TSNT: Did You See This Coming?

Try Something New Tuesday: Did You See This Coming?

 

Just try keeping up with Google! I was thinking about getting Lasik surgery, now they come up with a really cool pair of glasses. I'm sure most of you have heard of Google Glass, if not, here's the quick overview:




Do you see clearly now? If you are like me, these glasses do not lead me to believe the future will be clearer. Actually, I'm thinking more fuzzy. One point which comes to mind,  what about privacy issues? Anyone with these glasses can take a pic or video and RECORD anything in their viewing.  I think we all can relate to the fact that privacy is slowly disappearing with the rapid speed of technology inventions.

What do the inventors have to say? Google is smart-they are promoting this tool as an effective way to teach kids in the classroom. Let me remind Google that there already is an enormous Digital Divide across our great nation. Most schools cannot afford to purchase a $1500 pair of glasses for each teacher, each student in the classroom including prior training and professional development. These glasses do not exactly sound realistic or effective to me.

One thing I try to avoid is complaining about and blaming technology-such an easy trap to fall into. WE are the 'live' ones here, the users of technology. We are smart enough to figure this out and how to handle the constant change and progressiveness (or aggresiveness, depending on who you talk to) this techy society brings.

What you need to know:
1. Laws and policies struggle to keep up the ever changing technology. As responsibile citizens, it's our job to seek out ways to educate those around us to be responsible with the choices we all make in the technology we all purchase and use.

2. I can already hear you-"What about those who are not responsible?"  Learn how to cope with those around us who do not use technology responsibily and how to avoid the pitfalls, mistakes, and dangers which those irresponible users cause.  Role-play how to handle situations where your loved ones feel  their privacy is being compromised. Empower them with the confidence and tools they need.

3. Professional development and training are KEY. I don't know one effective principal, manager, supervisor, or good 'ol boss who has said "we overplanned, we taught them too much, they know how to do their job too well." Same goes for technology, learn how to use it effectively FROM THE BEGINNING. Increase opportunities to use technology in a positive way and train others on how to avoid the misuse of technology.

4. Technology is here to stay. Sure, you can sign petitions to ban this type of technology: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/ban-google-glass-use-usa-until-clear-limitations-are-placed-prevent-indecent-public-surveillance/zMb9y0kh. But being well informed and teaching our youth how to respectfully handle these advancements will equip them for a future we cannot even imagine.

5. Let's be honest, we love the fact that we can find anything we want in seconds on our smartphone, that our TV can record and remember our favorite shows, that with a push of a button you can choose 50 different flavors of Coke at the movie theater, that at the end of a long day, you can enjoy some Facetime or Skype with that someone special who gets you through that long day. In simplest terms, we as humans-love the positives, hate the negative consequences which technology brings.

Still looking through rose colored glasses, right on! Google Glass has a new pair waiting for you.

What do you SEE about this?

TSNT: Is your Smartphone an Energy Eater?

Try Something New Tuesday! 

Is your Smartphone an Energy Eater?

We hear people talk about saving energy all day long. Turn off the lights. Walk to the store. Only use the dishwasher for full loads. Shut the front door. Close the refrigerator! Keep the thermostat to 68 degrees year round (my husband's favorite). But did you know your Smartphone is wasting energy?

What? How can this be? It's so small?

Take a look:

Feel a little better? As you can see Smartphones actually use less energy than their bigger competitors. Recent research shows that the average person spends at least 2 hours a day on their Smartphone. People are completing more tasks such as: checking Facebook, responding to email, checking the news, playing games, etc than on their PC.

Still...your Smartphone is using extra energy that is really doesn't need to.

Here are five quick tips to save power and energy:


1. At night, when it is charged. Turn.it.off. Yes, unplug and go to bed, I promise it will be waiting for you in the morning.

2. Close out your apps on your phone. It's the same problem as having several programs and internet tabs open on your PC. Don't know how, here you go:

Double click your 'Home" button on your iPhone, you'll see the apps which are open, jiggling at the bottom.

hold down one and you will see a red circle with a white line which means to close them out. It will not delete them.

3. Check which apps are taking up space on your phone.

Go to settings, click general, then usage. You can clearly see which apps are taking up the most space, etc. Obviously I'm behind on uploading/backing up my pictures.

4. Lock your phone (or put it on a short auto-lock). If your phone isn't set to a quick auto-lock time already, be sure to correct it. There's a good chance that your phone could waste battery power when you aren't using it if it isn't locked.

5. When you can, lower the brightness. It will be somewhat more difficult to use apps or read something on low brightness, but it will save you lots of battery power.

Moral of the story: if you have not already, please be mindful for being responsible for your Smartphone in saving energy. Your Smartphone is not human ...yet.



