This past Thursday, March 26, I went to Montpelier to bask in the warmth of recognition from Project Ignite, a program sponsored by Vita-Learn.
Vita-Learn (Vermont Information Technology Association for the Advancement of Learning) is a merge of two different professional information technology Vermont organizations, theVermont State Technology Council - VSTC and the Vermont Educational Telecommunications Consortium - VETC.
While there I listened to fellow educators share their classroom technology projects and it was exciting. Some of the projects included a robotics lab, creating an e-book to use for differention in music class lesson plans, maker classes, and whole class blogs. These are just a few accomplishments of teachers in Vermont this past year.
My accomplishments this past year that led to my nomination as an "Innovative and Transformative Educator" included coding in library classes as well as going paperless by using Google Drive and other apps Google has to offer. The next project I will be including in Middle School library classes with be a maker project - putting together a computer using the Raspberry Pi.
All in all it proved to be an invigorating day that helped cement plans for next year.
Resources:
https://sites.google.com/site/vermontprojectignite/details
http://www.vita-learn.org/?PN=AboutUs
http://www.raspberrypi.org/
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Saturday, March 21, 2015
The Other Side of the Story
When I think of the internet, I think of the educational purposes. But, I am beginning to understand the dark side. As a consequence, an understanding of Andrew Keene's negative comments about the digital revolution are forming in my views.
I remain positive about the sharing of education and commerce through the internet. As I work my way into a more rounded view of social media, let's face it, the internet or chat rooms can be used to demoralize bully and brand people. And... it happens at lightning fast speed.
Have you seen Monica Lewinsky's Ted Talk? In that talk she tied her experiences with the use of social media, bullying, and loss of privacy. And I felt her pain. I saw her past through her eyes. It was not pretty. She said she made a mistake and it became public in such a way that her life become unbearable. If internet did not exist would her shame and humiliation had been as widespread?
I highly recommend Lewinsky's Ted Talk. You may develop a new viewpoint on loss of privacy and the internet.
Resources:
http://www.ted.com/talks/monica_lewinsky_the_price_of_shame
I remain positive about the sharing of education and commerce through the internet. As I work my way into a more rounded view of social media, let's face it, the internet or chat rooms can be used to demoralize bully and brand people. And... it happens at lightning fast speed.
Have you seen Monica Lewinsky's Ted Talk? In that talk she tied her experiences with the use of social media, bullying, and loss of privacy. And I felt her pain. I saw her past through her eyes. It was not pretty. She said she made a mistake and it became public in such a way that her life become unbearable. If internet did not exist would her shame and humiliation had been as widespread?
I highly recommend Lewinsky's Ted Talk. You may develop a new viewpoint on loss of privacy and the internet.
Resources:
http://www.ted.com/talks/monica_lewinsky_the_price_of_shame
Monday, March 16, 2015
Post tonight? No - or least that was my first thought. No matter what, I couldn't give up nightly tech news check and there on CNN an article caught my eye.
Front and center there is a photo of a beautiful woman with a headline of The cyber warrior 'princess' who guards Google. And it is fascinating! Women and girls, take notice. Parisa Tabriz, 31 years old Information Security Engineer for Google, protects by stopping hackers from hijacking user's data.
For the most part she finds "what we suspect to be governments trying to intercept communications."
An example: "In one case, there were Iranian-region Gmail users whose connection was being intercepted. These incidents are especially scary since they seem to be carried out by large, well-funded organizations or governments," she added.
Tabriz is one of few women who work for Google. And she has no answer to why that is so. For much more information on Tabriz and her thoughts, please check the article. It is well worth the read!
CNN is making more and more difficult to pass on their Tech news.
Resources:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/13/tech/parisa-tabriz-security-princess-google-hack/index.html
Front and center there is a photo of a beautiful woman with a headline of The cyber warrior 'princess' who guards Google. And it is fascinating! Women and girls, take notice. Parisa Tabriz, 31 years old Information Security Engineer for Google, protects by stopping hackers from hijacking user's data.
For the most part she finds "what we suspect to be governments trying to intercept communications."
An example: "In one case, there were Iranian-region Gmail users whose connection was being intercepted. These incidents are especially scary since they seem to be carried out by large, well-funded organizations or governments," she added.
Tabriz is one of few women who work for Google. And she has no answer to why that is so. For much more information on Tabriz and her thoughts, please check the article. It is well worth the read!
CNN is making more and more difficult to pass on their Tech news.
Resources:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/13/tech/parisa-tabriz-security-princess-google-hack/index.html
Sunday, March 15, 2015
History of .com
There is an article on CNN.com that is fascinating. Michael Pearson reports on 30 years of .com.
The first .com was registered by Symbolics, a former computer manufacturer on March 15, 1985.
Now Symbolics is a website with unusual facts about businesses and internet history. XF.com Investments purchased the domain in August, 2009.
Pearson goes on to mention Bryant Gumbel's remark about the internet on the Today show in 1994.
"What is the internet anyway?"
Oh my, how far we have come since then. There are now around 275,000,000 registered domains.
Pearson conveys information about the history of .com's in a very factual and lively manner in his post at CNN (30 years of .com). He even notes the new company domain names being used - .coach, .green and .money.
He ends the post with a quote from Stephanie Ricker Schulte, a University of Arkansas communications professor and author of the 2013 book "Cached: Decoding the Internet in Global Popular Culture." "I think .com will always be present at least in a residual way," she said. "History is important, even in places as seemingly ephemeral as the Internet."
Let's face it the internet has expanded our economy and increased the amount of knowledge we can acquire. Don't have a computer, nowadays you can go to a library for access. The Internet is not just for businesses, it is useful in so many ways.
Resources:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/13/living/feat-30-years-dot-com/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolics
http://symbolics.com/about-symbolics/
http://nyupress.org/books/9780814708675/
The first .com was registered by Symbolics, a former computer manufacturer on March 15, 1985.
