always learning

Thanks to Clay’s constant innovation and creative thinking, we discovered another excellent use for YackPack today.

Clay wanted to be able to record live conversations using YackPack (to get around the user limit restrictions when recording with Skype). So, today we tested out recording a live conversation with YP and then publishing the conversation. Basically it’s as easy as everything else on YP:

1. Log in
2. Click on the person’s icon that you want to chat with
3. Click the record button
4. Click the “live” button and start chatting
5. When your conversation is over, click stop
6. Send the conversation by clicking the “send” button
7. When you receive the new Yack, click the “share this yack” link right under the subject line
8. Choose how you want to share your Yack (as a link or embedded into a webpage) and you’re good to go!

Free, multi-person, live conversations recorded for sharing with no software required! YackPack rocks!

My classroom in changing… Every day when my students come to class they have a to-do list on the white board. The list used to say things like:

• Continue your iMovie project
  • Import all images and video clips
  • Add titles to group your images/video
  • Add effects

Now, my list says something like this:

• Continue your iMovie project
  • Use the checklist of steps to work at your own pace
• Check the wiki for new discussion items from our collaborative partners in New Zealand
  • Reply to any active discussions and start new discussions as needed.
• Check the YackPack for messages from our collaborative partners in New Zealand
  • Reply to any messages and leave new messages as needed.
• Continue posting work for your online portfolio

I want to add things like:

• Check the Skype “center” to see if anyone from NZ is online.
  • Conduct at least one video chat with someone from our partner class.
• Check your blog for comments from your partner classes.
  • Respond and comment as appropriate.
• Check your RSS reader to see if anyone in your partner classes have posted anything new.
  • Leave comments on anything interesting or relevant that you find.
• Check your social network for any new forum topics, chats, or media that have been posted.
  • Reply and initiate discussions as appropriate.

What kinds of routines do you have in your class? What else can we be doing to communicate, contribute, and learn from our personal learning networks?