There's An App For That

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 28 Februari 2013 0 komentar
New Milford High Schools digital journalism class, which operates The Lance, the school’s online news source, is proud to announce the release of their very own free application.  The application is available for Apple and Android operating systems.


The Lance reports on news in and around New Milford’s community on a weekly basis.  The students of digital journalism partnered with Crescerance to develop an app that is easily accessible and touches on the features of the news site that students and residents of the community use the most.  The application is an easy way for New Milford residents to keep up-to-date on the mumblings of the heart of the community -- it’s students.  

Once users download this free app to a smart device, they can peruse the different features easily, with one-touch access to news, photos, the school calendar, The Lance’s blog and the complete athletics schedule.  Users can also take a picture with their device that is watermarked with the news source’s logo, which can then be sent to The Lance for publication on the site with credits to the photographer.

Additionally, there is easy access to weekly polls, staff biographies, and users can even contact the staff with leads and comments.  Perhaps the best feature of the app is the ability for users to add sports events to their calendars from the app, as well as receive push notifications about updates to the site or meeting/event cancellations.

This is a revolution in high school news reporting.  With readers from as far away as Australia, the staff of The Lance is finding that the application brings them that much closer to their readers and followers, bringing 21st century news reporting to their doorsteps at the touch of a finger.


Please feel free to download our app and let us know what you think so that I can share your thoughts with our students.

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Block friends (and frenemies) from posting on your timeline

Posted by Unknown Senin, 25 Februari 2013 0 komentar

How to block Facebook friends from posting to your timeline Facebook tip: Block friends (and frenemies) from posting on your timelineDon’t like the idea that any and all of your Facebook friends can post updates, links, photos, or just about anything else they want to your timeline?

Once you change the right setting, neither friends nor frenemies will see the “Write something…” window on your timeline anymore.
The downside, of course, is that you won’t get any more friendly greetings posted to your timeline—and yes, that means no more “happy birthday!” posts.
So, ready to slam the door on random timeline posts from your Facebook friends?
Facebook timeline who can post settings 300x111 Facebook tip: Block friends (and frenemies) from posting on your timeline
You can block friends from posting to your Facebook timeline by changing a key account setting.
Let’s get started…
  • Click the little gear icon in the top-right corner of the page, then select Account Settings.
  • Click “Timeline & Tagging in the left column, find the “Who can add things to my timeline” heading, then click the “Edit” link next to the “Who can post on your timeline?” setting.
  • Change the selector from “Friends” to “Only Me.”
  • Click the “Close” link. You’re done!
from http://heresthethingblog.com
Block friends (and frenemies) from posting on your timeline

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Improve Your Smartphone's Photo Quality With This Chip

Posted by Unknown Minggu, 24 Februari 2013 0 komentar
Smartphone cameras are great — except, usually, for zooming in, lighting and producing high-quality photos.
Researchers at MIT, however, have developed a processor chip that they say can instantly convert mobile device snapshots into professional-looking pictures.
The chip, pictured here, integrates into any mobile device or digital camera, and can be used to improve lighting, apply effects and kill low-light background noise. Plus, researchers say, it uses significantly less power than full computer processors or video cards.
One of the chip's tasks enhances low light photos. "Typically when taking pictures in a low-light situation, if we don’t use flash on the camera we get images that are pretty dark and noisy," Rahul Rithe, a graduate student in MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, says in a press release. "And if we do use the flash we get bright images but with harsh lighting, and the ambience created by the natural lighting in the room is lost."

So, to avoid photos turning out like this, the chip takes two images — one using flash, one without it — and combines only the most desirable parts of both photos into a composite image.


It's unclear when the processor will come to market. The group presented their findings at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference in San Francisco, which wrapped up today.
Does this sound like something you'd use?
Watch the video above to learn more, and read the official release here.
Improve Your Smartphone's Photo Quality With This Chip

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E-learning and Canned Instruction: A Contradiction in Terms?

Posted by Unknown Sabtu, 23 Februari 2013 0 komentar
The following is a guest post by Laura DeSena.

Not all online education programs are the same. Currently, most conversations on the topic on online education are oversimplified.  Complexities must be addressed on this topic for a true critical assessment of online education to actually happen.

Image credit: http://teamblearningmodalities.blogspot.com/

The first significant distinction that must be considered for the conversation about online learning to be valid is that between synchronous and asynchronous instruction.  In synchronous or live online instruction, students and teachers log on together in the virtual classroom. This is pure -- unfiltered by reflection -- interaction and in this live setting the social element of learning is not compromised.
 The exceptional moment occurs in meaningful inspiration and encouragement in the timber and inflection of a voice, in the subtleties of harmony of thought process in synchronous time and the authentic epiphany.

