CESA 7 Handheld User Group (HUG)

$50 Handhelds?? for elementary students--not a PC!

2008-04-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

I've always used the word "handheld" to be synonymous with "handheld computer" so when I saw several articles and reviews touting a $50 "handheld" I had to do some more checking. Elementary schools in at least seven cities (500 in Chicago) are piloting this "handheld computer" to help teach reading and math. Although the device is just $50, the reading and math software that the machine is designed for (the only thing it comes loaded with is a management system) costs $20 for each program PER STUDENT. The cost just doubled.

The Chicago-based Innovations for Learning, (a non-profit organization) bills it as “the world’s most affordable solution” for giving a "computer" to every student. I would argue with that statement, but after reading more about it, the device may have its place in the classroom.

The “teachermate,” features a 2.5 inch color screen (get out your reading glasses!), 512 megabytes of internal memory, an SD slot for expandability, a built-in microphone and speaker, and a battery life of four hours. It weighs 1.2 pounds...seems heavy for such a small device. Along with the device (I just can't call it a computer!) you can buy a special case ($300 plus S &H) that allows charging and data-sync of 30 units at a time using one AC outlet and one USB cable.

The strength of the device is in its reading and math software programs also developed by Innovations for Learning, which says it created the software first but was looking for an affordable, scalable way to deliver the software to every student. According to Seth Weinberger, executive director of the nonprofit:

“Our organization has been stymied over the years by the same roadblock faced by all educational software makers—the inadequacy of personal computers in K-2 classrooms, “There are too few computers in the classroom, too many of them are broken, and too many of them are hand-me-downs. Public schools do not have the funds to provide sufficient computer resources to the young students who need them most.”

These problems led the group to develop an inexpensive solution that would be intuitive for young students to use. According to an eSchoolNews article,

"The teachermate is lightweight and portable, yet the images on its screen are highly visible. All you have to do is switch on the power button and it’s ready to go. A row of three colored buttons on the top, a circle of arrows to the right, and a big blue “enter” button on the left make up all the controls. The software’s learning games are simple and have fun noises and actions for kids to look at. There’s also a dog character named Max who dances and plays instruments for students when they complete a game successfully. The device comes with lightweight earphones and has places for a USB cable and an AC cord."

Steve Dembo, in his Teach42 blogpost about the device had a chance to speak with Seth and shared the following about it:

"I loved the idea of the Sync and Store case for its simplicity, but I didn’t realize how critical it was to use these devices effectively. The idea is, once per week the teacher goes into the classroom management software and marks off where each student is for reading and math, at a class, group, or individual level. Then, the device will load up lessons that are specific to that students’ level! The device won’t have the entire year stored on it. Heck, it won’t even have the entire unit. It will have just the lessons that the individual student would need for that week. VERY targeted. Of course, the flip side is that students’ answers/responses are recorded and uploaded to the teachers’ computer at next sync so they have a solid idea how the student is doing.

Another tidbit that almost blew me off my chair was how they’re using the microphone. The example he showed me was the Teachermate displaying an image along with a sentence below it. Then, using the built in speaker, you would hear a person read the phrase aloud. After hearing it read aloud (highlighting the words along the way), the student would repeat it back. The microphone would record the student reading it. Then, it would play the original voice reading it, the student reading it and the original once again. So the student had the ability to compare their own reading and inflection to the original! Not only that, but those recordings? They also get transfered over to the teachers computer so he or she can HEAR how the student is doing. Just think how powerful that would be to be able to break out during conferences and share with parents.

But wait, that’s not all! After reading a story (or watching an animated story), students can even choose characters from the story, stamp them on the screen, type out their own story via the onscreen keyboard (yucky, but kids are doing it anyway on their video game systems all the time), and then NARRATE IT using the microphone. The whole thing is saved and can be transfered over to the teachers computer. I know what you’re going to ask next, and no, there is no way to publish those just yet, but it’s on the list for 2.0."

So...where do I get my hands on one!? I tried Amazon.com and although it's listed, it also says "not yet available." It's on my wishlist, even though it's not really a PC...or even a handheld (as I've always defined it.) Maybe I need to change my definition???

Cheating on Tests-it's not about the technology

2008-04-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading two blog posts about students cheating on tests--Tony Vincent's Learning In Hand and Will Richardson's Weblogg-ed. I do encourage you to check out both--they are filled with excellent, thoughtful commentary. Tony's includes several student-created YouTube videos on how it's being done. I noticed that most of them have little or nothing to do with handheld technologies, often an argument against implementing them in our schools.

