1:1 #SneakChat : Chromebooks, iPads, Running Shoes...It's all the same

Michigan district puts the skids on sneaker initiative.

The following is a fictitious "what if?" account of what usually happens when educators are blinded by the notion that 1:1 solves everything. It was originally posted in September of 2013...and still rings true.

What was initially hailed as a groundbreaking effort by the Rivermont Public School district (Mich.) to fight childhood obesity is now being re-examined and possibly moth-balled by school administrators over concerns of student mis-use. When students arrived at the district's three schools twenty-five minutes north of Grand Rapids this September, each was issued a new pair of Saucony running shoes in the nation's first ever 1:1 sneaker initiative. The district received a special mention on Good Morning America and a framed, hand-written letter of congratulations from First Lady Michelle Obama hangs in the foyer of each building.

Less than a month into the new school year, the district has slammed on the brakes and each teacher is being asked to collect the athletic shoes and store them in a closet until further notice. The holdup you ask?  Apparently the kids are having too much fun in them.

"Our grand vision was that students would use the sneakers for a school-wide fitness program that is guided by a rigorous curriculum of lap running and agility training throughout the day," stated superintendent Eli Tanis. "Our teachers are coming to us and telling us that the kids have no interest in these activities and instead are using the shoes for their own personal activities."

"Never before have we seen so much spontaneous running, noise, or such large groups of roaming mobs playing tag at recess. It can get terribly stressful," said first grade teacher Susan Vanderslice who has been at the same position for 31 years. "Before the shoes were just given to the children without any formal teacher training the playground was much calmer. Children simply milled around. It was very easy to maintain control."

After talking with a few students whose families asked that their identity be concealed to avoid any problems with staff at school, most kids don't see what they are doing wrong.

"They gave us these sweet shoes," says Fifth Grader (we'll call) Jake. "I couldn't wait to get on the court at recess and work on the cross-over dribble I have been perfecting this summer. Our teacher won't even let us wear the shoes outside though because he is afraid they will get dirty or something. He only lets us carry them to the track, put them on to run laps, take them off, and then carry them back inside. Running laps feels like doing penmanship."

Jake's parents echo their son's sentiments. "It seems like they are really missing the forest for the trees. They seem so focused on limiting what the kids do in the shoes. Shouldn't they just encourage any activity and movement at all? Take the time to teach the kids new games and give them time to just enjoy being active, whether that is outside when the weather is nice or inside once winter comes. We think that should be the ultimate goal, building healthy habits."

Rivermont curriculum director Shirley Wolverton defends the district's approach. "We have to insure growth. If we simply let the students play whatever they want in the shoes then there is no way to guarantee teachers will meet the benchmarks we have prescribed. If our lap numbers don't increase, our staff will have failed. The only way to increase a student's ability to run laps is to run more laps. "

A meeting is scheduled for Monday night at the school's board room where a sub-committee has been formed to investigate what modifications might be made to the program.

"We hope to have some answers quickly," Superintendent Tanis explains. "My biggest fear is that we will wait too long and the students will have all outgrown the shoes by the time we return them. We are also missing valuable lap-time on the track. Students need to know though that there is a difference between serious school work and the taxpayers of this community aren't financing just play."

Thankfully the above account is fictitious. There is no Rivermont, Michigan but unfortunately  this kind of thinking is far too prevalent in education. This silly post was the mental fruit cultivated by my hearing that Los Angeles Unified School District is temporarily moth-balling its one billion dollar 1:1 iPad efforts because students have easily hacked the devices' security controls.

Certain school districts seem so worried that students or in many cases staff will use a device for something other than "school work". We are not talking about accessing adult content here, but doing things like connecting with the rest of  the world through social media or making a multimedia project of vacation photos. To me, any time on the device that is not malicious or obviously inappropriate is learning. It is learning to use a tool to communicate and create. It is building comfort and efficiency within the operating system. The more you use it, the better you become.  (Author's Note: I am pumping the brakes on my own thinking here as it has evolved in the 5 years since I originally wrote this and especially in light of my recent post on Chromebook use. While still a believer that play equals better understanding of a device, we need to make sure we are smart about the activities and how we are using the time with the devices. We can design fun experiences that are learning-specific...but a moderate amount of free time is still okay now and then.)

Allowing kids to create content they are passionate about makes it all the more motivating for them to create a similar type of project on something being studied in the classroom. The same is true with giving every kid a pair of sneakers. Running laps isn't the only way to increase the ability to run laps.

Amazing Pinterest Board from Apple: iOS Lesson Ideas for Teachers

Check out the following Pinterest board from Apple's App Store that is loaded with lesson ideas for using iOS apps in the classroom.

Movie Making MacGyver Stuff - #EdCampOAISD #MACUL16

Here are links for my EdCamp and MACUL MacGyver video making sessions


iMovie Fifth Grade Book Reports

iOS Apps
iMovie
Keynote
Replay
Splice
Avid Pinnacle Studio Pro
Action Movie FX
Canva
Path On - Swipe To Type
DoInk

WeVideo
iCloud.com

Video Story Problems
Preserving History
Caterpillar Nurse Cam
Covering Hawkeye Sports

Shooting Gallery Level One from Jon Corippo

Practical example of using the Shooting Gallery

Formative Assessment/Screencasting
ShowMe app - ExplainEverything - Educreations

Only you  can prevent Vertical Video Syndrome


Green Screen Effects Folder - VeeScope Live

Dave Tchozewski - Green Screen Resources

Keynote Animation Project from Linda Dong

Think Different Tim Cook: 10 Reasons Chromebooks Are Winning...And It Has Nothing To Do With Testing

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="990"] Apple CEO Tim Cook calls Chrome devices "test machines" - Buzzfeed Photo[/caption]

On Wednesday in a Buzzfeed interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook called Chromebooks "test machines" and cited Google's take over of the education market as primarily a result of schools just buying hardware for standardized assessments.

