A $200 Tablet?

A 7 inch tablet, encased in rugged plastic, created specifically for the education market,water and dust resistant, designed to withstand drops off of student desks, comes with 4GB, WiFI, gorilla glass and costs under $200 - too good to be true?  Where do I sign up?  Intel recently released what they are calling a "studybook".  It will run either Android or Windows operating systems. The release date has not been announced, but I'll be on the lookout, anxious to put one through its paces.  You can read the piece from Ed Week below:


http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2012/04/intel_unveils_new_200_tablet_f.html?cmp=ENL-DD-NEWS2

2012 ASCD Conference Presentation

It was great meeting new colleagues at our presentation this weekend at the annual ASCD conference in Philadelphia.  As promised, attached is the PowerPoint from our presentation.  Unfortunately, the file is so large I have to embed it in two sections.  Here is the first installment, minus Lauren's section.  Thanks again to everyone for their interest in our work and for blazing new trails in your schools to benefit our 21st century learners.  We look forward to connecting, collaborating, and creating together.


http://embedit.in/33wu9a8Gcj.swf

BYOD with a Bullitt (As in Kentucky that is)

Bullitt Kentucky Schools- another school system jumps on the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) train.  Recognizing the need for students to have cutting edge technology while trying to work within increasingly tight budgets for schools, Superintendent Keith Davis is encouraging parents to send their kids to school with their own computing devices.  You can check out the story in the Courier Journal below:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120111/ZONE10/301110011/bullitt-schools-device-computer?odyssey=mod|newswell|text||s

BYOD in Texas - Yee-Ha!

BYOD (Bring your own device) or BYOT (Bring your own technology) is catching on across the country.  Maybe it should be BYOMAD (Bring your own more advanced device).  Chances are, the devices kids are being allowed to use in school are superior to the technologies that currently exist in their classrooms.  Is this BYOT movement a result of the current economic conditions impacting school budgets or the result of forward thinking district administrators?  Who cares?  It makes sense and I'm hoping more school systems in the coming school year see the benefits.  Here is a link about a school system in Texas that is saving $150,000 by allowing kids to bring their own technology into their schools. 

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/01/08/3643863/weatherford-school-districts-bring.html

IPads and Differentiation

Welcome to post 100 of I Teach Therefore IPod.  When I started this blog in April during a Tammy Worcester PD Session at the MSET Conference (a big shout out to the best Tech Staff Developer out there!), I never thought nine months and 10,000 page views from 76 countries later I would still be at it.  I've been inspired by the reach of the blog across the globe.  It's been a great example for my students about how one person's thinking can plant a seed that grows around the globe.  The app rubric that brought many of you to this site is being used in over 190 school systems, universities and agencies allover the world.  It's kind of freaky when you think about it.  Anyway, I'll continue blogging as long as you continue reading.  Thanks for following....

Now, today's post - A number of schools in the Olympia area of Washington State have adopted the use of IPads in some of their classrooms.  Are you frustrated with your district or school's progress in the adoption of the latest technology.  Be glad you are not in the North Thurston Public Schools (see article) - They are not using IPads "because they don't work with the district's technology system." Really?  At any rate the article highlights the work in several other districts.  My favorite part is where one teacher discusses how well the students take care of the IPads, something they originally worried about.  We have had the same experience with even our fourth and fifth graders. The treat them as if they were gold - they kind of are to them.  Her quote from the article - "They put them back where they're supposed to.  They never put French books back where they're supposed to."

Here is the link : http://www.theolympian.com/2011/12/18/1918639/with-ipads-olympia-students-have.html

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Apps for Mobile Devices

Well, EmbedIt finally decided to cooperate last night.  The website allowed me to embed my article that was published in the most recent copy of the Journal of Special Education Technology (JSET).  The article is entitled, Evaluating the Effectiveness of Apps for Mobile Devices, and outlines the rationale I used to develop the IPod App Rubric being used by so many of you around the world. Reading the piece may help to improve inter-rater reliability when more than one person is rating the same app.   If you would like to read the article you can find it here:

 http://embedit.in/Wp28yIHnc2.swf

MIssIssIppI - A state with so many I's was bound to adopt IPods and IPads

Here is a story about several school systems in Mississippi who have adopted IPods and IPads.  While several have gone all in in terms of adopting the use of mobile technologies, it's interesting to hear one school system's leader who is still "looking into piloting the implementation of IPods in areas that we feel will benefit the students." While some kids are using the latest technologies everyday in one district, another district right next door talks about the use of technology to reach and engage students as being part of "the future educational experience."  No, you're wrong!  It's part of their current educational experience, just not for the 7 1/2 hours they are in YOUR schools.

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20111127/NEWS01/111270337/Districts-equip-classrooms-latest-technology?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Top Mobile Devices (Besides Apple, of course)

Melissa Delaney sent me the following link for readers of our blog who might be interested in their mobile device reviews.  It looks like everyone is still trying to catch Apple.  No small task!  You can read their reviews here:


http://wirelessinternetreviews.com/mobile-internet/10-best-touchscreen-mobile-devices/ 

On a side note, I'm thinking about purchasing some wireless low end tablets (less than $100) and having my kids test drive them.  Anyone with suggestions, please email me at hwalker@bcps.org.  All I am looking for is an easy to use interface and surfability.  I'll keep you posted.

Happy Black Friday.  It's crazy out there!