Note:  Some of these tips are more specific to iPhone (my apologizes, that's the device I utilize).
http://www.epri.com/Pages/Default.aspx
For more info, read this blog: http://lifehacker.com/5948075/how-much-energy-a-smartphone-uses-in-a-year-and-what-it-means-for-your-budget

TSNT: OUT: Angry Birds and Wii. IN: CargoBot and Scratch

Try Something New Tuesday: OUT: Angry Birds and Wii. IN: CargoBot and Scratch

Seriously,  how many Angry Birds levels and cartoon theme connections can they come up with? Aren't you ready for a new a new app to take up all your time? How about gaming that will make you actually think, not just give your index finger or thumb a workout. Perhaps you have tried a few and just are not feeling excited anymore. I've got one to get your brain working. CargoBot! It's spring--out with the old, in with the new!  Sure the Wii, Xbox, etc are fun and I'm not saying to trash those, but try something different!

Programming and coding.

Stop there. No, these are not scary words.  Yes, YOU CAN PROGRAM. YOU CAN LEARN CODES. You do not have know anything about programming or coding to start using CargoBot and Scratch. Let's start here, if you have not see this cool video intro, check it out:

Scratch: If you've got an itch to try a new program on your PC, this one if for you! Pun intended. Scratch is FREE and it can be used from a basic level to an advanced level. You set the pace, you design the program, you get to be creative and have fun! No expectations on how creative you want to be, that is for you to decide. Learn more about it and download your free (and it's not a trial!) program here: http://scratch.mit.edu/.

I have been using this program with students of all ages (yes, adult learners as well). You can simply  play the videos on the website or create a game/video yourself.

Finally, Cargo Bot. This is a free app which helps you learn the early levels of programming.http://twolivesleft.com/CargoBot/.There are 36 puzzles with different levels of expertise. Basically, you are programming a robot to move boxes. Which is great-who likes to move boxes themselves!? The puzzles are clever and they keep your mind engaged as you find ways to make the robot accomplish tasks you program it to do.


Out with the old, in with the new...isn't that what technology is all about?

TSNT: Trace Your Digital Footprint!

Try Something New Tuesdays! Where have you been walking?

A digital footprint is the word used to describe the trail, traces or "footprints" that people leave online. This is information transmitted online, such as an online registrations, e-mails and, photos, attachments, uploading videos and any other form of transmission of information — all of which leaves traces of personal information about yourself available to others online.
 
Are you wondering about your digital footprint? If you are reading this, you have one! Anytime you are online you leave a digital footprint. The bigger your 'presence" the bigger the footprint. If you are concerned about your presence online there are ways to protect your privacy.
 
I'll start with the two most popular places you leave a digital footprint and links to explain what you can do:
 
Google: https://www.google.com/intl/en/goodtoknow/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/privacy
 
As we celebrated Earth Day yesterday, I began to reflect upon my own digital footprint. What footprints have I left behind? How do these digital footprints affect the environment?
 
Let's move forward with two things you need to know about your digital footprint:
 
1. The bigger the digital footprint also means the more energy being exerted. Mother Earth needs our help to conserve energy. Here are some ways you can do so with regards to your digital footprint:
 

• Switch to the cloud. Encourage your workplace to consider storing digital assets in the “cloud”. Many data centers who have sophisticated cooling technology, are better able to match server capacity with demand and increasingly make use of renewable sources of energy. Organizations under 100 users, especially, could cut their IT carbon emissions 90% by switching to the cloud.
• Choose efficient devices. According to the NRDC, much of the energy used in computing comes not from distant data centers, but from the devices we use every day. Efficient computers can use up to 80% less energy than their thirsty counterparts.
• Check your power settings. Ensuring your computer automatically shuts down when not in use is the single biggest energy saving opportunity on most computers. Also double clicking on your iPad then closing out those apps you have opened saves energy!
• Donate or recycle electronics. Much energy is expended producing and shipping electronic devices, so it’s vital to get as much “mileage” out of them as possible. Reusing electronics also keeps harmful metals and plastics from reaching landfills.

 
 2. Think about the future generation. Educate those digital natives about their digital footprints. Their shoe size is already bigger than their parents!
 
Many children have their pre-birth scans uploaded to the Internet by their parents – files that can be megabytes in size. Proud parents (and family members)  love to post pics and digital accolades about their cherished offspring and relatives. Seventy per cent of mothers said the ability to upload and share these pictures with family and friends was the motivation for posting information of their children online.(source)

"It's a sobering thought that while a 30-year-old has an online footprint stretching back at most 10-15 years, the vast majority of children today have an online presence by the time they are two years old – a presence that will then be built on throughout their lives," says JR Smith, CEO of AVG. "This digital history will follow an individual around for the rest of their life, and parents have to be aware of the privacy settings they have set on their social networking profiles – otherwise they will be sharing photos with the whole online world."

The internet is a great place to roam and walk around, just beware of who is following in your footsteps!

TSNT: GET (net)SMART!

TSNT (Try Something New Tuesday!) You are smart (keeping telling yourself that).  Whether you are a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin, friend or acquaintance of school aged students, you can support them by passing along this useful information. Cyberbullying Prevetion and Internet Safety are key when raising a digital native.

In case you have not been introduced to: http://www.netsmartz.org/, here is your formal introduction!

This website is beyond resourceful and amazing. The best part is, it is FREE and contains quality information which is accurate and real.

I love the three simple, yet powerful words this website promotes: "Educate, Engage, Empower".

