Because I detest SPAM, I don't subscribe to many email newsletters. But one of the best is from the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology. I like the idea of creative and intelligent women coming together to talk about their how they use technology to shape the world around them. Even though there are a bunch of women in technology at the City Colleges, I want to encourage more women to get involved with technology and not be afraid, intimidated, etc. I'm talking to you! And you, Mom.
Here's a poster from an Anita Borg conference about The Growing Technology and Social Implications of Online Dating from Temple University. It explains how Match.com finds your next girlfriend/boyfriend (algorithms, baby!) and has stats like...
More than 120,000 marriages a year occur because of online dating matches.
Finally, we won't have to say we met through a mutual friend. Even though I really *did* meet my fiance through a mutual friend. Really.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Money for the City Colleges
Yesterday I attended an administrator's meeting. Lots of info was conveyed, but the two numbers that jumped out at me:
$5.76
what the City Colleges of Chicago receives per square foot from the state.
$13.00
what the other community colleges across the state receive per square foot from the state.
$5.76
what the City Colleges of Chicago receives per square foot from the state.
$13.00
what the other community colleges across the state receive per square foot from the state.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The League of Innovation for the Community College
An administrator asked me what I knew about the League of Innovation for the Community College. I knew nothing.
Their site explains they've been around since 1968 making a difference in community college education, but they haven't posted a press release since Feb 2007.
Have any of you worked with them or attended their conference before?
Their site explains they've been around since 1968 making a difference in community college education, but they haven't posted a press release since Feb 2007.
Have any of you worked with them or attended their conference before?
Monday, February 25, 2008
Jury Sides With Blackboard in Patent Case
Surprisingly, a jury in Texas has sided with Blackboard in their case against Canadian company Desire2Learn infringing on their patents.
I remember the good old days when competition in the open market was considered a *good* thing.
I remember the good old days when competition in the open market was considered a *good* thing.
Video Blog Posting
A very astute professor asked if Blogger could support videos, and it does:
http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=67428&topic=12464
http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=67428&topic=12464
- Click the film strip icon on the post editor toolbar.
- In the popup window, click "Browse" to find the video on your computer.
- Enter a title for your video.
- Agree to the Terms and Conditions (if this is your first video upload).
- Click "Upload Video."
Where are my videos hosted?
Videos uploaded through Blogger are hosted on Google Video.
Please note a video of my kitten I embedded. Sorry, I don't have kids yet, so my TREO only has kitten videos. If you turn the sound all the way up, you can hear the purring.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
When Married Educators Want to Find New Jobs Together
Are you an educator who is married to (or dating) another educator? Would you like to find out if colleges have openings for both of you?
The Greater Chicago HERC (Higher Education Recruitment Consortium) has a Dual-Career Search section just for you (both)! Get help with your dual career search by registering for job alerts and linking your profile with your spouse/partner.
The Greater Chicago HERC is the web-based search engine that includes faculty and staff job listings at all member institutions. This search engine is free and available to anyone seeking employment in higher education, research, healthcare (medical centers), and arts and culture.
There are HERCs for many areas of the US. Good luck! :)
The Greater Chicago HERC (Higher Education Recruitment Consortium) has a Dual-Career Search section just for you (both)! Get help with your dual career search by registering for job alerts and linking your profile with your spouse/partner.
The Greater Chicago HERC is the web-based search engine that includes faculty and staff job listings at all member institutions. This search engine is free and available to anyone seeking employment in higher education, research, healthcare (medical centers), and arts and culture.
There are HERCs for many areas of the US. Good luck! :)
Free Friday Nights: Google Texts Provide Free 411
Tonight I realized that I haven't called 411 in years! If I'm out and need a business phone number, I text 46645 with the name of the company and city. In under a minute. Google SMS texts me back with the answers I need.
That's not all you can get with Google SMS.
For weather reports text Weather Chicago
For definitions text define prestidigitator
For sports text bears score
You can also get flight status, maps, stock quotes, etc.
There is no charge, other than your service provider's regular text charges.
That's not all you can get with Google SMS.
For weather reports text Weather Chicago
For definitions text define prestidigitator
For sports text bears score
You can also get flight status, maps, stock quotes, etc.
