AIMagic for turning a story text into a picture book

 I visited the L and T Expo 2023 today. The main theme of this year's Expo is on AI in Education. 

I ran into a mobile AI app called AIMagic, which, amongst other functions, can turn a handwritten story into a picture book. 

After the visit, I installed the app and tried it out using a story I wrote up quickly. Unlike the sample resulting story book hard copy shown in the Expo, the story book generated from the ad hoc story which I had written displays a few problems: 

1. It sometimes changes my wording. Unless this is for correcting the grammatical mistakes in the original draft, it is not a good idea to change the writer's use of language (e.g., a school kid). We want the writer student to have a strong sense of ownership of the story. 

2. But more crucially, it's the pictures being generated. They are not consistent in terms of the looks of the characters in the story. In my ad hoc story, there were three characters: Peter, Paul, and Mary. The resulting picture book spanned about 12 pages, but in the 12 pages, Peter, Paul, and Mary assumed different looks in different pages. 

3. There are other additional characters that appear in the picture, even though the story script has focussed on a certain number of characters (in my case, three). This is not only distracting, but will also affect the storyline. 

All in all, while the idea behind the app is laudable (to encourage kids to write, as they can easily convert their handwritten stories into picture books), the technology is not mature enough. 

Reinforcing my belief in quality teaching and learning

 因著一個PD project,在三天內在一所中學內觀了15堂英文課和進行每一節課的課後debriefing, 不算輕鬆,但我可能是最大的受益人，除了在老師身上獲得教學靈感，看到他們的課室技巧外，最大的收獲是深深被整個英文科團隊的專業精神和水平所感染，他們有這麼多繁重工作，仍然可以有這樣的專業表現，教學設計這麼有創意，我還可以鬆懈嗎?

況且他們把英文教學和social and global issues 甚至學科知識結合起來，而不是為教英文而教英文，這正是我最喜歡的approach! 

有時我也懷疑以香港教育界的生態，是否真的可以達至優質的教學，謝謝這團隊再次reinforce我對優質學與教的信念。

From Alicebot to ChatGPT

 第一次接觸chatbot, 是2003年，是我的computer assisted language learning 師傅David Coniam 介紹我玩。這第一代的chatbot, ,名字是Alicebot, 以女兒身出現。但你不能問她一個factual question, 只能和她閒談，而且只要你較認真問她一個問題，她便會反問你怎麼想，或覺得怎樣，所以很快我便對「她」失去興趣。

當時怎會想到有一天，可以問chatbot那麼實在的問題，而它又可以给你很實在的答案!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_Linguistic_Internet_Computer_Entity?fbclid=IwAR27dmza5RY5mFD5_5adB5DBmXy6R0PcD_SoVRHETMhYNC3gUmjsoWNUniQ

PGDE Graduation Ceremony 2023

 復常後的第一次PGDE畢業禮，氣氛很好。第一次這麼多畢業同學帶同爹地媽咪，男朋友女朋友出席，令我這個英文組「班主任」開心不已。其中一位嗎咪，還是我教中學時教過的呢!現在她的女兒也成為英文教師了。

From PPT-assisted Lecturing to ChatGPT investigation

 1993 年美國學者Alison King 以From Sage on the stage to Guide on the side為題的學術文章，探索高等教育教師的角色。

這標題後來成為著名的quote, 亦是我對自己的提示。

這幾年我已愈來愈少用PPT去說課，除非必要。今年出現ChatGPT, 我便更加經常在課堂中提出問題，然後請學員用ChatGPT即時找出答案。

於是我備課時，大部分時間花在設計各式學習活動，上課時，我便由sage on the stage, 變成guide on the side。這樣的approach, 備課更花時間，對教與學要更加認識，在學室中的技巧要求更高。但今天的教學，還可以像以前製作一個兩小時的PPT, 以後拿它重覆講十年嗎？

有趣的是，有時候反而是有些學生不習慣這樣的學習模式，尤其是大班，他們寧願坐在lecture theater 最後的位置，靜靜的一動也不動坐足全堂。課堂後他們學了甚麼，便天曉得了。

HKU Award Presentation Ceremony of Outstanding eLearning Awards

Nov 24, 2023: HKU Award Presentation Ceremony of Outstanding eLearning Awards

A most fruitful afternoon meeting eLearning-fanatic friends, being fired up by teachers' passion for eLearning and teaching,  catching up with the latest developments in eLearning, picking up ideas for my own teaching, being inspired by teachers' creativity....

MS-Powerpoint function within Poe.com

 When I spotted the MS-Powerpoint function withn Poe.com, a ChatGPT platform, I decided to give it a try. 

I asked this question: What is self-directed learning? 

It quickly generated a 7-slide essay for me, with each slide numbered. But the product is not really in  powerpoint format. You need to copy the content of each slide and paste it into a real PPT. 

But what is more discouraging is the fact that the content of each slide is a long paragraph, one that would make up an AI-generated essay. Not bullet points for a speaker's presentation. No presenters would be happy with such a PPT!

