seems like a terrible shame to construct diagrams, lists, and all sorts of mind maps with the class on the whiteboard and then have to erase it or leave it behind. Digital technology is providing solutions: electronic whiteboards which present interactive computer screens or recording markers which digitally record the marker drawing from its movements. But of course they rely on schools having, and spending, the money and then being lucky enough to be scheduled in one of the few state-of-the-art classrooms.

I had some fun trying a much more primitive solution - but ultimately easier and always available. I took a digital photo of the board. A quick transfer of the file to the computer and it was available for printing, emailing to the class, or uploading to class notes (it would have been entirely seamless if the computers had bluetooth connectivity).

diagram from management of information systems class

Like a lot of solutions to problems, this simplest might just turn out to be the best.

Echo: Exploring the world of web publishing.

Students at Cork College of Commerce are being introduced to the skills of Internet publishing.

Cork College of Commerce has been teaching web page design and publishing using the traditional techniques of HTML coding and the main web creation software packages – Frontpage and Dreamweaver - since the early days of the web.

IT teacher Ian Spillane said: "Web publishing has become so accessible, and perhaps so ordinary that students are not even aware of the great technologies that they are using.”

Today, students are looking to harness the new publishing tools already available online without any special software or indeed programming training.

Mr Spillane said: “This year on day one of our web authoring class, we asked students how many of them have published on the Internet before.

"The usual one or two hands rose, same as any year; but when you ask how have used Bebo or Facebook pages, more than likely all hands are waving.

“And so, we began our class this year with a look at the news from Burma, and the vital link that simple blogging and photography from mobile phones meant to the people fighting for their lives and for democracy.

Students continue to learn the basics of HTML, which gives them an appreciation at least for how the web works.

Students learn how elements of information and media are put together on the web while going on to explore the new technologies.

Ian Spillane has developed a website as a source of information for the College's European Leonardo programme.

The site: www.leonardoprogramme.blogspot.com is used as as tool for demonstrating 'Web 2.0' and for presenting the programme's news and information.

The website has not been created using traditional software and is not hosted by the College in the normal way.

It uses the same resources that are instantly available to everyone on the web for free.

As well as using Google's Blogger service as the main homepage, the site includes photo gallery links and slideshows of pictures uploaded to the web courtesy of Google's Picasa service and Yahoo!'s Flickr programme.

Google Groups are used to store and make available essential documents, as well as hosting discussions and organising email newsletters.

Mr Spillane said: "The worldwide web is changing. Indeed, it seems to be returning to its original purpose to allow people to easily share information and to communicate.

"What has become known as 'Web 2.0' describes this second generation of Internet technologies as bringing web publishing into the hands of ordinary citizens."

Evening Echo, Cork, Thursday April 10, 2008.

Extract from the Inspector's Report (Bord Pleanála)

"Refuse planning permission for the proposed development in accordance with the plans and particulars lodged based on the Reasons and Considerations set out below.

REASONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

1. Based on the information submitted, An Bord Pleanála is not satisfied that it has been demonstrated that there is a need for an additional landfill capacity in either the Cork region or the adjoining waste management regions. To grant planning permission for an additional landfill facility where such a need has not been adequately demonstrated would be contrary to the national waste policy as set out in ‘Changing Our Ways’ (1998), ‘Waste Management: Taking Stock and Moving Forward’ (2004) and the National Strategy for Biodegradable Waste (2004), all of which seek to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill in accordance with the principles of the waste management hierarchy EU Landfill Directive where landfill disposal is the least favourite option. The development of an additional landfill facility in the region would create a disincentive to recycling and would therefore be contrary to national waste management strategies. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
2. The proposed development which is located on lands which are not zoned for a landfill facility would contravene materially the policies and objectives contained in the Waste Management Plan for Cork County (2004), the Cork County Development Plan (2003) and the Mallow Local Area Plan (2005) which seek to develop a new engineered landfill to serve the Cork region. A landfill facility has been approved and constructed at Bottlehill and the proposal therefore would be contrary to the stated objectives contained in the above plans and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Paul Caprani"

.....

"Submission by Ian Spillane

The submission argues that the proposed development will directly impinge and impact of the observer’s safety with regard to increased traffic on the road. Greenstar will utilise the whole road network in the area which will directly affect Mr. Spillane’s life. Mr. Spillane specifically moved to the area because of the inherent beauty and the quality of life afforded to him which would be taken away in its entirety if the proposed development were to proceed. Mr. Spillane will not be in a position to avail of the drinking water in the area if the development goes ahead. Mr. Spillane is afforded magnificent views of the mountain from his dwelling house which would be utterly destroyed if the proposed landfill goes ahead. It is argued that Mr. Spillane has a right to enjoy his land and the surrounding land. The proposal would give rise to significant light pollution. The impact of living close to a landfill would not be as apparent in and urban area because of all of the other activities in the general vicinity. However the impact of a landfill will be significantly greater in a rural area where less people live and as a result would be affected to a greater extent. Public policies are created by Government and not Greenstar although the latter infer that they are in a position to create public policy in relation to waste management. Greenstar have made an impressive presentation showing how civic minded and how nice the company is, however ‘nice’ and ‘civic’ duty are not a planning issue. The community’s objection to the Greenstar proposal is more than just ‘nimbyism’, while the EPA license expires in 2010 the facility will not expire within this timeframe but will have an indefinite lifespan unlike the company which is proposing it. Currently Cork County Council is budgeting €440,000 to maintain a closed landfill in the area, this kind of guarantee cannot be given by a private company. It is suggested that Greenstar have acted as bullies against the community forcing another round of planning hearings costing this community dearly in terms of time, money and anxiety. It is requested therefore that the Planning Authority’s decision be upheld in this instance."