As long as we continue to assess students' knowledge with traditional test methods and continue to hold grades up as "trophies" (which they aren't) and continue to use them to label our students' ability to achieve and understand (which they don't), students will continue to find new ways to cheat...and it's NOT about the technology!!

I'll ask the same question that Will Richardson did in his blog:

"When are we going to stop giving students tests they can cheat on?"

Please feel free to comment and let's get that conversation going here in NE Wisconsin!
(Will's post of that questions garnered 62 of them...worth reading and reflecting on.)

Using iPods in Education

2008-03-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

I have clearly been remiss in letting you know that my handheld "guru," Tony Vincent, has a great series of podcasts available either on his website (March 25th post for Episode 11) or through iTunes (free for Mac or PC) called "Learning in Hand: iPods." (Search on "Tony Vincent" in iTunes-you'll find it faster.) There are 11 episodes now available including:

Hard Disk Mode
Downloading Videos
Main Menu
iPod Shuffle Tips
Troubleshooting
Notes
iQuiz
Manage Manually
Photos (pt. 1)
Photos (pt. 2)
Artwork & Lyrics

Also, don't forget about Tony's earlier series of podcasts called "Soft Reset" which gives great tips and tricks for Palm and Windows based handheld computers.

Finally, remember that I am ready, willing and able to come to your school to offer training on educational use of handheld "gadgets" including iPods and handhelds. Just contact the CESA 7 ETS department director, Chris Rogers (crogers@cesa7.k12.wi.us) for more info.

Twitter to learn

2008-03-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already heard of Twitter and you have a cell phone, you might want to check out its potential for learning. A post in Techlearning gives you an idea as to how this tool, which basically encourages you to text the answer to "What are you doing?" in 140 characters or less, can be used as a staff development tool. The power of social-networking allows you to stay in touch with some real movers and shakers in technology, including such folk as Wil Richardson, David Jakes, David Warlick, Kim Cofino and many more. Or, you can follow your favorite political candidate...both Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton Twitter. (Well, actually, I think it's their staff that does...) Check out my Twitter page!

f u cn read dis alrdy thn u may nt nd 2 read dis post

2008-03-04T13:15:00.000-08:00

Textspeak...is it changing our language or perhaps impacting how well our students write? According to this ReviewJournal.com article "cell phone text messaging is spawning debate on the difference between 'ryt' and wrong.' ...this odd but useful assemblage of symbols used routinely by thumb-typing people -- most of them youngish -- for quick communication. As an adjunct language, textspeak is practical, concise and, often, really creative."

"There's no consensus in the academic community regarding textspeak. Some teachers say text messaging is a form of writing, and anything that prompts students to write is good. Others argue that textspeak isn't the sort of writing that will endear students to either teachers or future employers They do agree that although not widespread, textspeak increasingly seems to be making its way into schoolwork."

The best ways for teachers to explain to students why it's not acceptable in the classroom: 1. The age-old "your write differently for different audiences" and 2. Employers are increasingly demanding excellent verbal and written skills.

Ian Jukes' latest post to his "Committed Sardine" blog included some of the key points from the article as well as a great resource to help you translate textspeak to English...or vice-versa.

Lingo2Word can help. Go to the site and type in a message and it will be deciphered into relatively standard English. Lingo2Word translates works the other way, too.

Here are two examples of classic writing as they might look if sent as text messages:

4 scor n 7 yrs ago r dads brawt 4th on dis cn10nt a nu n8tN, conceivd n Liberty, n dedic8d 2 d proposal dat ll men r cr8d eql. That’s Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

twinkl twinkl lil * ^ abov d wrld so fr
That's the nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Will textspeak ever become acceptable in the classroom--I doubt it, but... im uzn it wen i txt on my smrtfon coz d butns r jst 2 sml 2 typ ot d hol wrd...it maks my thums sor!

Translated: I am using it when I text on my smartphone because the buttons are just too small to type out the whole word...it makes my thumbs sore!

Great tips for the best podcasts

2008-02-05T16:58:00.001-08:00

If you're one of the tech savvy teachers who are exciting your students by encouraging them to create their own podcasts (a terrific way to give them a "voice") then I want to call your attention to Tony Vincent's latest Learning In Hand blog post titled Advice for Better Podcasts.

