Thanks Google Chrome Team - 21 Things!

After struggling to open my GMAIL today, I finally opened the Google browser, Chrome  and found some real gems - number 1 -a great new browser and a cool book of 20 things. This online book was designed by the Min Li Chan and the  Google Chrome team called "20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web". 

 Love the way it teaches one about internet use and a layman's terminology with tips to protect one's privacy.  Reading online with pages that flip and good size type also make it "user friendly".  Recommend to all. 

MLK"I have a dream" - so should WE

Martin Luther King
In remembering our past, we define our future. Thanks for the technology that brings our history
to refresh the motivation of those no longer here to forge forward today.

Apps for MAC-- what do you think of that?

 MAC App Store "Open for Biz"

Just downloaded the App for MAC app for my laptop. You need to have Snow Leopard OS X
and it takes a few minutes and is free. What is NOT free - is most of the apps. Some cost a hefty $79 like the Aperture one. Like to say that I have tried them but... so many cost money and I have them on the  my iPad and/or iPhone- and don't need to pay for a duplicate.

I am still working my way thru some of them. It is nice for those who have no iPad and like to try the features of some apps, like Evernote and Things. Not crazy about repeating apps on 3 devices- if I buy it once- would like to have it for several uses.

Composer is a fun app and Evernote- well, it works as well on the Mac as it does on the iPad.
Guess the advantage is that one who has no iPad can still enjoy some of the apps on MAC. :  )

Movie Making iPhone "only on the iPhone"

 iPhoneFilming

Pan Chan-wook, South Korean film director  known for "Old Boy" "Thirst", and "Lady Vengeance, has used an iPhone 4 to shoot for the 30 min.  film, "Paranmanjang" with a budget of $133,000 or 150 million.  He is quoted as saying it provided many angles as the size of camera provided numerous cameras with variety of shots.

The directors attached lenses to their phones( something I will research and come back with more info)
        "only on the iPhone....."  at least this movie.

Power Teacher -iPad

Add caption

Power Teacher l MOBILE for the iPad 

iPads are made for school and here is another app to attest to that statement. Teachers will be able to open their student's grades and provide updates, grades, and comments if their school institutions are using Pearson's PowerSchool program.
Will be trying it and update you on the user friendliness of this free app.


According to the THE 

• Create and score assignments - Teachers will be able to quickly create assignments, enter scores and comments, and update final grades
• View student groups - Student learning groups and teams are available to support differentiated instruction and assessment
• Manage class rosters - Enrollment changes that occur in the front office will automatically be reflected in PowerTeacher Mobile
• View student demographics - Student demographic information and photos entered in the office will automatically be available to teachers
• Email students and contacts - Teachers are able to quickly send email messages to parents and students
• Access student alerts - Medical, guardian, discipline, and other alerts created in the front office are visible to teachers
• Easily connect - Teachers simply enter their school ZIP code, and PowerTeacher Mobile automatically connects to their PowerSchool database
• Trust the security of their data - Teachers are able to access only their own schools and classes they teach and can log in using their existing account information
• Access support - Support for PowerTeacher Mobile is built right into the app

PowerSchool version 6.2.1.6 is required to use PowerTeacher Mobile. To download PowerTeacher Mobile, go to http://itunes.com/app/powerteachermobile/.

For more information, press only:
Adam Gaber, Pearson, 800-745-8469, adam(dot)gaber(at)pearson(dot)com

Techie Shopping Ideas : )

Some of the hottest gifts this year, include accessories for our gadgets.
There are some great new cases that bring protection and easier typing tools.
-Check out the Etch a Sketch case ( pricey but cool and hard case for $39 from My Gear)

  I may just have to get the iPhone ones for the iPhone 3 and 4. BTW- here's the website for a Sonders photographer who did some marketing shots of them and whose friend worked with Ohio Art to create them.  Love it!



There's also the ipad  case with a keyboard- there are several versions - most are in the $64 range - several to choose from. They will add weight but it is easier than using the keyboard on the screen.

I bought lots of iTune gift cards for they can be used not only for music downloads but apps for iPhone and the iPad.  They do add up!

