CLIPP Board

Learning Technologies Weblinks

Tutorials about podcasting and Audacity audio recording software.

A presentationabout the World’s Worst PowerPoint presentations.

5 Sources of Online Stock Video

25 Little-Known Google Tools for Scholars and Academics.

Techno-stress

I’m involved with the ‘Wellbeing Group’ as part of Aston First and have offered to develop a web page about ‘Techno- stress’ so here is my first stab at the idea.

The top things that cause techno-stress at Aston:

Email – actually this is probably the top ten ideas on its own, and I’ve already blogged recently about email management and ‘Search folders’ has to be a top tip. I’m not sure how the new student email system works in this respect? I try and keep my inbox to about 25 items, either unread or pending. I add a date(eg. 14/7:  to the start of the subject line for pending items so I can sort chronologically if required. I file or delete any other messages that have been read. I have about 20 folders for different topics, and sub-folders for some of them, much like I do for files on my PC or network Home drive, and printed only matter in the filing cabinet.

Still on the topic of email, my bright idea was to use different email signatures for the different roles that I communicate about, for instance AV-SUPPORT, External to Aston, AstBUG etc. but importantly giving enough information for recipients to reply at their own convenience like phone extension and other help desk details.

Web – again I’ve already blogged about how I use RSS to deal with internet information overload, but my bright idea was to set my browser home page to our Blog CLIPP Board, as the page that relates to communicating what is going on in the area that I work!

Archive – how many times have you lost that vital piece of information? I try and recycle most printed matter and always if I have an electronic version. Emails and attachments are relatively easy to find, especially if you use Search folders mentioned above – and it isn’t a duplicate or earlier version of the same document because I’ve deleted most of them once the topic or thread is actioned. MS Exchange can archive older messages automatically. These are very much personal things though, I usually tidy and wash up as I’m cooking too!!!

Teaching – My Powerpoint {insert software/hardware of choice} doesn’t work! All lesson plans should include items on ‘Resources’ and we are responsible to check them or try them out first. Anyone can book a room via email or phone and there is a Guild bookings desk in ASAP on Wed. 2-5pm. AV-Support can also help, and there are direct dial buttons from every pool room phone to: Emergency, Security, AV-Support; Room Bookings, Estates, ISA; and hopefully the Porters too soon. There is also a list of pool room resources and instructions on the Staff Intranet and in Celcat timetable system.

TimeOut – last but by no means least, take regular breaks. You can still do useful work while having a coffee and networking with colleagues, and because you are relaxed it is often more productive. You will discover someone else has the same idea, interest and solved the latest problem for you. Also, watch out for more bite sized sessions.

Adobe Presenter Plugin Not Appearing in Power Point “Fix”

For a little while now we have been having some issues with the Adobe Presenter plugin not appearing in Power Point for some users. This was made particularly strange in that it seemed to work at first but then just disappeared after a while, never to return. It was suggested that this was probably because at some time in the past the plugin crashed and Power Point disabled the plugin to allow Power Point to work and that simply re-enabling the plugin would solve the issue. This has so far worked for every one that we have tried with so I thought I would write this up. Its a very simple fix but one that for a lot of people might not come to mind as an obvious fix.

To re-enable a plugin for Power Point follow the simple steps below:

1. Hit the “Office Button” in the top left corner (that new button that replaced the “file” menu option).
2. Select “Power Point Options”, located in the middle-bottom on the panel that appears.
3. Then select the “Add-Ins” tab.
4. Use the drop down menu that appears, selecting “Disabled items” and then hit the “Go” button.
5. You are then presented with a list of disabled plug ins. Select the relevant one and hit “Enable”.

On a lighter note How Not to use Power Point.

Another Year

Well, it is that time of year again when we all come back from holiday refreshed and full of New Year best intentions.

The mother of all best intentions might best be fired by reading the timely BBC Magazine’s The Problem with PowerPoint – including a 9 slide presentation, presentation expert Max Atkinson’s Blog, and reader experiences and strong reactions.

CLIPP project Effective Communication using PowerPoint is being presented on September 17th by John Fletcher & David Anderson. It is inspired by a book ‘Beyond Bullet Points‘ by Cliff Atkinson. Please do make a resolution to join us then.

Did I mention we(AV-support) are now called ‘Media & Learning Technologies’?