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!

Here's to the Crazy Ones...

Love this.  Inspiring.

Your Digital Footprint

Here's an interesting interview from NPR on "Digital Footprints" and is worth the 10 minutes of your time.

If This, Then That

I just hired a new employee.  It's a website called "iftt.com" which stands for "If This Then That".  Why is this awesome?  Let me tell you.

Fact:  I use Twitter.

Fact:  I save sites to Diigo.

Fact:  I tweet the sites I save to Diigo.

Fact:  I would like to have a site that would automatically tweet for me...and therefore, save me a step.

Fact:  This is the site that can do that.


So play this out:

• I see a site that I wish to share.  I save it to my Diigo account.
• I then go to Twitter and tweet the site - copy / paste the url, write something, etc.

Well, by using IFTTT, I can go from two steps to one.

IFTTT lets me create "tasks"...and these tasks are the automation.

Here's my first task using IFTT.

Here's what it says.

(IF) I save something to Diigo

(THEN) use Twitter to tweet it

I tried it...and it worked.

Here's the tweet (see below)

There are many tasks, or combination of tasks for IFTTT to create.  When used correctly, this makes the  user more efficient...by saving steps...which equates to time.

You know, I think I will see if I can take a blog post (using Blogger) and see if I can get IFTTT to tweet out to my followers when I have a new post.

So what do you think?  Can this site save you time?  Let me know how you might use it or how you already are using it!

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

Texting and Driving...a Powerful Video

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)...

Just watch.

Autism and the iPad

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/

This segment from 60 minutes demonstrates how the iPad is being used by students with Autism.  It's simply incredible.

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/

Randy Pausch Lecture: Time Management

Randy Pausch, who I know from The Last Lecture, gave a great talk about time management.  So, SCHEDULE it in (it takes an hour).

 

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/

Blog. Give Yourself A Voice & Connect With The World

I think that the process of blogging should have some role in the school setting.  Writing is obviously important in schools.  They teach it, practice it and in Nebraska, have a State Writing Assessment!  When a person blogs, the audience goes from two people (the writer and the teacher), to many people (the writer and the audience). 

Let's face it, students want to use technology while at school.  They would most likely be on the computer typing (blogging) rather than writing on a piece of paper and handing it in with the hopes of seeing a comment in a few days...from the teacher.  Blogging has the ability to achieve comments from multiple sources.  For instance, a class might have a blog that is protected, in other words only certain people can see it (like only the teacher and those in the classroom).  By creating this scenario, now the student's writing can be read and commented on by those students in the classroom.  Not to forget that the blog post can be read by and commented on by multiple people all at once.

Another scenario might be that the blog is out in cyber space for all to see.  Now think if the student writes about a topic, say, volcanoes.  The blog post happens to catch the eye of a scientist who lives at the foot of a volcano.  Can you imagine the dialogue, the learning that might take place when the scientist comments on that student's blog?  Of course I realize that this won't happen all of the time.  I mean, c'mon, my students won't post something and get responses from around the world instantly.  

But it could.  

This is why the teacher needs to know about blogging...about social networking...about global communication.  The teacher needs to have a network of teachers, a working knowledge of how they might go about finding that scientist who works at the base of the volcano.  If the teacher doesn't use the technology, how will they be able to encourage and assist the students?

I believe that if done correctly, a system of writing, editing, posting, reading, commenting, (repeat the cycle), could be very powerful.  VERY powerful.

So, begin to explore the world of blogging, social networks, Twitter, wikis, shared Google documents and the like.

It's never too late to start.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coreydahl/5468431771/

Backup Your Stuff...Seriously

I've been down this road.  I turn on my computer...wait.  I turn on my computer...what?  I turn on my computer... Wait....  This scene happened over 10 years ago.  It wasn't a great feeling.  I did lose some stuff on my computer.  It wasn't fun.  I was a new principal and I hadn't been doing much backing up.  Now much of my "stuff" on my computer was gone.

Let me tell you.  It's not a good feeling.

Flash forward to 2011.  I believe computers are much more stable.  Places like Dropbox and Google Docs are available to upload, store and save your items.  Did I mention those are free?  You might also get a MobileMe account.  However you'll have to pay for that one...but if you have an iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, it's very handy.  There are many, many other places to store things online.  Many, many places.  If you don't want to save your items into cyberspace, buy a flash drive.  They are relatively cheap to buy now.  External hard drives are also being sold by the terabyte.  Yes, 1TB is 1024GB.  Actually a person can get one bigger.  I'm saying it's not uncommon now to buy a 1TB or 2TB external hard drive.  

Here's the deal.  Storage is free and / or cheap.  My "Mr. Obvious" suggestion for the day is to back up your stuff.  Because the odds are that someday...yes, someday...your computer will "BURP" and your stuff will be gone.  Trust me, it's not a good feeling.  

Now, where did I put that hard drive?

View on Flickr