The teacher cannot be factored out of the equation of learning. Teaching in the moment is quite different from the packaged/canned asynchronous learning environment -- particularly in terms of critical discourse. Canned/pre-packaged curriculum with asynchronous online education does not embrace reflection in the way that Web 2.0 tools – like collaborative sites such as discussion boards  and online presentation tools – do and curation sites  -- like Pinterest -- do.  Synchronous fosters expression and  non- pre-packaged asynchronous encourages reflection – both elements of the learning process are necessary ones. . Oversimplification of the definition of online learning is not helpful to anyone and it seems that online learning has a negative connotation that it does not deserve.

Laura DeSena is a Teacher of English at West Milford High School (NJ).   She is also the Founder of Innovations in Online Education, Inc.  You can check out her blog HERE



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How to unlock your Android phone with your face

Posted by Unknown Jumat, 22 Februari 2013 0 komentar

Unlock your Android phone with your face Android tip: How to unlock your Android phone with your faceCan’t be bothered to tap in a passcode to unlock your sleeping smartphone? Well, the latest Android phones have another way to verify that you’re you: by scanning your face.
The idea behind Face Unlock (a feature that requires Android version 4.0 or better, by the way) is simple: the phone’s camera scans your face for a few seconds, then compares it to one or more previously saved head shots.
If it gets a match, then presto! You’ll arrive at your phone’s home page, no PIN required.
Android Face Unlock setup 168x300 Android tip: How to unlock your Android phone with your face
You can unlock your phone with a glance once Face Unlock scans your face.
It’s a nifty trick, but it’s not quite foolproof.
Before setting up the feature on your own Android phone, you’ll be warned that Face Unlock isn’t nearly as secure as using a numeric passcode.
Indeed, there’s always the possibility of a false match if someone who looks “similar” to you sneaks a peek at your handset.
In other words, think twice before protecting your phone with Face Unlock if you’ve stored military secrets on it, or if your online banking password is saved in your Android browser.
So, ready to use your face to unlock your Android phone?
Here’s how…
  • Go to the Settings menu and tap Security, Screen Lock.*
  • Tap the Face Unlock option to see the litany of notes and caveats about the feature (including the assurance that your stored profile picture will be “kept private” on your handset). Ready to continue? Tap “Set it up.”
  • Next, you should see … well, yourself. Hold the phone until your face fits in the dotted outline; once the camera thinks it has a good shot of your face, it’ll snap a photo automatically. (For the best results, Google advises taking a Face Unlock photo indoors, where it’s not “too bright or too dim.”) Once you’ve made it to the “Face Captured” page, tap “Continue.”
  • You’ll also need a backup PIN or a security “pattern” to trace on the phone’s touchscreen, which you’ll be asked to set up once you’re done snapping photos of your face. The backup passcode will come in handy if Face Unlock can’t quite recognize you (which, as I’ve learned, happens on a fairly regular basis).
  • Now, time to test. Lock your phone, then press the “sleep/wake” button and hold the handset right in front of your face; the phone should unlock itself within seconds of “seeing” you.
*Note: These steps may vary depending on the make and model of your Android phone. I tested this tip on a Samsung Galaxy Nexus running on Android version 4.2.2.

Bonus tip

Want to make Face Unlock a bit more secure? Here’s how…
  • Take multiple Face Unlock photos of yourself in different conditions—say, with your glasses on and off, or both outdoors and indoors—to give the phone a better chance of identifying you correctly. Just go back to the Settings menu, tap Security, then select “Improve face matching.”
  • Worried someone might try to unlock your phone with a still photo of you? You can set Face Unlock to unlock your phone only if it sees you blink. Just tap Settings, Security, then enable the “Liveness check” option.
http://heresthethingblog.com
How to unlock your Android phone with your face

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How to split the iPad keyboard in two

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 21 Februari 2013 0 komentar
How to split the iPad keyboard iPad tip: How to split the keyboard in twoEver tried typing on your iPad’s keyboard with your thumbs while holding the iPad in your hands? Talk about awkward.
Well, there’s an easy way to make the iPad’s keyboard a lot more thumb-friendly: by splitting it in two.
A simple gesture is all it takes, provided you’ve got a key (no pun intended) setting enabled.
Here’s how…

  • Tap Settings, then tap General, scroll down the page a bit, and then tap Keyboard. Scroll down to the “Split Keyboard” setting and make sure it’s set to “On.”
  • Press the Home key, then pull up the iPad keyboard in any app you wish (such as, say, Safari).
  • Now, tap and hold the keyboard with two fingers—one on each side of the keyboard—and spread your fingertips apart. As you do, the keyboard will split in half.
  • Want to make the keyboard whole again? Just tap and hold each half of the keyboard with two fingers and push them back together.
Originally here

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With Students Lagging Globally in Science, the U.S. Looks to Inspire an Untapped Resource

Posted by Unknown Rabu, 20 Februari 2013 0 komentar

The following is a guest post by Westfield Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Paul Pineiro.