Now Symbolics is a website with unusual facts about businesses and internet history. XF.com Investments purchased the domain in August, 2009.
Pearson goes on to mention Bryant Gumbel's remark about the internet on the Today show in 1994.
"What is the internet anyway?"
Oh my, how far we have come since then. There are now around 275,000,000 registered domains.
Pearson conveys information about the history of .com's in a very factual and lively manner in his post at CNN (30 years of .com). He even notes the new company domain names being used - .coach, .green and .money.
He ends the post with a quote from Stephanie Ricker Schulte, a University of Arkansas communications professor and author of the 2013 book "Cached: Decoding the Internet in Global Popular Culture." "I think .com will always be present at least in a residual way," she said. "History is important, even in places as seemingly ephemeral as the Internet."
Let's face it the internet has expanded our economy and increased the amount of knowledge we can acquire. Don't have a computer, nowadays you can go to a library for access. The Internet is not just for businesses, it is useful in so many ways.
Resources:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/13/living/feat-30-years-dot-com/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolics
http://symbolics.com/about-symbolics/
http://nyupress.org/books/9780814708675/
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Taking a Screenshot, Printing, and Tips to Use Photon Browser
This weekend has arrived and I have three tasks to complete - take a screenshot of iMovie. print from the iPad, and purchase Photon browser with Adobe's Flash Drive. I have accomplished all three in remarkable little time.
Here is a screenshot of iNDiE, one of the trailer options, in IMovie on the iPad. It was as easy as the directions given in my post titled "Taking a Screenshot on Your iPad." I held down the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button (located a the top of your iPad) at the same time. These screenshots give a idea of what Apple's app iMovie is about.
Screenshots
Here is a screenshot of iNDiE, one of the trailer options, in IMovie on the iPad. It was as easy as the directions given in my post titled "Taking a Screenshot on Your iPad." I held down the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button (located a the top of your iPad) at the same time. These screenshots give a idea of what Apple's app iMovie is about.
Screenshots
.jpg) |
| Screenshot of Trailer Template Selections |
.jpg) |
| Storyboard/Outline with the iNDie Template |
Printing from the iPad
Another easy task from the iPad is printing from Pages. I created my document, exited out for a view of it in Pages, then tapped back in. From there I tapped the tools icon in the top left of the document, tapped Print, tapped my printer and then tapped Print.
Using the Photon Browser App
The Photon app cost $4.99 and downloaded with ease. When complete I tapped into the browser and follow the tips to activae Flash so that Flash websites can be accessed on iPad. The tutorial is the first thing that pops up and gives instructions through Tips.
Tip 1 - Tap on the lightning bolt in the upper left hand corner of the browser to activate Flash.
Tip 2 - Tap on the gear icon to change any of the settings including the Bandwidth setting for the best viewing for Flash websites. (1 is the slowest and 6 is the highest speed which gives a higher speed with sharper images.)
Tip 3 - Explores different navigation and keyboard options.
Tip 4 - Suggests tapping the gear icon again to explore other setting.
I used the Photon browser to open Facebook which I chose because some of the games use Flash. Everything worked beautifully until I went to a game then the screen touch option to make moves in the game would not work.
What you have to do to move in the game is tap the icon you want to move then tap the space you want it to go to. I also lowered my bandwidth to 5.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Flash Player and iPad
Today I went to a district in-service with my iPad as online access was necessary for both the morning and afternoon trainings. Everything went well until the second half of the afternoon training. At that point Flash Player was needed for the applications we were using. Then I was left floundering and unable to complete the work.
Tonight's question and research is about Flash and how to get it on the iPad. And you can do that through browser apps. They are Photon Browser, Puffin, Skyfire Browser, and iSwifter Browser.
According to MacWorld UK, the Photon Browser is the most popular. The cost is $4.99. But, there is a drawback - activating Flash Player on the browser makes it a little slow. The slowness issue can be addressed by adjusting the settings on the browser. The settings tab can be found in the top right corner of the broswer.
In an Apple Support Community a number of posts centered around how slow the browser apps were.
I will download the app this weekend and report back on the results.
So.... my resolve to give up the iPad (once the iPads for the Classroom is finished) is weakening again.
Resources:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/ipad/how-get-flash-ipad-3460979/
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3513185?start=0&tstart=0
Tonight's question and research is about Flash and how to get it on the iPad. And you can do that through browser apps. They are Photon Browser, Puffin, Skyfire Browser, and iSwifter Browser.
According to MacWorld UK, the Photon Browser is the most popular. The cost is $4.99. But, there is a drawback - activating Flash Player on the browser makes it a little slow. The slowness issue can be addressed by adjusting the settings on the browser. The settings tab can be found in the top right corner of the broswer.
In an Apple Support Community a number of posts centered around how slow the browser apps were.
I will download the app this weekend and report back on the results.
So.... my resolve to give up the iPad (once the iPads for the Classroom is finished) is weakening again.
Resources:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/ipad/how-get-flash-ipad-3460979/
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3513185?start=0&tstart=0
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Printing from iPad
I have an Epsom XP-310 printer with WiFi. According to Epsom, it is compatible with an iPad and can be used with AirPrint.
This weekend I hope to take a screenshot of iMovie, email it to my computer, and place it on the blog. I also hope to find time to print from the iPad.
Apple gives very specific directions on printing from iPad and it looks easy.
Resources:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201311
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?sku=C11CC88201
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201387
This weekend I hope to take a screenshot of iMovie, email it to my computer, and place it on the blog. I also hope to find time to print from the iPad.
Apple gives very specific directions on printing from iPad and it looks easy.
