Hi Gavin,
Great page. You certainly have done heaps since starting. I have heard of Wooranna Park and in fact have visited there a few years ago. I am currently looking forward to visiting there again next term with a group of teachers.
Looking forward to learning and sharing with you.
Helen

Hi Gavin,
Not sure If i did this right. Am I now your friend?

Hi Gavin,

Sorry to have missed you at dinner. It was great to finally meet you and I look forward to continuing to work with you to use ClickView to its full potential.

WOW! I stumbled onto your page, Gavin, less than an hour after joining Web 2.0. The pictures of the Wooranna Park Primary School Inside Out Project caught my attention. I can't let go. How do I find out more about this project? I'm headed to your blog now... searching.

Hi, Gavin,

I linked to Mary Featherston's page from your blog. It was just what I needed! I spent FOREVER on your blog site and learned a ton just looking around. I'll be there often. Hey, I am doing a "Back to School" presentation for a large group of educators - and I'd like to use your pics from Wooranna Park in the PPt. May I credit you for images? I would also like to provide a link to your blog. OK? Thank you for helping me.

Hi, Gavin,
Schools are on summer break in U.S. Teachers return for a new school year on July 29. I am speaking to returning teachers from 2 states that are employed by Department of Defense (DOD) schools. Have incorporated your images! Excellent for making points for "designs for learning." Are you on Twitter? Just started one...trying microblog entries as quick commentary for DOD schools dipping into Web 2.0 . Check the tweets @ twitter.com/elizabethholmes. Hey, your blog and this page are a GOLD MINE! I've spent hours on both. I appreciate you!

Gavin,
Please help me understand the teaching value of Animoto. I created two 1 minute videos - but the tool robbed me of all opportunity to design, create, innovate. I was limited to uploading pics and selecting songs. Am I overthinking this? I would like to see students engaged in the hard decisions that lead to unique creative works. You are an artist. I am not. Does Animoto really help students build problem solving/creative skills? I was not planning to recommend this tool. Do I need to reconsider?

Well, now! This is very, very helpful. I'll have to reconsider this little tool. You've persuaded me that it has its place. The case you make so convincingly, however, supports my initial sense that educators, who lack your strong background in video editing, could miss the boat entirely. I certainly did. You have a strong following, Gavin. Put your thoughts out there. There's a big buzz about animoto - and because it yields a slick product, I fear that purpose and process could get lost in the rush.
Hey! You are a terrific resource! I know where to come for answers about video! Thank you! Delete Comment

Wonderful page Gavin, its really great, no doubt there will be so much to learn and share.i will be teaching in Nigeria hopefully.
Thank you...

Hi Gavin,

What a great project - Skoolaborate. I have a Second Life account, but I'm afraid my navigation skills are not very good yet as I have not had a lot of time to go in and play. I do see the potential. Got a taste of it back in January at the TRLD Conference in San Francisco, where one of the presenters talked about (though very briefly) the possible and current uses of Second Life in education.

As for Moodle, I am designing a hybrid model for one of my Spanish 4 classes next year using Moodle as the main delivery system. I truth, all my classes last year had a heavy online component using this CMS.

Excellent page, btw, I shall be visiting it quite often!

Aloha!

Oh, wow! I can hear good vibes between your words! This must have been an appointment you wanted! You're sure to have an adventure and I want to read about it. Will you blog about this in Classroom 2.0 ? Do I accurately remember a report that luxury ISLANDS are being built for private owners off the coast of Abu Dhabi? Pick one for me. :-)
Congratulations!

oh no - not you too - seems everyone is off to the arab emirates. What will your job be?

Me, again! Gavin, is there any way to download videos from YouTube - or to request that a YouTube video be placed on TeacherTube? Trying to get excellent school media to classrooms when YouTube is blocked. Thanks for any information you have!

OK here goes.
There are a number of free downloadable applications that "grab" videos from YouTube. Most will download the video as a Flash Video File (otheraise known as an .FLV file). However, many of them are annoying and fiddly to use, and this format won't allow you to up[load to teqacher tube or Classroom 2.0.
You would have to convert the FLV file to another format e.g. Windows Media Video (WMV). So then you can upload the video to any of those sites.

