Making Google Play Nice On My iPad

These days, we want all of our information available on all of our devices.  Am I right or am I right? We love to log into another computer (in this case we're logging into Google) and all of our gmail, contacts, calendars are available.  However, when we are on our iPhone or iPad, we want our contacts, our calendars and our mail as well.  Right?!  Well, this doesn't necessarily just happening on your iOS devices.  Let me give you an example of a scenario that just might help you out.

However, please note that in this scenario (for the calendar) the issue was that the iPad user couldn't see a calendar that another person shared with them.  It just wasn't showing up on their iPad.  The user could see their own calendar, but not any of the shared calendars.  So when you get to the calendar section, keep that in mind.

So here's the scenario:

• I have new iPads I'm setting up

• The users of these iPads have Google accounts
• The Google contacts and calendars aren't showing up on their iPad...and that's an issue
• First, the Contacts:
• Go to:  Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Add Account... > Other > Add CardDAV Account
• CardDAV
• Server: google.com
• User Name:  your user name (your gmail address)
• Password:  your password
• Description:  whatever you want
• *IF* you are having issues with the setup, check the Advanced Settings and make sure that you have on 'Use SSL' and that the Port is 443
• After doing this, your Contacts app on your iPad should have your Google Contacts loaded.
• Next, the Calendar
• On the iPad (using Safari or whatever web browser you have) go to this address:  google.com/calendar/iphoneselect and then you'll be asked to sign into your Google account.
• After signing in, you'll see any of your Google calendars that you've created as well as any calendars that have been shared with you.

• Check any calendars that you want to view on your iPad
• Be sure to look at your 'Shared Calendars' (if you have any shared calendars)
• If you wish to see them on your iPad, be sure to check them
• Touch SAVE at the bottom of your screen
• Here's what I found interesting.  When I went to the iPad to check out the calendars...they weren't there!  
• So I ended up deleting the Google account on my iPad:  Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars, (then I selected the Gmail account) Delete Account
• Then added the account back again.  After adding the account back again, the shared calendars could be seen
• I don't know if that's always the case, but it was for me in this instance
• Be sure to turn on 'Calendars'

I hope this helps you out!

*Also - I was able to talk about this issue with a wonderful member of my PLN...Otis @odiep77, who helped trouble shoot the issue with the calendars.  Thanks again!

Isn't it great to be able to talk with someone when you're trying to make things work?!

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is a site that has a plethora, yes...a plethora of valuable information for students, teachers, and parents about the crazy media-rich world that we live in.

This site has a place for educators to get lesson plans, guiding questions, videos and more.  There's even a place to see ratings for websites, apps, games, TV, and music.

Hey, there's even a place in iTunes U to subscribe to their FREE courses.

So, if you are looking for a good place to get quality information for your students, check out this site!

SketchBook Pro

I love the SketchBook Pro app on my iPad.  I am working with some students on how to use it, so I made a few videos on how to work with it.

Click here to view the videos on YouTube.  As of this posting, there are 4 SBP videos.

SBP01-Getting Started with SketchBook Pro
SBP02-HELP
SBP03-Begin Drawing-Use Layers
SBP04-Add Text

Another Old Video...How Close is the iPad to this?

Watching this old video also reminds me of the iPad and what it can do.  I wonder how crazy they must have felt making this video so long ago.

It truly is an exciting time.

1987 Look Into the Future.

Watching this video, made in 1987, really freaks me out.  How many of these features are present in our world now?  How does the iPad somewhat resemble some of this?  I realize it's not to this level yet, but with Siri and other developing voice technologies, how far off is this?  Just watch...and think.

60 Minutes - Khan Academy - Flipped Learning

Watch this 60 Minutes video on the Khan Academy.  It's a great report on this new phenomenon called "flipped learning" and what the Khan Academy is doing.

Khan Academy iPad App

Here's a new app for your iPad.  It's from the Khan Academy.  It has videos for math, science, humanities & other, test prep and talks & interviews.  Link to iTunes

iPad = Learning

Being creative with the iPad.  These young students tell a great story.