- Open the app you want to print from. Find the print option by tapping the app’s share icon (
or 
) or settings icon (
or
). If you can’t find the print option, check the app’s User Guide or Help section. Not all apps support AirPrint. - Tap (
) or Print. - Choose an AirPrint-enabled printer.
- Choose the number of copies.
- Tap Print.
Resources:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201311
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/Product.do?sku=C11CC88201
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201387
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Taking a Screenshot on your iPad
In the previous post I wanted to show features of the iMovie app for iPad. At the time I went to the
Apps Store page for iMovie and created a link to it. Today I wondered if a screenshot could be made of the app on my iPad. The answer is yes, the iPad is as versitile as the PC.
If you hold down the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button (located a the top of your iPad), at the same time, you will generate a screenshot. After simutainously holding down the two buttons you will hear the shutter click and see a flash on your screen. You can then find the screenshot in your Photos app.
The more I get to know the iPad the more I like it and recommend it as a device equal to a computer even with the learning curve to the use of it.
As you see in the Resources addresses, I used two different tech sites to search for this information. I have added Daniel Nations web address to my bookmarks bar. His directions are easy to follow! Joe Donovan at Digital Trends also offers an easy explanation to taking screenshots on an iPad.
Resources:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-take-a-screenshot-ipad/
http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Guide/ss/how-to-take-ipad-screenshot.htm
Apps Store page for iMovie and created a link to it. Today I wondered if a screenshot could be made of the app on my iPad. The answer is yes, the iPad is as versitile as the PC.
If you hold down the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button (located a the top of your iPad), at the same time, you will generate a screenshot. After simutainously holding down the two buttons you will hear the shutter click and see a flash on your screen. You can then find the screenshot in your Photos app.
The more I get to know the iPad the more I like it and recommend it as a device equal to a computer even with the learning curve to the use of it.
As you see in the Resources addresses, I used two different tech sites to search for this information. I have added Daniel Nations web address to my bookmarks bar. His directions are easy to follow! Joe Donovan at Digital Trends also offers an easy explanation to taking screenshots on an iPad.
Resources:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-take-a-screenshot-ipad/
http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Guide/ss/how-to-take-ipad-screenshot.htm
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Using iMovie
Today I downloaded iMovie to the iPads in the library. I now wish I had it on the iPads earlier this year. This app lets you take video clips and turn them into movie trailers and it is fun! I found out about this app through a blended course I am now taking - iPads for the Classroom.
You can choose a template that offers imaginative graphics and music. The template choices are titled Adrenaline, Bollywood, Coming of Age, Expedition, Fairy Tale, Family, iNDIE, Narrative, Retro, Romance, Scary, Superhero, Swashbuckler, and Teen.
In each format you are given an outline and storyboard to guide you through the process. Examples of each can be seen at the iPad advertisement for iMovie. Just click on the link and scroll down 4 photos. The fourth photo is labeled Create Trailers and is an example of the iNDIE trailer. If you click on the arrow to the right of the photo you will see the Storyboard. In the Outline section you fill in the names of your cast, your studio name, and and give the credits (director, etc.)
iMovie also offers a selection to create videos.
This would have been a great app for my students to use for their video project. I look forward to using it for my own videos.
Resources:
http://www.apple.com/ios/imovie/?cid=wwa-us-kwg-features-com
http://iteachtechnow.edu20.org/visitor_class_catalog/show/264508
You can choose a template that offers imaginative graphics and music. The template choices are titled Adrenaline, Bollywood, Coming of Age, Expedition, Fairy Tale, Family, iNDIE, Narrative, Retro, Romance, Scary, Superhero, Swashbuckler, and Teen.
In each format you are given an outline and storyboard to guide you through the process. Examples of each can be seen at the iPad advertisement for iMovie. Just click on the link and scroll down 4 photos. The fourth photo is labeled Create Trailers and is an example of the iNDIE trailer. If you click on the arrow to the right of the photo you will see the Storyboard. In the Outline section you fill in the names of your cast, your studio name, and and give the credits (director, etc.)
iMovie also offers a selection to create videos.
This would have been a great app for my students to use for their video project. I look forward to using it for my own videos.
Resources:
http://www.apple.com/ios/imovie/?cid=wwa-us-kwg-features-com
http://iteachtechnow.edu20.org/visitor_class_catalog/show/264508
Monday, March 9, 2015
Free iPad Apps for Kids
Today I downloaded Hopscotch, a free iPad coding app, for the K - 3rd grade students to help develop coding skills. They have been using Kodable and the lite version of Tynker. All three apps can be found under education apps in the iPad App Store .
Benson's Tech Coordinator had suggested both Kodable and Tynker. At a later time he also mentioned Hopscotch. During a discovery trip through the App Store at my iPads class yesterday, I spotted Hopscotch.
Free apps would seem like an easy find and are; but my first priority is to find apps that are safe, educational and entertaining.
A search for free iPad apps for kids through Google did find these three articles with great recommendations.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/free-apps-for-kids#
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is a non-profit based in San Francisco, CA. Their mission is to provide information and tools needed for parents to make certain their children have a positive experience with technology.
http://fun.familyeducation.com/mobile-apps/online-games/69665.html
Family Education is part of Family Education Network (an "online consumer network of the world's best learning and information resources").
http://childrensmd.org/uncategorized/top-15-apps-web-sites-kids-2015-edition/
Most of these apps are free and if they aren't they have free trials or lite versions
The Childrens Mom Docs are pediatricians with St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
iPads for the Classroom
Today was spent at Castleton State College for a Tech course - iPads for the Classroom.
The class time was both enlightening and informative. I walked away with a positive view of iPad's usefulness in education and in general.
I will start with what iPads offer free when you purchase an iPad. The apps are: Pages,
iMovie, GarageBand, Keynote, Beats Music, Numbers, Find iPhone, iTunes U.