BUT if you have a look at any video page on YouTube you will notice that there is a window with code in it called the "embed"window. You can then have the option to copy the code and then paste the code into your blog, classroom2.0 page or teacher tbe channel.

If you are prepared to swap to or already use Firefox browser, then you can very easily download an add on called Video Download Helper. This has a little logo which is a bunch of balloons which pops up whenever you are looking at a page with video on it. The other very good option is to download the free version of Real player, this application has a video capture function, so that whenever you are watching a video on a web page and move your mouse over the video, a little pop up sign asks you if you want to download the video.

Then you just need to convert the FLV file to a WMV file. one good video converter I have used is called Prism Video Converter

Ultimately the best thing is the PLAY and have a go and learn by making mistakes! Hopefully if you follw some of the links I have given you, it should start to make sense. I think the best way is to start using the embed code to start with and see how you go. Good Luck!
I'm happy to try and answer more questions!
cya,
Gavin

Gavin! I did it with your help! Used Real Player because I had it - but didn't know it had a video capture function! Downloaded Prism Video Converter and now I can share the video! You are such a resource. I appreciate your help so very much!

hahaha - no too much out of the comfort zone for him - Nicky Depree is off in a couple of weeks (Dubai), and Paul & Deidre moved over last year (Abu Dhabi)

Awesome man, thanks for the support!

Yes Gavin
sorry my english!
have a lot of widget and tools in my blog, but I don't use all of them; only trayning.
Lively:
google is a very great firma so i think it could be yhe "killer application" for virtual worlds for extremely user-friendlly and for the destinatary, -teen and chat-user.
It's a new way to chat using virtual rooms(virtual worlds).

In order to theory of diffusion we are at a fase between
pionerism and large diffusion.
Obviously the tecnology, the user-content-creation isn't equal Secondlife (world I'm using and exploring since a year, but Lively has some point of strenght: the code can be put in the blog, the web-browser can open it (light plagin) and people could have it wiyh a pack together other google application, picasa, earth, startoffice....so to try it.

Really my english doesn't adeguate my think! sorry

Hi Gavin
Are you just beginning the job in Al Ain? I live in Dubai with my wife. We teach at the American School of Dubai. I've been to Al Ain a few times with my teaching team and all our students for overnight excursions. We explore the areas around the city. Good luck in your new job. Larry

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for the nice comment about my blog - I am trying to keep it up to date:) Yours looks great as well. Looking forward to learning more from each other in the future.

Kim

Gavin,
I am impressed with all you have done with you blog and Classroom 2.0 site. Tell me are your ideas in the classroom just as innovating and exciting? All I know is you've motivated me to work on all of my web pages. My goal was to keep them up to date, but life has carried me frantically away from them.
Keep up the great publishing and let's continue to share ideas.
Tina

Thanks for your kind comments Gavin, it's early days for me and I'm still in play around mode ha ha but enjoying it, I'll check your blog and other work out, thanks Aniya
p.s have a good trip whilst in Italy..

Gavin, while social networks may be blocked, more conventional means of online communication are still available!

Then again, maybe the filters will fall and the light will shine in.

Den

Thanks for adding me to your learning network. You have great ideas. I hope you enjoy your work in the United Arab Emirates. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity.

thanks, Gavin. I hope these instructions are fairly clear.

Click on the edit button on the My Music box, you should see some choices to check. I checked "autoplay", so the music comes on automatically. I also checked the Show "playlist" box.

You should be able to see that "My Music" box in your left column, under "My Friends" box.

Thanks Gavin - Yes I am very familiar with Westley's FABULOUS work! I am hoping to find ways to collaborate with the folks at Slkoolaborate soon and perhaps get over to your neck ofthe woods!

Hi, thanks! Nice to meet you :)

By the way. nice music...assuming that is you playing on the first track?

Hello Gavin. Originally I am from Volgograd, Russia. Now I live in Goshen, NY. Priyatno poznakomitsya! Spasibo za comments. Stay in touch. ;-)

Lyudmilla

Hello Gavin, sorry I have taken so long to reply but I have had so much on. You are lucky going to Arab Emirates and I look forward to hearing how you get on there. I love using digital storytelling and video with my students as well. As to the movies I have on my member page, I dont know how they play automatically, but it drives me 'mad' so I mute my keyboard when I go there. I guess it just played automatically from the embed code. Have you tried embedding your movies yourself into your page?

