Click to enlarge the DimDim Interface example.

I just finished a test of the version 3.5 version of DimDim and I was amazed with how far they have come!  In their next release (v4), they have promised Mac Compatibility with screencasting as well as the ability to record meetings!!!

Being able to record meetings is huge!  Imagine being able to run through your training and record the video and powerpoint/screencast and then be able to reuse that piece over and over.  Then after someone watches the training video, they can meet with you virtually via DimDim to ask questions etc.   Positively amazing and free!  (Big plus for tech savvy schools)

Not to go on and on about how surprised and pleased I was with the DimDim product, but they also offer a free version and a $99 a year version that would meet the needs of most schools.  The best part about this route for schools is that those who do not have the infrastructure can use the free version and not have to isntall the software on their server.

Did I mention there is a plugin for Moodle Online Classrooms!  Yes, it is fully integrated with our online learning environment where students could use this meeting and communication tool to work on projects from home or meet with classmates to discuss homework etc.

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I do not know what the payoff will be for allowing teachers access to a web conferencing service, but I am determined to give it a try.  The service will provide an opportunity to connect with live video and VOIP with desktop and file sharing capabilities.  This can be used for a variety of things such as Interviews, work on class projects, last minute help before a final, etc.  The list could go on and on of innovative uses for this communication tool, however, who is going to find it useful and actually use it?

This past May, DimDim released a VMWare version of their web conferencing software.  We had piloted this before and actually had it integrated with Moodle.  It worked for the most part, but DimDim would drop video and sometimes disconnect.  Since that pilot, DImDIm has grown tremendously!  They have added many more new features and enhancements.  I am actually quite excited to give this another shot with the VMWare package.

If I can get the DimDim Package working, the Wiki going with LDAP, Mahara communicating with Moodle for ePortfolios, and the Ajax start page functioning, we will have 5 new web technologies for students and teachers to explore this year.

These would include:

• Photo Sharing
• Web Conferencing
• ePortfolios
• Enterprise Wiki Solution
• Ajax Start Page (preloaded with District Info, RSS, etc.) similar to Netvibes or PageFlakes for parents, students, staff, whoever

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Looking to spruce up your website?  This is a good tutorial on how to do it.  It explains the concepts and design elements to create a good looking web 2.0 website.  There are some rules to follow and some things you can do to simplify and enhance your website.  Web2 websites are generally characterized by simplicity in design, bold icons, and fresh colors.  Check out the information on how you can revamp your website here.

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With summer in full swing, I decided it was time to leave “smurfville”.  Smurfville is what I affectionately called my previous color scheme because it was basically blue and grey.  Not very exciting.  The new look is orange, green/lime, cream, and silver/white look.  It’s very summerish in nature.  As an added bonus, the colors work well with the district logo which is white and green. A very citrus-like color scheme.  Check it out at:  http://dearbornschools.org or look at the screen capture below…

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We are currently using several open source web apps in our district website which might be of interest to you.  Here is a look at what we have so far and what we plan to add.  These programs provide many web 2.0 features and allow the district to maintain some level of instructional integrity and control.  Here’s what we have:

• Joomla:  This runs our district news portal as well as the PTSA website.
• PHPMotion:  This is our D-Tube Video Sharing Website.
• Moodle:  Online classrooms
• Wordpress MU: Blogs for every teacher and staff member
• Sphider:  Custom Search Engine (Our own google for our site)
• Gallery: Photo Sharing for every teacher.  This is what we call SchoolShots.
• Feed2JS:  Allows us to embed RSS feeds into regular web pages.
• Crafty Syntax:  “Live” website help feature that allows a visitor to instantly ask questions.
• Conduit: Custom Browser Toolbar similar to the ones yahoo and google offer.  We add custom features and links to various parts of our website putting school closings, district news, and links to all school websites and departments right at the users fingertips every time they open their browser.
• MooTools: Ajax used for all the cool effects and stuff.

Another program we are pursuing for use this fall is called Mahara.  Mahara is an ePortfolio/community building app.  Students who use Moodle will be able to create their own personal learning space, connect with friends, form study groups, and blog!

