Programming Handheld Devices to Enhance Learning
Anne L. Bishop, Kriss Dinkins, and James L. Dominick

Software engineers on the information systems research and development team at Wake Forest University have developed an application that turns a Pocket PC into a Web server, a real-time quizzing device, a presentation controller, and a class communications device. Available to other educational institutions for downloading, this application, called ClassInHand, gives faculty powerful tools for enhancing existing instructional methodologies and exploring new pedagogical possibilities.

Read the full article at the EDUCAUSE link below…

Link: http://www.educause.edu/library/EQM0318

Screencast-o-Matic and ScreenToaster are screen capturing utilities that are based on Java and other web-technologies. That means that they can be used from any computer with a Java-enabled browser. Jing is another example of such a tool that can be installed on both Max OSX and Windows.

Screen capturing utilities are most commonly used for narrating over visuals, creating screen casts and tutorials, and sharing them.

Link: http://www.screencast-o-matic.com/
Link: http://www.screentoaster.com/
Link: http://www.jingproject.com/

WebAnywhere is a web-based screen reader for the web. It requires no special software to be installed on the client machine and, therefore, enables blind people to access the web from any computer they happen to have access to that has a sound card. WebAnywhere was developed by UW computer science graduate student Jeffrey Bigham, and more information, including a video illustrating its use, is available online.

Link: http://webanywhere.cs.washington.edu/

Twitter is an online application that is part blog, part social networking site, and part cell phone/IM tool. It is designed to let users describe what they are doing or thinking at a given moment in 140 characters or less. As a tool for students and faculty to compare thoughts on a topic, Twitter could be used academically to foster interaction and support metacognition.

Link: http://www.educause.edu/node/161801

You can also check out John Unger’s blog post, titled “Twitter Tools, Tweaks and Theories,” for more information on complimentary applications, websites, and usage of Twitter.

Link: http://www.typepadhacks.org/2008/03/twitter-tools-t.html

A.nnotate lets users attach notes to precise places in the text of PDF, Word documents and web pages online. It is easy to use and operates in a web browser: the user simply highlights text and writes a note. All notes, documents and tags are added to their personal searchable index making it simple to get back to the right place. Uploaded documents are initially private, but can be shared by emailing a link. This lets several users comment on the same online copy of the document and add replies to each others notes. It acts like a shared online version of Word or PDF comments but avoids the usual problems of emailing documents back and forth and having to merge comments from different people.

Applications include peer review of research papers, indexing documents and web pages, web research and collaboration on writing new documents. It is also being used for content curation and populating scientific databases. Curators tag words or phrases in articles which are then used to create database and index entries. The advantage is that claims in the database are then backed up by references to the precise source and context in the literature.

Link: http://a.nnotate.com

Skype is a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) application that lets users make free phone calls between Skype-equipped computers and inexpensive calls between Skype computers and landline or cell phones. Skype functions on a P2P model rather than as a centralized application, and it offers features such as voicemail, call forwarding, conference calling, and video chat. In most circumstances, Skype provides access to voice and video communication for a fraction of what other options cost. It allows more frequent contact between colleagues, collaborators, and friends and permits connections with those not likely to be in touch through conventional phone systems.

Link: http://www.educause.edu/node/162373

The Catalyst Web Tools are a set of Web-based communication and collaboration applications designed for use in teaching, learning, research, and everyday work. Use of the Catalyst Web Tools is free to anyone in the UW community. To access the Catalyst Web Tools, click Web Tools Login and log in with your UW NetID.

• Collect It: File dropboxes
• CommonView: Class or project workspaces
• File Manager: Web-based file management
• GoPost: Discussion boards
• Group Manager: Participant groups
• Peer Review: Collaborative forums
• Portfolio: Online portfolios
• Portfolio Project Builder: Portfolio template building
• QuickPoll: One-question polls
• ShareSpaces: Spaces for file sharing
• SimpleSite: Web sites
• UMail: Web-based email forms
• WebQ: Surveys and quizzes

Link: http://catalyst.washington.edu/web_tools/index.html

bFree is a free java-based tool for Blackboard™, created by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which can be used to open a course archive file and display an outline of the course. It can also preview and extract individual content items, or extract any or all content as an independent web site that mimics the original Blackboard™ course.

Link: http://its.unc.edu/tl/tli/bFree/index.php

Let’s face it. You would live on Facebook if you could. Imagine a world where you could manage your entire life from Facebook – it’s not that far off! Right now, though, one thing missing is your academic life. You have to access a different system to get your course information and you don’t always know when something new has been posted or assigned, so it’s difficult for you to stay on top of your studies. We get it. That’s why Blackboard is offering Blackboard Sync™, an application that delivers course information and updates from Blackboard to you inside Facebook.

You can find out if you have a new assignment, grade, new forum posts, etc., without having to leave Facebook. Blackboard Sync also cross-references your courses’ Rosters with Facebook to make it easier to connect with your classmates through Facebook.

So go ahead and install Blackboard Sync and start getting course updates and connecting with classmates through Facebook right away.

Link: http://www.blackboardsync.com/
Link: http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=27522527824

Channel 8 is THE place to be for STUDENTS who want to code, connect and create technology. Stay plugged into tech news and share in the experience with students around the world just like you who want to see their creations come to life. This is also a back door directly into Microsoft just like Channel 9 but from a student point of view. This means access to the inside scoop about our products and life working inside Microsoft and information on cool things coming out. This is your community – a place for you to share your tips and tricks and even your problems. Go check out what others are doing and talk about what you think is cool.

Link: http://channel8.msdn.com/

Microsoft DreamSpark enables students to download Microsoft developer and design tools at no charge.

Now, for the first time, Microsoft is giving its valuable software developer and design tools directly to students worldwide at no charge! This site enables students like you to download professional-level Microsoft developer and design tools to unlock your creative potential and set you on the path to academic and career success, by supporting and advancing your learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities.

In order to get this software from Microsoft at no charge, you will be asked to establish or verify your student status once every 12 months. This process is built into this DreamSpark site itself. Verification of valid student status will enable students from around the globe to download Microsoft developer and design tools at no charge. Note: You must be at least 18 years old or have otherwise reached the age of majority in the place (province, state or country) where you live, or if not, your parent or legal guardian must accept the Microsoft DreamSpark software license terms on your behalf, in order for you to download and use the software.

Link: http://downloads.channel8.msdn.com/