Hi Gavin
We just arrived a couple of days ago. It's always hectic. Are you in Al Ain. Larry

thanks gavin, for your kind words about my electronic portfolio..i did that using Comic Life and iWeb... i also have lots of wiki's i'm very much into steampunk lately and also teach in Second Life!

Hi Gavin

I just thought that I would let you know that I discovered your blog some time back and was mightily impressed with it!

http://globalmantra.blogspot.com/2007/09/james-paul-gees-36-learning-principles.html

As we are thinking of setting up a 'blogspot' on the Creating Futures website so teachers can see how this can be done, would you mind if we provided a link to your blog?

Regards
Val

Hi Gavin,

I just got back from Asia, trying to unpack and get back to reality. I apologize for not replying sooner..yup, we can share stories.. Let's start the conversation. Are you in the UAE now?

hi Gavin! WOW 6 bathrooms [swoons] that's like a dream come true! (as long as i wouldn't have to clean all of them) good that you're settled and have a place you like! but man oh man you need that interweb connection!!
~Gwyneth

LoL..Gavin..welcome to the reality of it all..yes, internet access. In working with or in another country much different in internet infrastructure as compared to our own towns...flexibility is crucial for several key factors: time, identity, cultural fabric, sensitivity..so, I am looking forward to your stories that impact your own thinking.

Hey Gavin. Thanks for your comment on my page. I don't know how I'm going to keep up in a group like this, but I'm looking forward to learning from everyone!
Best,
Kimberly

Clearly, not my name!
Hi Gavin...I am Lois and it is a pleasure to see you on my page...
Whoa! Six bathrooms??? I want two.
Speak soon...
LKF

LOL :)?...COME ON!
Hardley worth posting! (Laughing!)

Abu D. looks a lot like Morocco....
What's a Voki?
L

These are definately things that I need to learn...Not quite a luddite...but new enough to the age of technology that I will take all the help that I can get along the way! T.Y.
L

Yes, Gavin, it is...And how GARDNER ESQUE of you...(the application of all that we are learning in new and different ways...) BTW...Have you read A WHOLE NEW MIND by Daniel H. Pink....similar thought processes...Gardner and Pink say similar things about this in their work...Gardner re: education; Pink re: the business world.

Hi, Gavin!
Just watched your new video on Dubai - trying to get an idea about your new surroundings. Good grief! You are in paradise! Is it ridiculous to ask if you are pleased with your new position?
Gavin, I'm looking for newer high end widgets for use on Ning pages. I especially like the audio player and slideshow kiosk on this page. Can you recommend a good spot to explore? Seems like there's something new each nanosecond. Cannot keep up!
So good to hear from you!

Hi Gavin,
It's always a pressure to meet someone who is also into video here. I am working on a screenplay for a feature at the moment and would be grateful if you can read it and pass me your comment. you could send me your email address so i can send it there. Thank You!

Hi Gavin, Just found your blog while searching for info on Life in Al Ain. I am looking to come to the UAE for work. At present I'm teaching yr 5-6 here in Christchurch. Hows the advisors role going as this is a position that i'm interested in as i have friends over there doing the samething. It would be great to here from you Paul.

Dear Gavin,

Nice beginning thoughts..Do you have facebook? let me know. I would like to also continue conversation there..
With so many social networking sites, I struggle to maintain ongoing conversation. Thus, response is usually slow, from my part. My incentive with facebook is that it connects me to friends all over..one place, one click.

Great recommendation to pick my 3. It's tough . . . I'm on Ning, I have 3 blogs on wordpress, I manage 3 websites, and I'm on Friendfeed, Twitter, Plurk, and FBook. I can't decide how to prioritize my SM time. I guess the first I'd have to let go of is Plurk. Suppose I'll start there.

thanks for the welcome, Gavin.
glad to be here.

How can i make teachers exchange if i can't afford visa? Can anyone sponsor my exchange?

Thanks for that Gavin, I've registerd with a couple of agencies so we'll have to see how it goes. Part of the CV process asks about challenges to teaching in the UAE any tips there please.