Well, the short answer is, it all works. I managed to update three “typical” course docs (handbook, scheme of work, assessments) to my Kindle, via an import to Docs, and email as attachment to Kindle in HTML format. The main usability issue around around the way it converts tables. therefore, there would need to be some consideration within the Google Doc design / template to ensure the conversion of tables is accurate.
Something I also learnt, was we’d need to supply within our student support material advice around the management of files and the creation of collections on your Kindle.
So, all very nice 
The next stage is to explore models around how people can share notes around key texts, ie., we all need to read the article (PDF), make notes / comments and share with others on the course. The questions are … can it be done, what is the best way of doing it with the least amount of fuss …
Well, thanks to twitter, the conversion tool of choice seems to be Calibre (http://calibre-ebook.com/) – thanks @nrparmar and @jamesclay
I have downloaded it, and created my first ebook. Which was authored in Google Docs, downloaded in an HTML format, converted and shared with me Kindle. All very simple, and looks great – except it took the authors comments when converted (so I must remove those next time).
The next stage is to take a more authentic material in the format of a course handbook, assessement guidelines, lecture notes etc., and convert these are start to look at formating issues. So, I’ve take four some course content material (in doc format) from a course on our Blackboard system. I’ll upload into Google, sort out the formating, download and convert.
At the same time I’ll review the course to synthesis the functionality from a distance learning, cross reference this with the Inst of Educations – pedagogical templates for e-Learning report (which has already done this) and come up with a cunning plan.
A question which keeps nagging away with me is … how can I distribute a large number of e-books, to a large number of ebook readers with the least amount of effort? I feel some work on google is coming up, plus help from friends on Twitter.
Well, the first approach stage of being able to share notes to the kindle, and being able to edit those has been a success. So we have a mechanism for students to be able to access (update) course handbooks, workbooks, text material on their Kindle.
My desired workflow is … our distance learning courses are deployed using Google Educational Apps, we send a kindle each student at the start of the course with reading material, handbooks, reading lists etc., We might then be able to update those and send the later version. These documents are located within the google educational apps area so they can access them without a Kindle (if so required), and will also be able to complete the other functions expected on the course, ie., access learning material, synchronous and asychronous communication, group collaboration, complete quizzes & surveys, and the submission of an assignment / report.
This is quite exciting because if we sent them a Kindle Fire (see a comparison with the iPad 2 - http://digitaldesi.com/) they should be able complete the required tasks on one device
So, next step is to look into the ease of authoring Kindle ebooks …. there must be an effective, convert your html docs to Kindle format application somewhere
Well, the Elevate Team are the proud owners of a new kindle – the reason for purchasing one is because of the growing interest in from our distance learners, library etc., around e-books. For me, the key scenario would include;
a chapter reviews, where I have a key recommended text, which I’m reading, bookmarking and making notes on. I then want to share these with others in my group (using a google doc) to develop a critique as a piece of work to be submitted. So, w.r.t a kindle, how do I do this? will it let me do this?
The baby is charging on my desk, so the next step is to start working out how to take notes, annotations, and upload these to share learning spaces.
Also, I’d like to undertake a old fashioned desk study and identify how have people been using Kindles in learning and teaching?
I’m starting a piece of work around trying to answer if students will scan a QR Code, and complete the tasks. In the initial phase this involves releasing a poster in 5 locations across UCS Ipswich. This is a poster designed to answers a simple question, Why does the price of coffee change? The poster includes 4 different QR Codes – designed to enable them to gather more information about the topic, and it finishes with a feedback loop to collect peoples ideas.
see >>> http://wolseyweb.ucs.ac.uk/blogs/elevate/?p=1347
I have deliberately designed the poster to be visually engaging however, I have included very little support material in terms of what is a QR code, and no alternative short urls. This is due to me wanting to identify if students do recognise a QR Code, and do they scan it? So, given I have built this, will they come?
The posters will be available until the 20th January. When I’ll write up some observations.
