Ipads and Ipods and iphones...a Distraction?

You don't have to look very hard to find articles and reviews that praise the ways ipods and ipads are changing and influencing our lives. You will also find an equal amount of articles by so-called experts stating how damaging and distracting these touch screen devices are, how much they disrupt the attention span of those who use them. You will also find an equal amount of articles that list the ways they undermine classroom management. Many think they should even be banned!

Are ipads and ipods in the classroom a distraction? Perhaps that's simply up for debate. But, let me tell you what's a REAL distraction in the classroom...Pencils. Now these are the real instruments of chaos and are real distractions! Oh, they look innocent enough with their bright yellow paint, their sleek finish, and the cute soft pink eraser topping them off.
Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in a classroom will tell you of the pencils secret powers and their abilities to dismantle even the best laid plans!  Kids always have to sharpen them, they throw them, they write inappropriate notes with them, they use them to cheat, they chew on them, they stick them up their nose, they write on the desks and in the textbooks, they poke each other with them while in their seat-on the way to the sharpener- then again on the way back, they get pencil lead stuck in their fingers, they jamb up the sharpener when they try to sharpen the eraser, they steal them, etc...  Now, here we have something we should ban!

Am I trying to convince everyone to run out and buy ipads and ipods for all students? No, I'm not.
I am suggesting, however, that it may be time to come to terms with the fact that the tendencies of the 21st century learner makes it necessary to take the time to explore alternative ways for students to learn and explore using the tools that are becoming the norm in our culture, and most students every day lives.

Some valid questions to ask are: What purpose do touch-screen devices in a classroom serve? Are they worthy of being in an educational atmosphere? Will students become more engaged using a device like this? These are just some of the questions that will be answered over time as we observe the trends, but most importantly the answers are dependent on the authenticity of touch screen devices implementation.

Have a pencil horror story of your own? Feel free to share!

Tips and Uses for the ipad

Click on the links below to view:

75 Useful Tips and Apps:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_j0RaVnKtNfNzlETTczbFM4cEk/edit

Setting Up Your iPad: A Detailed Look at General Settings

http://bill-boardoftechnology.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=bGgUkTwBAAA.zPblkBysh1azuYpU8YWwMg.P8KzW-Zq6iUbG7XDBeba-w&postId=1223209332822706116&type=PAGE 

Internet Safety

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Internet "Do's and Don'ts"

That will help you stay safe while online!

DON'T...respond to any e-mail asking you for personal information, such as social security number, bank account numbers or PIN number. Your Banks, Credit Card companies and other legitimate businesses will NEVER ask you for personal information in an e-mail. Even if the email has a recognizable logo from your bank or credit card company…trust me its fraud! They will never email you to get information or to tell you they need to verify your identity!

DO...be sure to log out from any site where you've entered personal information, a password, user name, etc. if you use a computer in a public place, such as your local library or senior center.

DON'T...click on an e-mail attachment unless you know who it's from, and until you've carefully checked the personal e-mail message that goes with it. Some viruses can "send themselves" from someone else's computer without them knowing. So when in doubt, double check with the sender before clicking on the attachment.

DO...make sure your computer has antivirus and antispyware software, and keep it up to date. 

DON'T...respond to junk e-mail (spam). Not even to "unsubscribe" from their e-mailing list. The safest path is to "ignore and delete"!
Just as in any other area of life, knowledge is power when it comes to computer security. Knowing you've taken a few precautions while online, just as you do in real life, will help you safely continue to enjoy all that the Internet has to offer!

Welcome Fellow App Enthusiasts!

Accessing and implementing thousands of Apps, Skyping, streaming videos, making audio podcasts, editing pics, and displaying your Apple touch screen products on a video screen, either cabled or wireless, is just a couple of ways to use your ipad. ipod, or iphone product. In education there are many more ways that you can use these products effectively to help engage students and energize your lessons.
My hope is that this site becomes a place for you to find answers, share your experiences, and explore ways to use these devices.

The iPad created a new niche, somewhere between the phone and the laptop/desktop. Along the way, it changed the way we work and play.  Many people do not need another computer besides the iPad.
Yet, the reason many believe the iPad has been so successful, is its simplicity.

“The secret behind the iPad’s success is not how much it does… but rather, how simply it does it.”

Some people may balk at the iPad’s price point. However, when you look at just how many devices the iPad replaces, it puts things in perspective.
*One Device – Gone are the days of carrying many devices. Remember, when you had to carry a computer, a camera, a video camera, and more? You don’t have to wear the Batman utility belt full of gadgets anymore. 

*Complex Tasks Made Simple – The iPad has simplified many previously complicated tasks. For example, you can now simply swipe your finger to perform complex photo edits.

*Productivity Anywhere – You can now take your tasks and information with you anywhere. This makes it possible to be productive in many places and situations previously not possible.

*Connectivity Where You Want It – With the LTE connection, the iPad has Internet speed previously only seen on WiFi and landline connections. Now you can be connected wherever you want to be. (Note: I said where you “want” to be. I still think it is a choice. Technology is only a leash if you let it be.)

The iPad’s main theme is simplification. That is what has made it such a powerful and successful device. When the iPad first came out, people had trouble describing it. Was it just a large iPhone or iPod Touch? Others questioned what people would use it for.
 
As it turns out…we would use it for so much more.
Here are just some of the devices that the iPad has replaced in many lives..
Email - The iPad has replaced all my other machines for email. It is perhaps the best email experience out there. Instant on. Large screen for reading. And there is just something magical about “touching” your email. Some might complain about the keyboard, but I find that it keeps responses short and effective.

Scanner – With the iPad’s new camera, it is like having a portable scanner in your bag. Why go find the scanner when you can scan those papers wherever you are? You can get the Scanner Pro app for iPad. 