Underlying the lagging performance of U.S. students in global assessments in math and science is another troubling statistic: According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, fifteen-year-old girls in 65 countries generally outperformed boys worldwide, but in the United States, boys outperformed girls in quantitative studies. We are left scratching our heads and wondering why it’s only our female students that “can’t do science.”

Image credit: http://www.psmag.com/news/a-new-view-of-why-women-shun-science-careers-19392/

The fact is they can, but culturally, we may be dissuading them from doing so. Consider that even for those female students who do pursue college studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) they are more likely to change majors than their male counterparts, despite relative success. "Women drop out of engineering programs with higher average grades than the men who stay in engineering programs," reported CEO of the Society of Women Engineers, Betty Shanahan, at last summer at U.S. News STEM Summit 2012. And of the women who do earn STEM degrees, the U.S Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration shows their typical career paths diverge substantially from men. “About 40 percent of men with STEM college degrees work in STEM jobs, whereas only 26 percent of women with STEM degrees work in STEM jobs” (August 2011). 

While girls in most other nations thrive in science-related studies, there is a disconnect for them in the U.S. This drop-off of interest in STEM subjects among young female students is typically attributed to how our culture views women who demonstrate an interest or ability in the STEM fields. In subtle but impactful ways, our culture pushes away young women from STEM fields by often painting aspiring engineers as geeks with thick glasses and curious sense of fashion (see Amy in “The Big Bang Theory”). “One of the things that we can do to help disband that stereotype,” says executive director of technical research at AT&T Labs, Alicia Abella, in an interview with U.S. News and World Report, “is to really expose these young girls and young women to role models who are in the field to make them recognize that, in fact, you don't have to fit that stereotype.” 

For this reason there is an all-call out to U.S. industry and educators at all levels to undo the stereotypes that could be costing the country some of its best and brightest future innovators. Young STEM-inclined females need role models, and to this end, “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” was established in 2009 to promote their connection with accomplished women in the STEM fields.

This year, “Introduce a girl to Engineering Day 2013” is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Sally Ride, physicist and first American woman in space. Here is a list that includes links to the accomplishments of Sally Ride and eleven other women and organizations with whom we should want young, STEM-inclined female students to be introduced.  Introduce a Girl to these STEM Role Models:


If that was not enough here is a list to 100 more.

# # #

Sources: 

Hopkins, Katy, “How to Encourage Women to Consider STEM Majors,” U.S. World News and Report.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

Sheehy, Kelsey, “STEM Disconnect Leaves Women, Minorities Behind;” U.S. World News and Report.

U.S Department of Commerce, Economics ad Statistics Administration

Bio notes: 

Paul Pineiro is the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Westfield Public Schools (Union County, NJ) and a “Generation STEM” enthusiast. You can follow Paul on Twitter at @paulpineiro.



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Tamagotchi Comes Back to Your Pocket — on Android

Posted by Unknown Senin, 18 Februari 2013 0 komentar
Tamagotchi-app
For anyone nostalgic for the '90s virtual pet craze, you can now carry your Tamagotchi in your pocket once again, with a free app released Thursday for Android.

The Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. App recreates the experience of caring for and feeding your own pocket creature. The app's release marks the brand's re-expansion to North America, after it was a powerhouse in the late 1990s.
The Tamagotchi app recreates the classic experience of owning a virtual pet in its Toy Mode, which replicates the classic egg keychain design best known by fans on the phone's screen. It features the three familiar buttons to navigate the menus.

Players can get into "App Mode" by swiping with two fingers, which brings the Tamagotchi into full color on the screen. You'll be able to access all the menu functions with touch controls from there. You'll recognize the actions to feed, vaccinate, poke and clean up after your pet. You can also check its weight, happiness and discipline.

A new feature you'll find: being able to play Rock Paper Scissors with your Tamagotchi. (Letting it win will make your pet happier.)



You can also take photos and share them on Facebook directly from the app.
Tamagotchi was released by Namco Bandai in 1997, and more than 79 million of the hard-shelled electronic toys have been sold since. The brand still has a huge presence in Japan, with a popular cartoon tie-in just renewed for a sixth season. Sync Beatz Entertainment acquired the license from Namco Bandai for this app and future products, and partnered with the company on its creation.