There is no denying that recent mass purchases from school districts have been in response to needing more equipment for tests that have moved from paper to web browser. What is in question is why schools are choosing Chromebooks over Macs and iPads. Cook sells educational leaders and teachers short when he implies that testing is all that went into the decision making and all that is being done with the products once they reach schools.

Now, don't write me off as a hater. Heck, one of the proudest recognitions I have received is that of being named an Apple Distinguished Educator. I am a huge Apple advocate and I truly believe that Cupertino builds the most durable and best designed products in the tech world. For a long long time Apple won the classroom because its stuff "just worked" and it still does. The six-year-old  Macbooks I teach with just hum along. The three-year-old cart of HPs...don't.  The iPad has opened worlds previously un-explorable to people with disabilities. Apple has done great things in the classroom and I still believe schools need a number of Macs or iPads around for tasks Chrome devices can't. I am just not convinced anymore that Apple products are the only solution.

Here Mr. Cook are 10 reasons why educators are choosing Chrome devices over Apple products...and they don't have anything to do with testing.

1. The Reality of Classroom Technology Integration - “We create products that are whole solutions for people — that allow kids to learn how to create and engage on a different level,” Cook stated in the and he's correct. iMovie, Keynote, Pages, Final Cut Pro, Motion, and other high level apps are the staples when it comes to kids creating high level content. The only problem for Apple is that the vast majority of students and teachers don't learn and teach constantly at this level. As great as all of these Apple tools are, right or wrong, they have taken a support role to the tools students and teachers use most.The SAMR framework discusses how teachers use tech at varied levels between basic "substitution" and creating previously inconceivable activities in a level defined as "redefinition". The Apple stuff excels in the hands of teachers who have mastered ways of getting to redefinition but the vast majority of educators are somewhere in the middle and most of the learning tasks they ask students to do with technology doesn't require the high end apps.


2. Price - Chrome devices continue to drop in price to the point where schools can buy five Chromebooks with touchscreens for the price of one Macbook. It's hard to justify the extra cost if the job can be done with a solid device at a fraction of the money. I just bought a fully functioning Chrome computer in the $85 Chromebit. $85! Yes it requires me to connect it to an HDMI display and I have to supply the keyboard and mouse but that price point alone makes it wildly affordable for a number of functions around a school.


3. They Just Work - It is still the number one reason I always choose Apple stuff over Windows stuff and I was very suspect of the Chrome products when they first hit the market. Aside from getting used to the layout of where everything is on these devices my experience has been that the simplicity of the Chrome "just works" as well. With less operating system there are less hassles.


4. Ease of Management - Managing a cart of iPads is incredibly time consuming and not something most classroom teachers are entrusted to do. Apple has put out a series of management solutions but none have been the silver bullet that actually make life easier for teachers. With Chrome there is virtually no management because when a kid logs in with their Google Apps for Education account, all of their stuff is available.


5. Google Apps - No, the free suite won't let you make your documents as cute as Word or Pages will, but with a little skill you and your kids can get darn close. Cute isn't deal closer on GAFE though. Storage is unlimited for schools and with a little foresight educators can help kids set up portfolios that will follow them all of the way through high school. No one will ever lose their work due to a dead laptop battery because Google saves every few seconds. Plus, it's just automatically already set up with every Google account. Yes, Apple offers a version of its iWork suite online for free and it can do a lot but space is limited and the sharing options aren't close to what GAFE does. What is really cool though is that if you want to use the online versions of iLife you can do it on a Chromebook.


6. Collaboration - The whole game changed way back in the day when Google bought Writely from an upstart called Upstartle. Simply being able to edit something simultaneously ten years ago was groundbreaking. Google has used the last decade to further enhance the collaborative capabilities. Apple is bringing that to iLife but are essentially playing catch up. The collaboration built into a Google Apps/Chrome environment helps teachers better communicate with students and provide useful feedback. The same is true with students communicating and collaborating better with each other.


7. Google Classroom - From its introduction teachers have been flocking to the free learning management system. As it evolves and becomes more stable it is becoming the go-to, even by die hard Edmodo and Schoology users. What is the big deal? See all six of the previous reasons. Seriously, you can apply all of them. As a classroom teacher, paper was my Achilles heel. In Classroom it's all digital and the interface shows who has completed work and who hasn't. Once it's turned in, it's locked until the teacher grades and returns it. Apple offers iTunes U which is a beautiful way to present content and develop courses that don't rely on Internet connectivity but they only run on an Apple device. Classroom works everywhere.


8. Access Everywhere - Speaking working everywhere, students and teachers can access the work they started on the Chrome device at school anywhere they can find a web browser with an Internet connection. It is something kids have come to take completely for granted. Ubiquitous access is their normal. A perfect example was when we were making book report trailers on iMovie and my students all wanted to know how they could find their work when they got home so they could continue working. They were put off when I told them it was only available on the one device they'd been using.


9. Open To Innovation - Google Apps has evolved at light speed because of the way individuals can create add-ons. Doctopus and Goobric are examples of innovation created by a user that have made the product better fit teacher needs. This isn't just in Docs either. There are a ton of new Chrome apps being developed that bring a lot of the creativity and depth of exploration to the Chrome browser.  Apple obviously innovates all of the time too but doesn't adapt as fast as Google because the innovation all takes place within Apple.


10. Big Yet Nimble - Lebron James and Cam Newton are special athletes because they are big yet have uncharacteristic speed. Google Chrome and the devices that run it are a lot like that. Google is massive with unlimited resources to support its products yet has retained a simplicity that makes stuff work at the highest level of efficiency. There is no reason to expect that won't continue to be the case.

Ultimately schools have to find the platforms and devices that work best for their needs. I always have a Mac nearby because I use so many levels of its functionality. My students don't always need the firepower and Google is picking up a lot of believers in educators who see all of the benefits Chrome devices can deliver at a fraction of the cost.

I understand and appreciate Tim Cook's passion for giving educators and learners amazing stuff but if Chrome devices are just "test machines", he needs to Think Different. 

Inserting Pics and Marking Them Up Is Now Easier in iOS 9 Mail

A couple of neat updates in the iOS 9 Mail app makes inserting photos and then marking them up a lot easier and intuitive.

