Some useful guides on building good web site code and accessible styling #vmvwiki

Here are some guides I've used this semester.

W3Schools JavaScript best practices - a guide for correct formatting

http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_best_practices.asp

and directly followed by W3Schools JavaScript common mistakes

http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_mistakes.asp

and a site for checking the accessibility, or lack thereof, of your website, this one is a Chrome extension but you can put a URL into the web version if you have a published site. 

http://wave.webaim.org/extension/

Try adding your favourite site's URL into this one

http://wave.webaim.org/

Mal

Google security expert warns computer crime has become 'very big business' #vmvwiki

Hacking has become more of a commercial industry within the last decade and hackers are getting better due to the increase in funding behind them.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/justin-schuh-google-chrome-security-2015-6

Mal

Watches Banned in Exams #vmvwiki #WearableTech

Watches have been banned in exams at Massey University due to the adoption of smart-watches.

All watches have been banned, as some smart-watches are designed to look like normal analogue watches. Smart-watches which can connect to the Internet could allow students to cheat in exams.

It will be interesting to see whether this catches on at other institutions, and sheds light on the challenges wearable technology will bring in the future.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/68447678/changing-times-sees-massey-ban-timepieces-from-exams-in-fear-of-smartwatch-cheating

Student of Adobe Connect #vmvwiki 

Strengths:

1)      Easy and quick remote problem solving by the teacher

2)      Access given to students not onsite in Taradale

3)      Experience positive digital learning

4)      Enhance extramural study

5)      Can give and ask for feedback straight away.

6)      Teacher is able to monitor student's activates and assess them individually

Weaknesses:

7)      Limited access to digital resources

8)      Audio hard to clearly hear at times

9)      Technical setup can be timely

10)   Vulnerable to atmospheric interruptions

11)   Some key parts of the lesson can be lost through delivery

Opportunities:

12)   Enhances remote learning and teaching

13)   Can simplify teaching and learning if used appropriately

14)   More access into other subject areas should be explored

15)   Skype classrooms should be investigated

Threats:

16)   Technological delivery can be duplicated easily

17)   Audio pick up could be costly to clarify

18)   Dependent on internet access

 

What are some of the considerations when using this technology for learning?

ü  Get into a quiet space away from distraction

ü  Be prepared before class is scheduled, deal with everything so you don't have to leave the lecture.

ü  Bring snacks and hydration

ü  Use an USB port headphones to optimize audio you need them.

List any problems you foresee and suggest possible solutions.

Ø  No audio – Check all plugs on your end and inform tutor you are unable to hear could be on the other side, remember to be patience.

Ø  No sound in recording – This is never a happy time, but should be expected to occur due to the delivery is a new technology.

Ø  No access to classroom – Could be down on the tutor side so no access can be granted, contact tutor straight away.

 

MAKING TEXT READABLE.

Let's put an end to this low-contrast, light gray nonsense and use typography for its purpose.

http://contrastrebellion.com/

Assessed Activity 7.1 by Philipp

The week before the term break we had no regular DLT session but a special campus walkabout. We visited Tom who is a music lecturer at EIT. He showed us the music facilities and digital technologies he uses in this environment. For example he can access every student's computer an project the screen on the wall for everyone to see. According to him, everyone benefits from it as problems can be solved quickly and easily without walking through the room all the time.

Tom (obscured) tells us about his job outside of the lecture room

Inside there are lots of Macs with actual keyboards (the instruments!) attached

This screening software has various strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:
-Easy and quick remote problem solving by the teacher
-No need to run around class all the time
-Share the issues with other students who might have the same problem
-Everyone can participate in the problem-solving process
-Teacher is able to monitor student's activites and assess them individually


Weaknesses:
-Expensive
-Limited storage


Opportunities:
-Enhances remote learning and teaching
-Can simplify teaching and learning if used appropriately


Threats:
-Privacy issues might occur
-Teacher may have too much power of the students
-Access by unauthorized persons

When designing learning for remote participation there are many opportunities but one has to be aware of the threats and weaknesses, too.

Most modern learning technologies can enhance the learning and teaching experience, but only if used correctly. Adobe Connect for example is used regularly in the DLT class and works fairly well however it always takes some time so set everything up and if you do not have the appropriate hardware, the software's potential can not be fully used.

In the DLT class the sound quality is rather bad, a better microphone or headset could easily help but is not always available. The more complex and more useful technologies go often hand in hand with higher requirements in terms of hardware and technical understanding.

PS

I am Philipp, Google name is not correct!

Assessed Activity 7.1 (2015) by Kieran

YouTube for Instructional Videos

For writing and producing music, I utilise YouTube for instructional videos to figure out how to do things things like how to tune an instrument or how does a guitarist get a certain tone from an amplifier. The main part of music production which I use YouTube for is instructional videos on how to complete tasks and what techniques to use to produce music using FL Studio, a music production suite. YouTube has a wealth of instructional videos for FL Studio from professional and amateur users. Every task and technique needed to successfully complete a musical project using FL Studio is covered by multiple YouTube videos. But it does have its drawbacks… 

Strengths:

1. The answer to a question is available immediately.
2. The visual medium is easy to absorb.
3. The visual medium means people can use screen capture technology and show you how to execute a technique.
4. If there are multiple ways of doing something and a certain video doesn’t cover a technique, you can simply find another video.
5. Image-Line, the company that produced FL studio, have their own channel, with professional techniques and answers to many common questions.
6. There are lots of professionals and quality amateur videos with clear instruction

Weaknesses:

1. Some videos use obscure techniques and you have to research which technique to use.
2. Some videos are of such poor quality, they are unwatchable.
3. Common mistakes made are: Poor audio, poor lighting and low resolution (which is especially bad when using screen captured videos)
4. Low resolution 
5. There are so many videos to pick from and it can take some time to find a good quality one with the easiest technique

Opportunities:

1. Image-Line could make their own playlists with quality videos only.
2. A full FL studio visual manual (this would be quite an ambitious project but it could greatly increase FL Studios audience).

Threats:

1. YouTube may start requiring payment to have an account.
2. Users being put off by poor quality, unhelpful videos.
3. Users not using it because they aren't sure how to find the video they're after.
4. Users seeking alternative video streaming sites.

Finding the correct video with the easiest solution can be difficult. A user needs to consider the fact that anyone can upload an instructional video and there are some really poor videos on YouTube. Some handy tips for getting the best out of YouTube for instructional videos is to subscribe to official or professional YouTube channels as they are very reliable with their content. Another tip is to find blogs which discuss issues and techniques for FL Studio and they will often link you to a YouTube clip solving the problem.