There is no charge, other than your service provider's regular text charges.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Easy and Cheap Accessible PowerPoint Presentations with LecShare
LecShare can transform your PPT presentations into accessible-friendly versions quickly and cheaply
LecShare Pro allows you to add audio to Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to create QuickTime movies, MPEG-4 Video files (Video Podcasts), Accessible HTML, and Microsoft Word documents. You can either record audio through a microphone or import audio files.
The employees at LecShare have experience in teaching courses, in instructional technology tools for higher education, using instructional technologies in developing online content, adapting already created online content to meet Federal accessibility standards, software design for the Macintosh and Windows platforms, and teaching at the university level.
Accessibility Issues in the UK
I like England a lot (shout out to my fiance in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne), especially because they seem ahead of the curve in creating and enforcing accessibility legislation.
From the Equality and Human Rights Commission, The Web Access and Inclusion for Disabled People report has in it, among other useful findings, that it took blind users 3x as long to complete a task on poorly designed website.
As a web designer, it certainly makes me think twice about making the absolute best experience for *all* users.
From the Equality and Human Rights Commission, The Web Access and Inclusion for Disabled People report has in it, among other useful findings, that it took blind users 3x as long to complete a task on poorly designed website.
As a web designer, it certainly makes me think twice about making the absolute best experience for *all* users.
Accessibility Training Video
While I am waist-deep in PowerPoint accessibility research for the BPDCC Accessibility Research Group, I came across a 2 hour web accessibility training video filmed at Washington State University. Hosted by Guest Presenter Todd DeVries, the video features disabled technologists talking about their experiences using the web.
While I don't agree with all of their recommendations and comments, as a web designer I found it very useful to see disabled users speaking candidly while demonstrating assistive devices. A low vision designer pseudo-demos a refreshable Braille display, explaining he doesn't have one because they are upwards of $5000!
Screen readers, Text enlargement, skip navigation links, making links understandable in context are all discussed. For instance...click here to watch the video...not a good idea!
http://experience.wsu.edu/scholarvids/webtraining.ram
You will need to download Real Player.
While I don't agree with all of their recommendations and comments, as a web designer I found it very useful to see disabled users speaking candidly while demonstrating assistive devices. A low vision designer pseudo-demos a refreshable Braille display, explaining he doesn't have one because they are upwards of $5000!
Screen readers, Text enlargement, skip navigation links, making links understandable in context are all discussed. For instance...click here to watch the video...not a good idea!
http://experience.wsu.edu/scholarvids/webtraining.ram
You will need to download Real Player.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Once Again, Video Games Help People
I've played Brain Age and Big Brain Academy (both for the Nintendo DS), but this morning I tried a web-based brain training game called MyBrainTrainer.com. You can subscribe to the site for $29,95/year unlimited use, however I just only the free trial. Which was sadly, a math game. Not my strong suit.
I did notice MyBrainTrainer.com had a recommendation from at staff member at Marshall University:
"I work with medical students and physicians who are experiencing academic difficulties. Many of these people have learning disabilities and/or ADHD. They have weaknesses in the areas MyBrainTrainer.com specifically targets. I have already received many positive comments about the program."
I am not crazy about my future doctor playing Brain Training games when she should be dissecting a pig. If it helps her concentrate, though, sign her up for Brain Training 101.
Now if we could only find a therapeutic use for Mortal Kombat.
I did notice MyBrainTrainer.com had a recommendation from at staff member at Marshall University:
"I work with medical students and physicians who are experiencing academic difficulties. Many of these people have learning disabilities and/or ADHD. They have weaknesses in the areas MyBrainTrainer.com specifically targets. I have already received many positive comments about the program."
I am not crazy about my future doctor playing Brain Training games when she should be dissecting a pig. If it helps her concentrate, though, sign her up for Brain Training 101.
Now if we could only find a therapeutic use for Mortal Kombat.
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Magic of CSS
Cascading style sheets have revolutionized how we build web pages. Once we had to rely on the table tag to design all our information on a web page. As well as being clunky, using table tags alone to build a site can make it inaccessible to many users.
