I have been experimenting all week with the iPad. I had saved a number of lists of recommended Apps from other iPad/iPod users and have spent most of my free time going through to see which works best for me. So far, I have selected any that were free and convenient and mostly related to social networking. I have downloaded Facebook, Twitter, NPR, Pandora, iBooks, Weightwatchers Mobile, Dropbox, Google, Dragon Diction, Puppet Pals, Netflix and Evernote.
Dropbox is a free online storage feature which I have used in the past to save items between school and home. Once you have set up a Dropbox account, you can download the software to any computer that you work on and save items into the storage area. Whenever you log into a different computer the files will sync to that location as long as the Dropbox has been installed. It is useful to have this option on my iPad as well so when I travel all these files will be available to me.
Google has a voice search feature so that you can speak your search requests rather than typing.
Evernote allows you to save personal notes and items from the the internet. This account can also be shared from other computers. There is a webclip features that allows you to save information from a website into Evernote rather than cutting and pasting into Word.
Dragon Diction allows you to create a voice message and then deliver it as a text message or email. This could also be useful as a speech tool in a school setting.
My next project will be to finds apps useful for English Learning activities and those that are worth spending money on.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Bring on the iPad!
I am waiting for Christmas Day to open my new iPAD (that I have already purchased for myself on behalf of my husband). Most people I mention this too ask me what do you do with an iPad? For me, it is not only a technology toy but an educational tool. I sat with my sister in law last week who is a speech pathologist in a different school system. Her administration gave her an iPad to use with her students who have difficultly communicating. Most of the Apps she showed me were free or relatively inexpensive. One particular App was called Puppet Pal where students create a story by choosing a background and pulling puppets in and out of the scene. They are able to record their voice as they tell their story. One student she works with speaks with a stutter and amazingly, when he was telling his story, he was so engaged in the application that there was no evidence of stuttering at all! So my intent is to use the iPad to engage students. My first trial will be to find Apps to help two ELL eighth grade students that I tutor. That's what I'll be doing on my December vacation and hopefully will go back to school well equipped with some new ways to learn English!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Digital Nation
I am sitting home recovering from back surgery this week and have been working through a stack of books and DVDs. One DVD was particularly interesting. It was recently released by PBS and is Frontline's Digital Nation. The 90 minute broadcast discusses the effect of technology on our daily lives and the youth of today. There were some points that were very disconcerting. For instance in South Korea, many young adults and children have become addicted to video games. They even have gaming arcades open 24 hour where people can play with no boundaries. To the point that there has been an official diagnosis created to describe their condition. They have developed classes and camps to help the addicted live without the internet or moderate their activities. Many school programs are being restructured so children are taught at an early age to use technology properly socially and to moderate their use. South Korea is a few years ahead of us but the US is fast approaching the same dilemmas.
Video gaming addiction has definitely become a concern of many US parents due to the fact that many children are left home unsupervised as parents try to survive on two incomes these days. Many children choose to stay inside and play on the computer or on their Xbox, PS2 or whatever the new gaming trend is currently. It is a concern that they are not being physically active enough.
There is also a social concern. The youth of today are digitally connected to friends and family by laptop, cell phone and other media devices. They consider themselves experts in multitasking but the reality is that they are not really paying close enough attention to many focal points of live. Such as instruction at school or whether the light at the upcoming intersection is about to turn red. The college classroom now consists of students browsing on their laptops, checking their cellphones and vaguely listening to their professor. How does an college professor compete with all these distractions? I believe the best way to compete is to use these devices to highlight your coursework.
That being said, I believe the US Army has gone too far in opening up in Florida a gaming arcade called the Army Experience that draws in preteen boys with video games that supposedly recreate the real Army Experience. Recruiters walk amongst them making acquaintances, hoping to make a lasting impression so when they are old enough to sign up they will be hooked. Somehow to me this seems a bit tainted and unethical.