At an Apple seminar in Jenison today I learned that in iOS 9 the Mail app now has a camera icon above the keyboard when you type in the body of the message.



Once you have inserted your picture, tap it to bring up a toolbar with the new "Markup" choice.



Mark up your picture with a set of drawing, text, and signature tools.



This is a great addition that allows us to communicate more clearly and then saves a bundle of time without having to mark up pictures in additional apps.

Chirp for Chrome is Huge Convenience for Teachers

Chirp has proven itself to be incredibly helpful to teachers who want to send content or links to students using iPads or Android devices. Now with a free install, teachers can send content from their Chrome browser to devices running the app. This opens a whole world of convenience in that data doesn't have to be moved to a teacher device before it can be sent to students.

Check out Chirp's blog post below on this development and its plans to soon make Chirp be able to send data in the other direction, from mobile devices back to Chrome.

Chirp for Chrome is out!.

Creativity in Hand - MACUL Mobile Learning Conference 2015

Here are great app I am focusing on for my Michigan Mobile Learning Conference. Smash these up to make great graphics.

Keynote

Canva

Neu.Draw

Adobe Photo Shop Color Effects
Adobe Photo Shop Mix

Penultimate
Pixlr-o-matic
Pixlr Express

PegLight 2
BitDraw

Action Movie Producer

 

Best kids’ apps to download for Spring Break | WOODTV.com

Spring Break might be history for 2015 but these apps rock anytime of the year.
 

 

Best kids’ apps to download for Spring Break | WOODTV.com.

10 Spring Break Apps and Features for your kid's iPad

The calendar is about to flip to April and with that comes Spring Break, at least here in West Michigan. It's been another brutally cold and long winter and I personally can't wait to get to some warmth, relaxation, and time with my family away from the daily school routine. As families prepare to hit the road or just enjoy some time off here are ten great iPad apps and features for Spring Break 2015.

1. Off Switch - It's not an app but probably the best feature of any electronic device for Spring Break is the off switch. Shut down for a while and unplug. Focus on all of the natural and analog adventures you can have even if it's just for an extended period each day. Unplugging completely might not be that easy though for the family facing a 24 hour drive, hours in airports, or suddenly now faced with a whole week at home together. The following recommendations are to help keep kids' brains, creativity, and fun going throughout the week. They're not in any particular order as far as one being better than another, just great apps.


2. Keynote - This is more than Apple's version of PowerPoint. Not only is it a really powerful presentation maker, it's a powerful design tool as well. After a week of taking pictures and video of their adventures, kids can spend the ride home assembling all of their memories. Keynote is free on all iOS devices purchased since the Fall of 2013. Keynote is car friendly because most features aside from sharing are not wifi dependent.


3. Maps - If you're on the road this break, give your kids part of the navigational duties. When I was growing up, we would travel most summers across country from Arizona to Michigan. My sister and I learned so much about geography and math when we rode shotgun with the big Rand McNally atlas on our laps. The iPad's built-in Maps app or its Google counterpart do way more than a print atlas. You can search for restaurants, upcoming gas stations, hotels, and more. Maps requires an Internet connection so in the car, kids might need to use the one on your phone.


4. Cargo-Bot -
   
   [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="191"] Cargo-Bot app for iOS[/caption]
   
   Here is a game based on doing work at the shipyard, but every kid I know thinks of it more as the beloved claw at 90% of America's pizza joints and grocery stores. Kids have to program the claw to move crates in a series of puzzles that gradually increase in difficulty. This app is ladened with advanced problem solving and an introduction to computer science in that in order to move the claw, kids have to assemble directions as if they were coding an app. Building this type of logical reasoning transcends many different subject areas. No Internet needed.


5. Replay - Here is a fabulously easy-to-use movie editor that provides stunning results. In fact, this app is so good, Apple used it in its product launch of the iPad Air 2 in October. The killer feature lies in the app's ability to analyze your photos and footage for tempo, sound, and color. High-end effects like lens-flare, background color, and music are all added automatically and can also be adjusted manually. It's actually called Replay Video Editor for Instagram but no Instagram account is needed. Internet is only needed for sharing projects or buying advanced features. Remember to always, always, always shoot your video horizontally! Here's a sample of what you can do literally in just a few minutes with Replay. This was some really, really rough drone footage we took over my house.
   


6. IXL - Sometimes the math drill apps get a bad rap, but I am a firm believer that in the proper dose they can do a lot of good as building computational fluency is essential. Without a strong handle on basic facts, kids are greatly hampered moving forward into more complicated math. IXL is a great app that works all math standards from Pre-K on up. Many schools have student subscriptions. Check with your kid's school to see if they do and get the username and password for your trip. You'll need an Internet connection so it might not be the best for the car or van, but incorporating a little math never ruined anyone's vacation...not completely anyway.


7. Penultimate - Here is a notebook app where kids can doodle, journal, or draw-up inventions. Because it is digital, they have an endless supply of paper and no crayons will melt all over your interior when left on a hot backseat. Any photos on the iPad can be easily inserted into sketches and if they have an Evernote account, your kids can sync their creations and keep them among their other notes on the cloud-based free service. Internet is only required to sync or share.
   
   [caption id="attachment_1025" align="alignleft" width="1536"] Penultimate App from Evernote[/caption]


8. Google Drive - This one is more practical over exciting, but many schools issue students Google Apps for Education accounts. With the Drive app, kids can upload all of the photos and videos they shoot with the iPad to their school accounts. When they get back to school and get the "What I did over Spring Break" essay assignment, they'll have tons of visuals to insert. Requires Internet.


9. Kindle App - If your kid can handle reading in the car or on an airplane without getting sick, load that iPad up with good books. The iBooks app lets you do the same thing with books from the Apple Book Store but if you are an Amazon Prime member you can take advantage of the lending library and can "borrow" one free book a month for the Kindle. Internet is required to download books, but not needed once loaded.


10. Tinkerbox HD - This puzzle app is ridiculously addictive and involves engineering one contraption after another. Getting a ball into a basket gets increasingly more difficult as new conveyor belts, levers, and ramps are introduced. It works scientific concepts and logical thinking but in the end it is just fun.