Flash drives are always practical and very handy. We save our projects on a server but using your own flashdrive allows you to bring your work wherever you go- unless you are saving to a "cloud".Even then, it is faster to save and input as you don't have to log in to your email account to save or retrieve the files. Plus Photoshop files are sooooo big!
Blu rays are the way to go for more quality and there are plenty of deals out there if you don't mind shopping online and look for them.  BEWARE of frauds!  A website that looked very legit in design and coverage took my $ 72 of DVD birthday gift for my son and never answered months of phone calls, emails, and had a FAKE store front with a po box when we went to find them in person. Thank goodness we had a credit card that covered loss.
Shopping online has become an answer to avoiding crowds just be cautious!
Enjoy shopping and getting at least ONE new thing to make life more tech abled!!

HIPSTAMATIC - Hooked on ol' school photo for iPhone app

Meet the HipstaMinions from Synthetic on Vimeo.

Here is Hipstamtic - an app for the iPhone that creates some of that magic from developing one's prints in the darkroom- "you never know what surprises will come up".
I have always loved photo taking and later when "moving pictures" in video and film easier and popular. My collection of old cameras attests to the history of photography in my lineage. I love the experimenting and documenting the world with various views. iPhone app allows me to take ONE camera for many effects. Glad to be living in this day and age.    Here is the $1.99 app with a gallery of my pics to follow.

iPhone Hipstamatic app

The Beatles Arrive... to iTunes!

The Beatles come to iTunes

  It's been a hard day's night... but finally,  Apple and Apple come to an agreement and we are able to get our Beatles' music on iTunes. I enjoyed seeing the videos on the Apple site and gallery of images of one of my favorite groups of all time. There box sets and individual albums to add to your iTunes listening pleasures. Enjoy!

Software updates iPad to Print and Multi-task

Steve Jobs promised and we finally got the new software for the iPad that allows for some features our iPhones and iPods got recently- Printing wireless and multi-tasking.

Ipad as Presenter Tool

Presenter tools include the iPad - which needs the following items.
1. VGA connection - $30 from Apple store - will display ONLY Keynotes, Movies, & Pic slideshows
2. Document Camera set ups- will Mirror the iPad
Low tech makeshift  ( Web cam or video camera on tripod /gooseneck lamp)
Document Camera- from portable, low resolution ,slower moving images $265
to high end models $600-800 that record, faster transmission)


3. Expedition, Good Reader  $1.99 VGA out put- which is on sale for  $.99

4. Log me in - can operate the Smart Board from iPad
  
5. TightVNC: VNC-Compatible Free Remote Control Software
/ Mocha VNC  lite for iPad  - for controlling desktop from iPad

"APP for That" - "iPads in the classroom"

My photo of MacWorld magazine article on "Appstravaganza!"

"APP for That"  EDUCATION- Fine Arts Photo /Music/Presentation
 With over 200,000 apps for the iPhone and 1,000s' for the iPad-we can usually find an app for all kinds of things- including education.  I did a Google search for "iPads in the classroom" to see 82,000 results about how ipads support teaching to see how others are using ipads and encourage you to do the same.   This new tool with it's mobility is rising in use and has educators why should I use it in schools? Change for what?   I ask, "how can I use iPads in the classroom", "how is it better than a laptop", and "what apps work for what"? 


If the tool can help me manage my classroom more efficiently, than I want it. 
If the tool helps kids learn, I want it more. 
These questions take some time to research, try it, and see if YOU like it. It means changing the way you do things and at first that always takes more time- AND finding out what does NOT work but there is no easy answer.   Educators continue to select a certain book or lesson as it fits their style or addresses students' needs so I don't advocate for ONE tool to fit everyone's needs! 


However, putting a tool in each student's hands that is mobile, multi-tasking, and engaging - there is plenty to do to make teaching and learning more efficient, rewarding, and advanced.  For our students today are not going to be tied down to a pc or limited to reading paper only- they are digital natives born into a life of mobile devices and communications. Books will not be replaced but reading will be and IS on many platforms not just Paper. Writing on a surface to share with others is here to stay but we do have more tools than cave people or Egyptians did. 


As a lifelong Mac lover, I am more open to portable devices that offer the array of apps and design for easy access and learning  I love my iPhone - and appreciate the iPad introduction to more to do with more mobility than my MacBook Pro. Hence, I am exploring this first edition to new learning for "iPads in the classroom". You make your choice.