Did you know Evernote, a free app, contains storage room for videos? Have you seen Poplet (a graphic organizer app)? It costs $4.99 and is well worth it. Gumdrop offers cases that protect your iPad from breakage due to drops. Glass screen protectors are available for iPads at Amazon.
There are hand signals to use with your iPad. A description of each one is located on the iPad itself in the Settings section. Choose General in the left-hand column. Then go to Multitasking Gestures. There you will see three different gestures to use with four or five fingers. They are:
The class time was both enlightening and informative. I walked away with a positive view of iPad's usefulness in education and in general.
I will start with what iPads offer free when you purchase an iPad. The apps are: Pages,
iMovie, GarageBand, Keynote, Beats Music, Numbers, Find iPhone, iTunes U.
Did you know Evernote, a free app, contains storage room for videos? Have you seen Poplet (a graphic organizer app)? It costs $4.99 and is well worth it. Gumdrop offers cases that protect your iPad from breakage due to drops. Glass screen protectors are available for iPads at Amazon.
There are hand signals to use with your iPad. A description of each one is located on the iPad itself in the Settings section. Choose General in the left-hand column. Then go to Multitasking Gestures. There you will see three different gestures to use with four or five fingers. They are:
- Pinch to the Home Screen
- Swipe up to multitasking
- Swipe left or right between apps
One other tip from class - If you iPad freezes, hold down the button at top of iPad and the home button and then hold down the home button. Each move takes a few seconds to take hold.
These are just a few of the tips and bits of the information from today's class.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evernote/id281796108?mt=8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popplet/id374151636?mt=8
http://www.gumdropcases.com/
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=ipad+2+screen+protector+glass&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=27054529323&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10255058313016247358&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_6w2fzxpl9n_b
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/popplet/id374151636?mt=8
http://www.gumdropcases.com/
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=ipad+2+screen+protector+glass&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=27054529323&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10255058313016247358&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_6w2fzxpl9n_b
Friday, March 6, 2015
A Trip to AT&T and the Purchase of an iPad
Today was one of the last days to purchase an iPad for an upcoming blended course, 1 day long workshop with remainder of course on line. "iPads for the Classroom" starts this March 8th. The 1 credit course is offered through Castleton State College located at Castleton, VT.
With a thorough investigation of what is offered by iPad combined with research of pricing and vendors, I first went to an AT&T retail store. One thing I did want was the option to download data through AT&T if Wi-Fi is not available.
My final decision was an iPad Air 2 with 16 GB of storage, Wi-Fi and 4 G cellular connectivity. I must say I took a serious look at the iPad Mini 3 but stayed with my first conclusion - the iPad Air 2. My only concern at this point is if I have enough storage space. If I had realized the AT&T retail store would not have a model with 64 GB of storage, I would have stopped by at least a week before since the larger storage models are shipped.
AT&T offers a 20 month payment plan with no interest charges. If you pay for the iPad on the day of purchase there is a $100.00 price savings. I also purchased a Belkin Keyboard which had a $31.00 promotion discount if purchased at the same time as the iPad.
There is a charge for their 4G service but it minimal.
Resources:
http://www.yellowpages.com/queensbury-ny/at-t-store
http://ipad.about.com/od/Tablet_Computers_eReaders/tp/A-List-Of-iPad-Models-Generations.htm
With a thorough investigation of what is offered by iPad combined with research of pricing and vendors, I first went to an AT&T retail store. One thing I did want was the option to download data through AT&T if Wi-Fi is not available.
My final decision was an iPad Air 2 with 16 GB of storage, Wi-Fi and 4 G cellular connectivity. I must say I took a serious look at the iPad Mini 3 but stayed with my first conclusion - the iPad Air 2. My only concern at this point is if I have enough storage space. If I had realized the AT&T retail store would not have a model with 64 GB of storage, I would have stopped by at least a week before since the larger storage models are shipped.
AT&T offers a 20 month payment plan with no interest charges. If you pay for the iPad on the day of purchase there is a $100.00 price savings. I also purchased a Belkin Keyboard which had a $31.00 promotion discount if purchased at the same time as the iPad.
There is a charge for their 4G service but it minimal.
Resources:
http://www.yellowpages.com/queensbury-ny/at-t-store
http://ipad.about.com/od/Tablet_Computers_eReaders/tp/A-List-Of-iPad-Models-Generations.htm
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Which iPad do I purchase - 3rd or 4th generation and what about mini iPads and iPad Air models?
The more recently released iPads models are the iPad Mini and Air. Here is a list of all the releases.
The fastest model iPad is the iPad Air2 with a CPU description of 1.5 GHz e Tri-Cor 64-bit Apple A8X w/Apple M8 Motion Co-Processor and Ram of 2 GB.
The iPad mini 2 and 3 have the same CPU and Ram: CPU: 1.4 GHz Dual-Core 64-bit Apple A7 w/Apple M7 Motion Co-Processor and Ram: 1 GB. The only difference is the Touch ID sensor which the mini 3 has. The iPad Mini 3 would have more options counting the Touch ID sensor.
The iPad Air (5th Generation) is more powerful than the 4th Generation iPad.
In terms of power the iPad Mini 2 and the iPad Air are about the same with the iPad Mini 2 around $100.00 less. In terms of size the Mini 2 is 7.9 inch and the Air is 9.7 inch.
The 3rd Generation iPad and 4th Generation iPad have the same options with one exception, the 4th Generation iPad is more powerful.
I started this post thinking I would purchase a refurbished 4th generation iPad. At this point I am looking more at how I will be using it. As a result, I am going to look at the iPad Air models. The iPad I need must be able to accomdate larger apps and streaming videos.
Any model you chose certainly needs to match your needs.
