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"What does the iPad have to teach educational technology about how a phenomenon becomes popular and adopted? Quite a bit. First, acceptance is high, with a half-million units sold in the first week of release. Six weeks later, Apple was selling twice as many iPads per week as Mac computers. Given some recent history, this should be surprising-the idea of a tablet device has been around for at least a decade or two, but most such devices have not experienced anything close to wide adoption. However, some specific factors have paved the way for the iPad's adoption. And these factors harbor advice that educational technology would do well to heed. Prime the technology pump. The iPhone, direct predecessor to the iPad, came onto the market amid a wave of technology that permitted small packages to deliver powerful computing. This hardware, including GPS location sensors, fast and efficient microprocessors, and the evolution of touch screen technology was a necessary condition for the emergence and success of both the iPhone and the iPad generation of devices. Define (and answer) the problem. The hugely popular mobile smartphones had an equally huge problem. People hated their interfaces. A decade of frustration with labyrinthian voicemail menus and inscrutable settings had created an army of frustrated mobile phone users with enough pent-up rage to fuel a revolution. By providing a device that was easy to use, the iPhone had identified a core problem and set a new bar for its solution, one that was quickly taken up by many others. Whet undiscovered appetites. The explosion of mobile devices also created for millions the idea of constant, away-from-home connectivity. The iPhone upped the ante significantly by providing a full browsing and even computing experience, giving consumers the expectation that they should be only inches away from powerful, networked computing at all times. Provide the practice. The iPhone defined a new set of touch-based interactions. Whi

effective tech management techniques

A good read. How would you respond?

The Federal Communications Commission plans to circulate rules by the end of this year that will tell schools that get federal cash for computer and networking gear to comply with various child-protection measures included in the Broadband Data Improvement Act.

Check out this online book about Google. You'll be able to share from the last page.

An easy read that can serve to introduce people to some of the technical aspects of the web and the foundations of cloud computing

Computational search engine.

This is important reading for all DSS consultants as we have been named as an official partner in this grant. Our role will be to serve as Instructional Technology Coaches. This is a big opportunity for us to take our service offerings to the next level. What are your thoughts on our participation in this exciting grant?

School leaders around the United States continue to spend HUGE amounts of money on interactive whiteboards for classrooms, despite the fact that these devices universally FAIL to empower students to become more independent, self-directed and engaged learners in the way mobile learning devices (like laptops, tablets or other personal digital learning tools) can. Please do not misunderstand me: It definitely IS a big deal for a teacher and his/her students to have access to an LCD projector connected to a computer in the classroom if previously, the "normal" technology in the room was an overhead projector.

Are Educators Ready for Cloud Computing in Schools? By Patrick Ledesma on May 16, 2011 3:34 PM | No Comments | No Recommendations In 2001, Mark Prensky coined the terms "Digital Natives" and "Digital Immigrants" to describe the differences between adults and students in using technology. Educators are the "Digital Immigrants" who have to adapt and learn how to integrate technology into their lives. Students are "Digital Natives" born into a culture and lifestyle where technology immersion is the norm.

According to their "About" page motionbox provides, free, 750mb video storage (free account), Easy-to-use online editing tools, Large file uploads, HD player and full-screen playbac. High quality downloads to a computer or iPod, DVDs and Flipbooks of your videos/\n

Massive list, links, etc.. with resources ranging manaing the 1-computer classroom to whole class lab settings.

This will part of the Connected Learning project

Something to consider for the Learning Connections Grant. During the institute, we talked about safety and security instruction for students and parents before they get their computer.

The conversation happening in the comments on this post (about whether we should do away with computer labs in schools) is really good.

Some light technical stuff with previewing of what is coming down the pipeline.

Hi everyone, Aviary is an online suite of multimedia programs. They're very similar to Photoshop, Garageband, Illustrator etc, but FREE and WEB-BASED. Basically like Google docs but multimedia creation software. Would be cool for class projects and/or students who want to experiment with media programs but don't have any installed on their computer.

Regarding what's missing from the Core Common Standards -- new texts, new media, viewing...  Where does "complexity" of new media text get taught? How will teachers learn to parse it?  Is new media analysis and production a discipline?  Yes in my opinion.  Is it interdisciplinary? Yes.  Media related to various content areas have their own criteria.  Video, photography, blogs, social networks and the systems that deliver them are, in a way, their own languages. They are increasingly dominating how our society functions, informs and represents itself.  HOW can this still be an afterthought for educators?  Fear?  Uncertainty on how to proceed?  Because it's not tested? The text landscape is more complex than the textbook.