Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Tablets as a Document Camera

Have you always wanted a document camera (example: ELMO) in your classroom?  If you have a Tablet (LearnPad, Android, Windows, iPad) you already have a document camera!

Instead of shelling out more money on a document camera; use the Tablet you already own.  The picture below shows a tablet on a stand.  You can also setup a stack of books or something similar and have the tablet's camera hang over the edge.  Be sure to keep students away from the area when you are using the document camera so there aren't any accidental bumps.  Using software like AirServer, you can project the tablet's image to the SmartBoard.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Twitter - Stop the Hacking!

If you have a Twitter account, personal or professional, please read below:

If someone direct messages you (like an email in your Twitter) DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK in the message.  Your account WILL get hacked.  If you have clicked on a link that someone sent you be sure to change your password right away.  Plus I would recommend putting out a Tweet that says your account was compromised and to NOT click on any links your account may have sent out. 

Here is an example of a message:


Friday, October 11, 2013

Call for Presenters to SW/WC's This is IT Tech Conference

This is ITT 2014  
March 14, 2014 - The Centers@Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, Minnesota
Pre-Conference Workshops: March 13, 2014 - SW/WC Service Cooperative, Marshall, Minnesota
 
Tweet about us! #SWWC2014


 

Conference Session Proposals
Presentation Proposals are now being accepted. Deadline for proposals is November 22, 2013.
 
This is IT2 Presentation Proposal Online Submission Form
  • Selected presenters will receive complimentary admission for This is IT2  on Friday, March 14, 2014.
  • Complimentary Admission will be limited to 2 presenters per session. 
  • Presenters at our March 13, 2014 Pre-Conference workshops will also receive complimentary admission to the Friday, March 14, 2014 Conference. 
  • Complimentary admission to our March 13, 2014 Pre-Conference is only offered to those presenting at the Pre-Conference Workshops.
  • Vendors wishing to present or co-present must be registered as a conference exhibitor or conference sponsor.

 
About Our 2014 Keynote Speaker
Rob Mancabelli We are excited to announce our keynote speaker will be Rob Mancebelli, author of Personal Learning Networks: Using the Power of Connections to Transform Education. Rob has spent over a decade developing 21st-Century learning environments, is a former school district Technology Director and he writes a column for District Administration magazine. Rob also inspires audiences with insights into 21st-Century learning, strategies for engaging stakeholders, and methods for transforming organizations.
 
Rob’s expertise comes from a deep background in education, planning, and leadership. He received his MBA from MIT and earned his international certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP). Rob worked in public and private schools for fifteen years, as a teacher and then technology director, directing dozens of large-scale projects that used technology to improve learning outcomes. He served on the state-level task force for New Jersey High School Redesign, and he was chosen by Apple as one of the first five K-12 content contributors to iTunes University. Rob serves on educational advisory boards for Dell Computer and Acer Corporation.
 
Learn More About Rob and Bright Bytes:
 

Friday, October 4, 2013

Friday Apps


SWWC Logo
 SW/WC App Newsletter
Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who you feel would benefit from it.  I encourage you to sign up to receive this email directly to your email address.
**Please note, NOT ALL APPS are free.**


iPad Apps!
**If the App is no longer free, that means it has gone off sale. Not every app listed is free**


Android Apps!
**If the App is no longer free, that means it has gone off sale.**




Windows 8 Apps!
Go to the Windows 8 Store on your device to download the following apps. Not all apps are free - they are just suggested apps to help you.

Speech Trans
Haiku Learning
Babbel - Learn Spanish
DragonBox - Master Algebra
Carmen Sandiego
National Geographic Weird But True Facts
Physics: Serial and Parallel Circuits
Sketchbook Express
Mingoville - Learn to Tell Time
iTooch Math (grades 3-6 apps)
OneNote
Dropbox
Schoology
Evernote
The Night Sky
World Atlas by National Geographic





Technology Integration Specialist
1420 East College Drive
Marshall, Minnesota 56258

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Wednesday, October 2, 2013

iOS 7 Review


After having iOS 7 for a couple of weeks I feel at home with the new operating system.  There are a few features that stand out in my opinion.

The first being the new way to close apps.  Apple has made it a lot easier to close running apps with iOS 7.  While I wish they would still include a "Close All" button to quickly close all running apps; this new way to close apps is sure a lot faster.  I also like that you have a screen shot of what apps are currently open in the background.

As a Technology Integration Specialist, I like the idea that it is suggested to users to put a lock code on their iPads.  Every time I train teachers, I suggest that they include a pass lock on their iPad for security.  Some follow my suggestion while others do not.  Teachers should always have a pass lock on their iPads to secure private information as well as secure their emails.

Auto updating of Apps.  This setting is pure genius!  I always hated to see how many updates I had; but at the same time I never took time to update.  Having the apps auto update will be great for students who are in a 1:1 setting plus teaching staff.

I am still trying to get use to the Search feature.  I honestly wish they would have left it as it was with incorporating it into the swipe down feature.  It's not hard; but it will take time to get use to.  It would be ideal if Apple would include both ways.

I also like the look to the new iOS.  It looks clean and I must say that it reminds me of my Android phone :)  I like the look of the new icons with the exception of the calendar app.  I can't ever seem to find it!  I miss having the red stripe across the top as it was easy to spot.  There are so many new features with this update that I won't mention in this blog but really enjoy.  I also like that Apple has allowed quick access to turning off/on bluetooth and wifi.