Tony responds to a recent a article written by Matt Villano, Building a Better Podcast found in January 2008's T.H.E. Journal. You will find some great tips from Tony and get an overview of what Matt wrote.

If you are a "newbie" to podcasting, then be sure to check out Tony's very complete Podcasting in Education web page. Lots of excellent resources to help you get started.
You could also consider signing up for an upcoming CESA 7 ETS (Educational Technology Services) workshop coming up in fall of 08. Wisconsin podcasting expert Naomi Harm from CESA 4 will lead you and yours truly will be there to assist you in creating your first podcast!
For more info on this workshop, you can contact Chris Rogers, ETS director with info found on the ETS home page.

You can also check a previous post in this blog for some additional resources and info.

So...start podcasting! You'll have great fun and so will your students. (They'll think you're the coolest teacher of all and they'll learn some fantastic lifelong skills in the process.)

PBS programs added to iTunes U

2008-02-05T09:28:00.000-08:00

Feb 4, 2008
Teachers, students, and lifelong learners now have a new source for free, educational multimedia, as PBS and local PBS stations KQED (San Francisco), WETA (Washington, DC), WGBH (Boston), and WNET (New York) are offering high-quality video clips and other educational resources on iTunes U, a dedicated area of the iTunes Store showcasing educational content.

Available in the Beyond Campus section of iTunes U, the initial online offerings from these local PBS stations include a wealth of educational video clips, lectures, interviews, teacher’s guides, and a variety of other materials.

“iTunes U presents a tremendous opportunity for WGBH to expand the reach of our educational TV, radio and Web content to a global audience,” said Jon Abbott, president, WGBH. “We look forward to making even more of our programming available in the future by regularly adding new video clips and lectures to our presence on iTunes U.”

“We’ve already discovered how offering extensive free video, audio and lesson plans has empowered teachers and students to develop the skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century and to bring skills which can be applied to their own communities,” added added Tim Olson, KQED’s Interactive executive director. “iTunes U is a natural environment for public broadcasting companies in this effort.”

For more info, check out the full article at PBS.org

iTunes
iTunes is free software for Windows and Macintosh. iTunes has a built in podcast directory that is quite comprehensive. After launching iTunes, click on iTunes Store. Then choose iTunes U. While there, be sure to check out iTunes built in podcast directory.

XO laptop--plenty of potential

2008-01-15T17:48:00.000-08:00

Is the handheld on its way out? I think not, although the XO laptop (orginally known as the $100 laptop) is certainly a tool worth considering as another option, especially for the very young. I ordered my XO laptop during the recent "Buy1 Give1" promotion and received it the day before Christmas. (The promotion ended on Dec. 31st, 2007, but I think it will be back once initial orders are fulfilled.) The cost was $398 for me to get one XO and donate one. In return for the donation, I can take a $200 tax credit. I've finally had time to check most of it out and I think it has some very good possibilities for students in kindergarten to about 4th grade.

Although I knew that the laptop would be small, I was a bit surprised by how small it really is--just 9" x 9." Here's a comparison photo you can check out. Not a handheld--it definitely won't fit in my pocket or purse, but with its sturdy handle and light weight (about 3#), it's very easy to carry around. The screen size (7 1/2") was comfortable for me for viewing (I'm very used to the small screens of Palms), but the keyboard is definitely designed for little hands--it was impossible for me to type on it normally. Although its size was a problem for me, I liked the fact that it's completely sealed and it would be almost impossible to damage it by spilling something on it. It's also not possible for individual keys to be removed--a real plus for kid use. The laptop has a 500-megahertz processor and 256 megabytes of DRAM (dynamic random access memory) with 1 gig of flash memory.

I have been able to connect to several open wireless networks and browse the Internet easily. As part of the laptop giving I also received a one year complimentary subscription to T-Mobile "hot spots" (there's only one in Green Bay at the Starbucks, but there are a fair number of them throughout WI and beyond.) I was not able to get it to connect it to my home wireless (DSL) modem and also couldn't connect at an area school district. I can "see" the wireless access points on my "neighborhood" screen, but haven't yet figured out how/where to get past the security issues. I need to read more in the wiki about that.

I've checked out most of the "activities" (they are not called applications) that come pre-loaded on the XO, including a word processor which works very much like any other--copy, paste, insert tables and images, and basic formatting. It has a limited number of fonts and no spell check options, but documents created can be saved as RTF, HTML or TXT and transferred to a flash drive for further editing if desired. (The XO comes with 3 USB ports built in.) I was able to connect a USB mouse with no problem (it didn't come with one) and was able to use the mouse pad without too much trouble, although it was sometimes a little jumpy in some of the activities. There is a built in stylus pad, but no activities (as yet) with which it can be used.