Quizlet: Clarifying some functions

 In my last post, I mentioned the open source app, Anki, for creating flashcard decks. My conclusion is that as an open  source app, it will always be free to users, but overall, Quizlet is still more user-friendly, and more fun to use, although it is not meant for Spaced Repetition. 

Quizlet functionality: 

Flash Cards Creation

- You can start with WORDS, or a DIAGRAM. The latter is a function I like. Upload a picture, and insert a few hotspots. Give each spot the term that students are to learn. The resulting task requires students to learn the names of different parts of diagram (e.g., The Water Cycle)

- You can also create decks with a picture on the Front side of each card (e.g., Names of animals in French). When studying the cards, students look at the picture on the Front (the default side), and recall the term in French. And so on. 

To create a deck like that: 

a. In the Terms column, enter the terms to learn as usual. 

b. In the Definition column, leave the text box blank. Click on the Image icon on the far right, and either choose from one of the popped-up images, or upload your own. 

c. Create. 

d. Go to the Settings menu, and choose 'Show Picture first'. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Learn, Test, and Match

Learn

For me, the first mode 'Flash cards', is for learning. Students click through the whole deck, and look at both sides of a card to learn the content. 

But Quizlet uses the term 'Learn' for Self-testing. Students look at each question (derived from the deck) that pops up and tries to answer it. When finished, students are prompted to re-try the cards which they got wrong. (But of course this is not Spaced Repetition.)

Test

'Test' differs from 'Learn' in that: 

- in addition to MC questions for 'Learn', there are also other question types which students can select to challenge themselves (e.g., T/F; Write). 

- After students have submitted their answers, they will be shown their score. 

Match

This works like a game. On the screen are a number of small rectangles; half of them are the terms; and the other half are the definitions. Students click them in pairs. 

___________________

So, overall, I think Quizlet provides some fun ways of self-regulated learning for students to learn some terms and their meanings. 

Anki for creating flashcard decks

 I learnt about Anki from a Google search. It is highly rated by some writers, who contend that it is better than Quizlet. 

Anki has a desktop version, and a web-based version (antiweb). I had a quick try with both versions. Honestly, I'm not that impressed. Yes, it is an open-source app, so it's always free. Nevertheless, the interface design is difficult to decipher. The functions are not particularly impressive either. 

Anki is praised for its Spaced Repetition function. But it's no different from similar apps, such as Brainscape, in terms of design. 

The new AI functionality in Quizizz

 這一年很多老牌的eLearning app都加入了AI元素，例如Quizizz。以前要create一個Quizizz game, 需要自己逐題製作，現在它的AI 為你代勞，你可以用topic 或prompt去generate quiz, 但我試過效果不太好。我更喜歡的是upload 自己的document, 由它去generate 一個Quizizz game(Formative也可以這樣做，但產出的是digital worksheet,和Quizizz 的Quiz game不同)，這對教reading comprehension 很有用，在一課的結尾，用同一passage產出的Quizziz game完結，使一課在輕鬆的氣氛下完結。

但我更喜歡的是Quizizz LESSON (不是Quizizz quiz)內的AI功能。你只要把自己現成的PPT 輸入，讓它的AI為了generate一個Quizizz Lesson,結果是你原來的Presentation在關鍵位置出現MC question slide, 然後你再在其他地方加入有趣的Activity slide,便很容易製作出一個interactive的presentation,或interactive的self-paced microlearning unit.

當然今天無論是那個app, AI都只是擅長generate factual 的objective-type questions ，但我相信假以時日， AI也可以產出更higher-order thinking 的問題和actiivty type 。

Microsoft Educator Master Trainer 2024

 The 4th eLearning qualification I've obtained in 2023-24. 

New Present Day English for Foreign Students

 

by E. Frank Candlin; published by the University of London Press. 

Dr Victor Lim's multiliteracy teaching resources

 The second and third links on this webage of Dr Victor Lim will take you to two collections of lesson packages on multiliteracy. 

https://victorlimfei.wordpress.com/resources/

The second link contains 7 lesson packages (under 'Resources') created by their R and D team in trying out Multiliteracy lessons with upper primary and lower seconedary students in Singapore. 

The third link contains lesson packages created by student teachers at NIE. These lessons on NARRATIVE multiliteracy were targetted at upper primary students in Singapore. 

How Microsoft Reading Progress Works

 Phase 1: The teacher sets and assigns the reading aloud task

1.1    On the Class Team dashboard, the teacher clicks on 'Assignment', and types in the Title of the Assignment. 

1.2   The teacher clicks on 'Attachment', which will open a drop-down menu. The teacher selects 'Reading Progress'

1.3   The next screen will ask the teacher whether he will upload a WORD reading passage, or choose one from ReadWorks. The teacher acts accordingly. 