No matter where you are headed or if you are just sticking around home, these apps all can fend off the dreaded "I'm bored" and keep brains firing all week. A few others to explore include Canva, Photoshop Mix, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Snapseed. Whatever you make, make sure great memories are at the top of the list.

EdTechnocation: Get your FREE Google Classroom iPad App User Guides!

If you are still on the fence about trying the Google Classroom app or fledgling along trying to figure it out on the fly, Michael Fricano's new resources for you and your students may just be the resource you need for moving all-in on the classroom and document management tool.

Get your FREE user guide for the new Google Classroom iPad App!

Google just released an Android & iOS app for Google Classroom. It's not full featured (yet) so it's important that teachers and students understand exactly what you can and can't do with the app.

Get the guides and read more at EdTechnocation: Get your FREE Google Classroom iPad App User Guides!.

iPad Apps for Film-making | A Listly List

Here is a great post I came across today highlighting 9 apps for film-making. These are great app smashers where each one performs a certain task and those products can all be mashed into one project.

iPad Apps for Film-making

Listly by Cathy Hunt

These apps provide us with endless possibilities for innovative teaching and creativity in the classroom. Introducing apps and workflows should be a derivative of considered instructional design and pedagogies that stems from a focus on the learning.

See Cathy's full post: iPad Apps for Film-making | A Listly List.

5 Easy Tech Projects for Kids to Give Thanks

Here are five technology infused ways for kids to show their thankfulness as we head into Thanksgiving here in the U.S. Canadian friends can file this one away until next Fall.

The great thing about each of these activities is that thoughts and ideas are not only shared with the whole class but also an authentic audience across the web. Publish a link in a newsletter or on a class blog and invite the outside world into your classroom and the hard work of your students.

1. Blog Comments: One of the fastest ways for kids to give thanks is on a class blog. Create a post as a writing prompt and then open up the comments to your students. In Blogger and other platforms there are various settings to allow anonymous comments but have students sign each one with a first name. It is a good idea to watch each new addition closely to ward off any pre-holiday hi-jinx or silliness. It is neat to see all of the ideas in one group spot. Students can also comment on each other's thoughts.



2. Build a Shared Class Slide Deck: If your students all have Google Apps for Education accounts, you can create a presentation that has a blank slide for every student. Just share the deck with the entire class and each student can work in his or her own little corner of the collaborative project. It is a proactive idea to designate each slide ahead of time with a student name or class number. This greatly reduces students interfering with one another. Each can create a slide that has textual and visual expressions of what makes them thankful. The finished deck can be embedded on a class webpage for everyone to easily view.

[caption id="attachment_881" align="alignleft" width="251"] Haiku Deck helps you makes stunning slides.[/caption]

3. Get Artsy with Haiku Deck: Students will need an account in Haiku Deck, but they can do that with their Google Accounts as well. Haiku Deck is available free as an iOS app or on the web at HaikuDeck.com. There isn't the option of all collaborating on the same deck of slides like in Google Apps, but there are a number of sharing options that easily let students email links or embed codes to a teacher so all of the work can get compiled in one publicly accessible spot. Students can upload their own background photos or select from the beautiful free collection that Haiku Deck offers.

4. Create a Pic Collage: This a great free app available on iPad and Android devices. It has an easy to use interface for dragging and dropping a number of pictures into a collage and accenting with text and borders. A number of frames are available that makes the maneuvering even easier. Non-linguistic representations of concepts are often the most powerful connections to really understanding something. A collage showing thankfulness really gets kids thinking about what they have special in their lives, but also how to effectively communicate that visually. Collages can be saved as images and then posted by the teacher.

5. Let Them Show it with ShowMe: ShowMe is a great whiteboard recording app for the iPad. Students can upload a picture or draw one and then create a voice over track telling for what they are thankful. One advantage that ShowMe has over some of the other whiteboard apps is that if logged into a teacher account, the quick movies generated can all be easily posted to webspace that ShowMe provides.

None of these techniques take a tremendous amount of tech skills and don't require a lot of planning on the teacher's part. Give one a spin this week and you are likely to wind up thankful you did.

Explain Everything + Google Drive = Awesome

I saw today via the Twitterverse that the whiteboard app Explain Everything  (iOS|Android) connects with Google Drive. I have primarily been a user of ShowMe when it comes to whiteboard apps but this might be the tipping point for me to move over to the EE side of the fence. Add in the fact that Explain Everything is also the only whiteboard app currently available on Android and it becomes even more attractive since I use devices on that platform as well.

When starting a new project, Explain Everything allows users to access photos from the device's internal media storage but also makes materials and docs in iTunes, Dropbox, Box.com, Evernote, and OneDrive available in addition to what you have in your connected Google Drive account. With some of the other whiteboard apps, I would get frustrated because something I wanted to annotate in a video wasn't in the camera roll on that one particular device.

Those multiple cloud-based options are also available when it comes to saving your project video with the additional benefit of exporting to Vimeo. On the iPad, there is even the option to open the project in other apps like iBooks as a .pdf or iMovie as a .mp4.

Here is a video I created from family pictures housed in Drive and then saved back to Drive. 

Here is a scenario where Explain Everything connected to Google Drive could be very handy for a teacher. A fourth grade teacher is trying to figure out why many of her students are struggling with long division so she has them each complete one long division problem on the tablet in the hallway while narrating their problem solving with Explain Everything. By having students save their videos to her Google Drive or a classroom Drive account, she can later watch those videos on her computer. She can analyze exactly where hangups are happening for each student and organize all of those pieces of formative assessment into one folder. She could conference the next day with each student as they watch the video together and address the specifics of the problem. She can also share that video with a child's family very easily to help explain where the student needs work.

One drawback of Explain Everything is that the app does not provide users an online space to post their videos like ShowMe does. With all of these other options, that is quickly becoming a moot point.

The app costs $2.99 but is easily worth every cent.