In addition, I was able to download a number of additional activities from the XO wiki software page. All were free and most are works in progress. Thank you to those of you who are taking time to develop them! Developers are asking for feedback from anyone who tries them out.

I gave the XO to my 6 year old grand-nephew and with a few basic instructions he was able to use a couple of activities pretty much on his own. He had fun with Paint (mostly scribbling, though) and did quite well with the Maze activity (one that I downloaded.) Each maze gets progressively harder and you can time yourself on how long it takes to complete it. He also enjoyed Story Builder created by MaMaMedia--it provides several backgrounds with related characters that can be placed on them by dragging and dropping them. Each character had its own movements and noises. The idea is to create the scene and then write a story. He doesn't have much patience or typing skills, so I helped him out with that part. Cartoon Builder, a basic "cell-animation" activity with sound effects and a variety of characters and backgrounds also piqued his curiosity and imagination. The MaMaMedia folks included a few lesson plans in each activity. He also explored TamTamjam, a music creation program which has great potential for a budding Beethoven. There's a considerable library of sounds and with the built in microphone, kids can add their own as well.

The laptop's battery lasted a solid 3 hours of constant use (I tried most every activity during that time) before it had to be recharged. It comes with a built-in camera which can take still photos (not bad quality at all) or video--pretty much unusable in my opinion.

There are three types of activities distributed with the base system: tools for exploring, expressing, and collaborating. The XO software components wiki lists all the available software--pretty extensive actually, as well as that other software still under development. I expect that much more will be added as the community grows. I was impressed with what's already available.

A colleague of mine has one on order as well, and when she gets hers, we'll test some of the collaboration activities.

I do think that the laptop is worth considering for use in our elementary schools as it continues to be developed. Birmingham City Schools has signed a purchase order for 15,000 of the laptops for use by every student in K-8 in the district. I believe tech savvy parents will be purchasing them for their kids once they see the XO's potential. I would advise schools to be prepared for this eventuality by carefully looking at their policies for allowing student owned "gadgets" (including other handhelds and inexpensive computing devices) in their buildings. These are powerful tools with incredible potential for enhancing learning. I know that my grand-nephews will be enjoying mine whenever they come to visit.

I know absolutely nothing about OS's, so I can't comment on the XO's--you'll have to look to others to tell you more...check out educational tech Doug Johnson's Blue Skunk Blog posts: OLPC-Follow-Up and another OLPC Follow-Up Posting. He writes (among much else):

This is a VERY different operating system. Nothing is in the same place you'd find it in a Linux, Windows or Mac OS. The learning curve may be longer for adults with computer experience than for kids with no tech experience at all.

Finally, Tony Vincent, handheld guru par excellence, has also blogged about the XO and other small, cheap laptops coming onto the market.

One to One Computing continues to get more affordable!

Bye Bye PC? (in Japan)

2007-11-07T05:39:00.000-08:00

In a recent "Committed Sardine" blog entry "PC's are so 20th Century", educational visionary Ian Jukes shares a Globe and Market article that discusses how consumers are choosing to spend their dollars on other, smaller gadgets with similar power and speed.

And why wouldn't they, when smartphones, iPods, and a variety of gaming devices have nearly the same computing capability as a PC?

According to Globe and Market: "It's clear why consumers are shunning PCs. Millions download music directly to their mobiles, and many more use their handsets for online shopping and to play games. Digital cameras connect directly to printers and high-definition TVs for viewing photos, bypassing PCs altogether. Movies now download straight to TVs.

More than 50 per cent of Japanese send e-mail and browse the Internet from their mobile phones, according to a 2006 survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The same survey found that 30 per cent of people with e-mail on their phones used PC-based e-mail less, including 4 per cent who said they had stopped sending e-mails from PCs completely."

And PC sales in the US are starting to decline as well.

Is it time to start rethinking how we are spending our districts' very limited technology budgets? Maybe that handheld computer at $300 (or less) is a better choice than another PC for the lab??