The biggest benefit to all this is the ability for the teacher to easily use the products.  For most products, a district ID is all they need to gain access and begin using the software.  For instance, if a teacher wants to create a blog for their classroom, they simply login to the main site and a blog is instantly created for them.  No waiting, no secret passwords, no registration… just their district ID.  If they login to moodle, teachers have instant access to create thier course.  No waiting for a tech person to approve the course.  If a teacher wants to add an event to the district calendar or publish a news article, they login to Joomla and just do it.

By providing these tools for teachers and students, we eliminate the hassle and trouble that can occur when using sites such as YouTube, EduBlogs, etc.  Many of the web 2.0 sites are blocked by web filters because of the content on the site anyways.  One of the biggest road blocks for teachers  using technology is having to spend a day registering students!  With our system they can just login.

One of the resources we are lacking is a good enterprise level wiki.  I would like a system similar to wikispaces, but have not really found one in my searches.  If you know of any, please let me know.

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We just implemented a new search feature for our district website.  I can control the websites and sub-domains  it indexes and can somewhat control how the search engine functions.  It is an exciting little project that might have some benefit when trying to get the public to use the website.  It is much easier to give out the web address and tell them a “keyword” instead of the usual big long url.  For instance, our communications department can include the keywords “press releases & press photos” and the first result in the search is a list of press releases or a gallery of press photos.

For the most part, it seems to be pretty accurate.  It logs what people search for, so this will help me determine what needs to be more prominent throughout the website and especially on the homepage.

Check it out for yourself…
http://dearbornschools.org  KEYWORD: blog webmaster

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It’s been awhile since I have done any updating, but here is the summer projects I am working on:

• Moodle Upgrade to version 1.9
• Mahara Student ePortfolio and Community System
• Photo Sharing Website for staff
• SchoolMatters and PTSA website portals
• D-Tube Video Sharing Upgrade to latest version

Some of the summer projects are already in BETA testing:

• http://schoolshots.dearbornschools.org
• http://schoolmatters.dearbornschools.org
• http://ptsa.dearbornschools.org 

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Many people download and install Google or Yahoo toolbars that appear in the top of their browser.  They provide useful information and keep visitors returning via the links and promotional items they can push out directly into the users browser.

Using a third party, we at Dearborn Public Schools are now able to do the same!  We just launched on our homepage a link that will allow parents to install the Dearborn Public Schools Toolbar.  The toolbar has many useful links and even reads RSS feeds from  various district news sites.  The rss feed of note is the school closing blog rss feed which will instantly notify the toolbar when we need to close a school.

The cool part about this is you can update any browser that has the toolbar installed with new links and news announcements regarding the district remotely.  With this, the toolbar can continually evolve and be improved.  It sure does make navigating a large district website easier!

Install our toolbar on your internet browser to test it out. 

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It looks like I may be involved with several very talented teachers and support staff in producing an Online  Parent Academy.  The project is just taking shape, but we plan to use the latest in web technology to produce an interactive training system for parents.  The project will focus on best practices and reading techniques that parents will be able to use at home with their children.

Goals

• Increase reading efficiency at an early age by training parents with reading strategies that focus on comprehension, retention, and skills.
• Involve students and parents in the process.
• The program can be replicated and shared.
• It will be based on best practices and proven instructional and assessment tools consistent with research data.
• Parents will be exposed to reading assessments and what is expected of their students.
• The program will increase technology and internet literacy through interactive web activities related to the various reading strategies.
• Multimedia and videos will be incorporated to show proper reading strategies and showcase desired skills parents will acquire.
• Interactive Reading and Writing activities will be created by the parent and child as they work through the project.  Using the digital technology will engage and sharpen the child’s skill-set.
• Program will be accessible to all in the community.

These are just some goals I came up with and since we are just beginning they may change.  We plan to build this Academy with Moodle.  There seems to be some interest from several teachers and a principal, so hopefully over the summer or before the end of the year we can get this started.

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Introducing uTV! We pick several videos of interest from D-Tube and play them back on cable TV. Now creative students can have a media outlet to express their educational knowledge. Check Out D-Tube Today… You never know what video will appear on TV!

DTube Video Website

Watch Our Cable Channel Live Video Stream 

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