Hilbert Center - 'We Create' from Doug Stotts on Vimeo.

Gotta Share! The Musical (Watch it)

This video has meaning because it speaks to the world we live in...a world of sharing.  In many cases, kids are asked on a daily basis, to turn off devices.  Then immediately after school they "power up" and begin to share and collaborate.  Don't ask your students or teachers to "power down" in school.  Learn to use these applications (many of them mentioned in this musical)...

A look into the future: A Day Made of Glass

I watched this video and was amazed.  I hope the availability of this is close.  Wow.  Just watch it, take it in and dream of the future.  With all of the touch screen devices available now, can this be far off?  

THIS is a BIG deal...iOS 5 and Apple TV

http://www.apple.com/appletv/

I often get excited about a lot of things, especially as it relates to technology.  I think, in this case, what I'm about to tell you is a game changer.  I know, I know...these days there are many "game changers" but for teachers and students, it just got better.

This week iOS 5 came out.  What's iOS 5?  The latest update for your Apple devices like the iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone.  The update has many features worth checking out, but one of the biggest and maybe least spoken or tweeted about is how Apple TV now works with all of those devices.

Apple TV is a $99.00 little box that will need to be hooked up to a flat screen OR projector (with HDMI).  The key here is the HDMI.  So in my picture, I have the Apple TV device plugged into the flat screen (via HDMI).

Alright.  Are you with me so far?  The Apple TV is on the same wireless network as my iPad.  I now have the ability to completely mirror my iPad to the flat screen using AirPlay.

So?  Well now the teacher isn't tethered to his/her desk.  The teacher can walk around the room carrying the device, manipulating apps, handing the iPad to a student, making it interactive...just like an interactive white board would, all the while every student can see what's happening.

Oh, but wait.  There's more.

What if each student in the classroom has a device?  Then the teacher asks a question, the students search for the answer and then share it but sending it through the Apple TV...projecting their answer for all to see?!  Any device that's running iOS 5 can be mirrored.

I tell you what...this iOS 5 update paired with Apple TV makes these devices even better.  

It JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!

Waiting for iOS 5 & Reflecting on Steve Jobs

I am in my office today, working on a presentation...and waiting.  Waiting for iOS 5.  I haven't written much, other than a tweet or Facebook post, about the death of Steve Jobs.  But as I check for the new update to my iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) I can't help but think about his, and Apple's, effect on our daily lives.

I'm looking at my desk, writing this blog entry on my iMac.  My iPad sits, anxiously awaiting the update, plugged into the MacBook Pro (iPhone close by).

I can't help but wonder what device will be on my desk in 2020?  Who knows what I'll have in 2012?!  Shoot, a couple of years ago we didn't even have the iPad.  It didn't exist.  

Technology, in general, has changed and will continue to change how we learn.  I'm excited to be hear...now.  I can't help but think and wonder what he, Steve Jobs, would have guided Apple into creating...with another 30 years.  Nonetheless, he is gone.  Time will tell.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coreydahl/6228734956/

iPad Apps: What's New (for me)

I am continually amazed at how much I love my iPad.  Almost every day I find a new use, app, or have some fantastic experience.

First, let me tell you about Zite.  This app is by far (right now), my favorite.  It's incredible because it's a magazine, that gets smarter the more it's used.  After reading an article on whatever the topic, I can choose to "Give me more from..." and then voila, the magazine pulls other articles into my magazine.  It's genius. If I choose to share it, built into the app are links to Evernote, Twitter, Facebook, Instapaper, LinkedIn, Delicious, Read it Later, and email.  I have categories like:  Gadgets, Mac News, Photography, Social Media, College Football, Education, Google and more.  It's worth checking out.  Oh, did I tell you the cost?  It's FREE!