 

Autodesk offering free software to educators

Autodesk has built itself into a huge force on the industrial design and 3D animation fronts in gaming and entertainment.

Now they are making a big push for education and inviting educators to use all of their software for free.

There are some amazing design apps for as young as 4th grade and some serious high-end tools for computer-aided drafting and video editing projects as well.

For a good place to start, go to the app store and find anything "123d" for your iPad. Let your kids figure out how quickly they can begin molding and modeling. Be warned that you will probably want to get a 3D printer though so you can make their creations a reality .

My favorite so far is the Catch app that lets you shoot panoramic shots of an object and then the apps builds it into a 3D digital model. I showed our art teacher how I created a digital version of one of the 3rd grade sculptures a girl at Blue Star Elementary made. This gives us the ability to save physical creativity in digital portfolios or share it far beyond school walls.

Autodesk is involved in so much. I was surprised to learn they also make the Pixlr online creativity suite, Tinkerbox app (iOS), and the Instructables app (iOS and Android).

Look for what I hear will be an impressive presence at ISTE this summer.

I would bet serious money that this company will become a major, well-known force in education in the next 5 years...if not a lot sooner.

Explore The World Of Chromville In Augmented Reality

The developers at Spain's Chromville are busily creating an augmented reality world for users of all ages. By printing and then coloring pages depicting different characters and parts of the Chromville world, "explorers" use the special app available in Android and iOS to make their scenes come to life.



Here is the backstory on this mystical land according to Chromville.com.

"The ancient world Chromville, is well known for its power source of color. It´s placed in a galaxy far, far away and there are at least five villages: Firecity, Stonetown, Greenland, Waterville and Cloudskingdom. Its inhabitants, the Chromers, look like their environment and live in peace thanks to the colorful beauty of their homeland. However, the planet´s color is fading away mysteriously in some regions and they are in danger of losing its power.

Your quest is to help Chromers to discover the enigma and solve the color problem of their planet. Paint and play with your friends and family to discover all the interactive mysteries of this adventure."

The app is still in beta but performance is consistent enough to start using it with students. Chromville is planning on expanding quickly and is currently (April 2014) running a writing contest so students can play a role in developing the narrativesoccurring in the different villages.

As a teacher, my favorite aspect is the open-endedness of the site. The app and coloring pages help bring characters to life...but who these characters are and what makes them special is only limited by the user's imagination.

Hands-down though my favorite feature is the blank character maker. I may...or may not have created my own Mr. T in Chromville. All I can say is, "I pity the fool who doesn't give this site and app a spin."

This instructional video shows how to get started.

 

 

Mr. Losik’s 2013 Holiday Tablet Buying Guide Part 3: Cyber Monday

It is a whole lot harder to predict what retailers might offer online for Cyber Monday but there should be at least a few deals to be had today. If you were able to get the devices you wanted over the weekend, now is also a great time to get cases and accessories.

Rule #1. Figure tax and shipping into the price. One of the big advantages of this day is the free shipping many sites offer.
Rule #2. Check back throughout the day. Sometimes new sales pop up during the day.

Below I have simply linked to lots of destinations so you can click away. If I find bargains at those sites, I will highlight them. If you find great deals, please share by posting a comment or tweeting at me (@mrlosik).

Here is a list of "regular prices" on the tablets I reviewed so you can compare as you shop.

Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $159
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 Kids edition with carrying case $209
Nexus 7 $229
Samsung Tab 3 8.0 $249
iPad Mini $299
Samsung Tab 3 10.1 $299
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 $349
iPad Mini with Retina Display $399
iPad 2 $399
Sony Xperia Tablet Z $449
iPad Air $499
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 $599

Amazon - Tons of deals, especially on the Samsung line of tablets. Nothing spectacular, but money saved is money saved.
Apple.com - No real sales except free shipping or in store pick up at Woodland Mall store.
Best Buy - $10 savings code for every $100 spent. Dig around
Google Play Store - Free shipping on Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 + $25 in credit at Play Store for apps and movies.
Samsung - Black Friday prices still in effect
Sony - Xperia Tablet Z holding at $449 but other good deals on Sony stuff.
Staples - $30-$50 off Nexus 7 and Galaxy Tab 3 8.0
Target - A few deals
Walmart - Looks like about $10-$20 off regular prices,

All in all, it doesn't seem to be a spectacular Cyber Monday in terms of blockbuster tablet deals. Keep looking and enjoy.

Mr. Losik's 2013 Holiday Tablet Buying Guide Part 2: Bargains

 



Link to Part 1: Sorting through the options 

Update: New Samsung prices. Deals ranked by device. Store hours listed.

Tracking the deals for you!

Below are all of the bargains to the best of my sleuthing. The vast majority will only be available on Thanksgiving evening. Only one deal, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 at Meijer is an actual Friday morning deal....unless you count the Gamestop offer at midnight/Friday AM.

Be very leery of super cheap tablets you’ve never heard of. It’s best to stay with a trusted brand. Also, I would stay away from brands that were big back in the day that are still sort of around. Sorry Polaroid and RCA. They still make some decent stuff but I don’t really trust them in this market.

(Disclaimer: Please confirm or double check with actual ads or store sites before running out Thanksgiving Weekend.)