Camera – The iPad is not my primary camera. However, with the newly improved camera, the iPad is a worthy photo device. For mobile workers it is a great tool, and for those not-so-mobile workers you can get a great shot of that white board.

iPod – It is ironic to say that the iPad has replaced the iPod, but it has. Apple even replaced the iPod icon with a Music icon. I can access and control all my music via my iPad.

eBook Reader – I am becoming a big fan of reading eBooks.  Many people have stopped buying hard copy books entirely. With the high-resolution screen on the new iPad, you don’t need a separate Kindle device. (BTW, you can use the Kindle app over iBooks.)

Dayplanner – The iPad may even replace your Dayplanner. From calendar to contacts to todos, the iPad has an app that keeps you on top of work and life. 

Gaming Device – No one saw this coming a while back. (How could they not?) But, the iPad has all but replaced all other gaming platforms in many households. I do not play that many games, so when I do, the iPad is handy. It doesn't take long to quickly discover the math between a $50 Wii game and a $0.99 iPad game. The answer is easy...

USB Drive – I don’t carry USB drives anymore. Instead, I can access all my files via my iPad. Yet, this one is a bit of a misnomer, because I don’t store many files on my iPad, rather I access them via the cloud. The Dropbox app is a must have for the iPad.

Video Camera – Remember camcorders? Yeah, neither do I. Our digital devices now capture video with ease. The iPad shoots HD video and you can even edit it right on the device with iMovie!

Video Phone – Webcams? Who needs them? And gone is the trouble of setting up a video call. With one touch, you can FaceTime  and/or Skype from your iPad.

Laptop – Has my iPad replaced my laptop? Not quite. But I suspect that some day I may say the only thing I use my laptop (and desktop) for are writing articles. I am sure that others still have various software that they rely on with their laptops. But, from portability to battery life to apps… it won't be long until the iPad is giving laptops a run for their money.

Windows 8 Tips!!

Microsoft’s Windows 8 is now out and available on a whole host of devices ranging from your average desktop to super-slim touchscreen laptops and even tablets. In some respects it’s very similar to Windows 7, but in others it’s a completely new and bewildering and can be very overwhelming!.
If you’ve used Windows 7 or even Vista before, you’ll find aspects of Windows 8 familiar, but there will be some simple features that seem to be missing or hard to find. If you’re struggling with Windows 8 or you just want to pick up a few helpful hints and tips, here are some quick tips that will hopefully make even simply opening the computer not so scary!!.

Click on these links below for help:

 http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/48183/windows-8-tips-help-beginners

http://blog.gadgethelpline.com/top-windows-8-tips-tricks-beginners/

Computers for Beginners

Welcome to those of you who joined my Beginner classes! You have definitely made a life-altering decision when you decided it was time to learn more about computers and the internet. Computers have connected us people from all walks of life into one global community. Learning to use the computers can make life more exciting, keeps you informed, connected to friends and loved ones, and helps make learning easier.

I will be honest, you will likely have days that are frustrating as you learn the ins and outs of the internet and your computer.  But, every time you turn on the computer you will learn something new and find searching websites and some tasks do get easier every time, and you will get eventually perform them without thinking as you create that muscle memory. Remember what it was like when you got behind the wheel of a car or rode a bike for the first time?

As far as purchasing computers...Windows 8 just came out and is proving to be challenging for new users to figure out. Personally I prefer Apple computers, and its what we use in these classes.  Mostly, I prefer Apple because they tend to be more intuitive, are far less prone to virus attacks and break downs, and in my experiences their customer service is second to none. This makes purchasing them more cost effective its why you see them in many schools and businesses. But, as always you get what you pay for and these machines do cost more. If cost is an issue for you and you really want to get started on a budget...I personally recommend that as a new user you try to find a reputable place that sells refurbished windows-based desktop computers or laptops that run Windows XP or Windows 7. These will be easier to use and get you started. A reputable company will offer computers with new hard drives, have virus protection on board, made sure they have been checked out, and will be ready to go "surfing" on the internet.

Anything you want to know can be found through using a computer.  A recipe for that favorite dish or dessert, information on the rain forest or a place you plan to visit, parts for your latest project, or phone numbers and addresses for that long lost friend. These are just a few of the millions of things that can be researched on the internet.  Not only will we be able to find out everything you want to know on these topics, there will likely be pictures available so you can recognize and remember what you are researching looks like.

Computers used to be the size of a building, but now they are as small as a pencil eraser.  Information about everyone who has a credit card is built into a data base.  This could include the name, address, social security number, and telephone number.  Companies trade and sell these data bases making personal information available to strangers. Personal privacy may be a thing of the past.

The internet can also help people get from one place to another.  There are websites that give directions, others also allow you to print out a map of the area. These maps include driving directions along with topographical maps showing building locations and streets.

Computer games are entertainment some people just can’t live without.

There are games that are interactive and even involve an exercise routine that make the characters move depending on the footwork of the players.

There are computer games that are designed for learning about real-life situations. Educational games not provide not only provide exercises in tasks used with the computer, but improve problem-solving and thinking skills. Research has proven that learning simple computer skills and searching the internet also exercises the mind and helps keep it sharp!

My best advice is practice, practice, practice-keep notes, and bookmark or save websites and pages to favorites when possible. Good Luck!

ipad, ipod and iphones in the classroom

Skyping, streaming videos, making audio podcasts, editing pics, and connecting your
Apple touch screen product to a projector on Smartboard, TV, or video screen is just a couple of ways to use your touch screen product in education.  There are many more ways that you can use these products to help engage students and energize your lessons. Here are
just a few.  Click on the link below to view them:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_j0RaVnKtNfUnpWdXVFekJndkU/edit