Resources:
http://ipad.about.com/od/Tablet_Computers_eReaders/fl/The-iPad-Air-vs-the-iPad-Mini.htm
http://ipad.about.com/od/Tablet_Computers_eReaders/tp/A-List-Of-iPad-Models-Generations.htm
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/mobile-computing/tablets/ipad-air-2-what-we-want-to-see-1209884
http://dealnews.com/c622/Computers/iPad-Tablet/
- iPad Air 2 (6th Generation)
- iPad Mini 3 (3rd Generation Mini)
- iPad Air (5th Generation)
- iPad Mini 2 (2nd Generation Mini)
- iPad (4th Generation)
- iPad Mini (1st Generation Mini)
- iPad (3rd Generation)
- iPad (2nd Generation)
- iPad (1st Generation)
The fastest model iPad is the iPad Air2 with a CPU description of 1.5 GHz e Tri-Cor 64-bit Apple A8X w/Apple M8 Motion Co-Processor and Ram of 2 GB.
The iPad mini 2 and 3 have the same CPU and Ram: CPU: 1.4 GHz Dual-Core 64-bit Apple A7 w/Apple M7 Motion Co-Processor and Ram: 1 GB. The only difference is the Touch ID sensor which the mini 3 has. The iPad Mini 3 would have more options counting the Touch ID sensor.
The iPad Air (5th Generation) is more powerful than the 4th Generation iPad.
In terms of power the iPad Mini 2 and the iPad Air are about the same with the iPad Mini 2 around $100.00 less. In terms of size the Mini 2 is 7.9 inch and the Air is 9.7 inch.
The 3rd Generation iPad and 4th Generation iPad have the same options with one exception, the 4th Generation iPad is more powerful.
I started this post thinking I would purchase a refurbished 4th generation iPad. At this point I am looking more at how I will be using it. As a result, I am going to look at the iPad Air models. The iPad I need must be able to accomdate larger apps and streaming videos.
Any model you chose certainly needs to match your needs.
Resources:
http://ipad.about.com/od/Tablet_Computers_eReaders/fl/The-iPad-Air-vs-the-iPad-Mini.htm
http://ipad.about.com/od/Tablet_Computers_eReaders/tp/A-List-Of-iPad-Models-Generations.htm
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/mobile-computing/tablets/ipad-air-2-what-we-want-to-see-1209884
http://dealnews.com/c622/Computers/iPad-Tablet/
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
New from Logitech and Apple
Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480
Logitech has a new wireless keyboard which can connect to three devices at once; computer, tablet and smart phone. The price is a few cents under $50.00 at Amazon. You can switch from one device to another by turning a knob from 1 to 2 to 3. A good view of the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 can be seen at the Logitech site. This is one gadget I want!
Apple iPad Air
The Apple iPad Air is going on sale this Friday. It comes with free software; iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers and Keynote. According to Clayton Morrison of Fox News, the new iPad Air is also much lighter. It has the same battery life and viewing surface although the design is different - the area around the screen is smaller and the device itself is thinner. It also has the iOS7 operating system which previous iPads do not. This is another incredible tablet by iPad.
Resources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/05/technology/personaltech/a-review-of-digital-tools-for-artists-photographers-and-writers.html?ref=technology&_r=0
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/10/29/review-with-new-ipad-air-size-now-matters/?intcmp=tech_hcu
Logitech has a new wireless keyboard which can connect to three devices at once; computer, tablet and smart phone. The price is a few cents under $50.00 at Amazon. You can switch from one device to another by turning a knob from 1 to 2 to 3. A good view of the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 can be seen at the Logitech site. This is one gadget I want!
Apple iPad Air
The Apple iPad Air is going on sale this Friday. It comes with free software; iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers and Keynote. According to Clayton Morrison of Fox News, the new iPad Air is also much lighter. It has the same battery life and viewing surface although the design is different - the area around the screen is smaller and the device itself is thinner. It also has the iOS7 operating system which previous iPads do not. This is another incredible tablet by iPad.
Resources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/05/technology/personaltech/a-review-of-digital-tools-for-artists-photographers-and-writers.html?ref=technology&_r=0
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/10/29/review-with-new-ipad-air-size-now-matters/?intcmp=tech_hcu
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Free Tech Tools for Teachers
Quite a while ago I subscribed to e School News. This publication has been a great resource for tech news and ideas for my library classes.
Yesterday, March 2nd, an especially good issue arrived in my email. In particular, an article on tech tools proved to be both informative and useful.
In that article Denise Jaffe, technology integration facilitator at West Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut, suggests a number of "keep it simple" apps for educators. They are as follows:
Yesterday, March 2nd, an especially good issue arrived in my email. In particular, an article on tech tools proved to be both informative and useful.
In that article Denise Jaffe, technology integration facilitator at West Hartford Public Schools in Connecticut, suggests a number of "keep it simple" apps for educators. They are as follows:
- Google Presentation, Prezi, and PowToon for presentation uses.
- Google Docs, VoiceThread, and Padlet for collaboration tools.
- EduBlogs for a communication tool.
- MindMeister, PiktoChart or Glogster for curation tools.
Resources:
Monday, March 2, 2015
Free Websites and Blogs
There are a number of options for beginning bloggers, educators, and personal pages. They are all drag and drop sites or easy to use blog intefaces. WordPress and Google Sites do have a learning curve but the remaining sites are relatively easy to use.
Free Websites
Free Blogging Sites reviewed by PC Magazine
Free Blogging Sites for Education
Resources:
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Using Acute Accents
Placing a Diacritic Mark Above a Letter in a Name
In yesterday's post, February 28, I reported on Moisés NaÃm's book titled "The End of Power: "From Boardrooms To Battlefields and Churches To States, Why Being in Charge Isn't What It Used To Be."NaÃm's name contains two acute accents or diacritic marks. How do you place a mark above a letter? In Microsoft Word you highlight the letter go to Insert and click on Symbol. Then you scroll down until you see the letter with the diacritic mark you want, click on that letter and then click on Insert.