1.4    The teacher sets the assignment deadline, and assigns the task. 

Phase 2: The student will try the assignment. The student will: 

2.1   Open the Class Team, and open the respective assignment. 

2.2    Click 'Start'. The passage will appear, and he will start to record his reading. 

2.3   When finished, he will be shown 5 words from his reading that the system invites him to repeat. (This segment is called the Reading Coach.)

2.4    The student then submits the assignment. 

Phase 3: The teacher checks the submitted assignment. He will: 

3.1    open each assignment on his dashboard and sees the student's performance in terms of an overall score (e.g., 94%), mispronunciations, omissions, etc. He will also see the reading passage marked with mispronunciations, insertions, etc. 

3.2    write in the feedback box if he wants to.

3.3     'return' the seen assignment to the student, with or without his own grade. 

Phase 4: The student checks the returned assignment. He will: 

4.1    go to his dashboard and open the (returned) assignment;

4.2     sees his performance results (as in 3.1) as well as his previous video recording, and the teacher's feedback and grade if given. 

Can Bing really chat?

 我嘗試用口語和Bing 交談，它懂得用文字答我，互相問候後，它問我可以為我做甚麼，例如為我作詩，我問它可否繼續無目的地閒談。

這時候弹出一個交談已被终止的通知。原来Bing 不是真的會聊天。

My quick review of 4 AI-powered apps for creating DIALOGUES

 So far, I have tried out 4 AI-powered apps for creating DIALOGUES from a dialogue script. Below is my quick review of the 4 apps: 

- Narakeet

- Text-to-speech-robot

- Murf.ai

- Typecast

https://wakelet.com/wake/fyTJd1VvaogdWtq-ll7f5

Two things that have impressed me: 

- Typecast can generate an avatar-talking dialogue video (but you have to enter the script line by line); the resulting video is fun to watch. 

- Murf.ai is very easy to use, and it can also generate a dialogue video (but not with cartoon-like characters) using the built-in images and videos, or your own images and videos. 

Using Typecast to generate Dialogue Videos

 here are now many apps which can create AI-powered monologues (e.g. Speecify; Natural Readers), but what about DIALOGUES? 

Yesterday, I explained how we can do that with Narakeet by naming the Speaker Voice for each speaking turn in the imported script. After that, I continued to explore other apps, and found that Typecast can even generate a dialogue video with the speaker avatars talking! Below is a very short one which I have created. (The free plan only gives you very short generated videos.)

https://youtu.be/fV0fBEivbxQ

What I like about Murf.ai

What I like about Murf.ai is its use of use for creating AI-generated dialogues. The few other apps for the same purpose, such as Narakeet, Text-to-Speech-Dialogue, and Typecast, involve more steps in  inputting the dialogue text, and/or assigning Speaker Voice to each speaking turn. 

Murf.ai, however, involves much less fuss. Just prepare a WORD file containing the script, and in the script, indicate each speaking turn as a new line. Then import the WORD file into a Murf.ai project. The speaking turns will appear automatically in the project. Then, for each speaking turn, click on the avatar on the left and choose the Speaker Voice. This step can be finished quite quickly. Then, generate. 

Under the free plan, the resulting dialogue can be shared via a link. You can even import an image, or a video, so that the generated audio works like a voiceover. 

(The paid plan has a few other cool functions.)

Creating TTS dialogues

 There are now dozens of AI-powered apps for turning text to speech, and the resulting speech is usually a monologue. When you start, the app will usually ask you to choose a voice. The other day, I started to wonder whether these apps could also create a dialogue consisting of 2 voices. If the answer was yes, that would be a great bonus to language teachers. 

I then did an online search, and found a few apps which claimed to be able to do that. I then headed to Narakeet, which I had used before to convert a PPT with speaker notes to a narrated video. It turned out it was actually quite easy. After pasting in your dialogue text, just insert some 'stage directions' indicating which voice (among those provided) to use for which segment of the dialogue. Below is a TTS conversation which I have generated from a dialogue in Ch 1 of Open English I (an open-source textbook project). (Yes, it's very short, because you have to pay in order to get a longer dialogue audio.)

This edtech development is good news to language teachers, but bad news to those people who work as voice artists. 

https://youtu.be/UX2-hy5M8Ug

Chatting with ChatGPT vs Chatting with a Human

 So I asked ChatGPT to generate a poem for me. It not only gave me a poem in 5 seconds; it asked me what I thought of his poem. I gave him a thumbs--up. He then thanked me and told me he actually enjoyed writing poems, and asked me if I would want another one. 

That's why ChatGPT can be addictive;  it can be even more interactive, rewarding,, and heartwarming than voice/text chatting with a human!

Classkick, or Classcake

 Classkick 是一個eLearning app 的名字，但不知為甚麼每次在課堂介紹這app時， 我都會不期然說了Classcake！是因為我的課大多在晚間進行，有點餓，還是我渴望和學員一同吃蛋糕?

https://classkick.com/

Bridge is also a sport!