If you have attended a webinar on your desktop or laptop, it's time to download this FREE app as well.  It's called Adobe Connect Mobile for iOS.  I experienced using this app today and it was smooth, responsive and worked quite well.  I could type in the chat room, listen to the conversation and I was even able to speak, when the host gave me microphone rights.  I don't know what else it can do, but I loved it.  Like I said in my opening line, each day I experience something new...

Here's an app that will allow me to connect to my computer and control it.  It's called Splashtop.  So basically, whatever is on my computer, I see on my iPad.  I can then use my iPad to control my computer.  It's just like a mouse.  Think of this...I can use an interactive whiteboard application (on my computer) and walk around the room, holding my iPad, because I'm connected.  So I find myself at the back of the room and I don't want to walk up to the front because I'm standing by the student at the back (who needs to be stood by because of behavior or he/she just needs help)...I can still pick my pen, highlighter or whatever and manipulate that whiteboard.  I believe this one had a $4.99 price tag.  But I think it's only on sale (maybe $19.99 regularly).  It works on Macs or PCs.  I also had to download a little application on my computer that allows the iPad to connect.  It wasn't bad setting up, so don't let that scare you.

I am a fan of NPR and I think they have a great app.  I can not only read articles, but listen to the audio (on some)...but not all.  There's a button on the bottom of the app, "Hourly News" where I can just tap and listen.  There's a Directory where I can search by title or topic.  The cost....FREE!

So get that iPad into your hands, search for new apps and enjoy what you find!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coreydahl/6098159925/in/photostream

Thoughts About iPad 2

I watched the news come out today about the iPad 2.  So, to jump right to it, here's what I took from it that's most meaningful for educators.

1.  Two cameras:  This means creativity.  Students will be able to take this device and create, edit and share a movie.  To add, virtual field trips or video conferencing are much easier now.  GarageBand will also be available...to expand on the creativity.

2.  AirPlay and Video Mirroring:  With video mirroring, whatever the teacher does, the students will be able to see...it's a VGA adapter so it will be plugged in.  So if the teacher is demonstrating an application, the students see what's happening.  Now if it's wireless that your after, AirPlay allows for wireless sharing of video, music, etc. with an HDTV.  So students could create and then send / share their project to the TV without plugging into anything.  I am unsure if AirPlay will allow apps to be shared / shown or not.  We'll see.

3.  The reports say that it's up to 9x faster, 33% thinner and 15 % lighter as well.  So that's good.  Many of us wouldn't mind being 9x faster, 33% thinner and 15% lighter.

I can't wait to see how the iPad 2 changes the teaching and learning process.

I can't wait...well, I'll have to until March 11th.  Now that's when we can order.  But when do they ship?  April?  May?  June?  I want to know!



http://www.apple.com/ipad/

iPads May Take Over Georgia

I saw this today on Twitter.  It was tweeted by Scott McCleod.  I read it and thought it was very interesting.  Georgia state legislators are proposing to go from the usual printed textbooks and go with the iPad as their main source for the classroom text.

It's worth a read...and maybe a thought or discussion with your colleagues, admin and BOE.

http://www.macnn.com/articles/11/02/06/offers.student.engagement/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coreydahl/4508570097/in/set-72157623131566614/

A Techy Christmas...and a Happy New Year!

So how was your holiday break?  Great I hope!  Did Santa visit your house?  If so, what did he bring you? Any new "tech stuff" to play with or just puppies and pajamas?  Well, let me tell you about mine.

Apple TV...I'm loving it.  It's been around for awhile, but I was hesitant at first...but now that it's in round 2 and it's smaller, sleeker, and less expensive, I went for it.  I think it was $99.00.  Yes, I bought it for myself and told my wife that she bought it for me for Christmas.

whatis_gallery_slide120100901.jpg

So here's what it is.  It's a little box, you can hold it in the palm of your hand.  This little box can connect, wirelessly, to your computer.  I do have wireless in my house so you'll have to connect to your own wireless network.  Once you plug the Apple TV (box) into your tv, assuming you have a newer tv with and HDMI port...whatever movies, music, and pictures you have on your computer, you can now watch on your tv!  (I use iTunes for downloading music and movies.)