Unfortunately there is not that option when writing in Blogger that I have been able to find.
At the time of writing the post I was convinced there was a way to type those diacritic marks. As you can see by my resource list, I tried various suggestions put forth by people supposedly successful in doing so. I did not meet with success. One of the suggestions was to write the code for the diacritic mark before the letter. That did not work.
Then I came across a post that supplied a very simple and practical tip - find the word you need with the diacritic mark in other text and use the copy and paste function. Well, needless to say, it worked.
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diacritic
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/using-accents-on-letters-eg-grave-acute
http://carnegieendowment.org/experts/?fa=21
http://i-work-in-pages.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-to-add-accents-to-letters-without.html
http://elearn.arizona.edu/blogs/MT5_adding_accent_marks.pdf
Saturday, February 28, 2015
The End of Power: From Boardrooms To Battlefields and Churches To States, Why Being in Charge Isn't What It Used To Be - Moisés NaÃm
Is the Internet the reason the role of power is changing?
After hearing The Guardian's February 4th podcast titled "The Internet is not the Answer" I requested two books from the library, one being Keen's book titled "The Internet is not the Answer" and Moisés NaÃm's "The End of Power: "From Boardrooms To Battlefields and Churches To States, Why Being in Charge Isn't What It Used To Be."Andrew Keen had mentioned certain premises Moisés NaÃm had put forth in "The End of Power" during that February 4th podcast.
Yesterday I went to the library to pick up my requested books and found I would have to wait for "The Internet is not the Answer" as there was one person ahead of me who would be reading it first. Thankfully "The End of Power" was available.
And the book is as good as Keen said it would be. Even the preface to the book is fascinating. In it NaÃm states he first became aware of the limits of power when he was named Minister of Development in his then-democratic home country, Venezuela. Since then he has asked and observed "business, government, political, media, science and religious" leaders about their power and heard each person is experiencing less and less power. NaÃm goes on to say he explores the "process of decay - its causes, manifestations, and consequences - in terms of the ways it affects not just the 1 percent at the top but, more importantly, the vast and growing middle class as well as those who seek merely to make it through another day." (Moises Naim, March 2013)
In Chapter One NaÃm discusses the decay of power, chess and the Digital Revolution. And, in this case, the internet has changed the role of the elite in the chess world.
The once exclusive circle of chess players has expanded. Challengers use their access to the internet to watch videos of champions and practice playing chess through computer chess games. As a result more and more people play chess and win. The circle of chess masters is larger and more diverse than ever.
In a review by Lili Loofbourow, The Guardian - January 15, 2015, the book is portrayed "as an intelligent and engaging — if limited — study that (unlike its title) resists overstatement in favor of nuance."
Since I have just started the book and find the observations of NaÃm tantalizing I am not forming any opinion on the matter. I am just going to enjoy the reading.
Resources:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2015/feb/04/internet-andrew-keen-tech-weekly-podcast
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jan/15/the-end-of-power-moses-naim-review
Friday, February 27, 2015
More on Net Neutrality
Battles Loom?
According to USA Today the Federal Communication Commission's decision to classify broadband as a utility has been met with opposition by internet service providers.
Verizon also treated the ruling with derision. They mocked the ruling as outdated and then sent out statements via social media "written with a typewritter in Morse code."(Roger Yu, Mike Snider, February 27, 2015)
USA Today also noted that a federal court threw out FCC's previous net neutrality rulings.
One can only wonder if court cases will be the next step or if Congress will enact legislation that will override any rulings by the FCC.
Resources:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2015/02/26/industry-reacts-to-net-neutrality-rules/24081189/
Thursday, February 26, 2015
FCC passes Net Neutrality Regulation
What does Net Neutrality Mean?
The Federal Communications Commission today voted in favor (3-2 vote) of regulating the Internet.They will be able to do this by reclassifing "broadband as a utility" which would then give the
commission more regulatory power over Internet providers". (Eyder Peralta, 2015).
Interent providers have been charging what they need or want to customers, depending on your viewpoint. I have switched from provider to provider looking for the fastest service. Finally I have settled on VTEL who now has a fiber - optics system which they have been working on completing throughout their service area. At this time VTEL has a very competitive price point.
The internet service I had previously charged according to speed. VTEL does not. They far surpass the previous service and give a better deal. How this will all tie in with broadband's new status as a utility is still up in the air as far as I am concerned.
Jane Wakefield, Technology Reporter for BBC, listed the changes that Internet providers will be experiencing with the new classification as a utility in an article posted today, February 26. The list Wakefield posted is as follows:
- Broadband access is being reclassified as a telecommunications service, meaning it will be subject to much heavier regulation
- Broadband providers cannot block or speed up connections for a fee
- Internet providers cannot strike deals with content firms, known as paid prioritisation, for smoother delivery of traffic to consumers
- Interconnection deals, where content companies pay broadband providers to connect to their
networks, will also be regulated
- Firms which feel that unjust fees have been levied can complain to the FCC. Each one will be dealt
with on a case by case basis
- All of the rules will also apply to mobile providers as well as fixed line providers
- The FCC won't apply some sections of the new rules, including price controls
As I read through a number of articles and posts discussing or explaining net neutrality it became apparent there were pros and cons for each side of the issue. And, today, the FCC decided in favor of Net Neutrality or regulation of broadband as a utility.
Resources:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/26/389259382/net-neutrality-up-for-vote-today-by-fcc-board
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31638528
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/26/389089145/the-fccs-net-neutrality-vote-heres-what-you-need-to-know
- Broadband providers cannot block or speed up connections for a fee
- Internet providers cannot strike deals with content firms, known as paid prioritisation, for smoother delivery of traffic to consumers
- Interconnection deals, where content companies pay broadband providers to connect to their
networks, will also be regulated
- Firms which feel that unjust fees have been levied can complain to the FCC. Each one will be dealt
with on a case by case basis
- All of the rules will also apply to mobile providers as well as fixed line providers
- The FCC won't apply some sections of the new rules, including price controls
As I read through a number of articles and posts discussing or explaining net neutrality it became apparent there were pros and cons for each side of the issue. And, today, the FCC decided in favor of Net Neutrality or regulation of broadband as a utility.
