In this issue of Dragon Tech Week in Review:
Chrome EZ Viewer, iPad Crate, Miro Video Converter, Flip Camera, iPhone 5, Facebook Timeline, New Apps, faculty iPad, Picasa Web Albums, and Calendar Appointment Slots.
Chrome EZ Preview
I installed the Chrome EZ viewer extension. When I turn it on, it shows a preview of a webpage before I go to the trouble of actually clicking on the page and then clicking back if I'm not interested. So far I like it because it offers a nice feature when I want to use it, but it stays out of the way when I don't. 
iPad crate
I built the iPad Crate this week. The school got some additional iPads over the summer. They are now kept in a milk crate in the unassigned classroom next to the MS Commons. There is a power strip and power cables attached to the crate. We don't yet have detailed policies for how the crate will be managed, so go ahead and use it, but please return it when you are finished. The crate should generally stay in the room, but a teacher can carry it to another room when needed. Just return it at the end of the period. I put together the iPad Crate to add flexibility to our campus mobile computing options.
MP3 or MP4?
I had a project this week converting mp4 music files into mp3 music files. This article from HowToDoThings.com offers a brief explanation of the difference. I used Miro Video Converter to do the job. It has a drag-and-drop feature to convert many audio/video file formats into something else. It's designed for moving files between your camera, computer, phone, iPad, or music player when you don't have the correct format. It's a free app downloadable from the App Store for Mac. If your Mac does not yet have the App Store, then you need Mac OSX 10.6. If you just got a MacBook this year, you already have 10.6 and the App Store. If you have a MacBook from earlier years, bring it to the Media Lab and I will upgrade it for you. Unfortunately, desktop eMacs and iBooks are too old to run 10.6. But, if you don't care about the App Store, then you don't need it anyway.
Flip Camera
Extended Day used the Flip Camera this week to record some of their activities. Karen explained that she wants to start keeping a video record of events and use the clips later in the year for a video project. Although earlier this year, Cisco announced Plans to shut down their Flip Video division, he still have some of the cameras here at school and they are waiting for you to use them.
Apple iPhone 5 on Tues Oct 4
Apple has a big announcement next Tuesday, October 4 about the upcoming iPhone 5...if you are interested in that sort of thing. You can read about it PCWorld. So, what does it have to do with you? Probably nothing. We will upgrade all the school's iPads and iPods to the new iOS 5 when it is available. There will be some new features that we will have to get used to, just as we incorporated the new folders feature last year. The lesson is that there is always something new coming out.
Who is afraid of Facebook?
Here is a great article about how NOT to be afraid of Facebook. Facebook is neither good nor bad, just like a TV unit is neither good nor bad. Just because teenagers have 1000 friends doesn't mean that you have to. You are in control so you can limit access only to pictures of your new grandkids if that's what you want. Or if you want to engage in debate with friends of friends of friends over whether or not Maryland is in the North or the South, you can use Facebook for that, too. It's up to you.
Mad Men and Facebook Timeline
Do you like Mad Men? Do you like Facebook? You'll love this YouTube mashup.
New Apps this week
iPad for teachers
We have a new iPad with a pretty blue cloth cover. It is set up for teachers to borrow (and return) so they can practice at home. It has flowers on the covers, but it is not too girly looking, so even the men should feel comfortable carrying it around for a weekend. Contact if you would like a turn.
Picasa Web Albums for class photos
It is now only one click from the Third Grade home page to their PicasaWeb photo albums. Because Picasa is owned by Google, you are already logged in when you login to your mail or your website.
new K-Prep calendar
K-Prep has a streamlined home page with a single-click to their calendar of events. Here are some help documents for basic information about using Google Apps Calendar. I think they would be helpful if only to see what is possible. Then you can contact the Tech Team and get more help for doing it yourself.
Calendar intro video: http://learn.googleapps.com/cal_overview_vid
Intro document: https://docs.google.com/a/harfordday.org/document/d/1TGdK72bz1Zn1RNhJQedRE02HLGXf1T4cRRfQSdM5hOQ/edit?hl=en&authkey=CNCw16EI
Appointment slots
I created a calendar with appointment slots for the Media Lab. If you want to work in the Media Lab or work with me one-on-one for any tech project, just click on any open slot and make your appointment. That time is then reserved for you. Appointment slots are available from 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
In the past two weeks Esther, Linda, Marge, Betty, and Kate have all used the appointment calendar, so you can ask them if you have any questions.
Amazon Kindle Fire
I liked this article about the Amazon Kindle Fire, which was announce this week.
Daniel
No comments:
Post a Comment