Ever heard of Ocarina? All I knew was that it was an I phone application sensation. I didn’t know it was a real instrument believed to date some 12,000 years, and one of the easiest instruments to learn. Now a global phenomenon.
How do we get here?
Step one is a major step but he needs noting. Apple launch innovate i-Phone.
Step two – Smule release I Phone app at just 99c. An instrument as simple as it is brilliant.
Step three – Another one of those bedroom Youtube video enthusiasts
docjazz4 is spotted for his Ocarina playing talents (the real Ocarina that is) and asked to show off what the new I phone Ocarina app can do.
Step four – Ocarina the fast selling i-phone app.
Step five – bring Youtube and Smule back into focus and we have an online competition.
Out with the old and in with the new?
How did we get here? Well I have shared the story with our Music department. Will we purchase some Ocarinas or I-phones/touches?
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No, not ’shut up and move on,’ but a rather impressive in browser image editor, SUMO. Yes, I like our Serif draw, but more and more we (staff and students) are using GIMP as their image editor of choice. Now Dr Pic was neat for quick touch ups, picnik was good for photos, SUMO is designed for image creation rather than editing. SUMO offers selection tools, gradients, paint bucket, layers and blending modes and some filters as well. Add brushes, opacity and others (the symmetry tool is neat) and its an impressive tool.
What makes this site interesting to me, is the community behind it. Sumo has a fully fledged community and gallery. Will our students be able to share their art with more people than walk the corridors at Hamble College? Really, if you have time go and look at the art on show.
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Well there is not too much to share. The meeting was simple. The head was pleased with the progress academically and understandably squeezing for every extra percentage point for ICT pass grades. Conversation quickly moved onto the IT focus which I was able to share with him via quotes and a prepared calendar.
In order;
1. VLE appointment
2. VLE install
3. IT security and back ups (this really is a priority)
4. Meet with the E-Learning Foundation and development of the Netbook project
5. Development of Sims within College.
Finances were discussed and agreed. In part, we can procure certain items until the new financial year arrives but that should not deter us from moving from one stepping stone to the next. I raised the issue of time, creating time to do the administration of the projects but this drew a blank. It will be revised in next years timetable, however the new post with take some of the strain.
Identification of the ‘cultural architects’ – this is the next and very important job. Which staff are going to bring about shift in educational practice? Organic growth or forced growth?
I meant to ask our head about recruitment. I think that VLE skills should be an important factor in our employment thinking. I hope that we can ask new staff to complete an ICT skills audit as part of their application process.
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