If you are studying CSS or just curious about the magic of CSS, visit the css Zen Garden for a quick sample of what CSS has done for the web.
If you are studying CSS or just curious about the magic of CSS, visit the css Zen Garden for a quick sample of what CSS has done for the web.
Give Locally. To Humboldt Park
Dawn from Fire Belly Design has started her own nonprofit, Firebelly Foundation.
It's pretty heady and adorable stuff:
As compassionate artists and creative problem solvers we know there’s always more to be done—and better, smarter ways of doing it. While good design can change hearts and minds, we know profound, world change requires getting out and getting involved. With sustainability and cultural relevance as our founding principles, we're working towards an even higher level of social responsibility and corporate citizenship.
Reason To Give
Reason To Give provides a shopping/giving experience that's simple, quick, and personal. We connect people who give a damn with people who need a hand.
It's really that simple. You can search the Reason To Give database for a type of need and and a dollar amount (for instance, a family with clothing need under $50). Then Reason to Give makes sure your donation gets to the family.
There are videos on the site of the thankful residents. If watching Simone receive her big, big puffy jacket doesn't make you want to give them the contents of your wallet, then nothing will. :)
It's pretty heady and adorable stuff:
As compassionate artists and creative problem solvers we know there’s always more to be done—and better, smarter ways of doing it. While good design can change hearts and minds, we know profound, world change requires getting out and getting involved. With sustainability and cultural relevance as our founding principles, we're working towards an even higher level of social responsibility and corporate citizenship.
Reason To Give
Reason To Give provides a shopping/giving experience that's simple, quick, and personal. We connect people who give a damn with people who need a hand.
It's really that simple. You can search the Reason To Give database for a type of need and and a dollar amount (for instance, a family with clothing need under $50). Then Reason to Give makes sure your donation gets to the family.
There are videos on the site of the thankful residents. If watching Simone receive her big, big puffy jacket doesn't make you want to give them the contents of your wallet, then nothing will. :)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Who Vote? iVote!
iVote is a Northwestern University Collaboratory Project initiative encouraging Illinois youth ages 15 to 22 to vote. Using NU's own web-based learning environment, Collaboratory, students can find other Illinois youth who share their interests about problems facing Illinois, develop and share research reports, and most importantly- work together to make a difference in the 2008.
From the Collaboratory Website:
The Collaboratory Project is a Northwestern University initiative that provides project consulting, training, technical advice, and Web-based resources and services to K-12 teachers and their students who are interested in using Internet technologies to advance education.
From the Collaboratory Website:
The Collaboratory Project is a Northwestern University initiative that provides project consulting, training, technical advice, and Web-based resources and services to K-12 teachers and their students who are interested in using Internet technologies to advance education.
Joining the Collaboratory is free. Please pass it along.
Test Your Ear and Get Perfect Pitch
I've always wanted perfect pitch. As a good (great?!!) singer, an average piano player and a below average accordionist, having perfect pitch would make my life so much easier.
I've started using this Free Interval Online Ear Trainer. I'm not perfect yet, but for the first time in my life I know what a tritone sounds like!
There are other helpful music lessons on Ricci Adams's Music Theory Website, everything from FLASH movies teaching chords to a Keyboard Trainer.
If you are teaching a music class this term, the Music Theory Website is packed with mini-lessons that will give students the opportunity to practice their skills, even if they aren't in front of a piano.
Maybe your parents made you take piano lessons for ten years. Maybe you can give the Keyboard Trainer a whirl and see how much you remember!
Make momma proud!
I've started using this Free Interval Online Ear Trainer. I'm not perfect yet, but for the first time in my life I know what a tritone sounds like!
There are other helpful music lessons on Ricci Adams's Music Theory Website, everything from FLASH movies teaching chords to a Keyboard Trainer.
If you are teaching a music class this term, the Music Theory Website is packed with mini-lessons that will give students the opportunity to practice their skills, even if they aren't in front of a piano.
Maybe your parents made you take piano lessons for ten years. Maybe you can give the Keyboard Trainer a whirl and see how much you remember!
