An iPad in Every Classroom

Name: Katie Dragseth
Title: An iPad in Every Classroom: Teacher Tested, Student Approved!
Source: Wired Educator
Date: April 15, 2010

Link: http://wirededucator.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/an-ipad-in-every-classroom-teacher-tested-student-approved/

Description: This article explains the uses for the new Apple ipad in the classroom. It is written by a teacher who is wanting to answer the question of "how this new technology fit into her teaching?" The article goes on to explain the pros and cons of having this technology in the classroom. It addresses the different applications that are best suited for a K-12 classroom and some that are not as easy to navigate and use in the classroom.

Comments:
Overall, I feel like this article is a great overview of how the Apple ipad can be used in a K-12 classroom. It is not a technology that was created for the classroom but it's practical application in the classroom is very clear with the various applications available. This is one of the newest Apple products to become available for the classroom and it's good to see that there are a lot of opportunities for learning using this new technology. I think this gives us as educators a way to understand how it can really fit into our teaching.

Idea for Autism Therapy

Name: Nicole Larson
Name of article: The New Face of Autism Therapy
Source: popularscience.com
Date: June 1, 2010
Link to article
Description: News about researchers developing a robot named Bandit that is designed to engage children with autism. Evidence supports that kids with autism respond better to machines than they do with humans. Can Bandit be a replacement for traditional autism therapy?
Comment: What a fascinating article! I am amazed by the idea of autistic children working with robots as a form of therapy. I am not sure that I see these robots as a replacement for traditional therapy though. It would depend on how much these little guys cost. I imagine if the price is right - the article mentions trying to get the price comparable to that of a laptop - Bandit may be more readily available. With budget cuts in schools, I doubt we will see them in buildings anytime soon, however, it would be something to consider.

GOOGLE TV

Name: Shelley Miller
Title: Google TV: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
Author: Nilay Patel
Source: Engadget.com
Date: May 21, 2010
Link: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/21/google-tv-everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know/

Description:
When forced to choose between entertainment on the net or on TV, most consumers will choose to give up the vast options of the web, opting instead for the audio/visual experience of television. The integration of the web and television has been tried before, without success. This time, however, Google TV is here, offering a “seamless merging” of anything on the world-wide web displayed on the television screen of your choice. The menu overlays the video picture for simultaneous input and output.
Google TV is a result of collaboration between many big-name companies:
· Google will provide the Chrome web browser.
· Sony plans to build the BRAVIA Internet TV and Blu-ray players.
· Intel is making the Atom CE 4100 processor chip.
· Logitech is building the “companion box” using an Android platform (use your iPhone or the new remote coming soon).
· Adobe is making Flash 10.1.
· Dish Network will sell Google TV-ready dish boxes this fall.
· Best Buy will sell Google TV devices this fall.
Stayed tuned this fall for product availability. Will Google TV products dominate 2010’s holiday wish lists?

Comments: This new integration of technologies will have the same appeal in the classroom as it will at home. The superb audio/visual experience of a quality TV screen will make internet viewing more engaging. In addition to use at school, students could use Google TV at home to do any internet-based assignment, such as blogging, wikis, web searches, applets, interacting with teacher websites, and so forth. If this is the next generation of television, then it is just a matter of time until Google TV is commonly used by educators and students alike.

Real Time chat with Live TV

Name: Birth of the Backchannel by Dan Fletcher

Source: 10 Tech Trends for 2010, Time.com

Link:http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1973759_1973760_1973771,00.html

Description: The idea of a “backchannel” is the idea of being able to have an online chat while watching live TV or a TV show. As described by the article, “The next generation of Web-connected TVs and software will include ways for people to monitor and interact with the conversation happening around an event, filtering live streams in real-time to display the most relevant discussions.”

Comments: This seems really interesting for many different aspects of teaching, but also with coaching sports. For example, I think this would be great to use with a soccer team during the world cup, or college games. The players could be watching the same game and we could all have an open conversation about the players and different plays while they occur. From a classroom perspective, this option would have been interesting during the last shuttle launch. We could be chatting with people near the launch site or schools in that area. I also think this would be a great way to have open conversations with professors about real time science.

Mobile 3D

Name: Kari Rose
Title: TR 10: Mobile 3-D: Mobile phones will take 3-D Mainstream
Author: Annalee Newitz
Source: Technology Review
Date: May/June 2010
Link to article
Link to one more picture
Description:
This article describes a phone released by Samsung in March that changes from a 2-D display to a 3-D display when the phone is held at a specific horizontal angle. This technology works without the need for 3-D glasses, which means it is likely to be more readily accepted than televisions that require special glasses. Unfortunately, this technology is not easily transferable to televisions because of the requirement to hold the device at a specific angle.

Comments:
Although this technology is not one created specifically for education, it could eventually have applications in education, particularly for concepts that are more easily understood in 3-dimensions. I can see this being especially useful in math classrooms studying the geometry of 3-dimensional shapes. I could also see applications for virtual field-trip type experiences. Since content can be experienced in 3-dimensions, students could view historical events or visit geographical destinations with more of a feeling of "being there." Coupled with a device like an I-pad or Kindle, this could revolutionize textbooks into a more interactive experience for students.

Dell Expands its Connected Classroom Solution

Name: Becky Woodman
Source: eSchool News
Publish Date: May 12, 2010
Link to article


Description:
Among some of the new technologies that Dell has recently announced to the field of education, is a new low cost netbook. The netbooks start at $389. A key feature of this new netbook is that the screen has the capability of being rotated so that students can read electronic texts, just as if they were holding a traditional textbook.

Comments:
This new netbook is one way that Dell is trying to stay up with the new technologies of teachers teaching 21st century skills to students. Dell understands this new shift in thinking skills, and is doing what it can to support teachers with new technologies that support teaching students the 21st century skills. Dell is taking a student centered focus as they are creating new technologies that can be used in the classroom. Dell is also in the process of creating new products that will address teacher's needs of differentiating instruction, and improving how students learn and work in the digital age. It is positive to see a company like Dell, working to improve the technologies that teachers are using today and in the future.

World Bank makes its data public

Name: Nadeen McCann
Title: World Bank's Open Data Initiative
Source: YouTube
Publish Date: April 20, 2010
Link to article

Description:
2.5 minute video in which World Bank President Bob Zoellick speaks about the Bank's new open data initiative. This organization sets an innovative example for others by recognizing the importance of open data access. Open data access is not new, but providing access on this scale is, and the information was not publicly available 6 months ago.
For more: data.worldbank.org

Comments:
The World Bank's database has current data on every country. Students can look up and compare trends in education, health and life expectancy, or any number of other combinations. The data gives students raw information about developing countries, which is a form of real information, rather than biased media-bytes. By making information available, anyone can contribute to problem solving in new and creative ways.

Virtual markers display augmented reality on cell phones

Name: Carmin Karasic
Source: msnbc innivation news
Publish Date: April 26, 2010
Link to article

Description:
News about an artwork that makes characters come alive with augmented reality. On April 24, villains, super heroes and others invaded Dam Square in Amsterdam – virtually via augmented reality on iPhones and Androids.

Comments:
The characters could easily have been historic figures. That would bring all sorts of history alive by placing virtual objects in context. The markers can display animations, videos and 3D realistic rendered objects. The implications for k-12 are that students see new connections, if history is presented in context.

Welcome!

These posts are articles or videos created no more than three months ago. Each post is:

• a technology, or a unique use of a new or older technology, that was not available 6 months ago (ex. not a product Web site, but an article ABOUT the product)
• a topic that has implications for a K-12 classroom
• a topic that has not already been posted in the Show & Tell blog