Here are some apps suggestions.

Presentation tools and more...



Presentation apps in addition to using iPad vga connector and document camera with great reviews: 
iDemoWeb by MightyMeeting Inc to use a VGA out using iPad as a web browser to connect to projector.  $1.99 

2Screens-Presentation Expert   2Screens has the ability to output to a projector from a web browser in addition to many other useful features.  $4.99

Keynote -$9.99 -slide show presentation




WRITING APPS  
Pages-$9.99- word processing program, nice templates, will save  as word document.


Scriptwriting- free- one writes and it will set the format for scripts.

Dragon Dictation- free-Voice recognition to speak, see, and read text, then share to edit and email


ART -Photo

Impression- free - allows you to add a water mark to pics

Photo PAD- free- manipulate pics and make products Zaggskin

PhotoShop Express-free-  tools for cropping, color correction, borders


Louvre- free- Museum art work in gallery form

Getty Images- free- wonderful photographs displayed in true Getty form-editorial, creative, searches

Reuters Gallery- free- News in Pictures and video- great gallery updated daily

HIGH SCHOOL
Notes - free - note taking and saving
Evernote- free version- jot down notes, take pics, and voice recording, more versatile, can save many places 


SCIENCE
GoSkywatch- free- great astronomy tool

MUSIC

Music Studio Lite - free- allows you to create instruments and record tracks 
Entrackment- free- allows remote  controlling devices.  
Virtual Sheet Music- free- access to virtual sheet music
Pandora- free- Start with favorite music or artist and it creates a library or station of similiar music. 

FOR FUN
Frogs in a POCKET- free -  non-violent game getting frogs to develop and multiply for points
Netflix- subscription for film rentals 

Using "iPads in the classroom" is a hot topic as more students and their families are sharing them at home for school research, entertainment, and communications with reports of  how happy they are as the tools are "easier to hold" and multi- task. It's one big advantage being is the mobility, using less paper and ink, and multi-access to resources.  
The apps make it increasing more user friendly and applicable to enriching our lives. 
I will be exploring more and making more reviews for use, in the meantime, Enjoy! 















 

Related articles

• SketchPad: A Filmmaker's Storyboard Soon to Revolutionize Moviemaking (prweb.com)
• iPad and iPhone artists attend the Mobile Art Conference (macworld.com)

iPad Archietecture

Pictures say 1000 words, well here are some ways that the iPad is changing our worlds.

Clarke Hopkins Clarke Idea Architects' iPad Library Wall Au

From the proposed iPad Wall designed by Clarke Hopkins Clarke
Idea Architects to a school library lab and homes... the touchpad revolution with access to the internet is transforming the way we read, access information, and the mobility of the device - changing the way we "meet" to use it.  The iPad is the mobile device but touch screens are everywhere - from the Hard Rock Cafe on Hollywood Blvd in LA that has touchscreen walls to entertain and teach about music history.

http://www.ppesprincipal.blogspot.com/

German cars with mounted iPads

Here is a strong PTO who helped to create the IMAGINARIUM
( iPad Lab) at the Pinnacle Peak Elementary School in Scotsdale, Arizona, decorated much like the APPLE store model with white walls, single words of inspiration, and what I call, Pods of learning.
A sixth grader came up with the focus . See the broadcast at the KTVK link.

Mounts for the Ipad are available  for homes, cars, and more.  The iPad mount accessory by Modulur , Griffin's cabinet attachment, and ProClip USA to name a few. The cost of $70 can put an iPad in a convenient place that once the plasma screens were popular for. This list get longer as I have even seen a rear seat iPad mount for the German cars like the  BMW "iPAD Out" mounts .

When an object becomes a frequent item in our every day life- it is no longer considered a luxury but a tool that does the job.  That is what I see with the students in my classes who pick it up and explore without hesitation ( or awe) applying to their focus to the task it does. Just the way tech should be. 

Related articles

• Griffin offers new Cabinet Mount for iPad perfect for the kitchen (slashgear.com)
• Cabinet-Mounted iPad Docks Are Cheaper Than Plasmas, I Suppose [Ipad Accessories] (gizmodo.com)