Twitter: Cell Phones & Educational uses

2007-10-31T12:52:00.000-07:00

Just ran across a great blog entry that is an excellent resource for how Twitter (an alternative to IMing and blogging) could be used successfully for a variety of educational applications. Although the focus is on higher ed, I could see lots of connections to K-12. The blog mentions staying in touch with students (even without knowing cell phone numbers); as a communications tool for collaborating researchers; as a way to get students to focus in a concise (140 words) way on a topic; and as a way for conference attendees to discuss topics, again in a concise manner.

The blog also references a number of other web resources related to "Twittering."

Environmental Education and Handhelds

2007-10-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

I just finished working with a great group of environmental educators at MEEC (Midwest Environmental Education Conference) in Stevens Point, WI.

We looked at great ways to use a variety of handheld technologies, including iPods, Palm handhelds, GPS's, Vernier LabPros, SmartPhones.

After looking at podcasts and talking about ways to use them for teaching and learning, one of the participants asked if there was a good definitive list of handhelds out there to guide them. Although I couldn't find any that listed ALL of them, I did find a couple of good places to start.

Directory of Naturepodcasts is a great site put together by a "green" enthusiast. If it's about ecology, eco-tourism, living green, or nature than you'll find it here. You can also email the guy who put it all together if you want your podcast featured there.

The Society for Nature Journalists have created an excellent website that shares some of their favorite podcasts as well as a basic tutorial on to how to receive and listen to podcasts. (Even if you don't have a Mac and an iPod...)

If you know of other good lists, specifically focused on environment or even better, environmental education, please share them with me and my blog readers.

There are a number of podcast aggregator sites out there (besides the iTunes software available for PC or Mac) Just scroll down a ways on the left hand side of the page for other versions. In any of the following podcast links, just type in a keyword or genre of "environment" and you'll find bunches to listen to! Better yet, why not have your students create their own and publish them for the world to enjoy?! Kids learn best by DOING!

From PodcastingNews.com, the Podcast Directory List is a pretty comprehensive listing of the many podcast directories that are available and is a good place to start looking. You can start with their top 11 and work your way down from there.

Handhelds & Internet Access on Buses!

2007-09-18T13:52:00.001-07:00

If your students spend an inordinate amount of time riding a bus to and from school, here's an interesting idea being piloted by a school district in Grapevine, Arkansas.

Thanks to a pilot program called the "Aspirnaut Initiative", the bus has been outfitted with an Internet router and the children have been given either video iPods or laptops. The machines have been loaded with educational videos to help reinforce concepts students are learning in their classrooms.

I would suggest that the new iPod Video Nano's (retailing for $149-4gb and $199-8gb) or a Palm Z22 ($99) or TX ($299) are all excellent tools that cost far less than a laptop and would be easier for students to carry with them.

For the full article, check out Back to School 2.0 In it, you'll also read about other technologies and techniques the district is using to help their students become 21st Century Learners.

With some students spending as much as 15 hours a week on bus commutes, this concept could really help turn that boring bus ride into a great learning opportunity (and maybe even cut down on the many discipline problems bus drivers experience!)

Augmented Reality project uses handhelds

2007-06-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

The Handheld Augmented Reality Project (HARP) is using wireless, GPS enabled devices to enhance student learning. UW Madison is involved in the project that "uses global positioning system (GPS) technology to track a person's movement, and when that person reaches a designated point, he or she is confronted with a computer-generated image or situation pertaining to the scenario in question."

A sample HARP activity, called "Alien Contact" (further explained in an article from ESchool News Online) "assumes that aliens have landed on Earth, and students must work through math and literacy problems to figure out why the aliens have landed."

For more info about this activity and others as well as background info on the Stars Schools project, but sure to check out the article.

Getting the video out of your iPod--for cheap

2007-04-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

I found an excellent article that tells you how to "cheat" and use an AV cable you may already have laying around (or if you have to buy one at Radio Shack, it will be less expensive than buying one with the "iPod" label on it.)

The article, "Getting the Video out of Your iPod--For Cheap" was written by Erica Sadun, author of Modding Mac OS X. She does a great job at explaining how to make it work--clear and concise. I tested it myself--works great.
Thanks, Erica!

Here's a photo of the cable you'll need:

Once you get your iPod set up (the article tells you step by step) don't forget:

Plug the red RCA plug into your TV's yellow RCA jack.
Plug the yellow RCA plug into your TV's red RCA jack.

It will work like a charm. I did notice digital artifacts during playback to the TV, but I could live with 'em!