What concerns me most is the fact that you never have the undivided attention of the digital native. This is where things go too far. Is it really necessary to have yourself available 24/7 for conversation on your cell phone? And when is the last time you actually talked to someone on a phone or in person? Social skills are suffering. I see it with my own daughters who are reluctant to talk to people they barely know or use the phone to make inquiries. They would rather text or email.
I think it is important to educate children at a young age about the issues of using too much technology and missing out on much of what is going on around them. Sitting out in my backyard today, I had no cell phone or laptop. I merely listened to the birds and enjoyed the serene feeling of being surrounded by nature and doused in the warmth of the sun. There is nothing better!
Video gaming addiction has definitely become a concern of many US parents due to the fact that many children are left home unsupervised as parents try to survive on two incomes these days. Many children choose to stay inside and play on the computer or on their Xbox, PS2 or whatever the new gaming trend is currently. It is a concern that they are not being physically active enough.
There is also a social concern. The youth of today are digitally connected to friends and family by laptop, cell phone and other media devices. They consider themselves experts in multitasking but the reality is that they are not really paying close enough attention to many focal points of live. Such as instruction at school or whether the light at the upcoming intersection is about to turn red. The college classroom now consists of students browsing on their laptops, checking their cellphones and vaguely listening to their professor. How does an college professor compete with all these distractions? I believe the best way to compete is to use these devices to highlight your coursework.
That being said, I believe the US Army has gone too far in opening up in Florida a gaming arcade called the Army Experience that draws in preteen boys with video games that supposedly recreate the real Army Experience. Recruiters walk amongst them making acquaintances, hoping to make a lasting impression so when they are old enough to sign up they will be hooked. Somehow to me this seems a bit tainted and unethical.
What concerns me most is the fact that you never have the undivided attention of the digital native. This is where things go too far. Is it really necessary to have yourself available 24/7 for conversation on your cell phone? And when is the last time you actually talked to someone on a phone or in person? Social skills are suffering. I see it with my own daughters who are reluctant to talk to people they barely know or use the phone to make inquiries. They would rather text or email.
I think it is important to educate children at a young age about the issues of using too much technology and missing out on much of what is going on around them. Sitting out in my backyard today, I had no cell phone or laptop. I merely listened to the birds and enjoyed the serene feeling of being surrounded by nature and doused in the warmth of the sun. There is nothing better!
The Beginning
I have been contemplating starting a blog after following many other established bloggers and being advised recently that my teaching position for the next school year has been cut from full time to a .5 position. I have always enjoyed writing but never found much time to indulge myself. With the prospect of more free time in the future, I thought I would give it a try.
Currently, I am a teacher of Computer Technology and of Judo. I consider myself an expert in Microsoft Office Applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint and have 30 years of experience in practicing and teaching judo. I am also a lover of books; written text, audiobooks or online editions. I love to read!
It hit me recently that I could best serve the educational community by becoming a Library Media Specialist and finally I have been accepted into an Alternative Certification program that begins in June. The library has always been one of my favorites places to visit and about a year ago, I began working part time as a library assistant in local public library.
The intention of this blog is bring to you my experiences and thoughts as I integrate with librarians, students and online technology updates. I will also share websites and lesson ideas that I have found to be exciting and motivational learning tools.
Currently, I am a teacher of Computer Technology and of Judo. I consider myself an expert in Microsoft Office Applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint and have 30 years of experience in practicing and teaching judo. I am also a lover of books; written text, audiobooks or online editions. I love to read!
It hit me recently that I could best serve the educational community by becoming a Library Media Specialist and finally I have been accepted into an Alternative Certification program that begins in June. The library has always been one of my favorites places to visit and about a year ago, I began working part time as a library assistant in local public library.
The intention of this blog is bring to you my experiences and thoughts as I integrate with librarians, students and online technology updates. I will also share websites and lesson ideas that I have found to be exciting and motivational learning tools.
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