 先前我詫異gaming也是運動，原來更靜態的橋牌也是亞運項目。當然我在某次運動展看過下棋也包含在內。這也好，令我坐著玩新eLearning app時也覺得自己在做運動。

Jamboard sunsetting in late 2024

It's a pity that Google will be sunsetting Jamboard in late 2024. Jamboard is an app that I use from time to time for my students to work on simple graphic organizer tasks. It's easy to use, and excellent for collaborative work. And, it's always free!

https://www.engadget.com/google-is-sunsetting-its-collaborative-jamboard-app-101658315.html

My review of 9 AI-powered apps for generating Reading Comprehension questions

 When teaching and assessing Reading Comprehension, ESL teachers used to write their own comprehension questions to go with a reading passage. Thanks to generative AI, this task can now be taken up by AI-powered question-generator apps. 

There are now dozens of such apps. Below is my quick review of the free plans of 9 more wellknown ones. The common features include: 

- There is a text box for users to paste in their passage. Many of them also allow users to upload a WORD/PDF file. 

- The common question types that can be generated are: MC; blank-filling; open question; T/F; and matching. 

- There are 3 levels of difficulty to choose from. 

- The question set generated can be copied, or exported as a text document, or pdf. 

At the some time, some of them have certain unique features. Examples: 

- Some of the apps (e.g., Conker.ai; OpenExams) allow users to start with just a topic (instead of a passage). Type in a topic, and the app will first generate a passage, then a question set, for you. 

- Most of the apps will generate a question set consisting of one question type (e.g., MC), but Conker.ai can generate a mixed bag of question types in one set. 

- Quizbot.ai can even generate a question set from a Youtube video! (...making use of the Youtube transcript, I think.)

- Some, like Quizgecko, can start with a URL. Just type in a URL (a webpage; a newspaper article), and they will generate a question set for you. 

- Quiz Wizard can even generate a question set from an audio/video file that you upload!

- Questgen can generate questions that correspond to the 6 levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. You can ask for (a) one quiz containing all 6 levels, or (b) one quiz with all questions on one particular level.

My own observation is that at the moment, these apps are good at creating questions that ask for specific information. They are still not very good at generating higher-order-thinking questions. (So we ESL teachers still have an important role to play in teaching Reading.)

MY REVIEW: 

https://wakelet.com/wake/c4BvKKoqhQDPQAgDH9nWP

Classpoint for making a PPT presentation more interactive

 https://www.classpoint.io/  is a PPT add-on for inserting interactive activities into a PPT. Works like PPT and Pear Deck, except that you can use your existing PPT immediately. (No need to upload your PPT to Nearpod or Google Drive first.) The free plan has fewer interactive types, and can accommodate a maximum class size of 25. It has fewer interactive types than Nearpod, though. 

The paid plan (class size of 200 students; more interactive types) costs about HKD50 per month. 

Obtained Wakelet Certified Educator badge

 

Received the MIE Expert 23-24 badge

 這其實是2023/24 學年取得的第一個eLearning  badge(第二個是Microsoft Educator Trainer 2024), 但今年不知為甚麼等到10月Microsoft 才正式發出。Anyway, better late than never. 而且很榮幸是香港高等教育界唯一擁有這eLearning badge 的educator。

GoFullPage: Chrome extension

 GoFullPage is quite a useful Chrome extension. It can save a webpage as an image, or a PDF, even if the webpage scans several pages. So sometimes this can be useful if I want to share a PDF with others to show them what a webpage, or parts of a webpage is like. 

What is meant by gaming?

 昨晚的computer assisted language learning一科談到gamification意念在製作interactive task中愈來愈流行，例如Blooket ，Gimkit, 和Minecraft，原因是"Kids, especially boys, love gaming"。但這樣說gaming (指playing computer games)，總覺得不自然，因為最初認識gaming 一詞是在澳門，是指到賭場賭錢耍樂!

eShare: a very useful tool

 以前到校做workshop, 由於我喜歡用自己的laptop, 總要提早抵達處理用線接駁(例如HDMI)至場地投影系統的問題。但這兩年發現愈來愈多學校在課室裝了ESHARE, 我抵達後只須登入學校的wifi,  連接入課室的eShare, 乾手淨腳，有聲有畫面，我甚至可以把laptop 放在課室任何角落去present, 或從我的tablet 去present， 這真是一項德政。有趣的是，間中發現學校老師原來不知道課室已有這設施！(那天有老師問我大學學室的設置如何。我只能說，大學不少課室的設置，仍然很二十世紀。)

The second badge I've obtained in 2023-24

 

Classkick vs Jamboard for dragging items into a diagram

 Yesterday, I talked about for using Classkick for creating a drag-items-into-diagram task. Actually, Jamboard can also do that. Below is one that I have created: 

https://jamboard.google.com/d/1Jere35FeYdkHh1o-PpeCjw8ZzACcRh2j_i9AVrASLVU/edit?usp=sharing

Overall, logistically it's more convenient to use Jamboard for creating a drag-and-drop task. But of course Classkick has other functions like 'Assign' and Audio Response. 