The app's expected audience, says Sync Beatz CMO Shin Ueno, are 22- to 29-year-olds who carried their Tamagotchis to school — and then had them confiscated in class in the late '90s.
The app is only available through Google Play now but will come to iOS devices soon, Ueno says.
Do you have fond memories of your Tamagotchi? Share them in the comments below.
Photos and Post by Mashable
Tamagotchi Comes Back to Your Pocket — on Android

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Students Discover Tackk For Creating Online Reports

Posted by Unknown Minggu, 17 Februari 2013 0 komentar

It's no secret that educators are always on the lookout for cool new methods to help engage their students and save time.  A new trend has emerged as teachers have discovered fun and creative ways to incorporate free online tools to accomplish both of those goals, and the value of such assignments is only becoming more apparent.  Recently, a new service has grown in popularity in schools, which gives students the ability to quickly and easily create posts very similar to blogs, but without any of the complexity or fuss of specialized training.  It's called Tackk, and both students and teachers are loving it.



With Tackk, students can produce slick, professional looking reports on any subject in literally a matter of minutes, allowing them to focus on learning the content rather than worrying about the form in which it's presented.  Without having to create an account, students have access to easy, professional-quality text, image, and video integration, which makes for a much richer online experience than was previously possible with this little headache.

Teachers have used Tackk to both supplement, and in some cases replace, more traditional projects like posters and folders.  In addition to being quick, user-friendly, and elegant, it can also serve as a valuable introduction to web-based publishing for students of all ages.  Some teachers have assigned projects on musicians, others on states, and others still on career aspirations.  

How would you use Tackk in your classroom?

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The Meaning of Valentine's Day

Posted by Unknown Kamis, 14 Februari 2013 0 komentar

I know I have said this before, but I really love my job.  I love my job mainly because of the students and staff that I am blessed to work side by side with each day at New Milford High School.  This morning Doreen Zacher, my Student Assistance Counselor (S.A.C.) demanded that I stop what I was doing to listen to an example of how great our students are. Her story moved me so much that I demanded in turn that she write it up for me so that I could share this wonderful example of character embodied by our students.  In education we work so hard to teach our students important life lessons that focus on the respect and caring for others.  Based on the summary below it looks like our commitment to creating and supporting such a culture is paying off. I hope you all enjoy this guest post by Doreen as much as I did.

Image credit: http://www.shopcoralgables.com/blog/2013/02/07/valentines-day-in-downtown-coral-gables/

It seems in our society that Valentine’s Day has turned into a manufactured holiday.  If one does not receive roses, a present or a card they may think they are not loved.  Today, I was able to experience the true meaning of unconditional love by strangers. A young middle school student was very upset because she felt as if none of her friends would recognize her and offer her a Valentine’s card.  Her emotions were so intense that her tears ran freely from her eyes.  When I received notification of this, I realized the true meaning of Valentines Day.  I purchased a card and asked high school students to sign it for the young girl who felt alone today.  Within minutes I had multiple signatures and well wishes on this card.  Even though they were strangers to this young girl, they felt a connection.  Everyone, one time in their life has felt alone. Before I knew it, the New Milford High School students made a care package for her full of cookies, candy and snacks.  They went the extra mile just to offer their support to this young girl that they never met or even knew.

When the package was dropped off at her school,  she read the card and saw all of the goodies, her face lit up like a Christmas Tree.  She felt the support and love from strangers, but from this day forward the high school students will be her support.  As a result of this experience, I have learned the  true meaning of Valentine’s Day, treat others with the love and respect and you can change the life of a stranger. 

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Make it easier to double-click the Home key

Posted by Unknown Rabu, 13 Februari 2013 0 komentar
Make the iPhone home key easier to double click iPhone tip: Make it easier to double click the Home key
For some of us, double-clicking the iPhone’s Home key to get to the multitasking bar at the bottom of the screen isn’t quite as easy as it sounds.
If you don’t (or can’t) click fast enough, you’ll just wind up back on the home screen, or maybe even on the “Spotlight” search page.
iPhone home click speed setting 300x285 iPhone tip: Make it easier to double click the Home key
By tweaking a single setting, you can make the iPhone’s “home-click” speed much easier on your thumb.
Well, here’s the thing: you can actually slow down the speed with which you need to double-click (or triple-click, as the case may be) the Home key, perfect for those of us lacking split-second reflexes.
Here’s how…
  • Tap Settings, General, Accessibility, then scroll all the way down and tap “Home-click Speed” (it’s under the “Physical & Motor” setting).
  • Now, pick a new double-click speed—either Slow or Slowest.
  • When you tap a new option, your iPhone will “buzz” three times to give you an idea of how quickly (or slowly) you need to double-click.