Kidcast podcast-How to talk to your administrator

2007-03-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

What do you say to support your interest in implementing podcasting in your school? Take a listen to Dan Schmit's "KidCast" Episode 36 and you'll get some GREAT ideas! The episode (Dec. 2006) is available free through the iTunes store (podcasts:education:Kidcast:Learning and Teaching with Podcasting)or at Dan's blog.

Dan is the author of the book KidCast: Podcasting in the Classroom (available from FTC Publishing)

GPS in the classroom report

2007-03-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

Teacher Bill Savell from Medlin Middle School, Northwest ISD, reports on a geocaching presentation at a conference he attended where he learned about using GPS's to teach a number of concepts, both new and old in the latest edition of eschoolnews. The article details a number of resources including United Streaming videos, books and websites. Here's a link to the full article:
eschoolnews

Why we need to change how we teach!

2007-02-16T11:11:00.000-08:00

I read this post and watched the video--they both point out again the compelling reasons for schools to find ways to get technology into the hands of our teachers and students. Until it is IN THEIR HANDS it cannot have a real impact on teaching and learning. Technology tools need to be as ubiquitous as the pens and pencils that we "digital immigrants" had access to as we learned.

From Barry Golden, Educational Consultant, WI DPI:
Check out this awesome 4+ minute video:
Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us

Think about how your brain works compared to our kids.' The implications for how far behind we are in teaching and learning is incredible. Kids do this sort of thing every day at home but seldom at school. Do you suppose there is a relationship between boredom in school and the limited use of such digital tools because most of us in education don't know really know how to use them in a way that challenges students' mode of learning?

I would hope every administrator and school board member and politician would see this short video and then think about the 1970's curriculum our kids are forced to use every day. Our education is about 15 years behind society and the work place. How can we possibly prepare kids for the demanding careers of the 21st century when they are often times learning more outside of school than inside.

Handheld Resources for administrators

2007-02-15T07:28:00.000-08:00

Links to some handheld applications for school administrators

GoObserve
$ (99.95 as of 2/07) Demo download available. Works on Palm or PocketPC systems.
GoObserve provides observation scheduling through your desktop computer. After you synchronize your handheld, the observations are automatically added to your calendar. When in a classroom, the handheld component of GoObserve allows you to seamlessly "script" activities. Using categorization and time-stamping features, you can record, minute-by-minute, how teachers are doing and if students are engaged.

ScheduleFinder mobile student management tool for administrators
$
Automatically takes data from student management system for use on a Palm. In addition, the application integrates with many of the unique features of the various handheld devices (i.e. built-in digital cameras, cellular phones, barcode scanners) to offer even more powerful functionality. provides school Administrators instant access to all of their student information, photo IDs, and emergency plans on a palmOne^TM handheld.

CFB Timer from Tucows (freeware)
This is a countdown alarm for timing anything from a few seconds to 99 minutes. It works even if your Palm is switched off or reset.

Countdown (freeware)
This application keeps track of the number of days until a certain date. Useful for counting down how many days until a test or until a much-needed vacation.

Power Walkthrough
$300 for software plus training costs which vary--contact McREL for pricing options.
McREL's Power Walkthrough software and training helps school leaders turn their regular classroom observations into “power walkthroughs” by using Palm or Windows Mobile hand-held devices loaded with McREL software that uses McREL's popular manual, Classroom Instruction that Works, as the basis for classroom observations. The software facilitates brief classroom visits that focus on effective instructional strategies, the level of student engagement, the use of technology, and several other factors that research has shown to influence student learning.

Resources for Gadgets Go To School

2007-02-08T19:23:00.001-08:00

Here are some links that I hope you find useful as you explore the use of "gadgets" for your classroom. Have fun!

Tony Vincent's Learning in Hand website is an absolute treasure.
On his site, you'll find loads of info including:

A comprehensive listing of some great Palm software categorized by curriculum area. Almost all of the suggestions are freeware
Practically everything you need to know about using an iPod in Education
The basics of podcasts including Finding, Subscribing, Listening, and Creating them
Educational research about using handhelds in the classroom weblinks
Ben's Bargains blog that shares the latest "geek deals" on all the technology that you really, really want!
Managing handhelds once you get a classroom set

And LOTS, LOTS more!

More on iPods in Education:

Lorrie Jackson's article "Sites to See: iPod Resources" at Education-World's website. Included are case studies, info on podcasting, lesson plan ideas and discussion groups.

Karen Thompson's website which has links to student consumed and student created podcasts as well as teacher's tools. Karen is a teacher at the Springfield, IL School District.