Make momma proud!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Listen To A Movie
I, for one, am never bored at my job. But sometimes on Fridays it is fun to listen to Raiders of the Lost Ark or The Frisco Kid (or any other Harrison Ford flick) while I am sitting at my desk.
At ListentoaMovie.com, you can do just that. Select from one of their 1457 films or 284 tv episodes, launch the ListentoaMovie.com proprietary audio player, and relax. Harrison Ford will be coming through your desktop speakers in no time.
Note: this isn't just the soundtrack: it's the whole movie!
Note 2: always be aware of the bandwidth available at your school...don't use it all up listening to movies all the time!
At ListentoaMovie.com, you can do just that. Select from one of their 1457 films or 284 tv episodes, launch the ListentoaMovie.com proprietary audio player, and relax. Harrison Ford will be coming through your desktop speakers in no time.
Note: this isn't just the soundtrack: it's the whole movie!
Note 2: always be aware of the bandwidth available at your school...don't use it all up listening to movies all the time!
Our Deepest Sympathies
In light of the tragic events at NIU yesterday, I wanted to say that my thoughts and prayers are with the staff, faculty, students, and families of NIU.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
They tried to make me go to Wii-hab
Nintendo's Wii video game system is fast becoming a craze in rehab therapy for patients recovering from strokes, broken bones, surgery and even combat injuries.
Using the game console's unique, motion-sensitive controller, Wii games require body movements similar to traditional therapy exercises. But patients become so engrossed mentally they're almost oblivious to the rigor, Osborn said.
--------
This from the CBS News Website. We have a Wii and I run around the living room like a crazy person trying to hit the digital tennis ball. Sometimes I feel like I am getting a real workout from it, so I was glad to see that some people are getting true benefit from it.
Now if they can just integrate DDR (Dance, Dance, Revolution) into rehab.
Using the game console's unique, motion-sensitive controller, Wii games require body movements similar to traditional therapy exercises. But patients become so engrossed mentally they're almost oblivious to the rigor, Osborn said.
--------
This from the CBS News Website. We have a Wii and I run around the living room like a crazy person trying to hit the digital tennis ball. Sometimes I feel like I am getting a real workout from it, so I was glad to see that some people are getting true benefit from it.
Now if they can just integrate DDR (Dance, Dance, Revolution) into rehab.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
HP Offers Free On-line Classes for Windows Software
HP has jumped onto the free on-line classes bandwagon. They have classes on everything from setting up a web page to creating better marketing materials.
Also classes on:
QuickBooks
Excel
Vista
Word
PowerPoint
Linux
Photoshop CS2
Dreamweaver
All you have to do is "register" by creating a profile with HP. If you try one, let me know how it goes!
Also classes on:
QuickBooks
Excel
Vista
Word
PowerPoint
Linux
Photoshop CS2
Dreamweaver
All you have to do is "register" by creating a profile with HP. If you try one, let me know how it goes!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Free On-line Accessibility Class from Microsoft
When someone mentions accessibility, architecture might be what pops into your head first. Buildings no longer have just a revolving door: they have automatic doors, lifts, ramps which allow anyone with disabilities to gain access.
Electronic documents (whether it be web page, Word, or PowerPoint) should afford disabled users the same opportunity: to gain access to the information.
When you create a document, consider if someone with a disability would have the same experience reading the document as someone without a disability. Would important information be missed?
Microsoft has a plethora of accessibility training/documentation on their site:
Wow, this is the tip of the iceberg. More to come on accessibility soon.
Meanwhile, this Microsoft self-paced training is a good intro:
http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC063800961033
Electronic documents (whether it be web page, Word, or PowerPoint) should afford disabled users the same opportunity: to gain access to the information.
When you create a document, consider if someone with a disability would have the same experience reading the document as someone without a disability. Would important information be missed?
Microsoft has a plethora of accessibility training/documentation on their site:
There are five main types of disability:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Mobility
- Cognitive or Language
- Seizure
Within each type there is a range of different disabilities. So vision, for instance, encompasses blindness, low vision, and color anomalies. Some disabilities are permanent, others temporary, some age-induced.
Wow, this is the tip of the iceberg. More to come on accessibility soon.