"Regular Price"
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $159
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 Kids edition with carrying case $209
Nexus 7 $229
Samsung Tab 3 8.0 $249
iPad Mini $299
Samsung Tab 3 10.1 $299
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 $349
iPad Mini with Retina Display $399
iPad 2 $399
Sony Xperia Tablet Z $449
iPad Air $499
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 $599

The Deals:

Best Buy - Opening at 6:00 PM Thanksgiving
Samsung Tab 3 10.1 $359  $299 – Best Buy – Thanksgivng
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179 $149 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 $529 $399 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179 $149 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving
iPad 2 $399 $299 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving
iPad Air $499 $449 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving


GameStop - Opening Thursday Midnight/Black Friday Morning
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179 $169

Meijer - Deals vary for Thanksgiving and Friday - Stores open at 6:00 AM both days.
iPad Air, iPad with Retina Display, iPad 2 “starting at $379″ (Expect typical Apple prices as listed below) but get $100 off next shopping trip. – Meijer – Thanksgiving
iPad Mini $299 Still $299 but $80 off next shopping trip – Meijer – Thanksgiving
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179 $159 plus $30 off next shopping trip – Meijer –  Friday

Target - Opening at 8:00 PM Thanksgiving
iPad Air $499 $479 + $100 gift card – Target – Thanksgiving
iPad Mini $299 – Still $299 but you get a $75 gift card – Target – Thanksgiving

Toys R Us - Opening 5:00 PM Thanksgiving
Samsung Tab 3 8.0 $279 $249 + $20 gift card – Toys R Us - Thanksgiving
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 Kids  $209 $189 + $20 gift card – Toys R Us – Thanksgiving (This kid edition does not have the carrying case mentioned below.)
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179 $159 + $20 gift card – Toys R Us – Thanksgiving
Samsung Tab 3 10.1 $359 $299 - Thanksgiving


Walmart - If in line between 6:00-7:00 PM Thanksgiving, item is guaranteed.
iPad Mini $299 – Still $299 but you get a $100 gift card -Walmart -Thanksgiving

 Best Deals Sorted by Device

iPad Mini
iPad Mini $299 – Still $299 but you get a $100 gift card -Walmart -Thanksgiving
iPad Mini $299 Still $299 but $80 off next shopping trip – Meijer – Thanksgiving
iPad Mini $299 – Still $299 but you get a $75 gift card – Target – Thanksgiving


iPad Air
iPad Air $499 $479 + $100 gift card – Target – Thanksgiving
iPad Air $499 + $100 off next shopping trip - Meijer - Thanksgiving
iPad Air $499 $449 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving

iPad 2
iPad 2 $399 $379 + $100 off next shopping trip - Meijer - Thanksgiving
iPad 2 $399 $299 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving

Samsung Tab 3 7.o
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179 $159 plus $30 off next shopping trip – Meijer –  Friday
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179 $159 + $20 gift card – Toys R Us – Thanksgiving
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179 $149 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179$159 Samsung.com - On Sale Now
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $179 $169 - GameStop-Midnight Thanksgiving/Black Friday Morning

Samsung Tab 3 10.1
Samsung Tab 3 10.1 $359  $299 – Samsung.com - On Sale Now
Samsung Tab 3 10.1 $359  $299 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving
Samsung Tab 3 10.1 $359 $299 - Toys R Us - Thanksgiving

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 $599 $399 – Best Buy – Thanksgiving


 

Mr. Losik's 2013 Holiday Tablet Buying Guide Part 1: Sorting Through the Options

Never before have families had so many options available when it comes to holiday tablet buying. All kinds of Android based devices are trying to give Apple and its new line of iPads a run for their money.  This holiday gift guide is aimed not at naming a best tablet but highlighting what makes each unique and sharing some recommendations for kids.

This is Part 1, a kind of a "getting acquainted" post. Check out Part 2 to find the bargains. For each grouping, I have listed some places for you to start scouting where potential deals may lie. My biggest piece of advice is shop early. Last year my wife and I found out just  how scarce some of these devices can be once Christmas starts getting nearer.

Apple has been the king of the tablet market ever since the first iPad was introduced by Steve Jobs in 2010. The iPad has become so ubiquitous it’s hard to believe it has only been part of our lives for three years. Aside from now coming in three sizes, the device really hasn’t changed a lot except the front and back facing cameras that were added to the 2nd generation model.  This feature took away a lot of the criticism that the iPad was only a device for consuming content and not making and sharing content.

The iPad 2 is really on its 4th makeover but remains Apple’s model closest to the original introduced in 2010. Apple offers it only now in a 16 GB model that retails for $399. iPad 2 is the largest of the iPads at a pound and a third, measuring 9 ½ by 7 ⅓ inches.

The iPad Air is new this year and is slightly smaller than iPad 2. It is the same height but roughly ¾ of an inch skinnier. There is a noticeable weight difference as the Air comes in a ⅓ of a pound lighter. The Air comes with Apple’s stunning Retina Display which packs in double the resolution that the 2 does. The device also features a faster processing chip and has upgraded to a 1.2 MP camera and shoots 720p high definition video. With the upgrades iPad Air also comes with a $100 higher price tag at $499 for a 16 GB model.

The iPad Mini was introduced last Fall and was virtually impossible to find in stock last Christmas season. Weighing in at just under 11 ounces, measuring 7.8 x 5.3 inches, and being only slightly over ¼ inch thick the Mini really is a marvel to hold. My fifth grade daughter has had hers for almost a year and loves the size. It seems to be the perfect bridge between the iPod Touch and the full iPad 2. She watches Netflix, produces slideshows in Keynote, and plays with a number of apps so the screen size doesn’t hinder use at all. The Mini has the same resolution as the iPad 2, comes in one 16 GB model and is Apple’s least expensive iPad on the market at $299.

Joining the iPad Air as one of Apple’s newest products comes the iPad Mini with Retina Display. Almost, identical to the iPad Mini, this one doubles the screen resolution and has the same processor and camera upgrades that the iPad Air has. The iPad Mini with Retina Display starts at $399 for the 16 GB  model.

 

What these do best: Since 2011, the iPad and its brothers and sisters below have set the bar for tablet-based creativity. Bolstering their lead in the creativity race, Apple announced in October that until further notice, all new iOS devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPads) would come with iMovie, Garage Band, iPhoto, Pages, Numbers,  and Keynote free. These are  powerful apps that used to run $5 each. iMovie is great for assembling short clips or for going cinematic with its easy to use trailer-making feature. Garage Band is a fabulous music creation app. Pages will not only allow students to word process, but produce electronic books as well. Keynote is great for slide show presentations, but its image editing and layout design make it what I call the Swiss Army knife of iOS creativity.