You DON'T need an iPod to listen to a podcast--you can listen from your desktop or from a handheld device. From the PalmFocus website, an article titled "Listening to Podcasts on a Palm Device" shows a variety of ways you can do this. It includes links to a number of applications (free and inexpensive) that allow you to make your podcasts "to go!"

Finding & Subscribing to Podcasts:

iTunes Store Directory-Podcasts Apple iTunes is a free download available for Mac or PC.

Educational Podcast Network The Education Podcast Network is an effort to bring together into one place, the wide range of podcast programming that may be helpful to teachers looking for content to teach with and about, and to explore issues of teaching and learning in the 21st century. Most of the producers of these programs are educators.

Yahoo! Podcasts

Free or Low Cost Applications for Handheld Computers:

FreeWare Website is an easy to use portal for hundreds of freeware and shareware handheld applications. CAUTION! There is a link to "mature content" on this site--not recommended for children.
AvantGo is a free application that allows you to pull information from the web onto your handheld device. No wireless connection necessary.
FlingIt^™ allows users to instantaneously "fling" Web pages from the desktop computer to the handheld computer. Students can decide whether or not to include graphics and determine the link depth of the captured Web pages. Students can then view Web-based content at home, on the bus, or in their seats. FlingIt sites can also be beamed from one handheld computer to another for the sharing of Web-based resources.
eReader allows you to read your eBooks whenever you want and wherever you go. You can use eReader to add bookmarks, navigate your eBooks easily, and search for words in your eBook. There is no charge to download and use the software. However, there is a feature-enhanced eReader Pro (which includes several free books such as Merriam-Webster's Pocket Dictionary) for $9.95.
nosleep software open source project This project consists of a suite of innovative and useful applications for Palm OS, Mac OS, and Windows, that are all freely available. All of their software is completely free because they believe that some high-fidelity software should be available to anyone.
PalmGear website Everything For Handheld Devices. Games, Apps, eBooks, Themes & More! Use the advanced search option and specify "freeware" or "shareware" when you search for information on this vast web resource.

Technology Podcasts and Blogs To Keep You In-the-Know:
Bill Daggett

Bit by Bit Bob Sprankle's podcast
Bob is an Elementary Technology Integrator in Well, ME. His blog/podcast is "a dumping place for thoughts, discoveries, links and tips."

Soft Reset Hosted by Tony Vincent and Mike Curtis.
You'll learn helpful tips, hear about useful resources, and listen to insightful discussion about topics handheld-using educators care about. Listen to them on your computer in your browser, in iTunes, on your handheld, or on your iPod.

2 Cents Worth David Warlick's blog
"Believing that learning about the world can be as exciting as the world really is"--that's the premise for this blog. David is a teacher, writer, and speaker who "can think of no better 'high' than helping to enrich some one's life by growing their knowledge, understanding, and skill" according to his homepage "At Your Service" introduction. He is the author of three books, including Redefining Literacy for the 21st Century

Connect Learning David Warlick's podcast

The Committed Sardine Ian Juke's blog
Ian Jukes has been a teacher, an administrator, writer, consultant, university instructor and keynote speaker. As the Director of the InfoSavvy Group, an international consulting group that provides leadership and program development in the areas of assessment and evaluation, strategic alignment, curriculum design and publication, professional development, planning, change management, hardware and software acquisition, information services, customized research, media services, and on-line training as well as conference keynotes and workshop presentations.

Weblogg-ed Authored by Will Richardson
“Learner in Chief” at Connective Learning and the author of the recently released Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms published by Corwin Press. This site is dedicated to discussions and reflections on the use of Weblogs, wikis, RSS, audiocasts and other Read/Write Web related technologies in the K-12 realm, technologies that are transforming classrooms around the world.

KidCast Podcast and Blog
Dan Schmit is an author and instructional technology specialist with the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. He has taught vocal and general music, worked as a staff developer and curriculum writer. He is a frequent presenter and clinician at state, regional and national instructional technology conferences and workshops. His work has focused on making learning experiences authentic and constructive through the use of technology. KidCast started off during the spring of 2005 as a professional development experiment that was focused on getting teachers and students started with podcasting. This quickly evolved into a writing project that soon produced KidCast: Podcasting in the Classroom (available from FTC Publishing). As the book became available Dan began to produce a companion podcast to the book.

Don't want to read blogs--you'd rather listen?
Then check out Feed2Podcast which allows you to have your blog turned into a podcast. It's in its Beta version yet and the only "voice" you get is a pretty monotone "computer" type. I expect it will get better.

