|
|
 Welcome to BCO Website Based Resources. A library of examples and links to resources that enable the generation of online learning objects to assist staff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following tools could be extremely handy if you wanted to collect/assess information about how well a class, year group understand any given subject, coursework module etc. Not only can these 'informal' assessment tools provide valuable data but students appear to enjoy using them.
|
|
Question Writer 2.0 Personal Edition
This was used to create the Quizzes featured in the 'Big Climate Thing'. These examples use it in it's simplest guise but you can also easily configure the program to do much more.
You can ask for Name/User ID's at the start of each quiz, display instructions & set a time limit for the quiz. You can also set a 'Pass' score percentage, as well as enabling the quiz to email the individual users answers directly to your inbox. It also allows you to provide question & element level feedback as well as notes on completion.
Based around the Macromedia Flash applications the program outputs a single SWF file, so it is easy to embed within your departments pages.
Remarkably this is still a FREE application.
Download a copy here
Once you have created a test/quiz email the finished article to the webmaster here.
For more information or a demo contact the College Web Developer on ext 264
Back to the top
|
|
|
|
Our Web Survey
Our web survey has recently been used to create the Year 7 ICT survey as well as the Job Vacancy survey. A server based .asp driven application, it can collect large volumes of information if required through multiple choice, Yes- No answers, 1 to 10 preference or text field areas. The data is stored in a downloadable Excel spreadsheet which should enable you to interrogate the answers till' the cows come home! Access to a survey would be created as a link from your departmental pages.
All you would have to provide would be the questions.
For more information or a demo contact the College Web Developer on ext 264
Back to the top
|
|
|
|
PollDaddy Polls
PollDady Polls are quick to configure and generatesonline 'Straw polls' that collects overall percentage scores depending on the answer. They can be embedded in a web page or wordpress blog. One of the advantages to the program is it can be configured not to allow multiple submissions from the users computer.
All you would have to provide would be the questions for inclusion in the poll. Student/staff access to each poll would be through a link on any of your departmental page.
For more information or a demo contact the College Web Developer on ext 264
Back to the top
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Bideford College is relatively unusual in respect of the fact that we have a dedicated Web & Curriculum Resources Technician, whose role includes the creation of 'bespoke' online content to aid the teaching & learning process at the College.
In general the Internet is a fantastic research tool but all too often resources are either too general or are packed full of links and adverts to other distractions.
To focus students attention and to enable them to stay on task we have created a series of resources that we hope will inspire students and staff to use.
|
|
Flipbooks and 'Homework of the week' showcase.
In an effort to positively display students work and to showcase pupils academic achievements, whatever their skill levels we have created an interactive 'Flash' driven 'Flipbook'. A key feature of the design is to enable the display of any type of content be it application created (Word, Excel etc), hand written, drawn, painted or photographed. These 'flipbooks' are relatively easily created/updated and would allow for an archive of showcased materials. They have the added benefit of allowing students to share their work with families and the wider community.
Access to each flipbook would be through a link on your departmental page.
Download a set of blank pages to create your own here. (1.22mb)
For more information or a demo contact the College Web Developer on ext 264
Back to the top
|
|
|
|
Timeline 'TimeMachine' .
The Art Department recently asked if a timeline could be created for use on their pages that charted the evolution in portraiture over the centuries. Rather than create an ordinary page with standard links we decided to develop the idea of timeline exploration further.
The 'Timeline Timemachine' was constructed in such a way as to allow it be altered to cover virtually any subject area where a timeline is appropriate. The immediate reaction from students was one of great enthusiasm and although is is fun to use they stayed on task and completed the research with little or no time wasting.
For more information on how it could be developed to suit your departments needs contact the College Web Developer on ext 264
Back to the top
|
|
|
|
Interactive Maps & Virtual Fieldwork
A common issue in a large College is the difficulty in enabling students to partake in fieldwork and offsite studies. With this issue in mind we can develop 'Virtual fieldwork' resources that can be used back in the classroom and target a wide range of abilities.
Virtual Italy (in Development)
The Geography department were looking for online resources that enabled the study of Italy. We set about creating these with the curriculum requirements in mind. Includes interactive maps & Satellite imagery. More
Okehampton Castle Survey
Virtual fieldwork carried out by our students and collated 'back at base'.
Over a two day period Year 7 pupils looked at a wide range of factors that governed the development of Okehampton Castle. The data collected formed the core of this resource. It includes 3D panoramas, drag & drop restoration, interactive maps & an online quiz. More
Cultural Art from around the globe
In a bid to cut down the time spent of researching a wide and varied topic topic, with an inordinate amount of information available on the Internet, we created a 'Multicultural Map of the World'.
Each continent links to a page containing a concise collection of examples that display the 'Right kind' of research materials. More
The 'Big Climate Thing' Maps & Slide Shoes
In collaboration with the National Marine Aquarium & the European Pencil Project, a group of Year 8 GAT students looked at the possible impact of climate change on our locality. They expressed a keen desire to include Flash animations in the finished web pages as a way of 'Shocking' their audience into doing something about this issue. The examples show how interactive visual information was crucial to them. More
Back to the top
|
|
|
|
Interactive Picture Puzzles
A simple, fun online puzzle game that enables you to import any image and turn it into a puzzle. Flash driven, the page also contains a timer that could also be deployed elsewhere as a stop watch to time exercises. Try it here |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Staff workloads are so great these days, probably the last thing on your mind is whether your departments web pages are bang up to date! However, the College website traffic continues to grow on a monthly basis and as more and more people seek information about us and what we do, it becomes increasingly important that we are not 'past our sell by date'. To facilitate these we are starting to roll out wider use of Macromedia Contribute which will allow direct editing of website content.