Bonus tip

Got an iPad? If so, you can use a special four- or five-finger gesture to reveal the multitasking bar. Get the details right here.

Make it easier to double-click the Home key

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Transfer music and media to and from iOS devices, with PhoneTrans

Posted by Unknown Selasa, 12 Februari 2013 0 komentar
PhoneTrans is a free program for Windows which connects to any attached iOS device. It acts as an iTunes alternative and allows for moving music and media from the PC to the phone or the other way around, moving media from any iOS device onto the hard drive.  It does not care about whether you previously synced with iTunes or not, or about which devices you are connecting to and whether you’ve done the million things that Apple apparently wants you to do.

Phonetrans Screrenshot1

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to transfer music and media to or from your iOS device, without being subject to Apple and iTunes’ constant obsessive compulsive supervision, definitely give PhoneTrans a shot.

Get PhoneTrans Here. (Requires MS .NET Framework 3.5)
sources http://www.freewaregenius.com/transfer-music-and-media-from-and-to-ios-devices-with-phonetrans/#pzOdovXY27D43yPx.99

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Light up your charging phone with “Daydream” screensavers

Posted by Unknown 0 komentar
Set your Android phone to daydream while it charges Android tip: Light up your charging phone with Daydream screensaversWish the screen on your asleep-but-charging Android phone could do something a little more interesting than just go blank?
If so, good news: a feature in the latest version of Android will turn your phone’s sleeping display into a digital clock, a photo gallery, a scrolling grid of headlines and news photos, and more.
Think of “Daydream” as a screensaver that turns itself on whenever your Android handset is sitting in a phone dock or connected to its charging cable.
Android Daydream Photo Table screensaver 300x224 Android tip: Light up your charging phone with Daydream screensavers
You can set Daydream to display your Instagram photos, abstract colors, a digital clock, and more.
What your phone’s screen does while it’s daydreaming is, of course, up to you.
One option is to have it display a faint digital clock, perfect for a dimly lit bedroom.
“Daydream” can also create an ever-shifting array of abstract shapes and colors, or crank out a slideshow of snapshots from the Gallery app, Instagram, or your online Google account.
You can even set Daydream to show trending headlines, photos, and social links from apps like Google Currents or Flipboard.
What’s the catch? Well, Daydream is only available on handsets running on Android version 4.2 or later.
(To check which version of Android powers your phone, tap Settings, “About phone,” then check the number under the “Android version” heading. You can also check for available Android updates by tapping “System updates” at the top of the “About phone” screen.)
So, ready to let you Android phone do a little daydreaming?
Android Daydream settings 168x300 Android tip: Light up your charging phone with Daydream screensavers
Just pick a screensaver from the Daydream settings, then tap Start Now to go for a test drive.
Here’s how…
  • Tap Settings, Display, then Daydream. (Note: the specific settings may vary depending on the make and model of your Android phone. I tested this tip on a Samsung Galaxy Nexus running on Android version 4.2.1).
  • On the next screen, make sure the Daydream switch in the top-right corner is set to “On.”
  • Tap the “When to Daydream” button at the bottom of the screen, and pick an option: “While docked” (meaning while your Android phone is sitting in a charging cradle or, say, a clock-radio dock), “While charging,” or “Either.”
  • Now, time to choose a Daydream screensaver. Besides the standard digital clock and photo frame, you’ll also find Colors (those random multicolored shapes I mentioned earlier) and Photo Table (a growing pile of images that twirl into view).
  • Want more Daydream screensaver choices? Try installing some new, Daydream-friendly apps, such as Google Currents and Flipboard.
  • Certain Daydream screensavers may have their own settings and customizations; for example, tap the settings icon next to Photo Frame to display photos from your Instagram account.
  • All set? Tap the Start Now button to give your Daydream screensaver a test drive.
Source http://heresthethingblog.com
Light up your charging phone with “Daydream” screensavers

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Just Another Typical Day

Posted by Unknown Minggu, 10 Februari 2013 0 komentar
This past Wednesday (February 6) was the second annual Digital Learning Day.  New Milford High School joined thousands of other schools and educators across the country to showcase how digital learning is changing education.  The only thing though is that this day was just like any other typical day at my school as digital learning has become an embedded component of our school's culture.  For years we have embraced the effective integration of technology to enhance the teaching and learning process.  