About.com has a great article on everything you need to know about RSS, Blogs and subscribing to them.

Resources for GPS's (Global Positioning Systems)
For the lots of information on how to use a GPS, click here for the Education Resource.

Click here for Berrien County Intermediate School District's terrific web page with tons of info about incorporating GIS/GPS in the classroom including lesson plans and more. GIS is a rapidly growing technological field that incorporates graphical features with tabular data in order to assess real-world problems.

Groundspeak forums has a forum for specifically for GPS in Environmental Education
You'll need to subscribe to post, but you can read any posts without doing so. Discussions range from how to purchase to how geocaching is used to teach a variety of subjects.

USGS-Science for a Changing World a professional geographer shares his thoughts on how to work with GPS as an excellent tool applicable to many disciplines, including mathematics, geography, earth science, environmental studies, and more.

US Geological Survey links to a variety of educational resources.

Whether you are an active player or have just heard about geocaching, you'll want to get your hands on this great video program. Get your questions answered. Share the sport with your friends. It's all right here in the official video of Geocaching.com.

It's great fun and you'll learn a lot for just $16.95. The acting is hilarious, but the information is serious.

If you are into geocaching as a sport be sure to check out the official global GPS cache hunt site for a huge list of geocache sites (from beginner to advanced). A basic membership is free! If you create an account on geocaching.com they'll let you know when new caches are hidden in your area. You'll also have the ability to log your finds online to share your experience with the rest of the community.

Smartphones in the classroom? Yes, there are educational applications!

For more about using Smartphones in the classroom, click here for an interview with Bard Williams, Ed.D. about his newest book Handheld Computers And Smartphones In Secondary Schools: A Guide To Hands-On Learning available from ISTE the International Society for Technology in Education

More gadgets...How could you use them in your classroom?
Check out FLY, the world's first pentop computer by LeapFrog

How about a virtual keyboard that let's you type anywhere you project?

Nike's iPod sport kit
Since its August 2006 release, retailers have sold more than 450,000 Nike+iPod Sport Kits, according to industry publication AppleInsider. The $29 item consists of two parts. One piece is a chip the size of a dinner mint that acts as a pedometer, which runners slip into their shoe. The other piece is a receiver that fits into an iPod Nano and stores information beamed from the person's foot. After their workouts, high-tech runners can upload the data and use a Nike software program to track their distance, speed and calories burned. HOWEVER, according to an article by U of Washington researchers, the iPod sport kit could present invasion of privacy issues.

Not Here Yet, But Soon??
Resonantware
Near-Future Ubiquitous Networking Devices Visualized by Designers. Thanks to the development of ubiquitous technology, hardware is becoming smaller, thinner, and less visible than ever before. On the other hand, the volume of information we handle is expanding at an accelerated rate. In the near future, IT devices will go beyond the conventional framework of efficiency and convenience. NEC designers have created design possibilities with near future paradigms in mind: the world where humans and machines resonate with one another. We propose devices that judge situations to meet user’s needs, and interfaces that let users access unlimited information as naturally as breathing. (These are concept models and not planned to be commercialized at this point.)
My favorite of the moment, P-ISM
A pen-style personal networking gadget package including five functions: a pen-style cellualr phone with a handwriting data input function, virtual keyboard, a small projector, camera scanner and personal ID key with cashless pass function. Ultimate ubiquitous computing!

iPod lesson plan resources

2007-02-08T18:38:00.000-08:00

iPod Resources

Lesson Plans
Apple has a collection of lesson plans created by teachers who are using iPods that are published online.
Many of these use an iPod external microphone. You can take a look at an extensive review of the options available. I chose Griffin's iTalkPro.

On the site, you will be able to download a pdf of the lesson plan and listen to a sample.
Here are some brief descriptions of some of the lessons you'll find there:
Radio Show: Students write a radio drama based on a historical event and record their show (complete with commercials) using an iPod and voice recorder

Listening to Letter Sounds: The teacher records a lesson onto an iPod using a voice recorder. Students follow the lesson and use an iPod to practice recording and listening to letter sounds.

Digital Science Experiments: Students listen to instructions prerecorded by their teacher on an iPod. They then record their science experiment using a digital camera and an iPod with a voice recorder and create an iMovie project.

Newcomers Learn Local History: English language learners create a presentation about their community and use an iPod and voice recorder to record it in both English and thier native language to share at a family night event.