Bye Bye PC? (in Japan)

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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.