For the sake of Digital Learning Day I asked my staff to share some of the activities that they planned and implemented.  Below is a listing of some of activities that incorporated digital learning:

  • In Mrs. Collentine’s Humanities class, students worked in the computer lab on researching the history of drama and theater in the culture of their own heritage. They then had to create a Prezi, PowerPoint or Google Doc presentation to be shared at a later time on what they found/learned to the class.
  • In Mrs. Paulus’s Senior English Survey class, students worked in the computer lab to conduct research on a travel destination of choice in the U.S.  They then selected an automobile based on gas mileage and comfort level for distance. Students calculated travel expenses, such as hotels, gas, attractions, etc. and planned the trip from start to finish having 6000 dollars to spend for 12 days.  For a final project, each student had to create brochures and posters using technology tools to accompany a written paper detailing their trip.
  • One of the biggest fears among students in an inquiry based setting is that they don't feel ready for the discovery task. They also feel that the teacher is too smart and just because she solved a problem easily on the board doesn't mean they will be able to do the same. Ms. Chowdhury’s plan in Physics was for students to use their iPads/tablets and create screen casts of them solving a dynamics problem with details of every step. The students then kept the screen cast as live notes to use on any homework assignment or before a test. The advantage of solving the problem on screen cast versus notes is that it records their voice so they can hear the reasoning behind doing a step the way it was done. She also plans to use these screen casts next year to show students that other students, just like them, had solved the same problems before and find comfort in knowing that nothing is being demanded of them that is beyond their ability.
  • Mrs. Groff’s, Mrs. Aufiero’s, and Mrs. Montecuollo’s collaborative English classes wrapped up a WebQuest in the computer lab.  The students looked at various websites that deal with modern day injustices and evaluated the resources.  They then researched a particular injustice and found/evaluated at least 2 reliable sources about that injustice.  This information will be turned into a research project at the end of the period. 
  • Mrs. Groff’s Digital Journalism class researched and wrote stories, as per any other normal day in class. Her other English classes took a virtual tour of the Globe Theater and learned stage directions for the Shakespearean historical play, Julius Caesar.  
  • Ms. Millan’s Sociology students learned how to use and create their own blog using Blogger from their Gmail accounts.  She discussed the purposes and goals of blogging and allowed students to create their own blog based on a guided question from her site. The Blog topics were additional topics of conversation relevant to their chapters of study such as socialization, deviance and crime; love, marriage and the family.
  • Mr. Fiscina’s Honors Geometry students were instructed Tuesday in class that their homework was to log onto Edmodo and watch a lesson about Area of Regular Polygons.  He used an app on his iPad called Educreations to create the lesson. Students came into class on Digital Learning Day and were given an assignment that needed to be completed.  Students who understood the lesson got started right away.  Students that needed help were able to ask questions and get assistance from Mr. Fiscina.  The class was then sectioned off for students in 3 categories (understood the lesson, only a few questions, and need a lot of help).  This way Mr. Fiscina was able to spend the most time with the students that needed a great deal of help and less time with the students who understood the lesson.  Challenge problems were given for students who mastered the material quickly.  All work was collected and checked for understanding and conceptual mastery.  He also had students use Poll Everywhere to check for understanding in the beginning of the lesson.  
  • Since the “flipped” approach to instruction is proving to be a key asset in modern education, one of Mrs. Chellani’s recent initiatives has been to provide students with a means to learn independently utilizing digital content.  Starting in December 2011, she began using Edmodo, an online platform that enables innovative and social learning, as a way to share online videos and content on the relevant topic for her students to view and assign online polls for her students to complete in order to foster discussion on the topic the next day.  Although enabling the “flipped” approach to instruction using Edmodo has transformed the way material is taught and comprehended by students, it has been difficult to find resources that combine curriculum delivery, real-world examples, and assessments in a cohesive manner.  As a result, she has started to create her own online learning modules, using the software Adobe Captivate.  On Digital Learning Day, Mrs. Chellani introduced her website to her students and demonstrated how these interactive videos will be utilized for future instruction.
  • Ms. Perna utilized computers with her classes to facilitate student learning and growth.  Students in her US I classes conducted research to help them work on the writing process.  Students in US I CP went through the research process to develop an outline for an essay focusing on which of the early presidents they believe was most effective/influential.  Students in US I conducted research to write a biography on an influential early American.  Her US II classes worked on a “Roaring Twenties” project.  They put together, in a creative manner, a presentation on one cultural aspect of the twenties (music, fashion, women, food, etc) that will be presented in class at the end of the week during a “Roaring Twenties Cultural Day.” 
  • Works of art and architecture, not unlike historical documents, biographies, or works of fiction, are a testament to particular cultures and historical events. The purpose of the assignment in Mr. Tusa’s AP European History class was to have students reflect on the manner in which works of art or architecture can help them capture, represent, or express in visual form contrasts between different cultures.  Students had to compare/contrast each of the respective pair of works of art/architecture listed below in terms of the manner in which each work represents some key aspect(s) of a particular culture. The key idea was for them to be able to discern those differences in the works that help to explain differences in the particular culture they capture or represent.  Students worked in pairs using Mac Books to record comments on a shared Google Doc. They then used teacher provided links to locate the works (http://www.wga.hu/ and http://www.chateauversailles.fr).  Other websites/links could be used only with the prior permission from Mr. Tusa.  The length of the comments/critique had to be 100 words per work. Works included Michelangelo’s “David”, Giacometti’s “Man Walking”, Francisco Goya “The Third of May”, Picasso’s “Guernica”, Bruegel’s “Peasant Dances”, Seurat’s “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of the Grand Jette”, El Escorial, Versailles, image of the interior of a Protestant, and image of the interior of a Catholic Church
  • For Ms. Ginter’s Physical and Environmental Science Resource Class, the students investigated concepts regarding earthquakes and tsunamis, then related them to Newton's Laws. On the computers, they explored the different activities with a partner and completed concept maps to go along with them, using question prompts along the way. For her Biology class, the students worked with partners using the computers in class and their mobile learning to conduct an investigation to identify who first coined the term 'cells' and what aided this discovery. They then identified the characteristics of and differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and completed a Venn diagram. There was an assignment up on Edmodo for them to respond to regarding cell theory for homework.
So what did you do on Digital Learning Day 2013?