Resources:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/26/389259382/net-neutrality-up-for-vote-today-by-fcc-board
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31638528
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/26/389089145/the-fccs-net-neutrality-vote-heres-what-you-need-to-know
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Bond
A Robot
Indeed, Bond writes handwritten notes for you.The science behind it is a 3-D printer and a pen. And Bond has an app that can be used to send a sample of your handwritting and then order a handwritten note both waxed shut and mailed.
At first Sonny Caberwal, founder of Bond, specialized in gifts with a handwritten note - the note written by a robot, of course. The first three months in business saw 10,000 notes and gifts sold according to The Courier-Tribune. With interest in the handwritten notes increasing Caberwal changed direction and now offers just the handwritten notes.
Originally Bond used Autopen. That also was quickly changed in order to keep up with the requests. And a 3-D printer with a pen attached was brought into play.
Another use for the incredibly versitile 3 - D printer.
Resources:
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Using Weebly
Drop and Drag Website Design
Weebly is a wonderful option for those who do not know coding and need a website. There is a free option for a general website design, a commerce choice and an education version. They have an affliate program as well as an "enterprise platform."
I use Weebly for a school library website and have found it relatively easy to use if a bit frustrating at times. Today I did a bit more work on the site - changed the design and added a few resources. The frustration is fading quickly as I learn to work with the tools Weebly has. At first I would drag and drop an image box onto the web page and find it took a horizontal space that could not be divided in half. I could put other icons under and form a vertical row but nothing to the left or right side.
After playing with the text and image boxes on the page I found you could put an image box in a text box and that would divide the horizontal space in half and two icons could fit in that area.
What suprised me about Weebly is how extensive their offerings are. Weebly labels their business solutions as Partner Programs which includes the affliate program. The commission for sales from their affliate program is 30%. The enterprise platform is for larger companies which either sell websites or offer sites to their various branches or staff.
The newest offer from Weebly is still in progress. They will be working with hosting companies and domain registrars a program.
Thank you Weebly!
Resources:
http://www.websitetooltester.com/en/reviews/weebly-review/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2461594,00.asp
Weebly is a wonderful option for those who do not know coding and need a website. There is a free option for a general website design, a commerce choice and an education version. They have an affliate program as well as an "enterprise platform."
I use Weebly for a school library website and have found it relatively easy to use if a bit frustrating at times. Today I did a bit more work on the site - changed the design and added a few resources. The frustration is fading quickly as I learn to work with the tools Weebly has. At first I would drag and drop an image box onto the web page and find it took a horizontal space that could not be divided in half. I could put other icons under and form a vertical row but nothing to the left or right side.
After playing with the text and image boxes on the page I found you could put an image box in a text box and that would divide the horizontal space in half and two icons could fit in that area.
What suprised me about Weebly is how extensive their offerings are. Weebly labels their business solutions as Partner Programs which includes the affliate program. The commission for sales from their affliate program is 30%. The enterprise platform is for larger companies which either sell websites or offer sites to their various branches or staff.
The newest offer from Weebly is still in progress. They will be working with hosting companies and domain registrars a program.
Thank you Weebly!
Resources:
http://www.websitetooltester.com/en/reviews/weebly-review/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2461594,00.asp
Monday, February 23, 2015
You Tube Kids - A New App
Today, February 23rd, YouTube has released a new app designed specifically for kids titled YouTube Kids. The app will only be available to Android devices that run Google's operating system.
According to a brief report published by CNN Money, family viewing at YouTube has increased 200 percent. And, let's face it, there is material on YouTube that is inappropriate for kids and that is putting it mildly.
YouTube Kids is only for viewing and there are four sections to the video viewing app. They are shows, music, learning and explore. There is no other function available such as uploading, sharing or commenting.
USA Today gives the best description of the YouTube Kids - "A demo of the new app reveals a home screen dominated by eight large tiles showcasing images from popular kids shows. Above them hover five simple icons, a TV set for programs such as Thomas the Tank Engine and Yo Gabba Gabba; a radio for video renditions of popular songs; a light bulb for educational programming such as Khan Academy; and binoculars to explore a range of top videos."
Resources:
://www.cnet.com/news/youtube-to-release-kids-friendlhttpy-app-next-week/
http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/20/technology/mobile/youtube-for-kids/index.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/19/youtube-for-kids-new-android-app-out-feb-23/23707819/
According to a brief report published by CNN Money, family viewing at YouTube has increased 200 percent. And, let's face it, there is material on YouTube that is inappropriate for kids and that is putting it mildly.
YouTube Kids is only for viewing and there are four sections to the video viewing app. They are shows, music, learning and explore. There is no other function available such as uploading, sharing or commenting.
USA Today gives the best description of the YouTube Kids - "A demo of the new app reveals a home screen dominated by eight large tiles showcasing images from popular kids shows. Above them hover five simple icons, a TV set for programs such as Thomas the Tank Engine and Yo Gabba Gabba; a radio for video renditions of popular songs; a light bulb for educational programming such as Khan Academy; and binoculars to explore a range of top videos."
