UNHCE Information Technology & Distance Education Blog: February 2008 Archives

How to Speak: Lecture Tips from Patrick Winston

In this skillful lecture, Professor Patrick Winston of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers tips on how to give an effective talk, cleverly illustrating his suggestions by using them himself. He emphasizes how to start a lecture, cycling in on the material, using verbal punctuation to indicate transitions, describing "near misses" that strengthen the intended concept, and asking questions. He also talks about using the blackboard, overhead projections, props, and "how to stop."

Running time: 45 minutes.

• Aperture
• Exposure
• Flash Compensation
• Shutter Speed
• Shooting Modes
• Understanding Exposure
• Using Your Digital Camera

• Creative Suites Series

• InDesign Secrets Podcast 070
• InDesign Conference Podcasts - sponsored by InDesign magazine - sign up for the excellent (free) video podcasts.

• Who's Online? February-March 2007 survey
• What are they doing?


• Percentage of US Adults Online

"This paper presents a framework for the reemergence of eLearning as a set of teaching, training, and learning practices not bound by a specific technological platform or learning management system."

• Quick Tips and Tricks with Scott Kelby - video
• HDR Another Way in Photoshop
• InDesign CS3: Give Your Tables Some Style!
• Creating a Window Through Your Brochure Cover

"Explore the new animation features in Photoshop CS3 Extended version with this spooky Halloween sequence. In Part 1 of this tutorial, we learn some of the basics of using the animation timeline. Finish up this Halloween project by learning how to animate opacity and style adjustments and how to export the finished animation from Photoshop in part 2."

• Part 1


• Part 2

"Traditional artists re-create reality using paints, colored pencils, and air-brushing. Digital imaging technology has given a new generation of artists an entirely new way to create photo realistic illustrations."

"Using a Vector Smart Object made in Illustrator allows you to keep your type layer fully editable and updating automatically from Photoshop."

"By experimenting with the Gradient Editor, you can create interesting backgrounds that can be used behind your portraits, in composites, etc."

"Using smart filters to soften the skin of your subject gives you the ability to retouch your image while maintaining flexibility."

• Bicubic Sharper
• 3D Angled Text
• Making a Photo Old
• Clear Skies
• Red, Black and White

A great article on designing learning experiences, maximizing the benefits of visuals, text, and audio is available on Adobe's site at: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/captivate/articles/max_learning_03.html

This article is based on the research of Richard Mayer, among others. Mayer has been a recognized leader in the field for over 30 years.

Of particular interest is a diagram which shows how to incorporate audio and visual effects to enhance learning, based on audience considerations. That is available at: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/captivate/articles/max_learning/fig01.jpg

Anne Adrian of Alabama Cooperative Extension has a great post about "how blogging fits into Cooperative Extension".

This post includes the questions, answers, and some examples so others can see how Cooperative Extension professionals are using blogging. In my opinion, Extension has not even created the "drop" in the bucket. Typical Extension subject matter professionals have tremendous of knowledge to share, and I hope this post helps them understand blogging can work for them.

Watch a video and learn how to create an electronic form with Acrobat 8 Professional