Microsoft OneNote is truly a killer app for both teachers and students alike. It is a relatively new application and is, as far as I know, one of a kind. Its closest relative is the word processor. However, once you start using OneNote, word processing applications take on the appearance of an overweight dinosaur. I am a promoter of free OpenSource software but this is one instance where there is no pretender to the throne. I unashamedly endorse this Microsoft product. (Take note - I did not spell it Micro$oft.)
The concept is simple, enable note taking which includes all electronic forms of media such as screen clips, web clips as well as audio and video recordings synchronised with text note taking. Package it in a user friendly interface which enables you to manage all of this complex data in such a simple way that even a grownup can use it. Enable the use of inking or, if you prefer this expression - writing on your TabletPC.
Image taken from the Microsoft OneNote2010 Guide which installs with OneNote.
As you can see from the image, you can organise your work just as you do with an ordinary notebook. You can have any number of notebooks, you can divide a notebook into sections (indicated by tabs at the top), you can have clusters of sections if your organisation requires that, each section is divided into pages (indicated by tabs on the side). You can also insert subpages which can collapse.
In fact there are so many organising possibilities that it boggles the mind at first. Its like a culture shock. You need to get used to it. One of the very first strange things that you meet with is, after having created your OneNote notebook, you never have to save again. There is no Save button. Work gets saved automatically as you work.
You are allowed to change your mind as well. If you decide to arrange your work in some other way it is a breeze to move pages to different sections or to move notes onto new pages or just to rearrange your whole notebook.
One of the cool new features (I don't really use the word 'cool' but this is really 'cool') is that you have the functionality of a wiki. That is you can create links to new pages on the fly. You just type [[page name]] and a new page with 'page name' is created with a link to that page.
Did I mention that sharing your notebook or collaboration, for that matter, has become so much easier in the latest version, OneNote 2010. You can save your notebook to the web (see Windows Live) where you, or others, can access it and edit it through a web browser without even having OneNote installed! If you want to share it on your local network, you can do that as well. Imagine creating your electronic textbooks or notes and sharing it with your learners in this way. If you are the adventurous type you can allow your learners to coedit the notes with you and it becomes a collaborative effort.
Let me warn you: OneNote is addictive! Once you start using it, you'll look for excuses to use it more.
Virtualisation (the Americans spell it Virtualization) is one of the most exciting recent developments
opening up many opportunities in the server field. Often good innovations are out of reach of most people.
Not so with virtualisation. There is strong competition in this field. VMware, one of the front runners in this field, has made some of its products freely available to retain its market share. Do not for a moment entertain the thought that because it
is free it is somehow second grade software - not in the least. They are the market leaders but they are not the only players. Microsoft has included free virtualisation in Microsoft Server 2008 and there are a number of other vendors as well.
Accredited Suppliers for Teacher Laptop Initiative
Written by Administrator
Monday, 25 January 2010
(From www.elrc.org.za the website of the Educator Labour Relations Council)
The Teacher Laptop Initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Basic Education (DoBE), addresses South Africa’s need for a quality education system and forms part of the cohesive plan by the DoE and other stakeholders in education to improve the overall quality of education by making resources available to learners and educators in the public education sector.
It is soon back to school for educators. Educators make an early start this year on 11 January 2010. Learners from all schools (coastal and inland) start on 13 January.
Here are two versions of the 2010 school calendar:
The Teacher Laptop Initiative is due to be rolled out in practice, although theoretically speaking it was supposed to have been launched in July 2009. This will probably only start happening in the new financial year which begins in April 2010.
There has never been so many free goodies available to the innovative teacher as now. Hot Potatoes (click on link to download) has become free software since 1 September 2009. The fact that it is free does not make it any less valuable! I think that is where many people don't quite get it. They equate the cost of software with its value. That is just not true.
