New Gadgets

I have just upgraded my phone from a iPhone 4 to the 5s. The camera is much improved so I am looking to do even more with video and photos for my school.

I have my new Joby Gorrilla tripod and will be looking to add a wireless mic.

Stay tuned for which solution I find.

 

Presenting Remote Frustrations

I use my iPhone with Keynote Remote app to control my Keynote presentation on my Mac so I can roam the space and see my notes. However, yesterday the wireless connection was almost non-existent. So I could not use my iPhone, and therefore, could not see my notes easily!

This morning I remembered that I can set up an ad hoc connection! So the plan today is to use the ad hoc until I need to go to the internet.

 

Using ImageChef on my iPhone

http://centennial.greeleyschools.org/Page/7908

I love all of the creative fun things that can be done with my iPhone and a few apps. I also used a similar image created with ImageChef for my introduction at MassCue 2011. There is a version online, but I think the iPhone app is better because you don’t get the watermarks on your images.

 

Lifecards

Lifecards is another postcard app from the app store. It allows for many different choices in layout. You may even use it to create a short article or newsletter.

This is an example of how you may use Lifecards in the classroom.

 

Blurb Mobile

Here is a new Blurb Mobile story that I made today to include on my Greeley History site. This is an app that you make an account to use then it uploads your story to their site. You then can share the link to your stories. So far there isn’t an embed code.
http://www.blurb.com/mobile/show/01e1f6ad8

 

How to Get the Media from Your Phone to Your Computer or Website

Most iPhone Apps that I share in my presentation will have more than one way to share your creations. Some will be best to save to your photoroll then transfer to iPhoto or your photo folder on your computer. Others can be emailed to yourself, uploaded to sites to either share the link or get an embed code.

I always be sure that I can easily use my media creations that I make on the iPhone. Check out the sharing possibilities of the app and choose which one will work best for your project.

 

App Updates From My Tie Session

Today Phoster has an update that allows you to change the colors! I was too excited. You may change the color of the far background. Not the elements. Maybe next time!

360Panorama also has a few updates.

 

Gadgets for Your iPhone

There are gadgets that make using your iPhone for creating media even easier. The iPevo 2 enables you to share your phone screen using your computer and a projector. They offer educational pricing. http://www.ipevo.com/prods/Point-2-View-USB-Camera/IPEVO

I also had a Joby Gorrilla tri-pod that was useful for the few minutes that I was able to play with it before the dog ate it. I am looking to replace it soon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AP9638 (My other one only cost me $18!)

I also have a clip on microphone so I can video tape people speaking easier. I got mine from Amazon on sale. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HJ9PTO

At Target I saw little stylus pens made for iPhone and iPad screens. May help with some of the editing and effect work on photos. They were made by Griffin. I may get one to use for GreenScreen Studio. They were about $18.

Stylus for iPhone

 

Reflections on Time

Woke up way too early this morning because I wanted to get a jump start on my thinking about instruction for the day. I see 700+ students in grades K-5 each week at a high-poverty school with mostly ELL learners. Most classes I see once a week, but there are weeks when one class doesn’t come because it is a short week. My challenge is to get the most bang for the buck in about 32 class periods a year.

This is one of the reasons I try to find Web tools that students will want to use at home or go to the library and use. This year I am planning on introducing my fifth graders to a lot of different tools so they are prepared for middle-school. I have decided that I will introduce some tools to the whole class, others to individuals and some I will provide students with the URL. Hopefully, this will increase collaboration and cooperation and work outside of the class day.

Yesterday I introduced my first fifth grade class to Edmoto. They seemed pretty excited about the Facebook look and format. I hope it will help motivate them in writing and thinking. I also want to use Kidblog with them, but it is blocked by the filter. (I may have to remind my principal to have it removed.) We also have a wiki and use Kerpoof. Then there are all of these motivating tools to add: picnick, video cameras, cartoon makers, Wordle, digital cameras, voice, etc. I believe students will use these tools outside of school. They just need to know about them.

My thought is to get students to create an online network of friends to work and learn with outside of the school day. This is an exciting time to be teaching because there are so many exciting tools for us to use.