Drag sentences into a custom-made diagram

 So far, apps like Wordwall and Learningapps.org will only allow you to drag sentences (or pictures) into pre-determined groups. But you cannot drag items into a custom-made diagram, such as a partial mindmap. 

A moment ago, I realised that Classkick can do that. In one slide, you can first upload an image of your custom-made diagram. Then click on 'Add manipulative'. You will then upload an image from your computer; you can then resize it or just clip one portion of the image. 

Continue this process until you have all the items (pictures) you need for the diagram. 

Of course, Classkick will not be able to 'mark' students' answers. Hence, one way to use this function is to do it as a teacher-fronted and teacher-led activity, engaging the whole class. If you have a smartboard, so much the better. 

Below is one such example which I have created. Students drag the 7 sentences into an incomplete mindmap. 

Wordwall: Flash Cards

 Just found that Wordwall has a similar function for creating a deck of flash cards for self study. 

Here is one which I have just created: 

https://wordwall.net/resource/61016482

For those cards you have marked as 'Wrong' during the self-study phase, they will reappear after the original last card. 

Two apps for creating Flash Cards for Mastery Learning: Brainscape and Bookwidgets

Brainscape is mainly a flash-card creation app. Bookwidgets has one function for creating flash cards. However, there are some differences between the workings of the two apps. 

Working through decks of flash cards has been a popular activity for mastery learning. On one side of a flash card is a concept, a question, etc.. On the other side is the answer, or what has to be learnt. Students work through a deck of flash cards with the aim of getting all the answers correct. 

With Brainscape, when students have tried one card and looked at the answer, they assess how difficult they have found the question on a 5-point scale: 

For example, if they have found a question difficult, they can rate their mastery level as "Not at all". 

When they have finished studying a deck, then when they start again, those cards for which their mastery levels have been rated low will appear more frequently in the new attempt. 

This may be followed by a third round of study, and so on. The longer-term aim is to completely master the cards in a deck. 

Bookwidgets works slightly differently. Like Brainscape, students work through a deck of flash cards. They look at the prompt, or question on each card, attempt to give an answer, and flip over the card to check their answer. Then they tap 'Correct' or 'Wrong' to indicate their attempt. When they are done with the whole deck, their overall result will be shown. Then, they can click on 'Try missed questions.' Then only the cards they got wrong will reappear. 

In fact, Quizlet (also an app for creating Flash Cards) also has a similar Mastery design, but for the "Learn", and "Play" modes, students will be given MC questions, the distractors of which are from other cards in a deck. In other words, they choose from the given distractors, instead of challenging their memory. 

Popboardz and alternatives

 Popboardz is an IOS app that I like for making tip-tile presentations. You create a collage with the app consisting of several pictures. When you present, you tap on one of the pictures, it will pop up and occupy the main screen. When you close it, it returns to the collage. (The collage is automatically created from the pictures you have uploaded.)

If you tap on the tiles randomly, this is a good way to build suspense and capture the audience's attention. But the catch is that Popboardz is an IOS app. To use it in a class session, you need to cast it to the classroom screen. 

I've been exploring ways to do something similar from a Windows laptop. Bookwidgets has a Tip-Tile function, but the expanded picture will always be tilted to one side, and this is something I don't like. 

I went online to search for an app that could allow me to do that, but to no avail so far. 

Then I turned to Thinglink and Genial.ly again. Below is my comparison. 

Thinglink: 

- You can't modify the size of the pop-up picture, but you can use the large pop-up function so that it will appear bigger (but still not very big).

- You can insert a second picture for each pop-up. 

Genial.ly

- You can adjust the size of the pop-up image so that it occupies almost the full screen. 

- You can't incoporate a second picture in each interactive like you can with Thinglink. 

Bottom Line

If you need a very large pop-up picture, then Genial.ly will do a better job. But with Thinglink, you can insert a template with both Text description and an Image. 

MIE Expert 23/24

 

Receiving the print MIEE certificate again

 (Sept 19, 2023)

4年前第一次取得Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert 資格時，證書由Microsoft美國以速遞寄來，之後每年renew申請成功，便只得到該年的digital badge。今年適逢Microsoft HK 儀式，,於是再次收到實體證書，並有機會参觀Microsoft HK總部。

Being fired up by teachers

今天 (Sept 19, 2023)Microsoft Partners in Learning 5.0 Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony的儀式中有英華書院和元朗商會中學老師分享STEAM projects, 儀式後又参觀了香港教育大學賽馬會小學的STEAM project展覽，深深體會到有創意的老師如何激發學生的創意，而學生又真的可以創意無限。雖然我是STEAM的門外漢，但聽完老師和學生的分享，令我也覺得充滿幹勁，思考這中間English Language education 可以有甚麼角色。

宜家可離線使用

 在Google Drive 把一個檔案set 作「可離線使用」，按掣後，弹出pop up message, 說「檔案宜家可離線使用」。宜家連google 都改用粤語出notification！

All reactions:

