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looks like a good project, pay a visit by following this link

Teaching and learning C online

This year in both our FE and HE programmes in Software Development, I am using C as the principle language. I feel that C as a structured introduction to programming has a lot to offer students new to the subject area. One of the many issues that arise when you teach any programming language I have found is going to be that of a compiler. If the institute make use of a licensed product, as we do, then students either have to purchase it, or make use of a freeware or trial version. Having students using different products can cause a few difficulties, certainly in the early stages of the course, and so finding a solution to this has not been immediately obvious. This year I have decided however to begin by making exclusive use of the DJGPP online cross compiler. The advantage being that everyone gets to use the same product, all you need is an Internet connection to get compiling and the interface is about as simple as it gets, this last point does have advantages when you look at some of the complex semi professional inetegrated development environments that often ship with the newer visual compilers. The only disadvantage really is that it will only compile a maximum of 1000 bytes of source code, but for our early examples in the coming weeks that should be fine. Of course I have naturally placed the link to the facility in a Moodle block. The image that you can see accompanying this posting has actually been taken from my Learning Space in Second Life where students can visit alone or in groups to try out the examples, and the compiler, as part of a Web 3D learning experience, which you are also more than welcome to tryout.

Feedback welcome Barrys

Computing in the cloud

Having problems with reliable services, or platforms where you are right now? Then why not give Cloud Computing a try, so what is cloud computing?

According the the definition in Wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing

"Cloud computing is a style of computing in which dynamically scalable and often virtualised resources are provided as a service over the Internet". If you would like to know more, take a look at the video under the heading 'Web 2 on the tube' in the right sidebar of this blog. Comments welcome.

e-Learning tools list

If you are looking for some ideas regarding tools for e-Learning, then follow the link to this list, thoughtfully divided into the free and not so free it seems, though I have not actually carriedout a full review by any means

good searching

Starting to use LAMS

We now have LAMS installed and integrated with Moodle here at Bromley College, and I have started to use the system with my year 2 BTEC National students. One of my objectives for 09/10 is to begin moving away from the usual assessment method involving fairly prescriptive coursework toward a more open ended and self directed type of assignment; this will of course require a change of approach in more than one area, not least the requirement of tutorial type support on my part. The first LAMS sequence involves just a Noteboard and combined Resources / Forum to provide the scenario, scaffolding and communication, in what will essentailly be a practice paper. The students will access the LAMS sequence outside of class time, which I am hoping will introduce them to the potential of indepent learning, through online collaboration and perhaps the emegence of an online indentity. Following the completion of the exercise the students will then take an assessment in class based around the LAMS experience. If you would like to know how I get on, then please stay in touch with this blog and feel free to post your own comments.