Mr. Losik’s recommendation for kids: As a dad, I have been thrilled with the amount of use and durability my daughter’s iPad Mini has delivered over the course of the last year. It has been great in the car, used to help her learn new concepts, and provided endless creative expression. At $299 the non-retina display Mini  is a tremendous value. I really don’t think that on a device this size that the resolution is going to make that big of an impact...at least not a $100 difference.

Where to get them: Apple.com, Apple Store in Woodland Mall, Walmart, Walmart.com, Best Buy (Check BestBuy.com for store availabilty.)

Android Tablets

The remaining tablets all run on Google’s Android operating system. I had been a dyed in the wool Apple iOS user until last year when I tried my first Android device and was pleasantly surprised. Probably the coolest thing I found is that since the operating system is built by Google then lots of applications I use daily like Google Drive work seamlessly with the Android mobile devices. Connecting to external storage like usb drives is also an option Apple products don’t offer. I was always skeptical of the Android side of things because of the idea that there was a significant shortage of apps compared to what is available on the iOS side. Yes, there are fewer but there are still plenty of great Android apps, especially for learning. Google recently launched an initiative in education and that is driving more and more developers to create educational titles for Android and there are plenty available.

Samsung is definitely one of the top forces in the Android-based tablet market and offers several models to consider. Unlike Apple that essentially offers the same product just in varying sizes or with a few upgrades , Samsung’s tablets differ in size and a number of features.

The Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 is Samsung’s mid-size option that like the iPad Mini bridges the gap between smartphone and full-size tablet. It comes in as the buying guide's least expensive option at $159. This tablet measures 7.4 inches tall and is 4.37 inches wide. It weighs about 10 ¾ ounces and is about ⅜ inch thick. The Tab 3 7.0 only comes with 8 GB of internal storage but like many Android tablets, it has an SD card slot which lets you easily and quite cheaply expand your memory. To bring the device up to the “standard” 16 GB only costs about $10 for an 8 GB card. The Tab 3 7.0 has cameras comparable to the iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display. What is interesting is that Apple actually uses chips built by Samsung in their iPads. The one in the Tab 3 7.0 is just a little zippier and comparable to the upgraded chip in the Retina Mini and Air.

Also available is a version for young kids called the Tab 3 7.0 Kids, Yellow with Blue Carrying Case. For $50 more than original 7.0 ($209), the kids version uses a simplified interface, offers more parental controls, and comes equipped in a hard-sided case with handle.

The Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 is available for $249. As the name implies, it has an 8” screen. This model comes with 16 GB of internal memory and a little bit faster processor than the 7.0.

The Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 bumps the Tab line out to full size with  16 GB of space and a price tag of $299. Its processor bumps up to almost 1 ½ times faster than the iPad 2. Its screen resolution though is still a little less than the Apple offerings. Like the other Tab 3’s, the inclusion of an SD slot is nice for expanding memory but also for transferring files between the device and a computer or an additional camera.

Samsung spent a lot of money on last year’s Super Bowl ad proclaiming “The Next Big Thing is Here.” when it launched its “Note” line of tablets. The company offers an 8 inch 16 GB model called the Galaxy Note 8.0 for $349. The “Big Thing” about the Note series is that it comes with the “integrated S pen” and “Office Suite”. The pen combines with handwriting detection software so you can just write in cursive and the device will digitize it to text. The Office Suite aids in getting documents and spreadsheets done on a tablet. The rear facing camera goes to 5 MP on the Note and it has twice the working memory or RAM of the Tab series allowing for more multitasking.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 is the full size version of the Note and packs a $599 price tag. It has all of the features of the 8.0 but with the 10 inch screen. The 10.1 also lets you have multiple windows open side-by-side, something few tablets offer. This model also delivers more creativity software like Adobe Photoshop Touch and takes advantage of the S-Pen’s pressure sensitvity. Painting and drawing on this tablet resembles painting and drawing with real brushes and pencils because of that feature. Its 16 GB internal memory can also be expanded to 64 through the SD slot. This tablet provides the highest definition and best sound quality and actually comes with $50 free dollars worth of Movies and TV shows. Buyers also get a $25 credit at the Google Play Store for buying additional apps.

What these do best: Samsung makes solid products that can handle the Android platform very well. There are plenty of games and apps available for learning and all of these will handle games and entertainment options like Netflix well. The prices for the Tab series are pretty hard to beat, especially if you are considering buying your child their first tablet. The S-Pen with the Note took some criticism as being too much like the circa 2004 Palm handhelds, but it really provides a unique tool for creating visual art and annotating photos or drawings. The iPad will still handle video production better, but there is plenty of creativity to be expressed with either the 8 or 10 inch Note.

Mr. Losik’s recommendation for kids: As I just mentioned, the price on the Tab 3 7.0 can’t be beaten, especially if this is a first tablet. Personally I would shy away from the Kid version of the Tab 3 7.0. It can be really limiting. I would buy the original version and then just take a little time to help your really young ones navigate. They can handle it. An additional feature to mention of the Note 10.1 is that it has Android 4.3 as its operating system. This version allows for multiple sign-ins so each member of the family can have his or her own account and everything is walled-off from all of the other users. There are many pluses to this feature.

Where to get them: Samsung.com, Walmart.com is currently offering refurbished units for $159., Best Buy, RadioShack.com

[caption id="attachment_330" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Google Nexus 10[/caption]

According to Google its Nexus 7 “features the world’s sharpest 7" tablet screen”. Starting at $229 for 16GB, the tablet is actually made by Asus and features some pretty impressive specs. Its processor is going to run faster than the iPad options and right in the middle of the pack with the Samsung models. Being from Google, the Nexus doesn’t build in lots of extra features like the Note. Instead, the devices lead the Android pack with the latest updates and really let the operating system speak for itself. The cameras are fairly stout with a 5 megapixel one built into the back and a decent one in the front for selfies and Skype.

The Nexus 10 follows the same streamlined approach and comes with a similar stunning display that the 7 does. Actually manufactured by Samsung, 16 GB models are $399. Most of the user experience is quite similar to 7, but this device has one of the most powerful processors available in any tablet. Its front facing camera is almost at 2 megapixels, so those 400 selfies your kid is sure to take with this will look extra special.