15Teresa Wang, Anna Hung and 13 others

A very special experience: Co-teaching with a former Education student

 相信很少人有我這樣的經驗： ⑴和30年前的Education student仍有聯络，⑵今早和她及她的一位同事co-teach了一課。Monica 今天已經是滿懷教學經驗和創意的教師，我和她co-teach，已經不是師徒，而是peer educators, 大家充滿默契。況且她的學生這麼好教，今早的一課是既enjoyable 又rewarding。

Gaming in eLearning vs Gaming in Macau's casinos

 昨晚的computer assisted language learning一科談到gamification意念在製作interactive task中愈來愈流行，例如Blooket ，Gimkit, 和Minecraft，原因是"Kids, especially boys, love gaming"。但這樣說gaming (指playing computer games)，總覺得不自然，因為最初認識gaming 一詞是在澳門，是指到賭場賭錢耍樂!

A Wakelet Collection with a very interesting design

 Just ran into a Wakelet collection with an interesting design. Wakelet has 5 default page designs (mood board; columns; etc.). I still don't know how the author came up with this design: 

https://wakelet.com/@katrinamelo#alTp8-F9SRYcBjSVDdI6j

It looks like a Wakelet collection has the potential of appearing in many special formats, as long as you're creative enough. 

Getting a clip from a Youtube video

 There was a time when people could set the start-playing time for a Youtube video. If they clicked on 'Share', a 'Start at' option would pop up. They would get a URL and when they played this URL, the video would start at the pre-set time. For teachers, this was a useful function as they didn't have to search for the right starting-time during a lesson. 

Starting from about 2 years ago (?), Youtube added a 'Clip' function. Once you click on 'Clip', you can set the start-playing time and stop-playing time. You would then get a link for that particular segment. This is also useful, especially if you're sharing this segment with others. But the downside is that the maximum length of this clip is only 1 minute. 

Some people have found a workaround to get segments of more than 1 minute, as shown in this video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxQLmXGRlKs

But of course, you can also use a Youtube segmenting app like Vibby. The bottom line is that give your purpose, which strategy is the fastest for you.

Baamboozle: How it compares with other Game Apps

 Baamboozle is a bit different from the other game apps, like Kahoot and Quizizz. 

While Kahoot, Quizizz, Wordwall, Learningapps.org, etc. are mainly for students taking part as individuals, Baamboozle is better played as a team game: The teacher puts the students into teams (groups), and asks the groups to take turns to respond to the questions. 

This also means that Baamboozle is primarily for teacher-paced games. Students do not join from their devices and with a Join Code. Instead, they simply follow the teacher's pace. 

This might look traditional, but it also gives the teacher more opportunities to interact with the students during the game, give feedback, or discuss things with the students. 

Another feature is its potential for self-regulated learning. The teacher can give students the Share Link. Students then work through the questions on their own: They look at each question, think about the answer, and then click 'check'. If they get an answer correct, the question card will disappear. If they get it wrong, it will stay there, and will reappear later for the students to re-try. 

The platform has a bank of teacher-made games which can be used immediately, without signing in!

https://www.baamboozle.com/games

Visiting the Microsoft HK Headquarters

 4年前第一次取得Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert 資格時，證書由Microsoft美國以速遞寄來，之後每年renew申請成功，便只得到該年的digital badge。今年適逢Microsoft HK 和EDB簽約儀式，,於是再次收到實體證書，並有機會参觀Microsoft HK總部。

STEAM education and students' creativity

 今天Microsoft Partners in Learning 5.0 Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony的儀式中有英華書院和元朗商會中學老師分享STEAM projects, 儀式後又参觀了香港教育大學賽馬會小學的STEAM project展覽，深深體會到有創意的老師如何激發學生的創意，而學生又真的可以創意無限。雖然我是STEAM的門外漢，但聽完老師和學生的分享，令我也覺得充滿幹勁，思考這中間English Language education 可以有甚麼角色。

Saying goodbye to Schoology

 2016年開始實行flipped learning, 要找一個適用的LMS，最後選了SCHOOLOGY。多年下來，已熟習了它的運作。

不過由今年10月1日開始，再不能用它的free plan, 連肯付費也不行，因為它將會只做enterprise plan。

於是我便要把多年在Schoology 內製作或儲存的教材遷走，這是頗大又沒趣的工程。

但這也好，迫我重新檢視和update 先前的教材。

AI-generated talking-head video

 This is a typical video which is AI-generated from a script that you input. To be honest, the effect is not bad. The facial expression is quite natural. The intonation is not artificial (unlike the early days of text-to-speech functionality). Even the lip movements seem to correlate with the pronunciations. 

https://email.d-id.com/share/hubspotvideo/78600586230?utm_campaign=Sep%20Blitz%20Campaign&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=76207517&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8VpweN_MXWbDnXGB-PNCXHVXgch12bUjT6jAW8g3tb4K2mgfxElkdShEsAOZ9qB3qP-zOEkGl79wKQhKyvfBnxHaQF_Q&utm_content=76207517&utm_source=hs_email

But the problem is: Why would I need this technology in teaching? Such videos have to be short; otherwise students will lose attention. Then, if I have the script already, why don't I just video-record my presentation myself? 