Meanwhile, this Microsoft self-paced training is a good intro:
http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC063800961033
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V
I was talking a Malcolm X College staff member through some troubleshooting techniques for a particular web application we built for her department. During the conversation I asked her to Ctrl+C (copy) some information and Ctrl+V (paste) it into an email to me.
She was stunned. She had never used those (or any other) keyboard shortcuts before and asked me for a list of all the Windows keyboard shortcuts. So, here they are.
I can't remember a time when I didn't Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V everything. That's like pondering life before cellphones. Or texting. What a sad life I must have had.
ALT+F4 (quit program)
Kristen
She was stunned. She had never used those (or any other) keyboard shortcuts before and asked me for a list of all the Windows keyboard shortcuts. So, here they are.
I can't remember a time when I didn't Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V everything. That's like pondering life before cellphones. Or texting. What a sad life I must have had.
ALT+F4 (quit program)
Kristen
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Free Conference Calling!
Last week a vendor scheduled a conference call with me using FreeConference.com. At first I thought it was a little shady, but in this world of home offices and Skype/VOIP, I guess it makes sense.
If you sign up for Reservationless Standard Conferences, you'll receive a dedicated dial-in number and access code that you can use at any time. No need to schedule the conference with the service.
From their FAQ's: Do you place a surcharge on the call? Will anything extra appear on my phone bill?
No. There are absolutely no surcharges. For Reservationless Standard and Web-Scheduled Standard conferences nothing extra will appear on your bill other than the call itself, billed at your normal long distance rate.
The catch: the Reservationless Standard conferencing services do not provide Toll-Free (800) Dial-in Numbers.
Just a thought! I'm off to HW to lead a demo for the Software Review Committee!
If you sign up for Reservationless Standard Conferences, you'll receive a dedicated dial-in number and access code that you can use at any time. No need to schedule the conference with the service.
From their FAQ's: Do you place a surcharge on the call? Will anything extra appear on my phone bill?
The catch: the Reservationless Standard conferencing services do not provide Toll-Free (800) Dial-in Numbers.
Just a thought! I'm off to HW to lead a demo for the Software Review Committee!
Let's Be Friends!
Hi. Do you want to be my friend on Facebook? I think you do!
City Colleges of Chicago has a group on Facebook, and if you register with your staff email account you can join the group. We have over 3,880 members (staff and students).
All colleges have a Facebook network. It is not maintained or affiliated with CCC, but there is a message board and a Wall to post on.
Sometimes I post new sites I'm working on or answer basic questions for students about our website. Students post events and comments, etc.
Remember, you can customize your Facebook profile privacy by network. That way you can control how much info you share with fellow members.
See you on Facebook.
City Colleges of Chicago has a group on Facebook, and if you register with your staff email account you can join the group. We have over 3,880 members (staff and students).
All colleges have a Facebook network. It is not maintained or affiliated with CCC, but there is a message board and a Wall to post on.
Sometimes I post new sites I'm working on or answer basic questions for students about our website. Students post events and comments, etc.
Remember, you can customize your Facebook profile privacy by network. That way you can control how much info you share with fellow members.
See you on Facebook.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Test Your Strength!
No, this isn't about the World's Strongest Man Competition (although you can watch it on ESPN several times this week if you want to).
This about your Password's Strength. Last April PC Magazine posted the 10 most used passwords. They were pretty lame. Remember, somebody's full-time job is trying to crack your password.
Beef up your Password!
Microsoft has Password Checker that will gauge the strength of your password. Just type in your current password and watch the magic happen.
Incidentally, they don't store your password. They aren't planning to do anything nefarious with it. But, that was a good question. You shouldn't share your password with anyone.
Not even with the World's Strongest Man, not even if he lifts your car above his head.
This about your Password's Strength. Last April PC Magazine posted the 10 most used passwords. They were pretty lame. Remember, somebody's full-time job is trying to crack your password.
Beef up your Password!
Microsoft has Password Checker that will gauge the strength of your password. Just type in your current password and watch the magic happen.
Incidentally, they don't store your password. They aren't planning to do anything nefarious with it. But, that was a good question. You shouldn't share your password with anyone.
Not even with the World's Strongest Man, not even if he lifts your car above his head.
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