What these do best: All Android devices will play nicely with other services Google offers but the Nexus line really seems to do them a little better. Plus, the Nexus will always get the updates from Google fastest. The way system updates on the Android side work is that Google creates the new version and then ships it out to other manufacturers like Samsung or Sony. Those companies then adapt the system by placing their own “wrap” or tailored user interface on it. Updates can take up to six months for some tablets and many times companies will decide not to make the updates available on certain models. With a Nexus, there is no interfering wrap and users can utilize the system as it was designed. Multiple sign-ins are now part of any device that is running version 4.2.2 or higher.

Mr. Losik’s recommendation for kids: The following commercial about says it all for the Nexus.



I am also a big fan of the one where the little girl is dreaming of being an astronaut with Curious George. In my classes I teach the kids that technology is really “learning superpowers” and if the real-life user experience is anything like the ads then this can be a great device for learning. I have always been a big fan of Google’s less-is-more approach and the Nexus tablets just kind of get out of your way. The Nexus won’t be able to do as much on the creativity side as the Note or the iPad Mini, but at $70 cheaper than the Mini it is a trade-off to definitely consider.

Where to get them: Google Play Store, Walmart, Gamestop, and lots of other online spots.

[caption id="attachment_331" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Xperia Tablet Z from Sony[/caption]

The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the Android tablet I use the most. The third generation tablet from the legendary Japanese electronics maker starts at $499 for the 16 GB model. The Z is a full-size 10 inch tablet that boasts being the thinnest full-size tablet, even beating the iPad Air. Several ounces lighter than some of the other comparables, the Z is also a little more rectangular, lending an ultralight widescreen television feel to it. Being from Sony, the screen resolution and sound are spectacular and it has a processor strong enough at 1.5 GHz to push all of it. Supporting multiple users is a helpful perk for families, but the fact that the Z is water resistant to 1 meter might be the most practical. The 8 megapixel camera is another one of those high quality components that comes from it being a Sony. Sony doesn’t put a lot into its wrap so the experience is fairly close to the Nexus.

What it does best: This is an absolutely gorgeous piece of hardware and the fact that you could conceivably watch Netflix while washing your car can’t be overlooked either, but what I love about this device is the resources available from Sony’s commitment to improving life in classrooms.

Jamie Marsh was working on the tablet team at the company’s American headquarters in San Diego when he got to thinking that it would be great if kids could use the devices to help them in school. That initial thought led to the development of the Sony Education Ambassador program which is a small group of educators from around the country who work with Sony on finding real, working solutions for getting these tablets into more students’ hands. I was lucky enough to be invited as an inaugural ambassador. Besides sharing strategies and insight with the company, we blog and contribute resources at EducationAmbassador.com, a free site where any educator or parent can go to find apps and techniques for utilizing the Z or any other Android device in education.

Mr. Losik’s recommendation for kids: The Xperia Tablet Z can be a great all-around family tablet. It even has a universal remote built-in so you can check your fantasy football scores and flip between the games on the TV all with the same device. Initially designed with entertainment in mind by Sony, the tablet works great for watching movies, playing games, oh and also practicing math. You can even take a few pictures in the pool with it. At $499, the tablet isn’t cheap so if you are buying for individual kids, the price tag might get in the way. If it is being shared by the whole family, it is worth considering and offers a little something for everyone.

Where to get it: Sony Store (currently on sale for $449, free shipping, $170 worth of music, movies, and games free), BestBuy.com (also on sale for $449, check for store pick-up), BuyDig.com (offering $449 price plus a 16 GB memory card, neoprene sleeve, ear buds, and stylus bundle)
A few final thoughts: There are many, many options available and I didn't even tackle the Microsoft Surface 2 that runs the latest version of Windows that is another option. Be a careful shopper as you wade through all of these devices and beware of going too far "off-brand". I guarantee on Thanksgiving morning the paper will advertise an ultra-cheap Android tablet "doorbuster". Just because it runs Android doesn't mean it will run it well or for very long. The adage of "you get what you pay for" is often true on the "too good to be true" deals. I have a lot of confidence in the products I described above and would have few worries about their performance or durability. To wrap things up I will list all of the tablets one more time in order of price.

Samsung Tab 3 7.0 $159
Samsung Tab 3 7.0 Kids edition with carrying case $209
Nexus 7 $229
Samsung Tab 3 8.0 $249
iPad Mini $299
Samsung Tab 3 10.1 $299
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 $349
iPad Mini with Retina Display $399
iPad 2 $399
Sony Xperia Tablet Z $449
iPad Air $499
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 $599

Look for Part 2 early next week. Happy shopping!

EducationAmbassador.com: An easy tablet management trick

Here is my latest post at Sony's EducationAmbassador.com



I first met the amazing Jenny Magiera in 2011 at a summer tech camp in Arizona. The connection has produced a wealth of learning, but one of the most practical pieces of information I have learned from her surrounds using a device's background as a management tool.

All of the laptops and Sony Xperia tablets I use in my Infotech program have been customized with unique backgrounds. We would love to be 1:1 with the 600 students I see weekly but sharing works because only a handful of students use each machine each week. Most remember their numbers pretty well but problems arise when the devices aren't easiy identifiable, hence the need for the background trick.

Read the rest.

The Road to Redefinition: Teaching with iPads and Android mobile devices

The Road to Redefinition: Overcoming the impossible by teaching with iPads and Android mobile devices

The SAMR model describes the progression educators make with technology from simply "substituting" analog tasks with digital tasks to "redefinition" which entails changing teaching and learning to the degree results were inconceivable before the invention of the technology. Investigate the progression and explore practical examples of how real teachers are accomplishing this with iPads and other Android devices.

Below are my presentation slides. I will be presenting this on Wednesday July 24 at Learning in Disguise in East Grand Rapids, MI and then again on August 22 at the St. Clair RESA 21st Century Symposium in Marysville, MI.

The Road to Redefinition: Overcoming the Impossible by Teaching with iPads from mrlosik

Sony Education: First Grade Xperia Tablet Case Study: Lite version - Extended version