Right …. this is what I did, and it took less than 5 minutes to upload over 50 scripts (word docs)
Step 1: Getting the files out of Blackboard
Access the course gradebook, select the drop down menu for the column you want, select download file [a new screen opens], select ungraded [top right link], click on submit, and download the zip file to the desktop
Step 2: Uploading to Dropbox from computer
Access dropbox account, create a folder with appropriate name [module id within a folder teaching], upload the zip file to this folder, once uploaded double click on the zip file and it will unpack into your dropbox space (creating a new sub folder), once finished in the folder and ensure you have the files, then delete the zip file from dropbox and your desktop
Step 3: prep for marking
in your dropbox create a folder where you will store the annotated versions)
Step 4: annotate the file in iAnnotate
on your iPad open dropbox, find the file to annotate and open it in iAnnotate, annotate the file, and save it back to dropbox [click on open in ... select Flattened ... dropbox .... select the folder]
Step 5: attach feedback file to person in gradebook
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To date >>> steps 1 to 3 took less than 5 minutes to upload over 50 scripts. Now need to mark them 
The Elevate Team will be running a number of 30 minute taster sessions (introductions) to a number of technologies you might be interested in using in your learning and teaching. These are open sessions, so anyone can attend, both staff and students. They will start promptly at the time stated, and all sessions will leave plenty of opportunity for you to ask us questions, and share ideas.
The aim is to focus on the task we are trying to achieve and work through a technology which will let use easily complete the task. So they will cover defining the tasks, illustrating how the technology can be effectively used, and raising some of the issues around their use.
The sessions are;
- Working effectively in groups using Google Docs (Monday 5th Dec 12.00 to 12.30 & Thursday 8th Dec, 1.00 to 1.30)
- Developing your subject knowledge through creating a private learning network (Tuesday 6th Dec, 12.00 to 12.30)
- Managing all your web links using Diigo (Wednesday 7th Dec, 12.30 to 1.00)
If you’d like more information please email elevate@ucs.ac.uk
I ran a session for the Infozone yesterday on all things learning technology. An interesting need came from the session, they are very keen to be empowered to be able to answer learning technology questions (Blackboard & Mahara). This need raises a great opportunity, where we can run a number of short training sessions for the Infozone team and IT help desk on approaches to manage student queries. This might involve reviewing their rights access, as working through a number of typical students questions, ie., how do I ….
A suggestion would be those two teams become a special interest group, to mirror the sys admin group, with there own regular meetings / training sessions.
Links
Goo.gl/a6kLc
Goo.gl/bdxPO
Martin hamilton …. Head of Internet services, uni of Loughborough … Google email etc.,
Access from anywhere
Google apps person
8 core apps, with 64 which can be added
Keep informed …. What is new in google apps … Search, and links to google calendar, look at google apps for education, integration tab.
Check out …. Costs of a google apps, hosted service using our ldap / ad
Questions … Nice use of google moderator
Use with students …. Uni of Chester …. Use of google with a document which follows them. Used google sites, use as an e-portfolio, with integration into assessed work.
Use with staff, google motion path, put in the assessment data, and see workloads etc.,
What is a chrome book … Runs google os, as dummy type terminal. 15 per month if centrally managed … Kind of mac os approach, locked down in terms of virus control.
Couple of notes from the e-safety Suffolk Strategy Launch, in terms of UCS.
As mentioned by Emma, lots going on at UCS (as we are partner in the strategy). However, it sounds like we need to be a little more coordinated in terms of clearly articulating our strategy (awareness raising, support). In particular,
- a central provided space on intranet
- role of Elevate Team in staff development
- role of Health & Safety in Staff induction
- provision of appropriate checklists, and awareness material
- role of SU in Student Induction,
- role of SU in student campaigns
- role of Student Services for students
A small working group, including Emma, Acad Development, could draw together all our stuff into a coherent piece for all stakeholders at UCS, and we should have e-safety as part of a wider discussion around use of externally hosted services in teaching and learning at UCS.
This sounds a big job, however, see >>> http://www.jisclegal.ac.uk/Themes/eSafety.aspx