Resources:
://www.cnet.com/news/youtube-to-release-kids-friendlhttpy-app-next-week/
http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/20/technology/mobile/youtube-for-kids/index.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/02/19/youtube-for-kids-new-android-app-out-feb-23/23707819/
Sunday, February 22, 2015
A View of the Internet
The Guardian's Interview with Andrew Keen, author of "The Internet is Not the Answer"
After listening to the The Guardian's February 4th podcast titled The Internet is not the answer - Tech Weekly podcast I realized I was in disagreement with Andrew Keen's perspective of technology and the internet in general. Of course time and more information may change my viewpoint but, at this point, I retain my positive thoughts about the internet and digital age. As a result of that podcast, I have requested the latest of Keen's books, "The Internet Is Not the Answer", through an inter-library loan. I did this through the library website.
In the podcast Alexs Krotoski interviews Keen about "The Internet Is Not the Answer." It is a lively discussion and I find myself thinking Keen's puts too much emphasis on what he considers to be a negative role that technology and the internet are playing in our society. In a review of Keen's book by John Naughton at The Guardian, Naughton sums up Keen's point of view, "Far from being the “answer” to society’s problems, Keen argues, the internet is at the root of many of them. As a result, it poses an existential question for democracies everywhere: can elected governments control the waves of creative destruction now sweeping through our societies as the digital revolution gathers momentum?"
Where is the digital revolution taking us? Is it necessarily destructive? Is the standing of experts declining as the result of technology? These are a few of the questions that were not discussed in any depth by Keen in the podcast.
Keen kept his discussion to business, monopolies, the personalities involved in the digital world and the negatives in the advance of technology. Two examples of negatives that Krotoski gives as a quote from Keen in the beginning of the podcast are "media is really anti-social" and "the sharing economy is really the selfish economy."
Certainly the internet is changing the landscape of business and education. Look at company websites, online advertisements, online shopping opportunities, museum websites chock full of information, individual online courses, online degree programs, and apps such asYouTube.
At YouTube you can find information on any subject. Let's take Amira Willinghagen as an example of how YouTube can help make dreams come true. Amira is a young girl who wanted to sing. She went to YouTube to find out how to sing and is now singing. In fact, there is a YouTube video of her singing! She performs and, indeed, has an album for sale. Half of all the proceeds from her performances and sales go to a charity she formed. Wikipedia has a wonderful article about her.
As the podcast interview progressed Keen admitted the positive aspects of the internet and began to frame his book as more of a documentation of technology. In fact, Keen's conclusion at the end of inteview was clear - technology is not the scapegoat and the point of his book is more about explaining the breath and depth of the changes technology is creating in this world.
This certainly was an excellent podcast and another excellent example of technology and the internet.
Resources:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2015/feb/04/internet-andrew-keen-tech-weekly-podcast
http://techcrunch.com/author/andrew-keen/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Keen
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/book-review-the-internet-is-not-the-answer-by-andrew-keen/2015/01/02/8627999a-7973-11e4-9a27-6fdbc612bff8_story.html
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/feb/01/internet-is-not-the-answer-review-andrew-keen
https://www.youtube.com/qDqTBlKU4CEwatch?v=
http://www.amazon.com/Amira-Willighagen/e/B00JOMTIUS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amira_Willighagen
After listening to the The Guardian's February 4th podcast titled The Internet is not the answer - Tech Weekly podcast I realized I was in disagreement with Andrew Keen's perspective of technology and the internet in general. Of course time and more information may change my viewpoint but, at this point, I retain my positive thoughts about the internet and digital age. As a result of that podcast, I have requested the latest of Keen's books, "The Internet Is Not the Answer", through an inter-library loan. I did this through the library website.
In the podcast Alexs Krotoski interviews Keen about "The Internet Is Not the Answer." It is a lively discussion and I find myself thinking Keen's puts too much emphasis on what he considers to be a negative role that technology and the internet are playing in our society. In a review of Keen's book by John Naughton at The Guardian, Naughton sums up Keen's point of view, "Far from being the “answer” to society’s problems, Keen argues, the internet is at the root of many of them. As a result, it poses an existential question for democracies everywhere: can elected governments control the waves of creative destruction now sweeping through our societies as the digital revolution gathers momentum?"
Where is the digital revolution taking us? Is it necessarily destructive? Is the standing of experts declining as the result of technology? These are a few of the questions that were not discussed in any depth by Keen in the podcast.
Keen kept his discussion to business, monopolies, the personalities involved in the digital world and the negatives in the advance of technology. Two examples of negatives that Krotoski gives as a quote from Keen in the beginning of the podcast are "media is really anti-social" and "the sharing economy is really the selfish economy."
Certainly the internet is changing the landscape of business and education. Look at company websites, online advertisements, online shopping opportunities, museum websites chock full of information, individual online courses, online degree programs, and apps such asYouTube.
At YouTube you can find information on any subject. Let's take Amira Willinghagen as an example of how YouTube can help make dreams come true. Amira is a young girl who wanted to sing. She went to YouTube to find out how to sing and is now singing. In fact, there is a YouTube video of her singing! She performs and, indeed, has an album for sale. Half of all the proceeds from her performances and sales go to a charity she formed. Wikipedia has a wonderful article about her.
As the podcast interview progressed Keen admitted the positive aspects of the internet and began to frame his book as more of a documentation of technology. In fact, Keen's conclusion at the end of inteview was clear - technology is not the scapegoat and the point of his book is more about explaining the breath and depth of the changes technology is creating in this world.
This certainly was an excellent podcast and another excellent example of technology and the internet.
Resources:
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/audio/2015/feb/04/internet-andrew-keen-tech-weekly-podcast
http://techcrunch.com/author/andrew-keen/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Keen
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/book-review-the-internet-is-not-the-answer-by-andrew-keen/2015/01/02/8627999a-7973-11e4-9a27-6fdbc612bff8_story.html
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/feb/01/internet-is-not-the-answer-review-andrew-keen
https://www.youtube.com/qDqTBlKU4CEwatch?v=
http://www.amazon.com/Amira-Willighagen/e/B00JOMTIUS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amira_Willighagen
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