Here's an example:  I have downloaded Toy Story 3 on my computer, through iTunes.  So it's sitting on my computer, in iTunes.  Now with Apple TV, I can go upstairs to the tv with the Apple TV (box) plugged into the back and watch the movie on the large screen!

But wait, there's more!

Over the Christmas break, we also looked at the many pictures on my computer while sitting in the comfort of my living room.  The old way might have been standing or sitting around my small crowded home office...(not as fun).  So these "slideshows" we can now watch on our big screen can be manipulated to play music (from my Mac), change transitions, etc. etc.  Awesome!  While sitting and watching last year's pictures, I did realize that I need to clean up my pictures.  I many blurry and poor pics.  That's the beauty of digital cameras.  I can take hundreds of pictures and it doesn't cost me any more...but I do need to delete that poor ones.

But wait...there's even more!

I can also rent tv shows and movies!

But wait...there's EVEN MORE!

I can use this Apple TV to connect to NETFLIX and YouTube!


OK...I'll try and calm down, but it's difficult.


Educational Value:

Here's a PRICELESS educational spin for Apple TV.  It's called AirPlay.  Imagine this.  A student has an iPod Touch in their hands...the latest version, the iPod with two cameras.  The student has an assignment to explain, to the class, how to solve a math problem.  The student uses the iPod Touch to record him or herself solving the problem and explaining their thought process as they solve it.  Then quickly edit the movie, on the iPod Touch, then by using AirPlay, send it the tv right in the classroom.  All without connecting a cord, without burning a cd or emailing it.  The students and teacher watch the video in amazement.  They cheer when it's completed.  The student creator is proud and engaged!  Wow.

How would that differ that the typical..."Take out your books, do problems 1-45 and turn it in."  Then, a few days later, the teacher finally hands it back to you.  No cheering.  No clapping for your grade (like they would have clapped after your video).

I think this Apple TV has a TON of educational potential.  Sure, I love it for home...that's beside the point.  I use it at home but in the classroom, if I were still teaching, this would be a dream!

Tech Specs:  Oh by the way, you can do this from a PC as well.

Happy New Year!

1:1 Schools (and if I were teaching)

I get in to many schools, both with and without 1:1 programs. When I am in a school that has access to all of that great technology, I can't help but think that if I were still teaching I would definitely want to be in a 1:1 situation. So what I'm saying is, if I ever found myself back into the classroom full time, I would search out those districts that have embraced technology. It's the world we live in. It's the world our students have been born into.

I realize there's more to teaching than just having a 1:1 program and "life is good." I get that. What I'm saying is that my students (and myself) could be and would be more creative and engaged if we had access to technology. I also understand that just having a 1:1 program doesn't make a teacher or student suddenly "creative." However through the use of technology, I think there are many more opportunities to show what has been learned. Technology engages many of our students. If students are "engaged" then discipline decreases, students are happier and will most likely learn more...and therefore post better scores. Do you know what I mean?

I think that a district that thinks about "technology" and the world that we live in, would be missing something if they weren't cheerleading their teachers to use and incorporate it into their lives.

Our students certainly use it...all of the time. As I get around to conferences and listen to various speakers, I often hear how students have to "power down" when they come to school. They continue to discuss how the school setting looks and feels like the early 1900's when the teacher stood at the front of the room and regurgitated what they know and the students then "know it too." However these days, when school is out, the students leave and "power up." Students use social networks, collaborate, communicate and are on the phones (texting mostly), etc. etc. They do this not only with the people in their community, they do this across the U.S. and the world.

An Alan November quote I heard...really hit home with me. Alan said, "Teachers' knowledge should not be the limit of what kids learn." So...to stand in front of the students all day, every day and share all of my own knowledge, isn't the ONLY way that students should learn. There's so much to learn, via the internet, social networking, etc. If the school board doesn't "get it" and the administration and teachers don't "get it," then we might be stuck in the early 1900's for a while.

So to those that "get it" way to go! To those that don't, well...get going!