Two apps for creating AI videos from a script

 Below are 2 apps which can generate a video from a script or a webpage URL that you enter. 

Invideo

https://studio.invideo.io/

Lumen5

https://lumen5.com/

I have had a go with both apps. In a way, they are both very similar in that: 

- On the left-hand page, you write, or paste in, a script. Each section (can be one sentence, or a short paragraph) separated from another one by space. 

- Alternatively, you can enter a webpage URL. The app will generate a series of sections for you. Even if the webpage is long, the app will break it down into short sections, so that each section contains text that can comfortably appear in one scene. 

- Background music will be inserted automatically. 

- When you are happy with the sectioning (which is editable), you can generate the video. In the video, each section will appear in one scene, which is by default 5 seconds in length (but you can adject the duration of each scene). 

- From my tryouts, the sectioning ability is not bad. 

- But the visuals are mainly decorative, and most of the time have little to do with the content of the section text, though Lumen5 seems to do a little bit better in this regard (ie, the visual has more relationship with the section content). 

- Nevertheless, Lumen5 allows you to get a share link immediately, or download the video. However, InVideo requires a paid plan in order to give you a share link (though you can just play the video from the dashboard; just that you can't share it with others). 

BOTTOM LINE

1. Lumen5 is slightly better than InVideo. 

2. Don't expect the visuals will closely relate to the text content. 

3. Do not go for a long video, since the video is simply text after text (with accompanying visuals). It's simply like Reading, in a different format. 

4. Use your own text if possible, rather than use a webpage. 

SECTIONS in Padlet

 https://padlet.help/l/en/article/4hhcm0aujp-sections#:~:text=structure%20with%20sections.-,How%20sections%20work,a%20stream%20padlet%20with%20sections.

Recently, Padlet has added a new function: Sections. We can add Sections to a Padlet in order to make the cards and content more organised. 

Comparing 2 apps for creating video from text: InVideo and Animaker

In my previous post, I compared 4 apps for converting a collecton of photos to video.

Sometimes, I need to quickly create a video containing text with background music and text. Here are two such apps. 

https://studio.invideo.io/

On the left-hand pane, you just type in your text, line by line. Click create, and then you will get a video with background music that contains several slides. Each slide contains one of the sentences that you entered in the left-hand pane. The background of each slide is a picture. 

The good thing about this app is that you just type in your main text sentences in the left-hand pane, e.g., the main stages of a lesson; the main points from a lecture. 

Creating such a video is very fast. 

https://www.animaker.com/

Animaker, unlike Invideo which makes use of real-life photos, uses cartoon animations. It is less convenient than Invideo in that you have to type in your captions slide by slide, after choosing an entire video template (which contains the individual slide templates). 

BOTTOM LINE

- Invideo is faster, but if you want cartoon animation effects, then choose Animaker. 

- Neither has a video duration limit. 

- InVideo does not give you a share link, but you can just play your video from the Dashboard. 

Comparing 4 apps for creating quick video from a collection of photos

 There are now many video creation apps which can provide very elaborate editing functions. But very often, all I want is to quickly create a video using pictures that I have taken. I'm not someone who likes to spend time on elaborate video editing, so what I need is an app that can do the job turning a collection of photos into video with the lease fuss. Below I compare 4 such apps. 

Canva

With Canva, you upload all your photos, and drag them into the timeline. This process does not take up a lot of time, and then you can get a share link quickly. But Canva does not have a built-in stock of background music files. You need to upload your own background music MP3 files to Canva to use as background music. 

Animoto

Animoto is the simplest app to use given my purpose. Moreover, the resulting video will contain some animation effects and background music. But there's a catch. The free plan only gives you videos of 30 seconds in duration. That is about 10 photos only, and you can't upload more photos for a longer video unless you upgrade. 

Adobe Express 

In a way, Adobe Express works like Canva. It trumps Canva in that it contains a stock of background music which you can choose from. There is no length limit. You can also do some editing on the timeline. Hence, Adobe Express is a good choice if you're creating a video of longer duration, with more pictures. 

Powtoon

Powtoon is a little bit like Animoto in terms of the dashboard design. But though it is not as simple to use as Animoto,  Powtoon trumps Animoto as: 

- you can go longer than 30 seconds; 

- on top of your own photos, you can insert the give template somewhere in the timeline (e.g., a template with a headline and taglines), and these inserted templates have animation; 

- and of course it also has built-in background music files. 

Bottom Line

As of this moment, Powtoon is my app to go to, for turning a collection of photos into a video with backgrounnd music quickly. 