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10 WhatsApp Alternatives For Your Smartphone

Posted by Unknown Jumat, 08 Februari 2013 0 komentar
If you are part of the crowd who don’t like paying for messaging apps, we’ve got 10 awesome alternative free messaging apps you can try.

(Image Source: Toolfools)
Not only are the following messaging apps the perfect alternatives for iOS and Android users, we also looked into getting alternatives for other mobile operating systems like Blackberry and Windows Phone. This way, you can contact more of your friends regardless of the mobile OS they are on. What was that beep? Did you just get another WhatsApp reminder to upgrade? Time to make the switch.

1. Viber

Viber is very similar to WhatsApp as it uses mobile contact numbers to identify users. You get an access code sent to your mobile number via text message. It’ll then access your address book to see if any of your contacts are connected to Viber; you can then instantly connect with them. Unlike WhatsApp, Viber allows you to call users, provided your smartphone is connected to the Internet.
Platforms: iOS | Android | Windows Phone | BlackBerry | Nokia | Bada
Viber

2. LINE

LINE registers your phone number into its database where you can then connect with your phone contacts who are LINE users. An advantage of LINE is that it allows you to reply to messages by installing a PC or MacOS program, provided you register your number with an email account. Besides text messaging, you can call other LINE contacts through the app with an Internet connection.
Platforms: iOS | Android | Windows Phone | BlackBerry
LINE

3. KakaoTalk Messenger

KakaoTalk Messenger also uses your mobile phone number to send you a 4-digit verification code when you register for an account. It then goes through your contacts to find for other KakaoTalk users, similar to how WhatsApp does it. There is also the ability to start group chats, send pictures or audio notes, and share calendar and contact information. Oh, and it does calls too, to other Kakaotalk users over an Internet connection.
Platforms: iOS | Android | Windows Phone | BlackBerry
KakaoTalk

4. Facebook Messenger

The Facebook Messenger app for both iOS and Android has been around for some time now and since you’re connected to most of the friends you want to communicate with, Facebook Messenger can be a great WhatsApp replacement. Only drawback is that you can’t use it to communicate with friends who are not on Facebook.
Platforms: iOS | Android | BlackBerry
Facebook Messenger

5. Skype

Skype recently merged its contacts with old MSN or Hotmail accounts and its contacts, connecting you to some pretty longtime friends. Nostalgia aside, Skype is not only a great way to call for free, it also allows for text messaging with your contacts. Unlike WhatsApp, you’ll have to approve contacts before you can start sending messages but its reliability and stability makes it a suitable replacement.
Platforms: iOS | Android | Windows Phone | BlackBerry
Skype

6. LiveProfile

LiveProfile starts off by asking you to register with an email account. After that, you have the ability to add your phone number where other users can find and contact you. Each account will also be given a LiveProfile PIN, this lets you share that PIN to others without giving them your phone number. It has no calling features but it does have standard messaging features with the abilty to start a group chat and send pictures or videos.
Platforms: iOS | Android | BlackBerry
LiveProfile