The complete Inspector's Report is available in the notothedump.org document library.

Echo: E-learning Technology is the Way to Go

"The Cork College of Commerce will host a workshop evening on e-learning technology on September 26.

E-learning is taking off in a big way, both in self-study and as an integral support for old-fashioned classroom learning.

Schools around the worlds are using learning management platforms such as 'Moodle' to host teacher notes and lessons, as well as assignment, brief activities, and a forum for student interaction with their class and their teacher.

Cork College of Commerce and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), as participants in a European programme on e-learning technologies, are jointly hosting the free workshop for educators. All schools are welcome to attend.

For more information and registration, contact Ian Spillane at the college on (021)4222100, fax (021)4275075, or by email at sloop at ccoc dot ie.

Topics will include using learning management systems creating online materials.

For those interested in the technical side, a hands-on afternoon workshop on installing a school's 'Moodle' server from scratch will also be held.

Cork College of Commerce and CIT aim to introduce Cork schools and colleges to the free technologies that exist for teachers."

Alison Donnelly, Echo, Cork 20th September, 2007,
http://www.eveningecho.ie

Echo: Teachers Make their Expertise Available Online

"A new initiative aimed at sharing information online between teachers is being developed by two of the teachers at Cork College of Commerce.

SLOOP (Shared Learning Objects in an Open Perspective) aims to make teaching materials available as part of an on-line collaborative process between teachers and students both here and abroad.

Lisa Casey, a teacher of English and Italian at the College of Commerce said: "Myself and Ian Spillane, who is an IT expert are travelling to Italy [Slovenia] to develop a website so that, in the long term, all educational resources can be used freely and we can collaborate and improve the teaching material that is available. The Italians have developed online classes so we will learn form what they have already done to expand the online services available."

The project, when completed will apply to schools, universities, professional training centre, teachers and trainers.

The idea is that by going online, a student can develop personal learning paths personal learning paths. SLOOP also aims to promote co-operation and the exchange of material and methods between European teachers.

"By developing this website we will able to create a training programme that is flexible, efficient and one that can be continually improved as the online training expands", Lisa added.

As an English teacher, she will be able to put her teaching material online. "Teachers in Italy will be able to go on to the site and use my teaching material based on teaching English as a second language, if they wish to do so. In time we want it to be an online sharing programme for students and teachers throughout Europe", she added.

The SLOOP project hopes to start a process, which once initiated, will continue to develop and improve."

Emma Power, Evening Echo, Cork, Thursday September 28, 2006,
http://www.eveningecho.ie/

Echo: Learn to Teach on the Net

"Cork College of Commerce is offering a free course in creating online lessons for teachers next year.

The college, as a partner in the European SLOOP programme (Shared Learning Objects in an Open Perspective), is inviting teachers from other city and county colleges to take part in the course.

Participants will learn techniques for creating online lessons and course notes using learning platforms such as Moodle and how free software on the net is being applied to the world of education. The ultimate aim of the SLOOP project is to create a shared library of reusable learning objects available online.

The Cork College of Commerce has started implementing this using Moodle - a learning management system that makes it easier for teachers and students to communicate, and to allow teachers to place course notes, assignments and other information online.

The system is accessed by staff and students via www.collegeofcommerce.com. It was developed [administered] by SLOOP co-ordinator Ian Spillane.

Mr. Spillane said: “Information technology is as much about people, management and organisations, and about trying to improve the way we do things as it is about the machines and the software – most especially in the field of education.”

The college has implemented the new system while spending very little by utilising freely available Linux computer software.

“It goes to show how much free and open source software can achieve. Running the free Moodle system on a server powered by the free Linux operating system we have successfully implemented an effective 21st century online blackboard system at minimal cost”, he said.

Free courses for teachers will be delivered in the spring term next year as either a mixture of tutorials in the college and online learning or online only.

Both will include full tutor support and access to all materials and software required online.

Those interested should email Mr. Spillane at sloop at ccoc dot ie or visit www.collegeofcommerce.com/sloop."

Gareth Naughton, Education Correspondent, Evening Echo 7th December, 2006,
http://www.eveningecho.ie/

Echo: Students Have Fun Floating on the Stocks

"Cork College of Commerce students are getting a taste of the stock market, but with none of the risks that are usually associated to that sort of business.
Maths, economics and business teachers are taking part in a virtual stock market game on the Internet, as learning exercise for students.
The game, in which there are a number of teams taking part across the college, starts off with a virtual €10,000 to trade on any of the world's stock markets.
Trades will be made by email to the broker (bearbull@googlegroups.com) and portfolios will be tracked online.
According to Ian Spillane, on the leaders of the project:
"It is virtual trading - there is no real money involved, only virtual honour!"

Evening Echo, Cork, Thursday, February 28th, 2008.
http://www.eveningecho.ie/