Ice Breaker: Image Scavenger Hunt

Breaking the Ice

Find an Image that Represents Your View on the Subject

by Alan Regan

There are many ways to "break the ice" in an online or blended class, or even weeks before a face-to-face class begins. As they say, a picture says a thousand words. Why not combine both?

This is an example I created for the Social Entrepreneurship and Change program at GSEP.

ACTIVITY DETAILS

• Introduce yourself and then briefly explain your understanding and vision for social justice philanthropy by searching for an image that you feel represents this for you.
• Through this exercise, you will connect with one another, become comfortable with using the discussion forum tool, and have fun!

ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Visit http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/ 
2. Search the creative commons repository for an image that represents your viewpoint on social justice philanthropy. Spend no more than five (5) minutes.
3. Get the web address for the image and add it to your post.
4. Write 1-3 sentences explaining how this image represents your viewpoint.
5. Be sure to cite the image author by linking to the Flickr web address for the picture.
6. Post your answer!

 TECHNICAL HOW-TO STEPS:

On Flickr

• Visit http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/
• Click "See More" below the "Attribution License" section.
• Search for your image. Short, simple terms are best.
• Click the desired search result. 
• On the right, scroll down. Click the "More Actions" button and then select "Download / All Sizes."
• Click "Medium" (in most cases -- about 500 pixels wide)
• Right-click and select "Copy Image Location" (or equivalent to copy the web address to the image)
• Don't close the web page! You'll need the photographer's name for your citation!

On Courses/Sakai

• Click "Start a new conversation" in the top tool bar.
• In the text editor, click the "Image" button in the toolbar (second row, toward the right between the flag and the red "F" circle).
• Paste the web address to the image in the URL field.
• Click "OK."
• Enter your reason for selecting this image. How does it represent your viewpoint on social justice philanthropy? Limit your response to 1-3 sentences.
• Click "Post."
• Done!

Resources:

• "Finding Free Images: Flickr's Creative Commons"
• "Using Online Ice Breakers to Promote Student/Teacher Interaction"
•  "What is an Ice Breaker?"

Use "Watch" to receive email notifications in Forums

Get Notified! Use "Watch" in Forums

by Alan Regan

You're a professor or a student and you want to receive an email whenever someone contributes to one of your class discussions. How do you do it?  Use the "Watch" feature.

The "Watch" feature is optional and turned off by default. You can access it by clicking the Forums tool and selecting "Watch" in the top menu. Select a desired option and then click "Save."

Please be aware that this feature is site-by-site.  If you want to watch the discussion in multiple class or project sites, you will need to visit each site and save the desired selection.

NOTE: The "Watch" feature is only available on the first screen of the Forums tool.  If you are within a topic or conversation, you can either use the breadcrumb navigation or click the blue reset arrows to return to the first screen.

How to embed a YouTube video on Courses/Sakai

By Alan Regan

How to Embed a YouTube Video in the Forums of Courses (powered by Sakai)

YouTube is a resource for both entertainment and education. The videos can contain helpful, controversial, and thought-provoking content. So, how do you post a YouTube video within the Forums tool of Courses/Sakai?

Instructions:

YouTube.com

1. Visit http://www.youtube.com
2. Find a video you want to share
3. Click "Share" below the video
4. Click "Embed"
5. Check the box for "Use HTTPS"
6. Check the box for "Use old embed code"
7. Copy the code

Forums tool of Courses (powered by Sakai)

1. Log into http://courses.pepperdine.edu by clicking "Pepperdine Login" and entering your NetworkID and password
2. Go to the course or project site by clicking the tab or clicking its name in the "All My Sites" tab
3. Click Forums in the left menu
4. Click the desired topic
5. Click "Start a New Conversation" or reply to an existing message
6. Enter the message you want to say
7. Click "Source"
8. Place your cursor where you want the video to display
9. Paste the code
10. Click "Source" again (very important!)
11. Click "Post"

NOTE: Embedded videos will be viewable by users with a PC or Mac laptop running the latest Adobe Flash Player add-on for your web browser. iPad and iPhone users may not see the video. We recommend that you embed and provide the link to the source video, too.