7. Groupme

Groupme caters to people who want to chat in a group. You log in with your email and then verify your phone number by sending an SMS with a code to the provided number. What’s unique about this app is that it supports group messaging over SMS. So in the event where someone in the group doesn’t have a 3G connection, the person can still receive group messages for a small fee. Each message sent or received will be charged as an SMS sent to the United States.
Platforms: iOS | Android | Windows Phone | BlackBerry
Groupme

8. Kik Messenger

You register on Kik with your email address, then choose a unique username to allow other users to find you. The app is very simple and does a good job in sending messages to individuals or group. There are no calling capabilities but you have the overall basic messaging functionality supported on a wide variety of mobile systems, for free.
Platforms: iOS | Android | Windows Phone | BlackBerry | Nokia
Kik Messenger

9. ChatON

ChatON is an app created by Samsung and is a basic messaging app with no calling features. However the app has found its way to many other markets or platforms. You can choose to sign in with your Samsung account or skip the process and just enter your name. Verify your phone number and the app will start checking all your onboard contacts to see if any of them are on ChatON. The chat is on when you find fellow ChatON users.
Platforms: iOS | Android | Windows Phone | BlackBerry
ChatON

10. WeChat

WeChat is one of the most popular messaging apps in China. Similar to how you register with WhatsApp, you start by entering your phone number. An SMS will follow, giving you the verification code. You can then connect your Facebook and email account to let people find you more easily. Other functionalities include sharing pictures, WeChat contacts, your current location, and the ability to video chat through the app.
Platforms: iOS | Android | Windows Phone | BlackBerry | Nokia


WeChat

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Leadership Ignited

Posted by Unknown Selasa, 05 Februari 2013 0 komentar
I have tweeted over the past couple weeks my excitement for the new structure of the NASSP Annual Conference.  The leadership of NASSP is well aware of trends in and the value of connected learning and have created a learning experience that will meet the needs of all attendees.  The revamped event, appropriately named "Ignite", is a great example of a national organization breaking away from traditional conference constructs to create a relevant and meaningful learning experience for it's membership




Content selection. In past years, NASSP attempted to cover a broad spectrum of issues that principals face during their professional lives. One of their chief metrics of success, in fact, was the diversity and sheer volume of sessions that were available to members. This year, they have decided to rely instead on what NASSP members have reported as the issues that keep principals up at night, such as Common Core implementation, new teacher evaluation models, and dropout prevention and graduation rates. With those topics in mind, they reached out to presenters who they knew could address those issues with authority and facilitate meaningful discussions about them. The result is that attendees will return home with action plans of interconnected ideas, rather than the scattered array of stand-alone ideas and initiatives that typify some conferences.

Use of time. Sessions that last 75–90 minutes have been characteristic of content delivery for many years. So imagine their surprise to discover that a lot of effective learning can take place in shorter blocks of time. While they still rely on full-length sessions to anchor key topics during the conference, attendees will see far fewer of them. Time will be repurposed in the Connected Learning Center, where attendees will engage in short demonstrations of new technology tools, participate in mini-sessions designed to further specific concepts, and engage in discussion with speakers and fellow attendees. NASSP's plan is to limit the barrage of content and instead go deeper. There will still be plenty of content, but they also want to give attendees what they have so little of during their professional day: time to think about what they’re learning. We all know the importance of reflection, but it’s the first thing that gets lost while we navigate the seas of urgency in our schools. While attendees are at Ignite 2013, they will get to reclaim that time and make the most of it.

Participatory learning. Although attendees scrambled from full-length session to full-length session at past conferences, there was not a lot of time to process and discuss. Many of those sessions were so content-rich that even those billed as highly interactive would often run out of time for meaningful interaction. So NASSP has programmed interaction into the conference. The plenary Thought Leader Sessions will have more of a workshop feel, as will the concurrent sessions. In addition,the Connected Learning Center will:
  • Encourage interaction between colleagues who are facing similar challenges in their schools.
  • Provide dedicated spaces for informal conversations.
  • Feature chat sessions combined with some basic social media training.

Speaking of social media and technology, the conference will allow for constant connectivity with free Wi-Fi in all meeting rooms and public spaces, a powerful conference mobile app, and charging stations for devices. NASSP has listened to our suggestions and all these changes reflect how members prefer to learn. The robustness of the professional conversations at past conferences speaks volumes. Every conference gathers a massive untapped reserve of knowledge and experience —the attendees themselves. NASSP's collective task for the few days we are at the conference is to release that knowledge and encourage it to flow freely among all in attendance. The new conference format issues a challenge to all of us. The success of Ignite 2013 relies on your active participation. The old “sit ’n’ git” format wasn’t built for engagement: Ignite 2013 is.

I will be there and look forward to connecting with and learning from some of the many leaders that consistently push my thinking and provide me with the inspiration to do what I do better.

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