Back to the top |
Macromedia Contribute
At present we use contribute to update sections of the site ranging from Job Vacancies to the student morning sheet.
Find out more about HERE
Back to the top |
|
|
|
 |
If you still don't know what they are, check out the definitions Wikipedia offers below. If you are up to speed then we now have the technology to enable staff to update Blog's, Wiki's or Podcasts as and when if required.
If you would like to set one up or just want more info contact the College Web Developer on ext 264 |
|
Web developers blog
Keep up to date with many of the developments happening at Bideford College Online. Created as part of an ongoing, self inflicted, self assessment and general all round accountability exercise, the web dev blog's central purpose is to publicise all the projects underway at BCO. However, the beauty of blogging is it allows a slightly more relaxed approach to publishing hence it does have a certain 'informal' feel. More |
|
|
|
Blog central 'hub' demo
A demo page to show how we could possibly develop blogging further. The sample blog's are in place to show some design template ideas. More |
|
|
|
Bideford Wiki Demo
A wonderful tool for collaborative projects. Editable from your web browser with no additional software required plus the added bonus of no specialist skills needed whatsoever. The downside? (Because there is always a downside) Easily open to abuse, from those who have no understanding of the responsibility you MUST have when you opt to take part. However, imagine the possibilities for English, MFL, Debating etc etc. More |
|
|
|
Podcasts
Although we have not yet 'Rolled Out' any podcasts just yet, we do have the technology. Once again the crazy thing is that the software to enable you to record podcasts on your laptop is FREE.
Download a copy of Audacity here, and with a simple microphone you can become a podcaster in minutes!
Once created the podcast would be available to the world via your departments home page.
Lots of potential for revision resources, particularly language/music/drama based.
|
|
|
|
Forums
We have the capability to generate multiple forums that could be used for discussion of any curriculum subject. They can contain any number of 'Threads' and topics within each forum. Moderators can be elected to oversee content and they can remain live online for any time period. The key difference between a forum and a Wiki is that users must register to post comments. From a security point of view a user list can be created and then that forum can only be edited by those users. Others may view the topics but will not be able to post or join. Easily open to abuse though, from those who have no understanding of the responsibility you MUST have when you opt to take part in a forum.
See example here |
|
|
|
|
Follow the links below to some excellent tools that can help you create some great engaging online content. |
|
JAlbum
Why use the average web gallery creation tools in Photoshop when you could use the very powerful JAlbum. Highly configurable yet a doddle to use, JAlbum is a Java based program that sets a high bench mark for all the other poor imitations to follow.
Example here Download here. More info. |
|
|
|
Colour Scheme Generator
Exceptionally well designed Colour Scheme tool that allows you to create & select harmonious colour schemes that would spice up any Powerpoint Presentation. Explore it here. |
|
|
|
Photoshop Express
If you want to edit your photos but can't afford a copy of Photoshop then why not try the online version. It's FREE!! Simply sign up, upload your pix and get your hands on a whole host of editing tools. We've been testing it lately and it's not half bad!
Check it out |
|
|
|
Wordpress
Probably the best example by a long shot of a free blogging tool on the net. Extremely easy to set up and administer with powerful editing capabilities if you need them. Choose from a wide range of themes & styles ranging from classic blog templates to stylish skins. Helps you create an online diary that any fellow wordpress bloggers can post to. Very simple sign up too. Find out more |
|
|
|
Wikipedia Definitions
Blogs :
A blog is a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order.
Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual although some focus on photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), or audio (podcasting), and are part of a wider network of social media.
The term "blog" is derived from "Web log." "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
Podcasts :
A podcast is a media file that is distributed by subscription (paid or unpaid) over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. Like 'radio', it can mean both the content and the method of syndication. The latter may also be termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.
Though podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital audio formats by its ability to be downloaded automatically, using software capable of reading feed formats such as RSS or Atom.
WIKI's:
A wiki (<WICK-ee> or <WEE-kee>) is a website that allows the visitors themselves to easily add, remove, and otherwise edit and change available content, and typically without the need for registration. This ease of interaction and operation makes a wiki an effective tool for mass collaborative authoring. The term wiki also can refer to the collaborative software itself (wiki engine) that facilitates the operation of such a Web site, or to certain specific wiki sites, including the computer science site (the original wiki) WikiWikiWeb and on-line encyclopedias such as Wikipedia.
Back to the top
|
|
|
|
mi Gallery
A self assessment & collaborative feedback gallery that allows family & friends to post comments about the work displayed. Password protection is added to the galleries to assure accountability. An excellent tool to raise self esteem and discussion amongst peers and family. To view please request a password by calling ext 264 or email here. The gallery does not necessarily have to image based it could easily contain language examples & written content. More |
|
|
|
BCO Image Store
An 'image download zone' that is packed full of pictures that students & staff can access from anywhere on the face of the planet!
With a growing collection of folders that contain all the College logo's and badges, photographs of the school, new build images & views of Bideford. It also contains, audio, video & swf files. An image submission system allows users to send images directly to the web development team for inclusion in new or existing galleries. Check it out here
Back to the top |
|
|
|
| |
|