Who is this website for? Anyone who wants to be more of a proactive citizen, rather than a reactive one,  when using technology in our digital society.

 This website is trendy, real and easy to navigate. You can create a free account to download any of the materials if you are teacher in the classroom or a guardian who wants to utilize some of the lessons and or activities. Or, you can choose to browse at your own free will and access the videos, games, interactive resource without having to remember an username and password!

Kids, Tweens and Teens can all play age-appropriate games, watch videos, read information, learn how to cope through role playing activities and share their own thoughts through this safe and secure website.

The videos seem to be the most popular, here are some of my favorites.
Kids: 
My fav: http://www.netsmartzkids.org/VideoOfTheMonth

Tweens:
My fav: http://www.nsteens.org/Videos/TerribletEXt

Teens:
My fav:




Tip: scroll down to the bottom of the website and click on 'Site Map' which will give an overview of all the resources available through quick links: http://www.netsmartz.org/SiteMap

Another resource is Mackenzie Gavel who blogs about her experiences and others with cyberbullying: http://belittlethebullies.com


Check it out! You will not be disappointed, you will be even (net)SMARTER!



NOTE: They are flash videos, so if you are using an iPad, download the browser which allows you to view flash videos called 'Puffin". https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/puffin-web-browser-free/id472937654?mt=8

It's "Try Something New Tuesday!"

I'll admit, it's been awhile since I have posted. Mainly because I have started forming private wikis in my courses for students to share their ideas and resources in a collaborative, yet comfortable setting. I decided to put forth my efforts into creating more intimate and 'risk friendly' environments in my course management system, Livetext. I have found many students sharing, adding and collaborating in the free and open forum, which has been very exciting!

While that has certainly been successful, I have missed blogging. I feel I can balance both now and and am headed in a new direction of blogging. Finding ways to inspire my followers, or those who just happen to stumble upon this blog, to try something new (in relation to technology).

Remember preschool or even your early elementary years when learning was all about exploring and being a risk taker? Now it seems more and more people feel as though using technology, or learning something new is actually time consuming and, well, just one more thing they have to do. When did learning something new become so old?

Let's make this easy: I'll post weekly ways you can have fun with technology and all your have to do is either try it pass it on! I'm launching: TRY SOMETHING NEW TUESDAYS (Mondays are hard to process). Pick and choose what you want to try. For those of you in the education professional, think about if the technology tool I am sharing will enhance or transform your lessons or life. If not, come back next week!

THIS WEEK: Animoto! If you haven't heard of this great tool: here's the link.
http://animoto.com/
You can access it via the web or through the app platform. What a great way to encourage kids to create a video about something they learned and themselves! It's easy, safe, effective and engaging. Teachers could create a short video as they look to flipping their classroom or want to pose a question, idea or content area for others to take notice.

Here's video my son made when he was "Student of the Week". He did this all by himself. All I did was record his small intro. If this first grader can do it, so can you! Endless possibilities. Try it and transform your lessons or life.

TEAMwork=Successful IEP's

Productive and successful IEP meetings require the participation and preparation of ALL team members.

 

An Individual Education Program (IEP) helps students meet their education goals more easy than they otherwise would. Teachers form the students IEPs through data on the student. For special education teachers, ongoing information is important to track students’ progress. Electronic systems have helped teachers form the best plan for their students. Students with an IEP must be tested often in order to form the most affective plan for that student

 

A student with an IEP must have certain goals and objectives to fit their need to be educated. One method which can aid in the development and growth of the child is Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM).  CBM is a tool used to record academic progress of students’ with an IEP. This tool allows teachers to track the students’ progress and achievements. CBM also is helpful to show if the student is learning or if the teacher needs to improve teaching strategies. Each week the student is briefly tested, and then the teacher collects the data from the assessment and enters it into the system. Assessments could be counting money, reading words, and other brief test monitored by the teacher. The CBM forms the data into a chart or graph which will visually show the students’ progress. This is a great tool to help assist teachers with IEPs. 

There are many web-based data systems to guide teachers with curriculum based measurements. EasyCBM enables teachers to be able to screen, monitor progress, and develop plans for the student. This system makes it easy for teachers to sync accounts to other staff member or the family, which allows for maintaining the students record from year to year. Students are also able to take assessments online that fit into their education plan. Real-time reports can be generated with web-based systems for the teacher or family to view. Web-based systems are a way to involve the parents in the students’ progress and education plan. Intervention Central ( www.interventioncentral.org ) is a website which provides information about CBM for the teachers. This website also has videos and manual available for teachers to learn more about ways to promote academic success with this tool. The teacher must know how to effectively use CBM in order to continue to improve a student’s academic goals and achievements. 
 
Tracking progress is extremely important for students with IEPs; technology has made it less of a challenge to determine the best plans for students. Web-based assessment, data, and management systems are affective tools to use in special education. Ongoing information of the students’ progress is the key to forming affective individual education programs. Web-based systems make it easy to share and compare data with involved parties. Technology in the classroom does not only benefit and help the teachers, but also the students’ success. 

Special thanks to Rockhurst University Department of Education Graduate Student: Brittney Kidd for her contribution to this blog.