MIE EXPERT 23-24

 This year will be fantastic. So excited to be selected as an MIE Expert for 2023-2024 

#MicrosoftEdu #MIEExpert #elearningps

This year's enrollment on the Master's degree course on Computer Assisted Language Learning

 這Master's degree的Computer Assisted Language Learning 一科，由最初offer時的三十多學員選修，逐步躍升到今學年的63位學員選修，真是既擔憂又興奮，擔憂是到學期完後要在短時間內改大量的term paper, 興奮的是看見這一科那麼受歡迎。

Apps in the Google Classroom App Hub work with my personal Google Classroom

 I've just tried one the apps (Kahoot) included in  The Google Classroom App Hub I mentioned two days ago. I'm only using a personal Google Classroom. Anyhow, I went to Kahoot, and created a self-paced Kahoot assignment. When asked how I would like to share this Kahoot assignment, I chose 'Google Classroom', which was one of the destinations. 

Voila, in no time, this Kahoot Game appeared in my Google Classroom! So, it means I don't have to copy the Assign share link and post it somewhere as long as I use Google Classroom regularly. 

Puzzel.org

 Puzzel.org is like Wordwall and Learningapps.org, and is for creating interactive games. The images of the various puzzle types look interesting. But the free plan only allows for 2 puzzles. So there is no way I can tell how overall it compares with Wordwall and Learningapps.org. 

https://puzzel.org/

Becoming MIE Expert 2023-24

 新學年收到的最好的禮物，尤其是今年等申請結果等得

特別久。

The Google Classroom App Hub

https://edu.google.com/get-started/apps/ 

This webpage lists the apps that are integrated with Google Classroom.

I can see that many of these apps are popular and often used by teachers (and me). 

Unfortunately, the university does not subscribe to Google Classroom, so I cannot see with my own eyes how the app integration works within Google Classroom. 

Slides with Friends

SLIDES WITH FRIENDS is an app for creating presentations that contain interactive tasks, such as polling, quizzes. 

What distinguishes it from similar apps such as Mentimeter, Pear Deck, and Quizizz Lesson is that it has 2 additional special response options: (1) Pass the microphone, and (2) Share your photo. 

A standalone stack of cards with Sway

 We can create a standalone stack of cards with Sway. Ss will then scroll through the cards to find out something. The content of each card can be either Text, or Image. 

The resulting Sway link can be inserted into a Nearpod lesson. 

Thinglink Scenario Builder: My first taste

 This is a function within Thinglink which allows you to create a branching learning unit. I have yet to learn the nitty gritties, and to look for ideas to turn into a learning scenario. So far, I have noticed that: 

- each branched block can contain Text, an external URL, and a previous Thinglink image/tour; 

- you can insert MC questions and Open-ended questions into different points in the journey; 

- at any block, you can take the learner to any other block; 

- you can award points for accomplishing something. 

+++++++++++++++++++

This reminds me of two other strategies that I have tried: 

1. Padlet (not really reactive to learner's decisions or answers; no inserted questions); 

2. Symbaloo Learning Path. 

Thinglink 360 Image vs Thinglink Guided Tour

 Thinglink Guided Tour is a new function in Thinglink. In the former 360 image, viewers have to move the image around, and click on the tag to see the 'Knowledge Card'. The Knowledge Card can consist of Text Description, an explanatory Image, or an external link. 

With Thinglink Guided Tour, when you create the tour, you add 'focal points' to the 360 image. For each Focal Point, you add a text description (text description only). You can add as many focal points to a 360 image as you like. 

Then when viewers view the Guided Tour, they can: 

Either

drag the image around, and when they reach a previously focal point, the corresponding explanatory text will pop up near the bottom;

Or

there is a 'previous - next' button near the bottom of the screen. Click on 'next', and the image will revolve to the next focal point, togther with the text explanation. And so on. Hence, unlike the traditional viewing mode, this mode of viewing is sequential. (Hence, 'guided'.)

Google Forms vs Microsoft Forms: Converting a poll to a quiz

 With Google Forms, you can convert an existing Poll to a Quiz. 

With Microsoft Forms, this can't be done. To create a quiz, you always have to start from scratch. 

Obtained ScreenPal Certified Educator badge

 Completed the ScreenPal online course and obtained the ScreenPal Certified Educator badge.

ScreenPal: the new version of Screencast-o-matic

 Screencast-o-matic was the first app that I used for screen-recording. Later, Screencastify and Loom came about, and as they were Chrome extensions, they were more convenient to use. I then abandoned Screencast-o-matic in favour of Loom and Screencastify. 

Yesterday, I happened to discover that Screencast-o-matic had become ScreenPal. I tried ScreenPal, and found three important pluses which would take me back to the improved version of Screencast-o-matic: ScreenPal: 

1. I like the clear small yellow circle which accompanies the cursor movement. Screencastify has a similar function but the effect is not good. 

2. ScreenPal will give me a public share link as soon as I have finished a round of screen-recording. Screencastify allows users to export the screen-recorded video to Youtube, but the process takes too long. 

3. The free plan of Loom and Screencastify has a recording time limit of 5 minutes only, and a limit on the number of videos that can be produced. Screenpal's recording time is 15 minutes, and there is no limit on the number of videos you can make. 

https://screenpal.com/home